A well-crafted design file bridges the gap between your vision and the Chinese custom wardrobe manufacturer bringing it to life. It doesn’t need to be overly complex or high-end, but it must be clear, structured, and information-dense. Whether you’re a homeowner with a hand-drawn sketch or a designer submitting professional CAD drawings, the ultimate goal is singular: to convey your intentions for dimensions, functionality, and style without any ambiguity.

Before you even start drawing, understand what you need to store. Begin with an item inventory: list what you own—how many shirts, dresses, pairs of shoes, bags, or accessories? How are they currently stored, and how inefficiently? Next, identify pain points: What frustrates you about your existing wardrobe? (e.g., not enough space, hard-to-reach items, constant clutter). Finally, create a feature wishlist: What new functionalities do you dream of? (e.g., more hanging space, a dedicated shoe area, jewelry drawers, or a built-in ironing board).

For the average homeowner, hand-drawn plans are perfectly acceptable. The key is to include a clear scale (1:20 is ideal), the approximate wardrobe placement, and specific markings for any obstructions that might impact installation, such as beams, columns, electrical outlets, or windows. Supplementing these drawings with a few clear photos of the space taken from different angles can greatly help the custom wardrobe manufacturer spot potential issues your drawings might miss, like uneven flooring or inconsistent ceiling heights. Even better, if you can directly annotate photos with arrows and dimensions, it will significantly boost communication efficiency.

For designers, or homeowners working with a designer, CAD drawings emphasize precision and technical expression. We recommend at least including three views (front, side, and top/plan view). If the structure is complex or involves hardware installation areas, you should add node detail drawings or exploded views to aid understanding. When dimensioning, always use a single, consistent baseline to avoid cumulative errors in manufacturing. For example, specifying a “total width ±1mm” or “shelf hole position ±0.5mm” accurately tells the custom wardrobe manufacturer the exact precision required. For drawers, clearly define the runner type (soft-close or standard) and the required gap between the drawer front and the adjacent door panel (≥5mm for smooth operation). Hardware compatibility is another critical area; for sliding doors, if the wall isn’t perfectly straight, note the minimum bending radius for tracks. For hinges, provide the formula for the number of hinges needed for swing doors (a good rule of thumb is Height ÷ 400mm per door). Finally, ensure comprehensive material and process annotation. Use standardized codes for board materials (e.g., MDF, Plywood codes) and surface finishes (e.g., specifying a specific ANSI standard color code or RAL/Pantone code). Additionally, indicate specific manufacturing processes like edge banding types (E1/E2) or laser cutting/CNC engraving when relevant.

Truly excellent design files often go further, translating a user’s vague “functional wishes” into specific, manufacturable details. For instance, “easy to access” should be clarified with a hanging rod height of 900mm. A desire for “high-end feel” can be expressed through features like 45° mitered pull grooves or seamless, press-fit installation methods. These types of details empower the factory to more logically plan the structural layout and select appropriate materials and processes, genuinely turning your wishes into reality.

In essence, a superior design file doesn’t just tell the manufacturer “what it should look like”; more importantly, it explains “why it’s designed this way, and how it can be reasonably made.”