One of the biggest reasons to use our wardrobe designer tool is because we understand that every room has different dimensions and every home has different storage needs, neither of which are completely satisfied by standard, conventional sizes.
However, a consequence of this is that a lot of the distinctions between different wardrobes have been somewhat eroded; after all, if you can get a wardrobe in any size, then that makes a modern armoire somewhat redundant.
The two terms are often used as interchangeably as the pieces of furniture themselves, but there are still some fundamental differences between the two.
What is quite interesting about wardrobes in relation to armoires is that whilst the two pieces of furniture are remarkably similar in terms of general design, they historically differed significantly in size.
Armoires were designed to dominate a room, having been historically used to store weaponry, tools and equipment for ships before gradually taking pride of place in the dressing rooms of the finest palaces in Europe. The rule of thumb is that armoires are wider than the outstretched arms of an adult.
Wardrobes, by contrast, vary considerably in size, having historically been large chests of clothes, standing closets and later functional cupboards with hanging rails and space to store clothes.
They traditionally were smaller and narrower than armoires, but with fitted wardrobes and custom designers, they can be made to any size.
The main modern difference between the two types of furniture is how they are adapted to the times and what their role is in a particular room.
With wardrobes, the goal has always been to be the best and most practical way to store clothes, which means that the particular aesthetic of a wardrobe prioritises practicality and suitability to a room.
Whilst fitted wardrobes look incredible and can be made to stand out using particular embossing, handles and paint washes, the ultimate focus is on protecting the clothing, shoes and jewellery kept inside.
By contrast, an armoire is designed to be a statement piece. Whilst fitted armoires have historically existed for centuries, the modern concept is inspired far more by the works of designers such as Andre-Charles Boulle.
These astonishing displays of opulence are designed less for storage and more to act as a statement piece. An armoire is more likely to be seen in a living room or dining room than a bedroom or dressing room.
A major reason why wardrobes and armoires are often described interchangeably is that the internal design of the former has changed a lot as they became more ubiquitous.
Wardrobes traditionally only featured a hangar, but as people wanted to more efficiently and economically use their space, many more options appeared which incorporated shelves for folded clothes and sheets, drawers, jewellery vanities and full-length mirrors.
Armoires have historically had shelving and drawers integrated into them, but that was in no small part because they were historically used in living and entertaining areas.
Modern armoires are often used as entertainment centres, storing televisions, games consoles and trinkets on display.
