How do I fit modern clothes into an antique wardrobe?

Many period wardrobes were built before standard clothes hangers existed, meaning internal hanging depths can occasionally prove shallow for modern broad shoulders. Cabinet makers often fitted wooden peg rails or simple hooks rather than front-to-back hanging bars. Buyers usually overcome shallow depths by utilising slim modern hangers or having a specialist adjust the internal hanging rail orientation. It is wise to measure your garments against the internal depth before purchasing.

What is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe?

Armoire is a traditional continental term for a large cupboard with doors, while wardrobe is the standard English term for furniture specifically intended for hanging garments. In practice, many continental armoires listed today have been retrofitted with internal hanging rails to match the function of English wardrobes. Both terms describe substantial tall storage furniture, but armoires often display regional French or Dutch decorative carving and proportions. The interior fittings offer the best guide to how a specific piece was utilised historically.

How do I tell a Georgian wardrobe from a Victorian one?

Georgian pieces, dating through the eighteenth century, typically display clean architectural proportions, solid mahogany or oak construction, and restrained decoration like crossbanding or bracket feet. They often take the form of linen presses or hanging cupboards with fielded panel doors. Victorian wardrobes from the nineteenth century are generally larger, heavier, and more eclectic, drawing on Gothic, Arts and Crafts, or Renaissance revival styles. They frequently incorporate mirrored doors, extensive carving, burr veneers, and modular carcases designed for larger bedrooms.