How To Perfectly Plan Wardrobe Lighting

Imagine wardrobe lighting that beautifully illuminates every shelf, drawer and hanging storage in your wardrobe.

It’s what modern homeowners are growing to expect of a FABULOUS wardrobe design — a lighting plan that goes beyond equally spaced downlights that light up the closet walkway.

That’s no longer enough. A fabulous walk-in-robe design goes EXTRA, and includes wardrobe lights that showcase clothes, shoes and accessories, to make everyday tasks like choosing an outfit and getting dressed an experience.

And it’s easy to achieve in your own closet design or wardrobe renovation with the right fore-thought and planning. Are you in? Here’s our ultimate wardrobe lighting guide to create wardrobe lighting goals at your place #lightherup

Kinsman • Walk-In Wardrobe Lighting

Before You Begin Your Wardrobe Lighting…

First things first — before planning wardrobe and cabinet lights, you’ll need to design your new wardrobe layout. This includes allocating what type of wardrobe storage goes where to provide wardrobe cabinetry that meets your storage needs.

Wardrobe planning in this order, allows you to perfectly align your lighting ideas to your wardrobe cabinets design, preventing any dark areas or awkwardly placed lighting fixtures.

Plus, it means when your electrician arrives onsite, you’ll be armed with a walk-in robe layout and led lighting plan where the whole closet is easy to see and access.

And — if you come up with new wardrobe ideas while planning your lighting, you can always tweak your wardrobe design before signing off.

Kinsman • Walk-In Wardrobe Lights

Ambient vs. Task: Achieve Both In Your Wardrobe Plan

Ambient lighting sets the tone of your wardrobe layout as it fills the space with a soft, welcoming glow. Task lighting, on the other hand, is essential to focus lighting on specific areas where you need extra brightness to achieve functionality in your wardrobe design.

Ambient Wardrobe Lighting Ideas:

• Warm Light Tones: Choose warm white or soft light bulbs to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere that feels comfortable and luxurious.

• Dimmable Lights: Install dimmable lights to control the intensity of ambient lighting, and set the mood according to the time of day or occasion.

• Recessed Ceiling Lights: Install recessed lights in the ceiling to provide an even distribution of light across the entire wardrobe. These are subtle and won't intrude on the design while ensuring the space is well-lit.

Task Wardrobe Lighting Ideas:

• Under-Shelf Lighting: Install LED strip lights under shelves to illuminate the items stored below. This ensures that every shelf is well-lit, making it easier to see and access your belongings.

• Drawer Lighting: Add illuminated drawers that activate when opened. This helps you quickly find items, especially in deep or fully-packed drawers, with the convenience of not having to worry about switching lights on or off.

• Spotlights: Use adjustable spotlights to highlight specific areas like hanging spaces or display shelves. Position them to avoid shadows, ensuring clear visibility.

Kreon • Closet Lighting Ideas

IKEA • Wardrobe LED Lighting

Smart Light Ideas for a Stylish Wardrobe

When thinking up your wardrobe lighting plan, make sure to include multiple types of lighting so the space looks and feels high-end and customised to your home. Some smart light ideas to add to your wardrobe plan include:

• Backlit Mirrors: Backlight your mirror to provide functional lighting for dressing, and create a luxurious feel to your wardrobe at night.

• Wall Lights/Sconces: Add wall lights or sconces to create a focal point or add a stylish lighting feature that enhances visibility and aesthetics — by day and night.

• Pendant Lights: Hang a statement pendant light to serve as both a central feature and practical light source in your wardrobe space.

• Smart Controls: Consider integrating smart controls for adjustable lighting, allowing you to customise brightness and mood with ease.

Zephyr and Stone • Wardrobe Lights LED

Zephyr and Stone • Wardrobe Mirror Lighting

Choosing Lighting Fixtures to Match Your Wardrobe Design

We talk a lot about how important flow is when designing a home, and your wardrobe is no exception. While you can definitely give spaces their own personality and flair, it’s important there’s always a sense of consistency and cohesion.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider, to ensure your lighting fixtures align with your wardrobe design and wardrobe aesthetic.

• Colour Matching: Choose light fittings that match the colours in your wardrobe and echo the tones found in other lighting fixtures throughout your home to achieve a seamless, cohesive look.

• Consistent Finishes: Use similar finishes, such as brushed nickel or matte black, on your lighting fixtures to match other hardware or metal accents and fittings in your home.

• Balance Textures and Materials: Incorporate lighting materials and natural fibres that complement the textures in your wardrobe and home design, such as pairing glass pendant lights with other sleek surfaces or ceramic sconces with natural elements.

• Style Consistency: Ensure that the style of your lighting reflects the overall aesthetic of your wardrobe and harmonises with the design and style of your home — be it modern design to coastal style or anything in between.

Leah and Ash • Wardrobe Lighting Ideas

Wardrobe Lighting Placement: Maximise Visibility

Strategic placement of lighting fittings is critical to achieving functionality and a visually appealing walk-in robe.

Install LED strips under each shelf to cast light downward, lighting up the items below without creating harsh shadows. This type of LED installation is ideal for shelving and shoe storage.

Install LED strips vertically towards the front of cabinets to perfectly illuminate all clothing stored in the space. This is more practical than installing LED towards the back of cabinets, where clothing can obscure and block the led light.

Plan LED lighting inside cupboards with doors to illuminate dark cupboards and wardrobe storage.

Install LED strip lighting horizontally for hanging storage, to illuminate clothing hung on a hanging rail. Position your LED strip towards the front of cabinetry to illuminate both hanging clothing and the wardrobe walkway.

Utilise illuminated drawers to perfectly illuminate your smalls and accessories.

Add cabinet under lights to the wardrobe’s perimeter to highlight the overall space and ensure no corner is left in the dark.

Plan cabinet display lights to highlight luxury wardrobe items light handbags and jewellery.

Remember, planning makes perfect, and careful placement of wardrobe lighting will maximise visibility and enhance your overall design.

Zephyr and Stone • Wardrobe Lighting Motion Sensor

Kyle and Leslie • Closet Lighting LED

Zephyr and Stone • Wardrobe LED Strip Lighting

Zephyr and Stone • Wardrobe Strip Lighting

Ready to create the perfect wardrobe?

Check out our downloadable resources to plan and organise your home project + stay on budget, and don’t forget to share your own wardrobe design experiences + tips in the comments below!