Small bedrooms are the norm in Singapore HDB flats and condos. A full built-in wardrobe often makes them feel smaller: deep side panels, doors that need swing space, and a layout that is fixed the day it is installed.
An open wardrobe takes away the doors and the bulk. Rails, shelves and drawers sit on a slim system, so the room feels lighter and everything is within reach. This guide covers the three open wardrobe systems we install, how to choose between them, and seven ways to fit more into a small room. HausBedroom has been designing and installing wardrobes in Singapore since 2012.
Key takeaways
- Why it works: no doors means no swing clearance, which is often what decides the layout in a small HDB room.
- Three systems: HausPole (slim pole system, works around aircon trunking), HausFlex (full-metal, wall-anchored, most adjustable) and US Concept (warm wooden planks, on display at our showroom).
- Cost: HausFlex typically costs about 25% less and HausPole about 15% less than a traditional carpentry wardrobe.
- Start open, close later: sliding, bi-fold or swing doors can be added without rebuilding.
- Make it work: go up to 2,400 mm, use deep drawers and accessories, and use corners with L- or U-shaped runs.
Contents
- What is an open wardrobe?
- Why open wardrobes suit Singapore homes
- 3 open wardrobe systems compared
- How to choose the right system
- 7 ways to maximise space
- FAQs
What Is an Open Wardrobe?
An open wardrobe, also called an open-concept wardrobe or open closet, is a wardrobe without doors. Rails, shelves and drawers are mounted on poles, a metal frame or wall brackets instead of inside a closed carcass. Your clothes stay visible, and the room keeps the floor space that doors and side panels would take up.
Why Open Wardrobes Suit Singapore Homes
- No door clearance needed. Swing doors need about 630 mm in front of the wardrobe. An open wardrobe needs only a walkway, which often makes the difference in a tight HDB room. See our clearance guide.
- The room feels bigger. Without bulky panels, light and sightlines carry through the room.
- Faster mornings. Everything is visible and within reach.
- Relocatable. Take it with you when you upgrade to your next home.
- Grows with you. Move rails and shelves, or add sections, as your needs change.
- Phased budget. Start with what you need now and expand later.
- Close it later if you want. Add sliding, bi-fold or swing doors without starting over.
For a full side-by-side comparison with built-in carpentry, read open-concept vs traditional wardrobes.
3 Open Wardrobe Systems Compared
We install three open wardrobe systems. They differ in how they mount, how they look, and how much you can change them later.
| HausPole | HausFlex | US Concept | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it mounts | L-shaped poles, fixed to the wall at one end and the floor at the other; works on partition walls | Full-metal steel frame anchored to a solid wall | Wooden planks on wall brackets |
| Look | Slim, minimal | Clean metal frame in black or white | Warm natural wood |
| Adjustability | Shelves adjust to the millimetre along a continuous track | Slots every 25 mm; add sections later | Simple shelf-and-rail layout |
| Cost vs carpentry | About 15% less | About 25% less | Less than full carpentry |
| Best for | Rooms with aircon trunking, beams or slanted walls; walk-ins | Growing families; phased setups | Guest rooms, rentals, Muji or Scandinavian interiors |
HausPole: Pole System Wardrobe
HausPole uses L-shaped poles anchored to the wall at one end and the floor at the other, so it works even on partition walls. Where there is no wall, a floor-to-ceiling pole is used instead. Its biggest advantage in HDB flats: it runs around aircon trunking, beam drops and slanted walls without boxing them in, so the trunking stays accessible for servicing.
- Shelves adjust to the millimetre along a continuous track, with the top shelf up to 2,400 mm.
- Rated loads at a 600 mm span: 30 kg per shelf, 40 kg per hanging rail, 150 kg per two-pole bay.
- Sets under 2 m are installed in one day.
- Typically about 15% less than a traditional carpentry wardrobe.
HausFlex: Full-Metal Modular Wardrobe
HausFlex is the first full-metal, wall-anchored modular wardrobe. Vertical steel uprights are anchored to a solid wall, with slots every 25 mm, so rails, shelves and drawers can be moved whenever your needs change.
- SPCC powder-coated steel frame in black or white.
- Standard section widths of 550, 609 and 762 mm; rated for 140 kg per section.
- Add drawers, lower rails for children, or whole sections over time.
- Can be enclosed later with sliding, bi-fold or HausGlide doors.
- Typically about 25% less than a traditional carpentry wardrobe; 2-year warranty.
- Needs a solid wall to anchor to.
US Concept: Wall-Hung Wooden Planks
US Concept is inspired by American-style wall-hung closets: solid wooden planks on wall brackets, with hanging rails below. It's simple and functional, and the wood adds warmth that suits Muji-style and Scandinavian interiors. You can see it on display at our Eunos showroom.
- Warm, natural wood finish.
- Costs less than a full carpentry wardrobe.
- Lightweight and quick to install.
- Well suited to guest rooms, rentals and walk-in areas.
How to Choose the Right System
- Your walls. HausFlex needs a solid wall to anchor to. HausPole works on partition walls, and with a floor-to-ceiling pole where there is no wall at all.
- Obstacles in the room. Aircon trunking, beam drops or slanted walls point to HausPole, which works around them without boxing.
- How much will change. If you are planning for children or expect to rearrange often, HausFlex's 25 mm slot spacing and add-on sections give you the most room to adapt.
- Budget. HausFlex is typically about 25% less than carpentry, HausPole about 15% less.
- Style. HausPole is slim and minimal, HausFlex is a clean metal frame, and US Concept brings warm wood.
- Doors or not. All three can stay open. If you think you'll want doors later, tell us at the start so we plan for them.
Not sure which suits your room? Send us your floor plan on WhatsApp and we'll recommend one, even if that turns out to be a built-in.
7 Ways to Maximise Space With an Open Wardrobe
1. Extend vertically
Take shelving up to 2,400 mm to store luggage, seasonal items and bulky boxes, freeing the space below for daily use. This works especially well in condos and landed homes with higher ceilings.
2. Build in more than storage
Add a dressing table within the wardrobe run, or a mirrored swing door that gives you somewhere to get ready with storage behind it.
3. Use accessories to keep it tidy
In an open wardrobe, clutter shows. Drawers, trays, baskets and dividers give every item a place.
4. Choose a system you can rearrange
Your storage needs will change. Pick a system where rails, shelves and drawers move without rebuilding: HausPole's continuous track or HausFlex's 25 mm slots. Start simple and add as your family grows. See the three systems compared.
5. Keep less-used items on top
Box up festive wear, winter coats and spare bedding in labelled boxes on the highest shelf, and keep the lower shelves for things you use every day.
6. Use deep drawers
Deep drawers hide bulky clothing, linens and bags, so the open sections stay calm and uncluttered.
7. Use the corners with L- or U-shaped layouts
Corners are easy to use with an open system. An L-shape wraps a corner with continuous hanging; a U-shape creates a compact walk-in. For exact clearances and floor plans, see the walk-in layouts in our small bedroom wardrobe guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an open wardrobe?
An open wardrobe is a wardrobe without doors. Rails, shelves and drawers sit on a pole, frame or wall-mounted system, so everything stays visible and within reach. It suits compact HDB and condo bedrooms because there are no doors to swing and no bulky side panels.
Are open wardrobes suitable for HDB bedrooms?
Yes. With no doors, you need no swing clearance in front of the wardrobe, which matters in small HDB rooms. Pole systems such as HausPole can also run around aircon trunking and beams without boxing them in.
Do open wardrobes look messy?
Not if you plan for it. Keep matching hangers on the rails, put small items in drawers or baskets, and store seasonal things in labelled boxes on the top shelf. Deep drawers hide bulky clothing so the open sections stay tidy.
Can I add doors to an open wardrobe later?
Yes. You can start open and add sliding, bi-fold or swing doors later without rebuilding the wardrobe. For HausFlex, door options include sliding, bi-fold and HausGlide doors in black or white.
Which open wardrobe system is most flexible for a growing family?
HausFlex. Its steel uprights have slots every 25 mm, so rails, shelves and drawers can be moved as children grow, and you can add sections later. HausPole shelves also adjust along a continuous track, so both systems can change with your needs.
Is an open wardrobe cheaper than built-in carpentry?
Usually, yes. HausFlex typically costs about 25% less and HausPole about 15% less than a traditional carpentry wardrobe of a similar size. Both can be relocated when you move, and you can start small and add to them over time.
Related Guides
- Small bedroom wardrobe design: 9 layouts and clearances
- Open-concept vs traditional wardrobes
- Is a pole system wardrobe better than built-in?
- Custom wardrobes in Singapore: what to know before building
- Formaldehyde in cabinets: E0, E1 and ENF explained
- Our projects · Customer reviews
See Them in Person
Visit our showroom at Eunos Technolink to see the systems in person. Send us your floor plan on WhatsApp first, and we'll tell you which system fits your room before you visit.
