Glass, Mirror, or Timber? Choosing the Right Sliding Wardrobe Finish

When designing a sliding wardrobe, the finish you choose for the doors has a huge impact—not only on how your room looks, but also how it feels and functions. In a style-conscious city like Sydney, where modern interiors blend functionality with flair, wardrobe finishes are more than just a design choice—they're a lifestyle statement.

At ICAD Joinery, we specialise in custom sliding wardrobes that are tailored to your space and taste. Whether you're working with a compact apartment, a family home, or a luxury master suite, selecting the right door finish is key to making the most of your room. So, how do you decide between glass, mirror, or timber finishes for your sliding wardrobe? Let’s explore the pros, aesthetic appeal, and ideal applications of each option.

Mirror Sliding Doors: Bright, Spacious, and Functional

Mirror finishes are a timeless favourite in Sydney homes—and for good reason. They reflect light, create a sense of space, and serve a practical purpose all at once. Perfect for smaller rooms or apartments: Mirrors bounce light around the room and visually expand tight spaces, making them ideal for compact bedrooms or wardrobes near narrow hallways. Built-in full-length mirror: With a mirrored wardrobe, there’s no need to find wall space for a separate dressing mirror—saving you floor area and simplifying your layout.

Mirrors do require regular cleaning to keep them smudge-free, and while they’re highly functional, they might not suit every style. For softer or more traditional interiors, you may want to balance them with warm-toned furnishings or textures. At ICAD Joinery, we use premium-quality mirror panels with safety backing, ensuring durability, safety, and a flawless look.

Glass Sliding Doors: Modern, Stylish, and Versatile

For a more modern and refined aesthetic, glass sliding wardrobe doors offer a sleek alternative. Available in frosted, tinted, clear, or coloured finishes, glass gives you the flexibility to tailor the visual impact to your space. Great for contemporary interiors frosted or matte glass panels add a subtle, sophisticated look that blends beautifully into minimalist and modern design schemes.

Choose from different glass types—such as smoked grey, bronze, or soft white—to match your home’s palette. Easy to combine with other materials glass panels can be mixed with timber or polyurethane sections to create striking two-tone or multi-panel designs.

Glass offers a modern aesthetic, but it’s slightly more delicate than timber or mirror. At ICAD Joinery, all our glass doors are made using toughened safety glass to ensure long-lasting use and peace of mind. Glass finishes work particularly well in Sydney’s newer apartment developments and architecturally designed homes where understated elegance is key.

Timber & Timber-Look Finishes: Warm, Natural, and Timeless

For those who prefer texture, warmth, and a more organic feel, timber or timber-look wardrobe doors are a perfect choice. Available in a wide variety of tones—from light oak and natural ash to rich walnut and blackwood—timber finishes suit both classic and modern interiors. Add warmth and character Timber grain patterns bring a sense of natural calm and contrast to sleek, modern interiors. Highly durable and low-maintenance laminated or veneer timber-look finishes are easy to clean and resistant to everyday wear and tear.

Timber panels can be mixed with coloured glass or mirror to soften reflective surfaces and add design depth. Solid timber can be more expensive and heavy, which is why many homeowners opt for high-quality timber veneers or textured laminates for a cost-effective, lighter-weight alternative. Timber wardrobes are particularly popular in Sydney’s family homes, coastal properties, and Scandi-inspired interiors where texture plays a big role in the overall design.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Choosing between glass, mirror, and timber comes down to your space, your lifestyle, and your design vision. Of course, you don’t have to stick to just one. Many of our clients at ICAD Joinery choose combination finishes, such as frosted glass with timber trims, or a three-panel layout blending mirror, polyurethane, and woodgrain. When you work with ICAD, we’ll help you explore all the options and create a custom design that enhances your space—not just visually, but functionally too.

Your sliding wardrobe doors are more than just covers for storage—they're a part of your room’s personality. Whether you love the elegance of glass, the practicality of mirror, or the warmth of timber, there’s a finish that fits your vision. At ICAD Joinery, we work closely with homeowners across Sydney to design custom wardrobes that are both beautiful and built to last. With a wide range of premium finishes and expert craftsmanship, we can help you create a wardrobe that perfectly complements your home.