What is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe?

The terms are used interchangeably in most furniture stores. Technically, an armoire refers to a French-style cabinet with ornate hardware and carved details, while a wardrobe is a plainer freestanding cabinet for clothes storage. Both typically include a combination of a hanging rod section and drawers or shelves. In modern use, both are used as freestanding closet alternatives.

When does an armoire make more sense than a dresser?

An armoire makes sense when you need hanging storage that a dresser cannot provide -- primarily for jackets, dresses, and dress shirts that should not be folded. It is also useful in older homes or apartments with small closets or no closet at all in the bedroom. The downside is footprint: an armoire typically requires 48 to 60 inches of wall space and 24 to 30 inches of depth, which can crowd a smaller bedroom.

How much clearance does an armoire need?

The doors need full clearance to swing open -- typically 18 to 24 inches in front of the piece. If the armoire has drawers in the lower section, add another 24 to 30 inches of clear floor space for the drawer pull distance. On the sides, 2 to 3 inches is enough for air circulation. Most armoires are 72 to 84 inches tall, so measure your ceiling height before buying to make sure there is room to stand the piece upright during delivery.

Armoires | Quality Home Furniture

An armoire is a freestanding wardrobe cabinet -- tall, wide, and deep enough to provide hanging rod space and drawer or shelf storage. In rooms without adequate closets, it functions as the wardrobe. In rooms with closets, it adds storage or can serve as a media cabinet. Standard armoires are 70 to 84 inches tall and 40 to 52 inches wide -- measure your wall and ceiling before you shop. Read our guide to armoires and wardrobes for hanging space requirements, exterior sizing, and when an armoire makes more sense than a dresser.

How to Build a Complete Bedroom: Every Piece Explained -- when an armoire makes more sense than a dresser or closet system.

Quality Home Furniture has served the Dallas-Fort Worth area from our Mesquite showroom since 1975. We're a family-owned business at 227 US HWY 80 E, Mesquite TX -- open Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Call (972) 288-9322.

Read our guide to bedroom storage -- dresser vs. chest vs. armoire and how to choose.

Read our guide to armoires and wardrobes -- hanging space requirements, exterior dimensions, and armoire vs. dresser for your actual storage need.