Short answer: mirror doors make a small room feel larger and give you a full-length mirror; white glass doors give a clean, bright gloss without reflection; panel doors (in the polytec range, matt, woodmatt or routed shaker) give colour and texture and suit the widest range of rooms. Most people end up mixing two of them on one wardrobe.
Mirror doors
A full-height mirror on each door, in a slim aluminium frame colour-matched to the carcass, or frameless.
Choose mirror when
- The bedroom is small or dark. A mirror wall doubles the apparent size and bounces light from the window.
- You want a full-length mirror and have nowhere else to put one.
- It is a kids’ or teenager’s room.
Think twice when
- The wardrobe faces the bed. Some people dislike seeing themselves from bed; a mirror on the end door only solves it.
- The room already has a lot of glass or gloss.
White glass doors
Toughened glass painted white on the back, so the face is a bright, smooth, slightly reflective white. Also available in a few soft colours.
Choose white glass when
- You want a modern, hotel-like look.
- The room is a bit dim but you do not want mirror.
- The rest of the room is calm and you want the wardrobe to be the clean element.
Think twice when
- The budget is tight. Glass costs more than board.
- The room is very traditional with timber trims; a matt panel or shaker door usually fits better.
Panel doors
Doors made from polytec’s 9mm wardrobe board, in matt, woodmatt, ravine or texture finishes, flat or with a routed shaker profile.
Choose panel when
- You want colour or a timber look.
- You want the wardrobe to match other joinery in the house.
- You are matching painted trims with a white matt door, the quietest option of all.
Think twice when
- The room is small and dark. A dark panel door will make it feel smaller.
- You want a full-length mirror; add a mirror door or a swivel mirror inside instead.
Side by side
| Mirror | White glass | Panel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effect on the room | Enlarges, brightens | Brightens | Depends on colour |
| Full-length mirror | Yes | No | No (add one inside) |
| Finish options | Silver, bronze, grey mirror | White, a few colours | 25+ colours and textures |
| Weight | Heavy | Heavy | Light |
| Cost | Higher | Higher | Lower |
| Suits | Small or dark rooms, kids’ rooms | Modern rooms | Any room, traditional rooms |
Mixing doors on one wardrobe
Combinations are common and usually look better than three of the same:
- Mirror centre, panel outers. A full-length mirror where you need it, calm doors either side. The most popular layout on a three-door robe.
- White glass and woodmatt. A warm timber door beside a bright glass one, in a modern room.
- Panel with a mirror end door. A mirror on the door nearest the bedroom door, so you check your outfit on the way out.
The frame
Sliding doors are hung in a slim aluminium frame, available in white, silver, black and a few colours, or with a minimal frame that almost disappears. Matching the frame to the carcass colour keeps the look clean; a black frame on white glass or mirror is a deliberate contrast that suits a modern room.
Which one at the consult
Bring a photo of the room, or let the designer see it. The honest answer depends on the light, the room size and what the wardrobe faces. All three door types run on the same aluminium track and ball-bearing rollers and are made in our Blacktown factory.
