A Sewing Blogger's Closet Tour | How I Store My DIY Style!
3:15 PM
Turning a SPARE bedroom into a closet. I feel so luxurious even saying that! After having a family of five for so many years, having a spare anything is definitely a luxury. When we moved into the new house back in February, I knew the closet situation wasn't going to work and that I'd have to create a walk-in using the spare bedroom. This is an older house (built in 1982) with reach-in closets. That's a major issue for me. And if we still had kids at home, that would've been a dealbreaker. But being an empty nester, provided me with the benefit of having an extra room.
This is what it looked like for a long time. I pulled out clothes that I felt I would wear often and hung those in the bedroom closet and left this disaster like this. It got really depressing look at this and not being about to get to my clothes like I wanted to. I knew I had to dig in and make something happen.
I spent hours upon hours of searching Pinterest, Google and Instagram for bedroom-to-closet conversion ideas. And I'm pretty sure I've seen every single Closet Tour on YouTube. There were so many! I started at the top with what I would love. The show "Million Dollar Closets" was a favorite. I looked at so many closets that I thought were so glamorous and luxurious, but they just didn't make sense for my needs. Lots and lots of drawers and double rod (top and bottom combination) hanging areas. And islands with even more drawers.
I really needed simple, but with a lot of space. We have dressers in our bedroom, so drawer space wasn't something that I needed. And also, I don't fold that many of my clothes. I like things hanging. Plus, this closet is on the opposite end of the house from our master bedroom. I'm not jumping out of the shower, running across the house for bras and panties! So intimates, sleepwear and workout clothes are kept in my bedroom.
The most important aspect of designing and building your closet room is to measure your space very carefully. Next, you have to decide which items and how you will store them.
I did A LOT of purging. I got rid of things I knew I would never wear again. I love the look of closet rooms where there is an entire wall devoted to shoes.
But I have more hanging clothes and only 121 sq ft of space, so the clothes needed to take priority, and the shoes would have to go low.
Being consistent with hangers is always a key touch. I plan to complete the entire closet in white wooden hangers gradually over time. But for now, the majority of the closet is done in white plastic tubular hangers. But most importantly, they're all white.
My main goal was to create a system that was affordable, attainable, pretty and most importantly -- functional and organized. I went with a wire system where I could buy customizable parts and pieces to suit my particular needs. I found the Closetmaid system does an amazing job, just as a high-end one would -- but without the high price tag and custom contractor installation cost.
For all intents and purposes, I can sit back and declare this closet is done. It took about a month off and on of working in it and adding odds and ends
A lot of people put scarves and belts in drawers, baskets or cubbies. But I wanted to see mine. I can't wear what I don't see!
I used pool noodles to stuff my boots.
Added a skirted ottoman for sitting. An ottoman makes the room a true living space and not just somewhere to store your clothes. It can be as small as even a pouf. This ottoman was a fantastic thrifted find. I constantly brag on my favorite Salvation Army store. It has furniture that would rival any high end consignment furniture store. And when they have a 25% off sale, every item flies out of the door. I got this piece for only a mere $15!
Even though I have a window that gives plenty of natural light, I wanted to add a nice fixture... just to say that this is a woman's space. Plus, even a small flush-mounted chandelier like this one gives my budget room a high-end look.
There's carpet on the floor, but I wanted to add a rug. I was inspired by Pink Peonies leopard print carpet. I found this great 5x7 rug from Overstock.com that I felt complimented the room.
The closet in the room holds all of my coats.
Michael brought home heavy things that I simply couldn't pick up and get them from the garage to upstairs. And he also showed me how to install toggle bolts. But I did all of this on my own, including the light fixture. As a woman, I'm pretty proud of myself for taking on the project and completing it myself!
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60 comments
I love it all Erica. Great job and Happy Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you girl!
DeleteAbsolutely to die for! Looks awesome. I gave my husband the master walk in and I have the closets in the remainder of the four bedrooms.
ReplyDeleteAs women, we have to snatch space and get in where we fit in! Thanks Susan!
DeleteWell done! What a great space.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki!
DeleteI love it! It's so luxurious. Especially the windows. I designed a garden for a summer/weekend house of a fashion designer and their 1920's house had few closets. She was lucky enough to be able to use the room next door for her closet. Space is a luxury, and you've outfitted yours very nicely. Enjoy.
ReplyDelete"Space is a luxury"! Yes it is! Thank you so much Nancy!
DeleteIt's a masterpiece! My favorite part - the framed sketches.
ReplyDeleteThank you Faye!
DeleteGreat job. Thanks for sharing your closet.
ReplyDeleteThank you KMQ!
DeleteThat is totally awesome! Thanks again for the info on the jewelry closet got mine the other day! Great Job! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love yours as much as I love mine! Thanks Fergie!
DeleteYour new closet is amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you cbunny73!
DeleteIt's a lovely closet and you should be proud that you accomplished all of the set up yourself! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carolyn!
DeleteI love it!!! ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you Constance!
DeleteHow awesome! Kudos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Norie!
DeleteThis is gorgeous!!..I agree with you, your things need to be out so you can see what you have. I have two closets n my bedroom and they are dead space. They're doubled closets with single sliding doors�� reaching in those corners is not a good thing.. I really like your framed sketches. Great job����
ReplyDeleteThank you Paula!
DeleteThis is fantastic! I would love a space like this as I agree with you that I need to see my stuff. I have shoes in 3 different places in my house. I especially think the mirror/jewellery store is such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteThe jewelry cabinet is my favorite piece! Thanks Debbie!
DeleteLove ❤️ it! Happy Birthday 🎉🎂🎁🎈
ReplyDeleteThank you La'Shara!
DeleteYou are my closet shero for sure!!!
ReplyDeleteI have done this many times in my head. I just gotta get it done. And, to just think, i just threw out an ottoman like that. SMH. Your closet is truly luxurious, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Alethia!
DeleteI got to make a sewing studio in a bedroom with an attached sunroom - so lucky! I used Ikea Algot to transform the large, deep bedroom closet into the home for the fabric and leather stash. Have drill, will build!
ReplyDeleteErica, those sketches are genius.
A sewing studio with a sunroom! Goals! Mine is in the basement and I hope one day to have a walk out basement sewing studio! Thanks Hillary!
DeleteHow awesome! I'll have to wait some years to have a spare anything lol.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those babies! It'll come! Thanks Amanda!
DeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteWe turned a spare bedroom adjacent to the master into a master bath/walk in closet. I've been looking at closet systems & thinking I needed drawers. But now that I've seen yours I'm rethinking my plan. Thanks for all the details.
New bathroom! Hope exciting! Thanks Sheri!
DeleteYou did an amazing job. Your closet looks elegant and so well put together. I love the sketches, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sewing CPA!
DeleteBeautiful,Erica! Thank you for sharing! You gave me some ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dara!
DeleteYour hard work has certainly paid off. What a beautiful and functional closet!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tomasa!
DeleteIt is GORGEOUS! I am sure it was gratifying to see it all come together, and I know you will use it well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vanessa!
DeleteWhat a beautiful closet room! All of your designs and accessories in one place. So neat and luxurious looking. A great place that is definitely your own....
ReplyDeleteThank you BPatricia!
DeleteOne day my husband mentioned "you probably want to turn a bedroom into a closet" and I was all YASSSSSS! So I am SO on board with this!
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job. Kudos!!
Thank you so much Kisha!
DeleteEvery woman needs a room of her own! You've done a wonderful job with yours!!! I love the idea of the ottoman. My walk-in is too small for an island, but you have inspired me to think outside of the box. Thank you for sharing your space with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteGREAT JOB! We're also empty nesters so I did the same thing in one of the smaller bedrooms. I used bookshelves, some of the Ikea systems and Closet Maid. You can't tell me I shouldn't be on HGTV! HA! I didn't install it myself, Allen and his brother did the heavy lifting. I just love my little hide away.
ReplyDeleteIt is something special to have your own designated space! Thanks Pam!
DeleteThis is fabulous! Such a nice inspiring and relaxing space.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteVery nice and elegant Erica. You did a FANTASTIC job!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about turning my office into a closet because I only use it pitch junk mail. What's stopping me is that the room is across the hall from my kitchen and I don't want my clothes to smell like food.
LaToria
Thank you LaToria!
DeleteThere was a brief moment in my life when I flirted with the idea of putting my bed inside my closet and using the bedroom as the closet. Hats off to you for doing this!! Why not - one of the upsides of empty nesting is having all your space to yourself. What a brilliant use of a spare bedroom!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jill!
DeleteA woman must do what she has to do..congrats to your very nice closet..good job..!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lina!
Delete