Why I Determined To DIY My Closet/Laundry Space Combo Room (And Determined Not To Use IKEA Cupboards)

I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve mentioned this by way of the years, however it stays simply as true immediately because it’s ever been. Generally I get so dug in on an concept, and whereas my remark part can usually really feel like I’m consuming from a hearth hydrant with the entire variety of concepts being shared with me (which I like, however can even really feel a bit overwhelming at occasions 😀 ), generally it’s one single remark that will get my consideration and actually will get me pondering in a brand new path.

And that’s precisely what occurred when Phoebe made a suggestion concerning the closet and laundry space mixture room that I’ll be constructing within the present visitor bed room. She recommended that I divide the room into two separate areas in order that I can have a separate closet and a separate laundry space.

That’s an concept I had already thought-about, however I had dominated it out as a result of in my thoughts, one room (presumably the laundry room) could be accessible by way of the present door into the room from the hallway, and the opposite space (presumably the closet) would require a brand new door from our soon-to-be bed room into that sectioned off space. I shared this concept some time again, and it seemed like this…

I had thought-about that choice very severely, and had even talked to Matt about it, however for some motive he’s adamant about not constructing a wall in that room, and particularly about not placing a doorway from the bed room into that room. I don’t know why he’s so adamant about that, however he’s. And since he makes so few requests with regards to this home, I listen when he really is adamant about one thing, even when I don’t perceive his reasoning. 😀 And since then, I’ve gotten fairly enthusiastic about having a snug little studying space the place the door into the closet would have to be, anyway. With that concept in thoughts, I had moved previous the two-room choice and have actually turn out to be hooked up to the studying space concept, so I don’t need to give that up now.

All that to say that when this concept was introduced, I didn’t actually take into account it. I wrote it off instantly, and defined why I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it. Phoebe defined that’s not what she envisioned, and he or she despatched an e-mail to elucidate her concept extra intimately. She wasn’t suggesting closing the 2 areas off to one another utterly, and he or she wasn’t suggesting placing a door from the bed room into the brand new closet house (which, for some motive, is the half that Matt actually objects to). And she or he despatched me this drawing…

I used to be intrigued. Her design nonetheless confirmed a wall diving the 2 areas, and I knew that Matt wasn’t thrilled with that concept. However I believed that possibly because it didn’t require a doorway from the bed room into the sectioned off a part of the room (the half labeled Laundry Room), he could be on board. So I began enjoying round with the association.

What I spotted in a short time is that this plan wouldn’t even require me to construct a wall in any respect. I may actually simply use the wardrobes, positioned in two “U” preparations and secured to the ground and ceiling, to part off the room into two areas.

At first, I used to be having a extremely arduous time getting the whole lot to suit as a result of I used to be nonetheless set on utilizing the 23-inch-deep IKEA wardrobes for each areas. Wrapping such deep wardrobes round corners causes an entire lot of wasted house, so with 4 wasted corners, I wasn’t really gaining any cupboard space by having extra wall house obtainable. Something I’d acquire with extra wall house I’d lose with corners.

So I headed to Pinterest and Houzz (my two go-to sources once I want fast inspiration) to seek for closet inspiration, and I spotted that almost all closets don’t use 23-inch-deep frames. Most closet system are solely about 14-16 inches deep. The one motive you’d want 23-inch-deep wardrobes is if you wish to put doorways on them and have the whole lot closed inside. However should you’re not utilizing doorways, there’s actually no want for such deep frames.

Right here’s what I’m speaking about. That is a picture from Home Depot’s custom closet systems page. You may see that the hanging garments stick out previous the frames of the cabinets and drawers. These frames are solely about 14 inches deep.

And there’s no want for them to be deeper since there are not any doorways on the frames, and no want for the hanging garments to be utterly contained inside these frames. And having shallower cabinets simply makes extra sense to me. I used to be simply having a lot bother picturing storing my footwear or folded sweaters or purses on 23-inch-deep cabinets. It appeared like lots of wasted house. And the excellent news is that whenever you scale back the depth from 23 inches to 14 inches, the corners turn out to be usable. You may have nook cabinets with 14-inch-deep frames with out taking over an enormous quantity of room, so no cupboard space is misplaced.

So with all of this newfound inspiration, I began again at sq. one with the room. I began off making an attempt to make IKEA’s 14-inch-deep wardrobes work, however the measurement limitations grew to become an issue. Plus, the primary measurement I would wish to make this new design work (the 14″ deep x 29.5″ extensive) is the one measurement they’ve been out of inventory on for a number of months now, and there’s no indication after they’ll get extra in. I can’t base my entire design round one thing that will or might not be obtainable once I’m prepared to start out the room. And so they didn’t actually match completely anyway. It was extra of a “it’s the closest to what I want so I can in all probability make it work” kind of state of affairs.

So in the long run, I simply determined that the way in which for me to squeeze each inch of usable cupboard space out of this room is for me to construct it myself from scratch. With that in thoughts, I designed, and tweaked, and moved issues round, and tweaked some extra, till I got here up with what I feel is the proper plan. This provides me fairly a bit extra closet cupboard space than my unique concept, and it separates the laundry space from the closet space. And one of the best factor of all is that going from 23-inch-deep frames to 14-inch-deep frames permits room for an island in the course of the closet space for much more house, and in addition for a spot for me to fold garments as quickly as I get them out of the dryer. So right here’s the brand new plan…

I’m so enthusiastic about this new plan. I lie awake at night time and dream about it. I can’t wait to get began! The plan does require a stacked washer and dryer, however I’m okay with that. I imply, I’m solely 5 ft tall, which implies that I’m used to issues in life being just a little bit inconvenient for me. Once I had my previous washer and dryer (earlier than I purchased my present ones), I had to make use of a step stool to get issues out of the washer. Fixed slight inconveniences are only a lifestyle whenever you’re solely 5 ft tall, so I’m used to it. So if I’ve to make use of a step stool to get issues out of my dryer, it received’t be any worse than my previous washer.

Aspect be aware: As I used to be ending up penning this put up, the driveway guys confirmed up!!! They weren’t scheduled to be right here till Monday, however they completed up their final challenge early, and got here proper over to get began. WOOHOOOO!!!! They’re going to start out behind the driveway (again part of driveway behind my workshop, and the ramp to the workshop) immediately, after which work their method to the entrance of the property. So by the top of the day immediately, I could have a ramp, however the bulk of the progress will nonetheless occur subsequent week. However not less than there’s progress, and EARLIER than scheduled! How usually does THAT occur?! 😀

Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I transform and embellish the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You can learn more about me here.