Sunderland cottages
Bedrooms are small, and doors and windows take up much of the wall. Many cottages now have a loft room with a dormer, reached by a steep stair.
Often suitsSloping ceiling wardrobes, eaves drawers, sliding doors
Local service · SR1 to SR6
Fitted wardrobes in Sunderland, for cottages, villas and new builds
Homes in Sunderland range from small cottages with loft rooms to tall Victorian villas. We design made-to-measure wardrobes that make the most of each one.
Lat 54.91° NLong 1.38° WPostcodes SR1 to SR6Service Design · Supply · Install
Mirrored doors add light. They also save finding wall space for a separate full-length mirror.
Local service
Storage for small rooms and loft bedrooms
Sunderland grew up on both banks of the River Wear, and its housing reflects that history. Near the centre are rows of single-storey cottages, a type of terrace that is rare outside the city. Ashbrooke has large villas, Roker and Seaburn have seafront terraces, and Washington has many newer homes.
Most of these homes share one problem: there is not much free wall for a wardrobe. Doors, windows and chimney breasts break up the space, and loft rooms lose height under the roof. A fitted wardrobe can use the recesses, corners and full height of the room that freestanding furniture leaves empty.
In smaller bedrooms, sliding door wardrobes are a popular choice because they need no space to open. Mirrored or glass panels also make the room feel bigger. In larger rooms, oak or painted hinged doors give a more traditional look.
Homes we design for
Cottages, villas and family homes
Here is how we usually plan for the three types of home we see most often in Sunderland.
Ashbrooke and seafront houses
Rooms are larger, with high ceilings, bay windows and chimney breasts. Walls and ceilings in these older houses are rarely straight.
Often suitsBuilt-in wardrobes, alcove units, panelled doors
Washington and Doxford Park homes
Layouts are practical, but second and third bedrooms are often small. Stair bulkheads and radiators can get in the way of a standard wardrobe.
Often suitsMirrored sliding doors, made-to-measure units
Wardrobe solutions
Wardrobe styles for cottages and family homes
The styles we suggest most often. We size each one to the wall it fills.
Sloping Ceiling Wardrobes
Hanging space where the roof is highest, with drawers and shelves under the slope of a loft room.
Explore sloping ceiling wardrobes
Sliding Door Wardrobes
Mirror or glass doors that need no space to open, so they suit small bedrooms.
Explore sliding door wardrobes
Alcove Wardrobes
Storage built into the recesses either side of a chimney breast, in cottages and villas alike.
Explore alcove wardrobes
Hinged Door Wardrobes
Oak, painted or shaker doors that open fully, a good match for larger Ashbrooke bedrooms.
Explore hinged door wardrobes
Made to Measure Wardrobes
Units sized to the wall and built around bulkheads and radiators in newer homes.
Explore made to measure
Walk-in Wardrobes
A spare box room or a large villa bedroom can become a walk-in dressing room.
Explore walk-in wardrobes
Photography on this page is licensed design-inspiration imagery. It shows styles and finishes, not installations completed by our team.
Installation coverage
Areas we cover across Sunderland and Wearside
We fit wardrobes across Sunderland, on both sides of the Wear. That includes Roker, Seaburn and Fulwell to the north, and Ashbrooke, Hendon, Millfield, Pallion and Barnes to the south. We also cover Washington, Penshaw and Houghton-le-Spring.
Cottage streets are often narrow, and many have back lanes. We talk about parking, loading and the route into each room at the design visit, then plan fitting day around it. We also cover nearby Durham and the villages around it.
Neighbourhoods and nearby areas
- Ashbrooke
- Roker
- Seaburn
- Fulwell
- Millfield
- Hendon
- Pallion
- Southwick
- Doxford Park
- Washington
Loft stairs
Units can be made in sections to get up steep loft stairs.
Back lanes
Parking and loading are agreed with you in advance.
Uneven walls
Older walls are rarely straight, so we scribe each panel to fit.
Nearby areas
We also design and install nearby
We also cover Newcastle upon Tyne and towns across Tyneside, Wearside and County Durham.
Can you fit a wardrobe in a Sunderland cottage?
Yes. With little wall to spare, we look at alcoves, corners and the full height of the room. Sliding or narrow hinged doors work well where there is not much space in front.
Our loft room has sloping ceilings. What can you do?
We shape the wardrobe to the pitch of the roof. Full-height hanging goes where the ceiling is tallest, with drawers or cupboards in the low space under the eaves. See our sloping ceiling wardrobes for more ideas.
What suits a high-ceilinged Ashbrooke bedroom?
Taking the wardrobe up to the ceiling looks more built-in and adds space for cases and spare bedding. Painted panelled doors with a simple cornice suit these rooms well. For a modern contrast, plain doors in a soft colour also work.
Are fitted wardrobes worth it in a Washington or Doxford new build?
Often it makes the biggest difference in the smallest rooms. A made-to-measure wardrobe uses the whole wall, including the space above a stair bulkhead. Drawers can go inside it too, which frees floor space for the bed.
How long does it take from visit to fitting?
It depends on the design and finish. Most jobs take a few weeks once the design is agreed. Fitting a typical bedroom wall in Sunderland usually takes one or two days.
How are wardrobe prices worked out?
Every room is different, so we price each wardrobe after a free visit. Our guide to fitted wardrobe costs explains how size, doors and interiors affect the price.
Free design consultation
Book your free design visit
We visit homes across Sunderland and Washington. We’ll measure the room, talk through ideas and send a clear, itemised quote.
- Free home visit and precise measurements
- Design ideas tailored to your room
- A clear, itemised quote with no obligation