I was reading my latest issue of Real Simple Magazine, about two months ago. I saw an article about re-organizing a front closet. It had before and after pictures from the makeover. I’ve been telling Angry Husband for awhile now, that I want to re-do our hallway coat closet. I knew that the space could be re-done and made more useful. At this point, it was a gathering place for wrapping paper, coats, our vacuum, and random junk. Isn’t everyone’s closet like this?
I knew that WE (Angry Husband, BFF Stacey, and me) could accomplish this project. I knew that it would not be very costly. It really wasn’t complicated, but add in very busy schedules, and that’s why, I’m posting the final results over a month later.
At the beginning of November, I posted my “before” photograph. This is when the project began. I started by cleaning out the closet. I took several items to the Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Before Picture of Closet
In mid-November, I posted some sneak previews of the paint in the closet. Stacey came over for the day and painted the closet. I’m totally allergic to paint, and doing anything creative like painting. The paint color is Valspar Jalapeño Jelly 6005-6A in semi-gloss, which is found at Lowes. We went through a gallon of paint, because the closet probably had never been painted since house was built, seriously. We took out the shelf and the bar in the closet before it was painted. We also took off the door to the closet to make it a little easier to paint.
Closet After Shelf and Bar Were Removed, Plus Paint Added
I got an idea in my head, as usual. I decided that the closet needed some lighting. Do I know anything about electrical work? Umm, no..that’s what Angry Husband is for. We went back and forth with all these complex ideas for electrical work in the closet. We ended up going with the simple route. He installed a recessed light in the closet ($15), and he tied (wired) it into the recessed lights in our hallway. You have to turn the hallway lighting on, to get the closet light to work. By doing this, we did not have to install light switches, etc…You like how I say, “We”!
Recessed Light in Ceiling of Closet
I then made a few trips to
Ikea,
Home Depot, and
Lowes for supplies for this project. I added my own touches to the original project from the magazine. I did use the
Expedit shelf from Ikea. I looked around for other “similar” shelves, but this shelf was perfect for our closet size. Angry Husband cut out some of the molding in the closet to place the shelf unit firmly against the wall. He also secured it to the wall with mounting brackets provided with the unit when purchased.
The Closet with Expedit Shelf in Place
I found a piece of melamine at Home Depot to use for the shelf. The shelf was held up and supported by pre-primed molding also found at Home Depot. The white metal clothing rod was purchased at
Lowes. It was very long and Angry Husband had to cut it to size. The clothing rod was held into place with a
flange setfound at Lowes. After everything was in place, Angry Husband painted the molding used to hold up the melamine shelf white (not pictured).
Closet After Melamine Shelf and Closet Rod Were Installed (Various Views)
Closet Showing the Expedit Shelf, The Melamine Shelf, and The Clothing Rod
I wanted to place baskets on the Expedit shelves like in the original picture. I did not like the baskets that they used. I improvised and took (3) baskets from Angry Toddler’s bedroom. We are in the process of re-organizing his room and toys. He had (3) perfect wicker
Medium Sabrina Baskets from
Pottery Barn Kids. I will do a post later showing what I placed in the baskets. I placed our coats back in the closet. I also placed my gym bag, Angry Toddler’s backpack, my camera bag, and various other items on the shelves. I still haven’t decided what to put on the top shelf. I think the vacuum needs to be accessible, so it also went back into the closet.
Finished Closet with All Our Stuff (Door Removed)
After the closet was pretty much finished, I had another idea…must modify, right? I wanted to add some hooks to the inside of the closet door. I’m always looking for my purse. I don’t know why I’m always looking for it. I now put my purse inside the closet, when I get home. Therefore, it also prevents Angry Toddler from digging into my purse. I got the rack (hooks) from
Target.
Closet with Door Back On, and Coat Rack on Interior of Door
I hope this step-by-step process of our closet makeover helps or inspires someone. It took awhile to get it completed. I think I made a pretty good Project Manager. I’m not very handy, but I always have great ideas. Or maybe it’s just the Project ADD….
Awesome job!! Looks great!!
You did an awesome job!! It looks great. I would have never thought to put a fun color like that in a closet. It would take me at least two months to accomplish something like that. You should be very proud of your handiwork. Love the hook idea too!
Yeah, mine is even worse. I think you'd have a heart attack if you saw my closet. We throw all our shoes in there as well, so the floor is littered with shoes, strollers, and everything is stuffed in there.
Awesome job! I LOVE Real Simple…such great ideas!
I so wish we had an Ikea in Hawaii! Great job Julie!
It looks great. I *wish* my closet looked as good as your before photo.
You did such a great job! It looks nice. Love the paint, too. I never would have considered painting in a closet.
that came out GREAT! i remember that issue. what color paint did you use? i want to paint my kitchen a green color and i like that one.
Wow! Nice job, that looks awesome. I need a makeover of my bedroom closet something fierce. You've given me some inspiration!
Nice job!
You did a rockin job of doing that closet over. So, tell me – how great does it feel to have everything so organized???
WOW that first picture is close to looking like our closet
wooops accidently hit enter. You did a fantastic job WTG I bet it feels so much better having that done
Nice job, it looks great!
Hi Julie~enjoyed meeting you last night
) I love this tutorial-very well explained with lots of photos.I need to deal with our hall closet for sure. It's probably so fun to open up now with that Jalapeno Jelly! Your seatbelt handbag adds to the charm. I used to be a flight attendant so my mother in law got me one in red-thought I would get a kick out of the theme-love it.
That's awesome! I'm forever trying to find a solution for our shoes and coats. If we weren't in Army housing, I'd be more inclined to do a project like yours. DH says we're renting until he retires, so I'll make due for now because we'll probably only be in one house 3 years at a time.
wow, girl. awesome job!
looks great! all it needs is a handy hold all
simplysarahshaw.com
Looks great! LOVE the colour.
It looks awesome – I love the color. I was thinking about that color for my boys room – it's great to see it in a real (albeit small – lol) room.
Wow – that looks amazing. I'd never think to pain the inside of my closet so happy and bright! Happy Saturday Sharefest @ SITS!
Looks great! Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
I’ve looked at this post about 10 times today and have such closet envy! I showed it to my hubby and he just laughed at the thought that I would think HE could do this. (the man can’t change lightbulbs) Maybe, I’ll get it done myself.
Looks awesome!
Thanks! It was actually really easy. It took a bit since we are all so busy. But seriously, it’s so pretty. I love being organized. It makes me feel better too. I want to re-paint our entire house bright colors.
How freaking cute is that? I totally need to do this with our coat closet. It is an embarrassment to my OCD.
And you know how much I love that color green.
wowww! this is a fab makeover! i love the idea of the hooks behind the door. putting away my work purse in my cupboard everyday after coming home from a hard day at work is a HUGE effort for me, but i think you just sorted this issue out for me. thanks!
I’m here via The Lettered Cottage. The closet looks great. I love how the extra shelving contains all those little cluttery things. The green paint is really icing on the cake.
Thank you! I love that green paint!
I agree with Mrs Petrie – the extra shelving is the icing on the cake. Love the idea of hanging your purse on the door, too.
Thank you! The purse on the door was my extra touch. My son is always digging into my purse, plus I can never locate my purse. This was the perfect place to put it.
Dear Angry Julie,
Your closet makeover turned out well, I always like to paint the closet walls the same color as the room it’s in. That way it doesn’t seem to be an orphan child but an actual ‘cared about’ space.
This professional organizer gives your closet makeover a two thumbs up! Great use of space! Happy SITS day.
Ohhh I love professional organizers!! Thanks your compliment means a lot to me.
I love the idea of adding color in the closet! Makes it so much more exciting to go in there, and I don’t mean exciting as in an adventure-that-may-fall-on-your-head exciting, either!!
I wouldn’t have thought of that, myself!
Stopping by from SITS.. All I have to say is that your “before” looks better than my does now.. ouch…
Great job on the functionality.. I love the colors
Thank you…we have a tiny house so we need all the storage that we can get. The closet was a fun project.
oh my gosh… love love love the color!! Must use it in my own apartment.
And the shelves! so chic!
Way to go
Thanks so much!! I love that green. In the Real Simple photos it looked super bright but in my house it was much calmer.
TOTALLy inspired… in fact, I’m on a roll with house projects and I think this one will be next!
I read a ton of home improvement and project blogs. I always have tons of ideas, but the time and money are hard to find for these projects.
That is a great looking closet! Good job! It is convenient to have a handy husband. My dad could do things like that but being handy is not one of my husband’s strengths. I’d have to call Handyman Connection to so something like this.
Congrats on your SITS day!
The paint in the back of the closer looks great! Love the shelves.
Why oh why did you do this post? Now, I have the itch to redo my front closet. Hubs is not going to be happy . . . but I sure will. Great job!
AWESOME! You did an excellent job on everything!
oooh, you’ve inspired me to paint our closet a fun color. We’re moving into a new house today and I feel a lot of Project Manager opportunities coming my way!
That looks great! I have several closets that look like the before picture at my house.
It looks awesome! I remember that story from Real Simple. At the time I wished I had a front closet to re-organize, but we just have a coat rack inside the front door.
I saw that story on the closet and instantly I knew I had to do it. I just had to convince my husband that we, I mean he could do it.
your before closet didn’t look as bad as mine. After seeing your “after” I am beginning think about doing some spring cleaning.
Ahhh thanks! The closet is really small before, so I couldn’t put that many things in there. After re-doing it, I can put a ton of things in there in the baskets and shelves.
that’s a huge difference! I love the use of color too.
WOW…that looks amazing!!! I love the green:) I so need to re-organize ALL of my closets. They are ridiculously overflowing. You may have just encouraged me to get moving.
I hoped to encourage people with my closet design. It was so simple and I love being organized.
Looks good. When would you like to come makeover my closet? My hall closet (catch all for jackets, blankets & stuff) really needs a makeover.
Happy SITS Day!
Oh my, now you’re giving me the bug just in time for spring cleaning. The color itself made such a huge difference. If I spend too much time in Lowe’s, I will want to redo everything!
Wow, even your before closet makes my coat closet looks like crap. You can imagine how I feel after seeing the “after” photos! Nice to “virtually” meet you and happy SITS day!
I love the new closet! I think every closet should come with lighting. Why don’t contractors put them in? Great job. I just recently organized my closets, but because it’s a rental I couldn’t paint or put in lighting, sigh.
Happy Sits day!
Ohhh, I LOVE it! Photos of organized space are like porn to me … unfortunately, also like porn, it hardly happens in my real life.
Great job on the closet!
Real Simple is my favorite magazine and i love how you actually did one of their projects! it inspires me to stare at my closet and think……
Stopping by from SITS for your feature day.
Wow! That’s a transformation & what a great job you did!!
Very impressive. It’s a great magazine.
Happy SITS day.
LisaDay