Closet vs. Wardrobe — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 11, 2023
A closet is a built-in storage space for clothes and other items, usually enclosed by walls and a door, while a wardrobe is a freestanding piece of furniture for storing clothes.
Difference Between Closet and Wardrobe
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A closet is generally a built-in feature within a room, designed to store clothes, accessories, and sometimes other items. Wardrobes are standalone furniture pieces that essentially serve the same purpose but can be moved from place to place.
Closets are typically integrated into the construction of a home or apartment. They are often enclosed spaces that may have additional organizational features like shelves or rods. Wardrobes, on the other hand, are usually self-contained units with similar organizational features like drawers and hanging space.
In terms of American English grammar, "closet" and "wardrobe" are both common nouns and should be lowercased unless they start a sentence. However, the usage can differ depending on the region. In American English, "closet" is more commonly used, while "wardrobe" is more common in British English.
Both closets and wardrobes can come in various sizes and styles, from walk-in closets to compact wardrobes. While closets are more permanent and can increase the value of a property, wardrobes offer the flexibility of being movable.
Closets and wardrobes serve a functional role in organizing and storing clothing and accessories. They can also be stylized or customized to match the room's decor, though it is generally easier to customize a wardrobe due to its freestanding nature.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Nature
Built-in
Freestanding
Portability
Not movable
Movable
Grammatical Usage
Common noun
Common noun
Customization
Limited
Easier
Regional Preference
More common in U.S.
More common in U.K.
Compare with Definitions
Closet
A built-in space for storing clothes.
Sarah organized her closet over the weekend.
Wardrobe
A freestanding furniture piece for storing clothes.
I bought a new wardrobe for my bedroom.
Closet
An enclosed storage area within a room.
The cleaning supplies are in the hallway closet.
Wardrobe
Can be moved from room to room.
They moved the wardrobe to the guest room.
Closet
May include shelves and rods for organization.
I installed new shelves in my closet.
Wardrobe
Often includes drawers and shelves.
The wardrobe has three drawers for socks and underwear.
Closet
Part of a room's construction.
The bedroom has a walk-in closet.
Wardrobe
Not a built-in part of room construction.
I'm considering replacing my wardrobe.
Closet
Not usually movable.
The closet stays when you sell the house.
Wardrobe
Easily customized or replaced.
She painted her old wardrobe to give it a fresh look.
Closet
A closet (especially in North American usage) is an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage, particularly that of clothes. Fitted closets are built into the walls of the house so that they take up no apparent space in the room.
Wardrobe
A wardrobe or armoire is a standing closet used for storing clothes. The earliest wardrobe was a chest, and it was not until some degree of luxury was attained in regal palaces and the castles of powerful nobles that separate accommodation was provided for the apparel of the great.
Closet
A tall cupboard or wardrobe with a door, used for storage
He has a closet full of designer suits
Wardrobe
A tall cabinet, closet, or small room built to hold clothes.
Closet
Secret; covert
A closet smoker
Wardrobe
Garments considered as a group, especially all the articles of clothing that belong to one person.
Closet
Shut (someone) away, especially in private conference or study
He returned home and closeted himself in his room
He was closeted with the king
Wardrobe
The costumes belonging to a theater or theatrical troupe.
Closet
A cabinet or enclosed recess for linens, household supplies, or clothing.
Wardrobe
The place in which theatrical costumes are kept.
Closet
A small private chamber, as for study or prayer.
Wardrobe
The department in charge of wearing apparel, jewelry, and accessories in a royal or noble household.
Closet
A water closet; a toilet.
Wardrobe
(obsolete) A room for keeping clothes and armor safe, particularly a dressing room or walk-in closet beside a bedroom.
Closet
A state of secrecy or cautious privacy
Two days before the election, the candidate suddenly came out of the closet and denounced the proposed law.
Wardrobe
(figuratively) A governmental office or department in a monarchy which purchases, keeps, and cares for royal clothes.
Closet
To enclose or shut up in a private room, as for discussion
Closeted themselves with their attorneys.
Wardrobe
(figuratively) The building housing such a department.
Closet
Private; confidential
Closet information.
Wardrobe
(obsolete) Any closet used for storing anything.
Closet
Being so or engaging only in private; secret
A closet proponent of a tax increase.
A closet alcoholic.
Wardrobe
A room for keeping costumes and other property safe at a theater; a prop room.
Closet
Based on theory and speculation rather than practice.
Wardrobe
(figuratively) The department of a theater, movie studio, etc which purchases, keeps, and cares for costumes; its staff; its room(s) or building(s).
Closet
A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
Wardrobe
A movable cupboard or cabinet designed for storing clothes, particularly as a large piece of bedroom furniture.
Closet
(obsolete) Any private space, particularly bowers in the open air.
Wardrobe
A tall built-in cupboard or closet for storing clothes, often including a rail for coat-hangers, and usually located in a bedroom.
Closet
Any private or inner room, particularly:
Wardrobe
Anything that similarly stores or houses something.
Closet
(obsolete) A private room used by women to groom and dress themselves.
Wardrobe
The contents of a wardrobe: an individual's entire collection of clothing.
Closet
(archaic) A private room used for prayer or other devotions.
Wardrobe
(figuratively) Any collection of clothing.
Closet
A place of fanciful contemplation and theorizing.
Wardrobe
Any collection of anything.
Closet
(archaic) The private residence or private council chamber of a monarch.
Wardrobe
(obsolete) A private chamber, particularly one used for sleeping or (euphemism) urinating and defecating.
Closet
(obsolete) A pew or side-chapel reserved for a monarch or other feudal lord.
Wardrobe
Badger feces, particularly used in tracking game.
Closet
A private cabinet, particularly:
Wardrobe
(intransitive) To act as a wardrobe department, to provide clothing or sets of clothes.
Closet
(obsolete) One used to store valuables.
Wardrobe
A room or apartment where clothes are kept, or wearing apparel is stored; a portable closet for hanging up clothes.
Closet
(archaic) One used to store curiosities.
Wardrobe
A privy.
Closet
(slang, uncommon) closet case.
Wardrobe
A tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
Closet
Any small room or side-room, particularly:
Wardrobe
Collection of clothing belonging to one person
Closet
One intended for storing clothes or bedclothes.
Wardrobe
Collection of costumes belonging to a theatrical company
Closet
(obsolete) nodot=a, water closet: a room containing a toilet.
Closet
(heraldry) An ordinary similar to a bar but half as broad.
Closet
A sewer.
Closet
A state or condition of secrecy, privacy, or obscurity.
Closet
(obsolete) private
Closet
Denoting anything kept a secret or private.
Closet
(transitive) To shut away for private discussion.
The ambassador has been closeted with the prime minister all afternoon. We're all worried what will be announced when they exit.
Closet
(transitive) To put into a private place for a secret interview or interrogation.
Closet
(transitive) To shut up in, or as in, a closet for concealment or confinement.
Closet
A small room or apartment for retirement; a room for privacy.
A chair-lumbered closet, just twelve feet by nine.
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet.
Closet
A small apartment, or recess in the side of a room, for household utensils, clothing, etc.
Closet
To shut up in, or as in, a closet; to conceal.
Bedlam's closeted and handcuffed charge.
Closet
To make into a closet for a secret interview.
He was to call a new legislature, to closet its members.
He had been closeted with De Quadra.
Closet
A small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
Closet
A toilet in England
Closet
A tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
Closet
A small private room for study or prayer
Closet
Confine to a small space, as for intensive work
Closet
(of information) given in confidence or in secret;
Closet information
This arrangement must be kept confidential
Their secret communications
Closet
Indulging only covertly;
A closet alcoholic
Closet liberals
Common Curiosities
What is a Closet?
A closet is a built-in, enclosed space for storing items like clothes and accessories.
What is a Wardrobe?
A wardrobe is a freestanding piece of furniture used for storing clothes.
Can You Customize a Wardrobe?
Yes, wardrobes are generally easier to customize because they are standalone pieces.
Is a Closet Movable?
No, closets are built into the structure of a room.
Is a Closet the Same as a Wardrobe?
No, a closet is built-in and not movable, while a wardrobe is freestanding and can be moved.
Is the Term "Wardrobe" More Common in the U.K.?
Yes, "wardrobe" is more commonly used in the U.K.
Is a Wardrobe Movable?
Yes, wardrobes can be moved from place to place.
Can You Customize a Closet?
Yes, but it's often more involved than customizing a wardrobe.
How Do You Spell Closet and Wardrobe?
Closet is spelled as C-L-O-S-E-T, and Wardrobe is spelled as W-A-R-D-R-O-B-E.
Are Closets or Wardrobes More Expensive?
This varies, but built-in closets can add to the value of a property.
What is the Grammatical Usage of Closet and Wardrobe?
Both are common nouns and are typically lowercased.
Is a Walk-in a Type of Closet?
Yes, a walk-in is a type of closet that is large enough to walk into.
Can Both Closets and Wardrobes Hold Non-Clothing Items?
Yes, both can be used to store a variety of items, not just clothes.
Do Wardrobes Have Drawers?
Often, yes. Many wardrobes come with built-in drawers and shelves.
Is the Term "Closet" More Common in the U.S.?
Yes, "closet" is more commonly used in the U.S.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Characteristics vs. Nature
Next Comparison
Real vs. UnrealAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
