What’s the Difference Between a Wardrobe and an Armoire?

Today in FurnitureCart’s “guide” section, we speak about the differences and similarities between an armoire and a wardrobe. Check out what fits your needs before online furniture shopping for any of these pieces.

If comparing these two types of storage furniture, an armoire is a type of wardrobe that serves many purposes, whilst a wardrobe is mainly used as an external closet for storing clothes and has a simpler design.

Armoires have traditionally been used to store weapons and armor, hence their bigger and heavier structures. Still, today it is usually a more ornate piece of furniture that can serve as, say, an entertainment center, as its shelves and closed doors are ideal for hiding away the stuff.

As to the purpose, one can store clothing and accessories in wardrobes, as they are supposed to serve as external closets. Same as a wardrobe, an armoire is usually a tall cabinet with two doors and a long rod for hanging clothes, and it might contain shelves.

Vintage armoires feature a sophisticated design that makes them a style component, whereas wardrobes tend to have simpler designs. Opt for an armoire if you want to give your room an eye-catching effect, or pick a wardrobe if you’re looking for a functional and minimal piece.

There’s one more word used to designate a furniture piece to store clothing – a chiffarobe. The word is rarely used today, but still, the Furniture Cart has a few chiffarobes represented. It is similar to both the armoire and wardrobe and is made to store clothes, like a portable closet.