Fitted Wardrobes vs IKEA. Quality, price and the real experience difference.

When you consider a new wardrobe for your bedroom, many homeowners face the same question: Should I go with a fully fitted wardrobe or choose a modular solution like IKEA?

Both options have their place. IKEA wardrobes are popular for a reason, and fitted wardrobes aren’t always the right answer either. We decided to write this article in order to discuss the real differences in quality, price, flexibility, and overall experience, so you can decide what works best for your home and expectations.

1. Design & Fit: standard modules vs made-to-measure

IKEA wardrobes

IKEA wardrobes (such as PAX system) are sold in standard module sizes.
This might be OK for you if:

• Your room is fairly square without awkward angles
• Ceiling height is standard
• You don’t have many awkward corners, alcoves, or chimney breasts

However, it almost goes without saying, that in many UK homes — especially period properties and London flats — rooms are rarely perfect:

• Sloping ceilings
• Uneven walls
• Chimney breasts
• Narrow alcoves
• Untypical depths of the spaces

In order for you to make IKEA fit, such compromises are often needed:

• Gaps above wardrobes
• Infill/Filler panels (you need extra help for this)
• Lost storage depth
• Visible voids that collect dust

Fitted wardrobes

A fitted wardrobe is designed around your bedroom at all times, not the other way around. At least this is how it should be. The main benefits of the made-to-measure wardrobes are:

• Floor-to-ceiling height
• Wall-to-wall width
• Adjusted depth where needed
• Clean lines with no visible gaps

This usually results in:

• Much more usable storage
• A calmer, built-in look
• Better proportions in the room

Just to make it clear, when we talk about fitted wardrobes here, we’re referring to furniture that is genuinely designed and manufactured around the room. Some larger nationwide suppliers offer a wider range of standard sizes than IKEA, but their products are still largely pre-made systems that are adjusted to fit the space rather than built specifically for it. We will discuss the difference between pre-made adjustable systems and purely made-to-measure wardrobes in next article.

👉 Verdict:
If your space is simple, for some homes IKEA can work really well. Sloped ceilings or alcoves – something standard IKEA wardrobes rarely handle well. If your room is awkward (which many are), fitted wardrobes make far better use of it. There’s no right or wrong choice here and often your decision is based on pricing. Which we will discuss below.

Based on our experience we have prepare a comparison table highlighting the main differences between IKEA wardrobes and made-to-measure solutions:

Fitted wardrobes vs IKEA: comparison table

Feature	Fully Fitted Wardrobes	IKEA Wardrobes
Design approach	Designed and built specifically around your room	Modular, standard-sized units adapted to the space
Room fit	Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall with no visible gaps	Often leaves gaps above, to the sides or around obstacles
Sloped ceilings	Can follow roof angles precisely	Cannot follow slopes – space above becomes unused and traps dust
Awkward layouts	Ideal for alcoves, chimney breasts and uneven walls	Limited adaptability in non-standard rooms
Storage efficiency	Maximises every centimetre of available space	Some space is lost due to fixed module sizes
Installation	Professionally measured and installed	DIY or third-party installation
Design involvement	Personal design consultation	Self-planned or in-store planning
Upfront cost	Higher initial investment	Lower initial cost
Long-term value	Better longevity and built-in appearance	Good value for simpler, short-to-medium-term solutions
Best suited for	Period homes, loft rooms, awkward spaces	Simple rooms with standard ceiling heights

2. Materials & build quality

IKEA

IKEA wardrobes are typically made from:

• Chipboard / particle board
• Foil or melamine finishes
• Mass-produced hardware (usually low quality)

Pros:

• Consistent quality
• Good value for money
• Easy replacement of parts

Cons:

• Limited repair options if damaged
• Less tolerance for uneven walls or floors
• Finishes can chip or peel over time
• Limited customisation options for the exterior
• Poor quality of internal mechanisms (drawer’s runners, hinges, rails etc.)

Fitted wardrobes

With bespoke fitted wardrobes, materials vary depending on the maker:

• MDF (spray-painted or hand-painted) – High-Density / furniture-grade MDF
• Real wood veneer or Laminated MFC (Egger, Kronospan, SwissKrono, Xylo Cleaf etc.)
• Plywood or engineered boards (Birch Ply, Real Oak/Walnut Veneer, Decorative veneers etc.)
• Higher-grade hinges, runners and internal fittings (mainly german brands: Blum, Hafele, Hettich, Grass etc.)
• High quality, durable ABS edging. Better edging = less exposed core
  

Pros:

• Stronger construction
• Repairable and repaintable finishes
• Better longevity when installed correctly
• Improved day-to-day usability
• A better overall wardrobe experience

Cons:

• Quality depends heavily on the maker
• Not all “fitted” wardrobes are equal
• Price. Usually significantly more expensive

👉 Verdict:
IKEA offers predictable, mass-market quality.
Fitted wardrobes can be significantly higher quality — if done by a good manufacturer.

In most cases, bespoke furniture manufacturers use Laminated MFC materials for the interiors (similar to IKEA), however the quality usually varies significantly. Egger chipboards is a denser, more durable board designed for made-to-measure furniture, which helps fitted wardrobes better withstand daily use over time. Both IKEA and Egger boards comply with modern EU regulations for low formaldehyde emissions, meaning they are considered safe for everyday residential use.

The main differences between IKEA and EGGER internal materials

Feature	IKEA PAX	Egger MFC
Board density	Lighter	Higher density
Surface finish	Foil / melamine	Industrial melamine
Edge durability	More prone to chipping	ABS edging, more impact-resistant
Moisture resistance	Limited	Better (not waterproof, but more stable)
Repairability	Very limited	Minor damage can often be repaired
Installation	Flat-pack modules	Cut-to-size fitted furniture
Longevity	Medium-term	Medium-term
Upfront cost	Higher initial investment	Long-term use

3. Storage flexibility & internal layout

IKEA

IKEA provides a wide range of internal accessories:

• Drawers
• Pull-out trays
• Shoe racks
• Lighting options

Limitations:

• Fixed module widths
• Fixed hole positions
• Standard drawer sizes. Drawer’s mechanisms is usually low quality.
• Less flexibility for long dresses, suits, or mixed storage

Fitted wardrobes

With a fitted solution, internals are designed specifically for you. This is where fitted wardrobes tend to make more sense:

• Long hanging for dresses or coats
• Custom drawer heights
• Jewellery drawers
• Mixed storage in awkward zones
• Optimised depths (important in narrow rooms, undereaves or understairs spaces)

👉 Verdict:
IKEA is great for general storage.
Fitted wardrobes shine when you have specific needs or want to maximise every centimetre.

Aspect	IKEA Wardrobes	Fully Fitted Wardrobes
Internal accessories	Wide range of ready-made accessories	Designed specifically around your needs
Drawers	Standard sizes only	Custom heights and widths
Hanging space	Fixed configurations	Long hanging for dresses, coats, or suits
Shoe storage	Pre-designed racks and baskets	Integrated and tailored shoe storage
Jewellery storage	Limited or add-on solutions	Purpose-made jewellery drawers
Lighting	Optional plug-and-play lighting	Integrated lighting planned into the design
Module widths	Fixed module sizes	Fully adjustable widths
Hole positions	Fixed system drilling	Positioned exactly where needed
Mixed storage	Limited flexibility	Easily combined within one unit
Awkward spaces	Difficult to optimise	Designed to work around obstacles
Depth options	Standard depths only	Optimised depths for narrow rooms
Overall flexibility	Good for general storage	High flexibility for specific requirements

In conclusion to this topic

A common conversation we have with clients is: the choice between IKEA and fitted wardrobes comes down to your space, your budget, and how you plan to use the wardrobe day to day. This is something we see a lot during surveys: IKEA offers a practical and affordable solution for simple rooms, while fitted wardrobes are better suited to more complex layouts and specific storage needs. Neither option is right for everyone — the key is choosing what works best for your home.

IKEA furniture is designed to fit many homes reasonably well, while fitted wardrobes are designed to fit one home properly. Understanding that distinction makes the decision much clearer.

FAQ

Are fitted wardrobes always better than IKEA?

Not necessarily. IKEA wardrobes work very well in simple, standard rooms and offer good value for money. Fitted wardrobes tend to be a better option when rooms have sloped ceilings, awkward layouts, or when storage needs are more specific. Also, truly bespoke wardrobes allow you to customise the exterior of the wardrobe in the way you like – by choosing the specific colour, shape of the door, handles etc. With IKEA solutions you are limited in choice.

Why do IKEA wardrobes often leave gaps at the top?

IKEA wardrobes are based on fixed module heights and rely on stock or pre-made carcasses and doors. This is why in rooms with higher or uneven ceilings, this usually results in a gap above the wardrobe, which is often left unused or becomes a dust-collecting area.

Can IKEA wardrobes be made to look fitted?

To a degree, yes. Most people don’t think about this at first, however, fillers, trims and panels can reduce visible gaps, but the internal layout and overall proportions are still based on standard modules rather than being designed specifically for the room and your storage needs. On paper it looks fine — in reality, it often isn’t.

Are fitted wardrobes better quality than IKEA?

It depends entirely on the manufacturer. The UK fitted furniture market is currently crowded with companies describing their products as “fitted” or “bespoke,” which can make it difficult to understand what those terms really mean.

Many larger nationwide companies rely heavily on marketing and advertising, and to make that business model work, compromises are often made elsewhere. This usually results in a more limited choice of materials and layouts, with furniture based on pre-made modules that are adapted to the space rather than truly made to measure.

In practice, this approach can feel very similar to modular systems like IKEA — just presented as a fitted solution. For most homeowners, the difference isn’t obvious at first, and it’s understandable that people choose the most straightforward option without realising how similar the underlying product can be.

So the short answer is yes — fitted wardrobes can be better quality, but only when they’re made by the right manufacturer. When they’re not, the end result is often the same underlying product, simply adjusted to look more bespoke and slightly more fitted, without a real improvement in quality.

Do fitted wardrobes add value to a property?

The honest answer is: sometimes, but not always. Fitted wardrobes tend to add value only in homes where potential buyers pay close attention to detail and quality. If storage and joinery aren’t a priority for the buyer — and budget matters more — fitted wardrobes often have little to no impact on the final sale price.

This is based on personal experience. I invested a significant amount into my own flat renovation, including fitted wardrobes with lacquered mirror doors, a high-end interior finish, integrated LED lighting, and premium ironmongery. Despite the quality and cost involved, it made no noticeable difference to the buyer’s final decision.

In many cases, fitted wardrobes improve how a home lives rather than how much it sells for. Their real value is often felt by the person using them every day, not necessarily reflected in the property price.