My holiday cooking series was a long one, so I'm starting off the new year with some remodeling updates. First up is the front room closet. Dan got it finished! I'll start with what the closet looked like when we first moved into the house.
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| Before. These first 2 photos were taken in 2009. |
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| Before |
Here it is now.
Now I can easily access all that closet space, including the 32 cubic feet above the old closet shelf that was impossible to get to before.
Between the standard height sliding closet doors and the shelf above, I've got lots of storage space!
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| The track (from Amazon) is for glass cabinet doors, but works really well for the plywood doors Dan made. They slide easily on the plastic track. |
The interior of the closet, I left open for now. I don't need a clothing rod or rack, but I need shelving for storage because I'm using the room as my weaving studio. Dan offered to make shelves, but I opted for stand-alone wire shelving units to allow for future closet refittings. The problem is that the ones I ordered from Amazon don't work, because the actual size of the shelves is one inch smaller in length and depth than the stated size. So my yarn and fiber totes (which would have fit the advertised size) didn't fit these.
So what I'm showing you is Plan B, which is temporary until I can get two longer shelf units.
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| As you can see, I've already put the space to good use! |
I put one of the shelving units in the center of the closet for now, for storing smaller items. On either side I've stacked the totes. As soon as I can I'm going to get two wider sets of shelves for them because it would be nicer to have each on it's own shelf.
Even with the shelving set back, I'm really happy with the new closet. I do kinda wish the door stain was a lighter shade, but it's what we already had so it's what got used.
Next I'll show you how Dan finished off the wall to the left of the closet, which is the back of the masonry stove.
26 comments:
I like The old closet better looks like a barn
Anonymous, that's my motif! Which we didn't actually set out to do, but sliding closet doors aren't sold around here any more, except for super expensive barn look kits ($500 per door). Bifolds were out so Dan made our own. I really like that I can now use all the space that was hidden behind the wall. I also like not having the door open up into the room. I blogged about all that previously. You probably won't like the rest of the room then either. :)
Is closet envy a thing? Because I think I have it :) What an excellent redesign of the space. Good work, Leigh and Dan!
Quinn, I admit I'm thrilled with all the storage space I now have. Already there are fewer piles and less clutter in the rest of the room. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of it done so I can take the dust covers off my loom!
Well done! That's a boatload of storage! So glad you will have hideaway space for the tools of your trade.
I'm not sure if it would work, but have you thought of whitewashing the doors to lighten them up? The barn doors are fabulous as they take up no space in the room. Congratulations on getting another thing crossed off your list!
I love the new barn look. I want that for the area where my washer and dryer are in my kitchen but it is an area where a sliding door won't work.
That was a great use of that space - on top! I love the barn doors! Good job!
I have always struggled with stain colors. About the only way I can do a good job is to buy multiple small cans and just try them out and mix them to get the exact color and then buy the appropriate large cans. Fortunately, I have virtually gone completely away from staining and just use oils these days which aren't nearly so hard to color match.
Needing something exactly sized by finding it on Amazon is not fun. Dimensions are always vague and not very accurate. Sometimes I have better luck looking up an item on the manufacturer's website but that is becoming harder to do these days as manufacturers of products aren't always clear and products are made to be sold under many different names.
Having all that stuff neatly stored away will be a big improvement in room efficiency!
It looks great! And it’s clear that it would be hard to get the bins in/out if the original closet. This set up must be nice!
I love your full access to the storage space now! I agree; I would prefer a lighter finish, too. Could you do a rub-on treatment with a white or light color to make it lighter while retaining the wood grain? I'm not well-versed in these things, but it seems like I've seen such treatment with both dark on light AND light on dark.
I love the finished closet! Finding that kind of storage space in an old house is a dream. It looks good and the ability to use all the space is fabulous! Great job!
Daisy, I'm thrilled with the space and love the look of the doors. I hadn't thought about whitewashing them, I'll have to think about that. Dan's doing a similar treatment on both sets of windows, although they'll mostly be covered with curtains.
I'm also thrilled with having the end in sight for finishing this room. It's been a long time coming!
Thank you Carol! Each area requires its own treatment, doesn't it? But we find that limitations get our imaginations going. Most of what we've done is probably never what we'd do if we were starting from scratch. :)
Dicky Bird, thank you! The space on top is a real bonus, since our ceilings are about a foot higher than standard ceilings. For a crafter like me, extra storage space is always welcome.
Ed, I think I mentioned that the stain color was because that's what we already had. The other thing is, Dan does such a good job and I appreciate his efforts so much, that I'm not going to quibble about some things like the color of the stain. Once the room is finished and all put together, it probably won't matter much.
I suspect measurements are a headache for everyone. That's a good idea about checking the manufacturer's website, if you can find the actual manufacturer. I always check their return policy, but kept the shelves because I can use them. Sadly, similar shelves purchased locally were double the price.
Anonymous, oh yes, it was terrible trying to get the bins in and out of the original closet. It was worse trying to access the shelves when we used it as a clothes closet. Thanks for your kind words!
Michelle, thank you! I really haven't thought about trying to change the shade now. I think it will be okay once the room is finished. :)
Nina, thanks! I am loving the new storage space. :)
The access to the top shelf easily is a real bonus. Looks great!
I like how the stain looks. Does sharing a wall with the stove make the closet extra warm? That might be a good place for warming towels/bathrobes on a cold day. ❄️
TB, thanks. I have to get a ladder to get to that top shelf, so it's really best for storing things that don't need to be accessed often. But just having a place for those things is a real help.
Anonymous, thanks! The Amish kitchen cabinets in my kitchen are stained the same color and I think they look really good.
The closet doesn't get especially warm because of the way the wall is insulated. Most of the heat radiates off the back wall of the stove (which I'll show in my next post). I have a clothing rack that I set up in front of it sometimes for the very reason you mention.
Well I love love love the new closet and the stain. Just beautiful. How wonderful to be able to have such a practical space for your craft!!!
Sliding doors are much more 'economical of space'.
Looking very good, Leigh.
RT, we're getting close enough to finish that room that I'm starting to get excited! I may actually have a home for everything (for the first time since we moved in here).
Rosalea, in a small house like ours those slider doors are a real help. I love having access to all that space!
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