a creative closet solution

Are you in the throes of a renovation project? Need a little design help to pull it all together? Let’s chat! Book a virtual design consult here and we’ll make your vision a reality.

Like many secondary bedroom closets of the 1970s era, Cline’s closet was basically filled at the bottom with an HVAC box and had an ordinary rod for hanging clothes. Not cute and definitely not the best use of space. We knew this closet had unmet potential and we set out to find it.

With zero storage space and a teenager with major storage needs, we had to think up a solution. Tom started sketching while visions of Sherwin Williams Ripe Olive danced through my head.

We decided to build around the bulky HVAC box, incorporating it into the design and camouflaging it cleverly with leftover shiplap from the boys’ bathroom. We used sheets of plywood for the tops of the new closet built-ins and left them unfinished so we could coordinate them with the wooden hanging rods to be installed.

Tom built three separate sections of cubbies. The middle one sits on and comes down in front of the HVAC box, so the bottom two shelves are more shallow than the others. Thankfully, they’re still quite functional as storage spaces.

The two units on the sides are floor-to-ceiling and are perfect for shoes and even some folded clothes like jeans and sweaters. We found these baskets which are the perfect size for the openings and we love how tidy they make the closet. I even bought them for the boys’ closets, too.
(other basket sizes here, here, here, here, and here)

We painted all of the built-ins a deep green, Sherwin Williams Ripe Olive and oh how we love that color!

We had enough Hygge and West wallpaper left over from Cline’s bedroom to continue it onto the closet ceiling, as well. The perfect ‘grandma chic’ touch!

The little details are not lost on me. I love to use these natural, wooden hangers to create a cohesive look. This makes the closet more organized, clean and visually appealing (now, will it stay that way??).

We love how much storage we gained just by covering the HVAC box and using every bit of space—floor to ceiling—to maximize the closet’s potential. It also gave us more surfaces to paint with Ripe Olive, which was 100% the right call. Cline is already enjoying her closet and truly feeling more organized. There’s something really calming about opening your closet door and easily finding what you need, while actually loving your surroundings. The little things mean a lot.

Need help making over your closet? Or living room? Or kitchen? I’m here and I’m all ears! I look forward to meeting you and helping you create the space you’ve been dreaming of. Book your virtual consult here and let’s get started.