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rebecca_hart76

wardrobe dilemma

10 months ago

I have some large wardrobes in matching color of our dresser along the wall in my bedroom. We need them and just added them for closet space as we have very little space. They seem to overwhelm the space. My husband insists on keeping our large tv there too. I am at a loss to soften the look of the wardrobes. It feels awful.

Comments (40)

  • 10 months ago

    You need to give the dimensions of the room and show all walls as there may be another arrangement of the furniture.

  • 10 months ago

    Thanks. It’s pretty crowded in there. Will likely remove some furniture soon.

  • PRO
    10 months ago

    Seems to me to be just too much wood stuff all lined up on that wall and is taht desk on the right ? IMO just too much stiff . The fish tank surley could go somewhere else . I need a to scale floor plan of the whole space and you need to figure what has to be in the space . Is that a door to the outside ? Pics of all the walls too.

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    If you need to keep the wardrobes and the tv then focus on what can be removed (decor shelf, chairs etc) and do that first - can you rearrange the room so you are not staring at the wardrobes when sitting in bed?


    i also think splitting up the units to different parts of the room could help

  • 10 months ago

    Splitting up the units is key.

  • 10 months ago

    More pics of room

  • 10 months ago

    We have a new large rug to place once we get some young people with muscles to help us move the old rugs and place the new ones.

  • 10 months ago

    More pics of room. Unfortunately, would be impossible to move the 75 gallon tank

  • 10 months ago

    What do you have for other closet space? You stated that you have very little space. Is there closet space in other bedroom (s)? Could one of these units be placed elsewhere? or, perhaps some of your clothing placed in another closet? Do you store things other than clothing in these wardrobes? Perhaps you just need to cull through things & get rid of less used clothing, etc. Not fun, but I do it on a regular basis.

  • 10 months ago

    Put the dresser and tv in the middle of the two wardrobes. Remove the shelving unit to another room.

  • 10 months ago

    K Lawrence. Believe me we tried to declutter and move all we could. Otherwise there is no office space. Previously all my husbands clothing was in his office closet and he had no space for his office supplies for his home business.

  • 10 months ago

    Aunt Thelma- good idea. We tried that originally but it blocked view of outdoors when you came into room, so husband mixed that idea. I think I might just be stuck with this configuration. It’s sad.

  • 10 months ago

    I keep telling him house is just too small. We just downsized from 4800 to 2200 so ft.

  • 10 months ago

    Patricia here is the dimension

  • 10 months ago

    Here is design

  • 10 months ago

    AI suggested putting a tapestry above it to soften the look. Hmmmm

  • 10 months ago

    Here is what ai did which has interesting elements. I think I messed up buying a dark rug to go with the wood. I like the lighter approach in this pic. What do you guys think. Ai says my velvet light blue drapes are dated. (They are warm in this room right now.)

  • 10 months ago

    The reality is that you need to be willing to change something for the room to improve. Yes it looks bad as is, you have identified that. To improve change is needed. You have said no to every change suggested.

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    Agree with Aunt Thelma to place TV and dress between the armoires, this idea. Also agree with others to relocate any small pieces in the room. Also, get light ivory or white "blackout" curtains, which work just as well to darken a bedroom as dark curtains. This will make the bedroom seem lighter and more spacious. That massive black screen TV, IMO, is the big problem, not the armoires.


    Why aren't you considering a smaller TV for your otherwise nice bedroom?


  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    Is there room in his office for one of the units or fish tank? Do you use both chairs and is the shelving unit needed? It's not going to get better unless something is able to be moved out. You don't have the wall space AI shows.

  • 10 months ago

    The chairs are way too big for the room. The cube footstool looks unnecessary - I hope it is not used as a step stool - yikes! No rugs for anyone who is a senior a trip hazard. Post pictures of other spaces with floor plans, measurements, windows, doors so the pros can give you ideas on re-locating some items and better use your space. 2200 sq ft even including a home office should be plenty big enough for two people. Keep an open mind for this effort.

  • 10 months ago

    So can't move the fish tank. Can't get rid of the armoires. Can't split up the armoires per Aunt Thelma. Why are you asking Houzz for help? Yes, get AI to solve this since we're running out of suggestions.

  • 10 months ago

    @Rebecca Hart ….There is a saying that “possessions expand to fill the available space “. I don’t think 2200 square feet is “too small”. How many are living there?

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    What about taking off the heavy draperies and replacing with something closer to the wall color? Getting that wall opened up with more light would help I think


    removing all the scatter rugs, extraneous items will go a really long way I think (I would leave a rug out of the room)

  • 10 months ago

    @housegal200 …. I’ve always said “inertia is a powerful force “.

  • 10 months ago

    If you can, move aquarium to another room? Place tv cabinet between the two wardrobes so it looks like a set- put comp table where aquarium is and to soften the look of the room put a decorate table cover on tv unit, add bright cushions to seating and bed area and a throw.

  • 10 months ago

    I wouldn't live in a bedroom with tile floors and no rugs, at whatever age!

  • PRO
    10 months ago

    I haven't looked into a new furniture layout but here's how the room can look with a neutral decor and larger area rug, new fan.


  • 10 months ago

    Listed: that is fabulous. Thanks so much for that edit. It looks so peaceful.

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    To do:

    Keeping massive TV and massive fish tank, here are some things I hope you'll be willing to try. Why on earth do you think a 2200 sq. ft is too small a house? Your house has plenty of space for two people even with an office. Consider hiring a stager/organizer for your new home to show you how to greatly simplify your space. You are not seeing what we're seeing--extra shelves, two ottomans, massive chairs, large table in a bedroom???

    --Remove shelves next to armoires closest to that glass door.

    --Remove "stuff" on top of armoires.

    --Remove ottomans because you need to replace chairs.

    --Remove rug in hallway--it's another dark rectangle.

    --Have one smaller chair and one small table, both up on legs for airiness and space by the window and a sconce lamp to save on floor space. Or two small scale swivel recliners with a table in the middle.

    --Consider getting two matching night table height dressers in wicker for the sides of the bed, if there's room. This will give you extra storage. No te the small size chair by the window and simple window treatment everyone is advising:

    Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel in Bethesda, MD · More Info




    --Split armoires with TV and dresser in between.


    --If you use chairs for watching the massive TV, then get small scale swivel chairs--absolutely no ottomans. Small round table between chairs.

    AFG Baby Furniture Ava Swivel Glider Recliner With Gray Finish GR717G · More Info


    Stop thinking your house is too small. You have too much stuff for your new house. Keep downsizing and if you can't, get an organizer/stager pro to come in for a few hours to show you what needs to be done.

  • 10 months ago

    I agree 2200 sq ft is not too small for 2 people. We live in 1935 sq ft with plenty of room for us. Perhaps you brought too many things from your large house and need to reconsider some items. I know it's hard but may be needed for this house to be comfortable and pleasing.

  • 10 months ago

    If your unable to move any furniture out, the smaller chairs would make a nice difference with smaller table and matching bedsides. Wall or close to wall color drapes. Painting the large storage closets the same as wall color or close to your color pallet would also make the room feel more spacious.

  • 10 months ago

    In your old 4800 square foot house, did you have a dedicated area in the bedroom for chairs, tv and cd player with speakers? Or was the tv in another room?

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    The real problem is that you moved to a house half the size and want to keep the same bulky furniture that looked fine before in the bigger space. It doesn't really work that way. I think those heavy oak things just overwhelm the room. I'd go off to IKEA and pick light-colored, kinda-customizable sliding wardrobes or hinged wardrobes, with a new TV stand & dresser (hopefully from the same IKEA line) in the middle (as others have suggested). Then declutter and find some right-sized chairs and I think everyone will be a lot happier with/in the space.

  • 10 months ago

    Thanks everyone! Downsizing is definitely the hardest transition we’ve ever made. Kids r gone , just us 2 and our massive furniture. Hard to get rid of absolutely everything. We had an enormous master suite in the past where we spent all our time. Now we have a new entertainment area in the living space with another huge tv and stereo system. Why don’t we use it? The chairs are super uncomfortable. So we retreat to the bedroom with our comfy not so gorgeous furniture. The big tv is a leftover from another living space in the old house. You are all correct, but you know you try to make things work. My main issue was with the wardrobes as the house really has no closet space to speak of. I think we have enough ideas to work with them. Just calming down the space with lighter colors and removing the painting made a big difference. Moving my 75 gallon aquariums with 6 peaceful angelfish is not something I will do as they are the most peaceful part of the room. (You can’t see them.). The rest is a shopping trip away.

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    Thanks for info on old house. Many, many people are delighted when they can choose comfortable new recliners for their more informal lifestyles in their new houses and they can get rid of the uncomfortable things at last. You can choose recliner fabrics at LaZ Boy.

  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    There are many ways to fool the eye so room won’t feel as heavy and cramped. The easiest is to remove the items on the ends of this wall and place dresser/TV between the two tall units.


    The window treatment is too heavy and dark. Imagine blinds on all of the windows and if you still want drapes, just use on the large window on the left. Suggest lighter/less bulky but comfy chairs (try Marketplace) and with that whole area feeling lighter, it will offset the bulky/heavy feel of the other wall.




    Bedding and lighter accessories (even a new fan) will draw the eye to the centre of room.






  • 10 months ago

    Since it is just the two of you, can you convert a small bedroom into a dressing room? Move the wardrobes in there. Or, move one wardrobe into the guest room and use it for seasonal or ”special occasion” clothes. I found, after I retired, that I don’t need a huge closet because I rarely get dressed up anymore. When I was working, I needed suits and shoes and lots of blouses and jackets. Now, I wear jeans almost every day and don’t need my huge closet.

    Agree, downsizing is harder than you expect. It is time to rethink your needs and lifestyle. It is a huge transition.

  • 10 months ago

    Thanks all of you!

  • 10 months ago

    Tremendously helpful. I will work on it.