DIYer Reveals A Stunning Closet Transformation, From Outdated To Custom

Having a place to hang your clothes is nice, but sometimes standard closets can feel like a waste of space, especially if you fold most of your clothes. If you want an area to store all your outfits and maximize your space, adding a built-in to your closet is the best option. However, you can take it a step further and make a stunning, specially designed closet that fits in a small space in your bedroom and looks charming, like an old wardrobe, as thelonegooseco on Instagram shows.

In this video, the creator shows a quick before-and-after clip of a space that was her closet and how she turned it into a custom-built-in wardrobe to hold all her clothes. Usually, when comparing potential storage solutions between wardrobes and closets, the latter typically offers more space, but the former offers unique storage. So her build gives you the best of both worlds. thelongegooseco's design might not work for everyone, but by understanding how she made hers and the process she went through to build it, you can get a better idea of how to create your own charming closet. This will help you make the most out of spaces you might otherwise not know how to utilize to their potential, including your closet.

To start her custom build, she removed the closet and front wall pieces so the entire bedroom would be the same depth. Then, it was time to build the shelves. To make it fit her needs, she put drawers on the bottom, a storage space just the perfect size for wicker baskets on top, and then a small series of shelves on the right of the large area, while the rest is for hanging clothes, fitted with a pole.

Without a tutorial, it can seem intimidating, but there are plenty of videos online on how to get the perfect built-in cabinets and shelves. Generally, it involves plywood, 2 by 4s, hardware, hinges, screws, glue, and a saw, as well as paint, primer, and brushes. You will start by measuring the space and drawing out the design you want, and then, essentially, you make a series of boxes and shelves and put them together. It sounds like a lot, but it is a build easy to break into small steps, so it isn't quite so overwhelming. And even if you can't find an exact video of someone building something you want, you can usually search for ones of people doing the small sections, and you can then add to the whole design.

The first step is to consider how much space this will take up. Generally, you are looking at a depth of 24 inches, which is the standard depth for a reach-in closet. It's good to understand, though, the space youare gaining or losing with this design. You can make it more your own by removing the wardrobe she puts in the middle of the two closets and replacing it with something better suited to your needs. For example, carry the design across the entire room, ensuring you have enough wardrobe space. Or, you can turn that area into a table. If you put a mirror on top, you have a space to get ready in the morning and check your outfit. This is also a great area to put a small bench seat, as the one thelonegooseco has in another video.

Additionally, be honest about your construction abilities. Though creating your own faux wardrobe can save you some money, if you can't make it look nice, or you don't have the tools, it may be worth coming up with a general idea of what you want and hiring someone. After all, there are some situations when professional closet designs may be better than a DIY.