How do I fit a large armoire?

Many antique armoires were built to be dismantled into panels, cornices, bases and doors so they could be moved between rooms. Checking the construction method before delivery ensures the piece can be successfully assembled in your space. Measure your ceiling height and stairways carefully, as these wardrobes often exceed standard modern doorframes and require adequate clearance during positioning.

Can I use an armoire for modern clothes?

Most antique wardrobes can be adapted with a hanging rail or custom internal shelving depending on whether the original interior configuration suits your wardrobe needs. Some pieces retain deep shelves from when garments were folded rather than hung. Consider the internal depth of the cabinet before purchasing, as very old armoires can occasionally be shallow compared to modern coat hangers.

How do I identify a French revival piece?

Revival pieces, such as those from the nineteenth-century Louis XV or Empire revivals, borrow decorative vocabulary from earlier royal reigns while utilising later manufacturing techniques. Look at the timber framing, secondary woods inside, and screw types to help distinguish a nineteenth-century copy from an eighteenth-century original. Ormolu mounts and machine-sawn elements often point towards a later nineteenth or early twentieth-century date of manufacture rather than the actual period being imitated.

What is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe?

In historical terms, an armoire is a large freestanding cupboard with doors enclosing shelves or hanging space, while a wardrobe specifically designates a piece intended for hanging garments. In modern collecting, the terms are frequently used interchangeably for large French bedroom storage. Traditional French armoires often feature deeper proportions and more elaborate architectural cornices than standard British wardrobes of the same era.