Sixes Carpentry · Project blog

Broken Sliding Wardrobe Repaired with Bespoke Shaker Doors in Littlehampton

The sliding doors and rail system on this Littlehampton wardrobe had gradually worked loose through everyday use. By the time Sixes Carpentry was asked to help, the original mirrored doors were no longer running properly and the existing track could not provide a dependable repair.

The opening brought an additional challenge: the surrounding walls were not level and the wardrobe was out of square. Instead of forcing a standard replacement system into an uneven space, we removed the failed doors and rails, installed a new sliding-track system and made two painted MDF Shaker-style doors to suit the actual opening.

Before: the original doors and rail system had worked loose and were no longer operating reliably.

Measuring an out-of-square opening

Sliding doors need accurate tracks and controlled clearances. If the head, sides or floor run out of level, taking one width and one height is not enough. We checked the opening at several positions to understand the variation before setting the new system.

The track was established independently so the doors could travel smoothly. The made-to-measure door sizes and surrounding details then accounted for the real shape of the opening rather than assuming the room was perfectly square.

Bespoke painted MDF Shaker doors

The old mirrored finish was replaced with two MDF doors in a simple Shaker pattern. The painted finish keeps the wardrobe light and ties it into the other white joinery in the room, while the panelled design gives the doors more character than a plain slab.

Because the doors were made for this wardrobe, their proportions could be balanced around the existing opening and sliding arrangement. The focus of the work remained on the failed doors, track and surrounding finish, allowing the existing wardrobe space to stay in use.

After: the new painted Shaker doors run on a replacement sliding-track system and give the wardrobe a cleaner finish.

Completed in one day

The removal, manufacture and installation were completed within one day. Careful preparation meant the old system could be taken out and the new track and doors fitted with minimal disruption to the bedroom.

The homeowner described the result simply as a “brilliant finish.” More importantly, the wardrobe was left operating properly again, with a design that better suited the room.

Need help with an awkward wardrobe?

Sixes Carpentry designs, repairs and upgrades fitted wardrobes, alcove units and storage for uneven or difficult spaces in Littlehampton and across West Sussex. Explore our bespoke interiors service or book a free Sixes design.