How Much Do Fitted Wardrobes Cost in Ireland in 2026?
Wardrobe pricing in Ireland spans a wider range than most people expect before they start getting quotes. You can find a basic fitted system from a large retailer for under €1,000. You can also spend €15,000 on a full bespoke dressing room. Understanding why that gap exists, and where a quality bespoke wardrobe from a joiner sits within it, is what this guide covers.
The Honest Price Tiers
| Wardrobe Type | Price Range | What You Are Getting |
|---|---|---|
| Budget retailer or flat-pack | €800 to €1,800 | Standard module sizes, limited material quality, self-assembly or basic fitting |
| Mid-range fitted system | €2,000 to €4,500 | Better finish, sliding or hinged doors, modest customisation within a product range |
| Bespoke joinery, single wardrobe | €3,000 to €6,000 | Built to exact room dimensions, solid or quality materials, proper fitting |
| Master bedroom wardrobe run | €5,000 to €9,000 | Full wall or multiple walls, hardwood or quality painted, designed around your storage needs |
| Walk-in dressing room | €8,000 to €18,000 | Dedicated room, full fit-out including shelving, rails, drawer units, possibly lighting provisions |
These figures reflect 2026 pricing in the Louth and South Armagh market. Dublin rates run 5-10% higher. The figures for bespoke joinery cover design, workshop build, and fitting but exclude electrical work for any integrated lighting.
To understand the full process behind what you are paying for at the bespoke end, the walkthrough of how fitted wardrobes are designed and built covers each stage from site visit to handover.
What Drives the Cost
Size
The most obvious driver. More wardrobe means more material and more time. A single fitted wardrobe filling a standard alcove costs considerably less than a full-wall run across a master bedroom. Floor-to-ceiling units cost more than standard-height units because they require more material and more precise fitting to account for ceiling variation.
Material specification
The difference between a chipboard-carcassed budget wardrobe and a birch ply and solid hardwood bespoke piece is not just aesthetic. It is structural. Chipboard carcasses in an Irish bedroom absorb moisture over time, particularly in older homes without consistent heating. Birch ply and solid hardwood do not behave that way.
For painted finishes, moisture-resistant MDF is the correct specification, not standard MDF. On doors, solid hardwood costs more than painted MDF but has a longer repair life when surface damage occurs.
Interior fittings
Standard configurations include shelving and a single hanging rail. Beyond that, cost rises with complexity: double hanging rails, shoe shelving, pull-out drawer units, tie and belt racks, integrated laundry hampers, and similar. Every internal fitting adds material and time.
Room complexity
Standard rectangular rooms with plumb walls and level ceilings are simpler to work with. Sloped ceilings, chimney breasts, irregular wall returns, or alcoves with non-standard dimensions all require more design time and more precise cutting on site. Budget an additional 15-25% for rooms with significant complications.
Sliding versus hinged doors
Sliding door systems cost more than hinged equivalents in most specifications but eliminate the need for door-swing clearance in front of the wardrobe. In a smaller bedroom where floor space is tight, sliding doors are often the practical choice regardless of cost. In a larger room, hinged doors are generally more accessible and mechanically simpler.
What a Setanta Wardrobe Costs
For bespoke fitted wardrobes built and fitted by John McShane across Co. Louth and South Armagh, realistic 2026 project costs:
- Single bedroom alcove wardrobe, painted finish: €2,500 to €4,000
- Master bedroom full-wall wardrobe, solid hardwood: €6,000 to €9,000
- Walk-in dressing room, full fit-out: €9,000 to €16,000
These cover the joinery entirely. Electrical work for lighting and any plastering or floor work is separate.
The pricing reflects one craftsman doing everything: design, build, and fitting. There is no manufacturer’s markup on top of a fitting fee, and no factory component being passed off as bespoke joinery.
Is a Bespoke Wardrobe Worth More than a Fitted System?
The honest answer is: usually yes, if you are planning to stay in the house for more than ten years.
A quality fitted system from an established company produces a good result within its product range. The limitation is that it still fits the room approximately, not precisely. Module sizes do not match room dimensions. Sloped ceilings create gaps. And in ten to fifteen years, the chipboard carcasses will begin to show the effects of Irish humidity, particularly in bedrooms with older construction.
A bespoke wardrobe in birch ply carcasses with solid hardwood or quality painted doors, built to the exact dimensions of the room, will still be fully functional in thirty years with basic maintenance.
If you are deciding between the two, the comparison between fitted systems and bespoke joinery covers the trade-offs in detail.
What Is Not Included in a Wardrobe Quote
When comparing quotes, always establish:
- Whether fitting is included or charged separately
- Whether removal of existing wardrobes is included
- Whether internal fittings such as drawer units are included or priced as extras
- Whether lighting provisions or electrical work are in scope
- Whether plastering or painting of walls after installation is included
A well-structured quote from a reputable joiner will specify all of this clearly. A quote that looks unusually low is often one where several of these items have been excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fitted wardrobe cost per linear metre in Ireland? For a bespoke joinery wardrobe, a rough guide is €1,200 to €2,000 per linear metre of floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobe in a quality painted finish. Solid hardwood runs higher. This is a rough planning figure only. An accurate quote requires a site visit.
Do fitted wardrobes add value to a house? Yes, consistently. Estate agents across Ireland identify good bedroom storage as a positive factor in valuation and speed of sale. A properly fitted, well-made wardrobe is an asset that buyers notice. A poorly fitted or cheap wardrobe is noticed for the wrong reasons.
Can I phase the work, starting with one bedroom and adding later? Yes. John works on individual rooms as well as whole-house commissions. Phasing is common and entirely workable, provided the design style is agreed at the outset so later additions are consistent.
If you are planning fitted wardrobes in Carlingford, Dundalk, Newry, or across Co. Louth, the Setanta fitted furniture service covers everything from single wardrobes to full dressing rooms. Contact John directly on 083 003 3268 to arrange a site visit.
