How we transformed our small primary closet from a messy, builder grade closet to a dreamy and very functional closet! A small closet makeover before and after!
Our primary closet has been a disorganized hot mess for a few years now! Here is where we started with this space:
And now after the makeover, here is the AFTER:
I have more after photos below. But, first here is the story of this closet transformation!
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NOTE: All items used can be found in my Lowe’s Storefront here and I’ve also linked many items at the bottom of this post and throughout the post!
The Plan
When we first moved into our home, the closet was dimly lit, had wire shelves, and outdated carpet. The only thing we did right away was replace the flooring.
For the next 4 years, we lived with a very crowded disorganized space.
This makeover started with a vision of fully maximizing our closet space and making it look custom.
To make the project easier, we used ready to go closet systems and organizers from Lowe’s! Here is a rough sketch up of my original plan:
I tried so many different ideas, but this version maximized the space best and I was able to make fit perfectly in the awkward, L-shaped space.
The first thing we did was empty and declutter the space.
Then, we removed the wire shelving and the baseboards for a blank slate.
Ready to Go Closet Systems
The 3 ready to go closet systems we used were two of the drawer and hanging systems, one shoe shelf cabinet, and one shelving unit (which we turned into a hanging space with a hanging rod and socket below the shoe cabinet).
Corner Closet Cabinet with Shelves
For the awkward corner, we built a corner cabinet to the custom size we needed and used these corner shelves that we cut to size.
There is a ready to assemble corner unit that actually go with these shelves, but we needed a custom size so that’s why we had to build our cabinet using 3/4″ plywood.
I love how it fully maximizes this corner, which was very much a wasted space before this makeover.
Brandon also built an open, custom unit for longer hanging clothes. It looks smaller than it actually is due to the angle of these photos, but it’s quite wide!
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Trim and Molding
Once all of the units were secured to each other, the wall studs, and the base support on the floor (that was built out of 2x3s), everything was trimmed out with a face frame using primed pine, to make everything look like built ins.
We used one of my favorite baseboards and crown molding boards too which help elevate the space!
Glass Doors for Shoe Cabinet
The glass doors for the shoe cabinet helped to take this closet to the next level. They are ready to go glass doors that go with the matching shoe cabinet.
Although, we did change the shoe cabinet by removing the molding that came with it and changing the placement of the base shelf to make it as big as possible. So, we had to add make an open lower shelf below the doors with our face frame design.
Chair Rail and Picture Frame Molding
To elevate the opposite wall, we installed chair rail and picture frame molding (both linked below). I do plan to add some charming wall hooks/organizers soon to this wall too!
Paint
The built ins were all painted Ethereal Mood by Sherwin Williams. See my how to paint cabinets tutorial for more details on how to paint them. Then, the walls and ceiling were painted Creamy by Sherwin Williams.
Hardware, Lighting, and Decor
On all of the drawers, I installed two of these round brass knobs. I also used these larger round knobs with the back plate of this hardware set, for the glass doors.
One of the stars of this makeover is definitely this dreamy, antique brass chandelier. It’s beautiful and helped complete my vision for this space!
Finally, I added this budget friendly runner and velvet ottoman.
I can’t believe this closet transformation, it turned out better than I imagined, even with our very tight timeline! Can’t wait to organize it next and add our clothes!
VIDEO
You can see the full transformation in action in my closet makeover reel on Instagram here, which was sponsored by Lowe’s!
Products Used:
- Wood Closet System Tower with Drawers
- Shoe Shelf Storage System
- Glass Doors for Shoe Shelf
- Bottom Hanging Storage Cabinet
- Ready to Go Corner Shelf Unit – I would have used this if it would have fit!
- Corner Shelves
- Black Metal Hanging Rod for Clothes
- Bracket Hardware for Hanging Rod
- Champagne Bronze Cabinet Knob
- Champagne Bronze Cabinet Knob with Backplate
- Cream Runner Rug
- Velvet Storage Ottoman
- Antique Gold Chandelier Light Fixture
- Chair Rail Molding
- Picture Frame Molding
- Crown Molding
- Baseboard
Paint Colors I Used:
- Cabinets: Ethereal Mood by Sherwin Williams
- Walls, Ceiling, and Trim: Creamy by Sherwin Williams