Craft Closet Ideas

Since the basement is about to undergo a major renovation (you can read all about it here), I have been brainstorming different ways of better utilizing space.   One space that I would like to consider using in a different way is my kids toy closet.  

This was the toy closet before we emptied it this weekend, and the plan was that this would be the toy closet after the renovation.

  There are other closets in the basement where the toys could relocate (plus I plan on editing what goes back into the room).  After emptying the toy closet, I started to dream of what else it could become.

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I would love a craft/sewing closet.  For years I have wanted a craft/sewing room, but have always found it difficult to justify changing an entire room for this purpose.  How great would it be if I could have all of my craft and sewing supplies together, rather than in multiple closets and drawers throughout the house.  There is already a bare bulb in the closet which I could easily switch out for a chandelier.  I already have a fixture that has been screaming for a makeover, that I know would be perfect.

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The Container Store has their 30% off sale going on until next Tuesday.  

This would be a perfect time for me to set up an awesome craft/sewing closet like this.

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There are bits and pieces of all of these inspiration photos that I would love to use in my closet.

Any transformation will have to begin with a fabulous backdrop, like the beautiful wallpaper used here by Remodelaholic.

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My friend Ange, from the Blooming Hydrangea created this closet office from a closet who's before photo looks a lot like my before photo. I have always loved the stencil she did on the back wall.

Now I'm really starting to get excited about this project.

What do you think - good idea for a craft/sewing closet?

Don't forget to stop back tonight for my Winter Blues Wednesday party.

The party opens at 8pm EST.  Hope to see you then.

-Judy

Closet Construction Complete

The basement closet construction is complete.  The closets really are beautiful now and ready for some finishing touches.  It's really tough to get a photo of the closet.  

Here are the two closets at the bottom of the stairs in the basement (there is the lamp - pre-lampshade makeover).  The two closets are connected on the inside.

Here is a map of the closet since it's literally impossible to get a whole closet photo.

Here is the closet with all of the construction finished. 

Let me remind you what this closet looked like before.

The closet was completely unfinished and kinda gross to go into anytime I needed anything in there.

 We had the contractors add the three melamine shelves that go across the width of the closet, but those are not adjustable.  I want to do adjustable shelves/drawers from The Container Store for this side.  I priced out what I want to do and for this side alone it's almost $300.  If I wait until Christmas Eve, The Container Store starts it's 30% off sale, so I may just wait until then, unless I figure something else out.

We got rid of the bare bulbs and added recessed lighting on each side.

Here is a photo that shows the actual wall color (it looks much bluer in the other photos because I had to use a flash.  It's Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue...the same color we painted in our home gym.  

We also added vinyl "hardwood" flooring in a wide plank from Lowes.

It's impossible to get a photo of the three shelves the contractor installed. 

They go the width between the two closet doors and provide tons of storage.

I still may stencil the walls before I add the shelves.  

I can't wait to start organizing this space.

I can't wait to hear what you think.

Have a great weekend!

-Judy

I'm Back with a Closet Makeover

Hurricane Sandy will definitely go down in the history books.  It is unprecedented in my lifetime that school has ever been canceled for an entire week from any storm.  It's still unclear whether or not my kids will have school on Monday.  Personally we were extremely lucky and blessed to have absolutely no damage.  Our entire development never lost power, although we did lose cable and internet which is why I have been unable to post anything in a few days.  Our property remained completely unharmed.  However everywhere within a 50 mile radius of my home is a disaster.  Many of the side roads are completely blocked by fallen trees.  So many of our friends are still without power and are being told not to expect power to return until November 9th!  One of my best friends has a home on the New Jersey shore which was washed away during the storm.  A simple thing like getting gasoline for your car is turning into an adventure.  In order to get gas you have to first find a station that actually has gas, and then be prepared to wait three or four hours to fill your car (although they are limiting people to $20-$50 worth).  I've never seen anything quite like this.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you still coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

 Since we have power we were able to get many things accomplished while being stuck in the house.

 We have a closet at the bottom of the stairs in our finished basement.  For some reason we never finished the closet when we finished the basement.  All of that is now changing.  We are having the closet sheet-rocked, adding lighting, molding and flooring to make it a much better use of space as well as help eliminate a moisture issue with are having. 

 Here is the mess of a closet before.  It's actually two closets connected in the center - so the space is huge.  Currently it's just not as functional as it could be and definitely not a nice space to go into.

The closet currently has only a few permanent shelves - not ideal for organizing.  

 The company we hired started yesterday framing the closet, adding a moisture barrier first.

By Saturday the closet should be done.  I hope to have the reveal by early next week.  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

-Judy