Add a Quick and Pretty Closet to Any Room!
Hey everyone! Hope y’all are having a wonderful week! Yes, you read that title right! I’m going to show you how I to add a quick and pretty closet to any room in your home (well, just about any room). I did it in 30 minutes!!! Another great storage solution for a small home!
But first, I want to thank you all for supporting me in this blogging adventure! Let me be honest. Blogging takes a lot of hours. On top of my full-time job, it makes from some long days (and nights). 🙂 But, I’m REALLY enjoying the journey (even if photography is still a mystery to me!), and I’m very thankful you are with me on this ride. And, I’m SO grateful for the comments and likes and shares! It’s so much fun, and I hope you are having fun, too!
Now… on with the show!
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Have you ever moved into a new home and knew there were going to be challenges to overcome in the home, so you searched and searched Pinterest, and you searched and searched Pinterest again? You searched for small portable kitchen carts and under-the-sink shelves that would adjust around pipes and smart ways to store towels and how to add a pantry to a rental home. And, because you only had one closet, and no other large storage area (like a garage space), you ended up having to search for “how to add a utility closet without using power tools”. Oh, you haven’t searched for “how to add a utility closet without construction”? How about “how to create a closet in an apartment”? Maybe “diy closet in a small home”? Well, I have searched all of these terms, and more, and came up with nothin’, nada, ZILCH!
Well, okay, there were some things that came up. But, they all involved power tools or construction (which, by the way, is not normally okay in a rental, and would probably look strange having a utility closet in the corner of a bedroom). Some involved buying pieces of furniture, but I didn’t want to add another large piece of furniture to MWA.
And then it came to me in the middle of the night…
*Insert angels singing*
I could use a folding screen aka room divider! It was the PERFECT closet solution… for me! I started my search on Amazon, looking for pretty white room dividers that were practical, too. After viewing and researching many options, I found this Four Panel Room Divider. The one I purchased has four panels that fold both ways, enabling the use of 2-4 panels (I use three, with the fourth panel folded inside the ‘closet’) (Just sayin’… It comes in different frame colors, too!!!).
The bright white paint and shoji paper (thicker than rice paper and quite durable) make for a light and airy accent to my bedroom. Looks more like décor than a closet!
I’ve added a few decorative items to the outside (I may add more, or change things, as I find new treasures). I LOVE how it looks!
Now for the practical side (which obviously includes the view of the warning label on my blinds, LOL!). When I open the door on the left….
Well, how ‘bout that?! There are those sweet little DIY crate-shelves I showed you last week! Pretty nifty, huh? I ended up mounting them on the wall with the Large Command Picture Strips (16 lb capacity), and they have held up great thus far! I’ll let you know if I’m awakened in the middle of the night by any sudden crashes!
Remember I said that the knobs were going to be more than just something pretty to look at?
Nice place to hang a dust cloth! Originally, instead of the crates, I was going to purchase some wire racks to mount on the wall, which I would have REALLY loved. But the DIY crate-shelves ended up being about half the price and a little more special, too! Saving money AND adorable… win-win in my book. 😉
Along with the crates, I also have a rolling plastic three-tiered cart. I use this instead of a shelving unit because, A) I already had the cart, and B) the cart is covered, which gives me the ability to store paints and stains inside, without having to smell the fumes (remember, no garage space for me!).
And, as you can see, I store things on top of the cart, as well. Obviously, this closet ain’t so pretty on the inside (except for those cutie-patootie crate-shelves 😉 ), but, this is real life, friends. Man… even the broom isn’t hanging straight. Just keepin’ it real, I guess.
Now let’s look from the right side…
You can see I have my vacuum cleaner in there. This makes me so happy! You wanna know why? When I had the first tour of My Wee Abode, before it was My Wee Abode, the former tenant kept all her utility items, including her vacuum cleaner, in the corner of the bathroom! You remember that bathroom corner I showed you, that I need to decorate? That’s where she kept it all! When I saw that, I knew right away that I was going to do *something* different. And different I did!
When I was planning the closet, I also knew that I would have my ‘stick’ items… broom, Swiffer/mop, and stick vacuum. I knew I didn’t want them to be propped in the corner on the floor, so I looked for a good wall organizer/holder that would be able to hold a heavier item, like a stick vacuum/electric broom. And the Home- It Mop and Broom Holder is quite the ticket!
Love me those sweet little shelves!
The last items used to make this little corner of my bedroom look like décor instead of a closet are the beautiful photos hanging on the wall. I purchased these in a lovely set that is offered by Cami Graham from the blog, Tidbits. Cami’s beautiful photography is well known in the blogging world, and she is now offering for purchase to the public at an EXTREMELY affordable price! These prints are just three of the 20 that come in the set, along with two extra bonuses! If you love these like I do, hop on over to her blog/shop. You’ll be super delighted in so many ways! (Cami and her sister, Marci (who is the author of the food/recipe side of Tidbits), are also the authors of a fantastic Instant Pot recipe book!) (BTW, I left out the glass from the prints for photography purposes.)
So that’s how I added a closet… in less than 30 minutes! Stand the folding screen up, mount a couple cute shelves and a broom holder, hang some pretty photos, and fill with whatever your heart desires (or apartment needs). I am so pleased with this ‘closet’, both with how pretty it is and how functional it is! And, it cost me about $85 total. Not bad, huh?
What do you think? Any thoughts or suggestions on how to make this closet even better? Would love to hear if someone you know could use this pretty and practical idea to add a closet to their home.
Clever solution, Julie!
Oh, thanks, PJ! It’s definitely one of my faves in MWA! Glad you dropped in! Hope to ‘see’ you more!
What a good idea !
Thank you so much, Sylvie! Glad to see you at My Wee Abode! Welcome!
Julie, that is so clever!!! The screens are perfect. I would have never guessed what’s behind them. From the outside, it just looks like a pretty decor piece! This idea would work well in all kinds of spaces and you could style it in so many ways. Great post!
Oh, thank you, Kim!!! I’m so glad you like it! Sometimes, I think it’s just *me* that thinks these things are so ‘smashing’… it’s nice to know others think it’s pretty super, too! Hugs and hearts!
I love it! So clever, practical. And pretty!
Thanks so much, Rita! I was so excited when I realized I could have a utility closet! Probably my fave storage solution in My Wee Abode! Hugs, blogging-bud!
That’s OUTSTANDING!! I love it and will share it on my social media.
Thank you for the love, Kay… in your words AND your share! Did you say you are going to the Haven Conference?
The angels should be singing! This is a super neat, cheap, easy idea! So inspired! I love that the screens come in all colors to for the frame 🙂
You are so right about the screens coming in different colors… I should probably add that info on to the post! *runs to edit* Thanks, Agent Squirrel! 😀
No problem 😉 And I’m sure you know I meant “too for the frame”! Wish we could edit our comments 😆
LOL! 😉
This is a GREAT idea,not just for small house living! So practical and SOOO pretty!
Thanks, Peggy! Now *that* sounds thrilled! 😉 I agree… it could be used in any home! Hugs, dear friend!
Great job and super clever!
Thanks, Jared! You are a wonderful cheerleader! Haha! Love you!
Fantastic idea! I love it! I think I’ll be getting one of those screens for my little place. ❤️
Oh, I’m SO glad you like it! Please post a pic on my FB page when/if you add YOUR closet! Thanks, Mari!
Julie, I’m dazzled! That is a very clever solution! I’ll be coming back here for much-needed DIY inspiration.
Oh, Jean… thank you SOOOO much! Look forward to getting to know you! *runs to looks at your site* Have a great weekend!
That is a very clever idea. All of your cleaning supplies are hidden away. I am not sure I would want them in the bathroom either.
Thanks, Debra! Yeah… I’m sure my eyes got pretty big when I saw the vacuum in the bathroom. But, just between you and me, I have my ironing board hanging on the bathroom door!!!! I have NO OTHER DOOR to hang it on (besides the bathroom door, I have one pocket door and the front door)! However, it does have a pretty cover on it that coordinates with the bathroom, and the hanger is quite pretty, too! I have been contemplating purging the huge thing, and getting something smaller that would slide nicely into this utility closet. Just keepin’ it real here, girl! Have a great weekend! Hugs and hearts!
Oh my goodness Julie! This is so clever. You are going to help toooonnns of people with this idea. I have two daughters in their 20s who would love and need something like this. I can’t wait to show it to them. Pinning!
Oh, thanks for the encouragement, Patti! I sure hope it helps TONS of people. It’s really hard to express with the right wording so people can find it on Google and Pinterest. But, here’s hoping! I hope your daughters like it! Let me know if they use it! BIG HUGS!
This is such a clever idea for storage and it looks so neat!
Awwww, so glad you came by, Sherry (same way my mom spells her name!)… Thanks for the love…Hope others can implement it in their tiny spaces, too! Have a blessed week!
Very smart way to use the your available space for storage and so pretty!
Thanks, Michelle! I really like how it adds a light and airy touch to my bedroom, and ‘serves’ me so well, too! 😉 Hope you are having a great week! Hugs and hearts!
Ingenious idea! And pretty too!
Hi, Pam… and thank you! It’s such a help in my tiny home! I think LOTS of spaces would benefit from it! Thank you for the love!
What a great idea. I can use one of these in just about every room! I love it.
Thank you so much, Michelle! It’s a wonderful option for a small home, that’s for sure! (Or any small space!) Thanks for dropping in!
Very handy and pretty as well. Great idea to create a storage area.
Leanna! Thanks for coming by! Yep, this was a perfect solution for MWA! Hope some others find it handy, as well! Talk soon! Hugs!
Brilliant solution Julie. I had no idea all that stuff was hiding behind there. And it is a beautiful screen too.
Heehee! Thanks, Mary! I love that it was a surprise! I think I need to add a ‘before’ pic! 😉 Have a great week!
What a clever use of space in your wee abode!
Thanks, Janet! So sweet of you to come by… I know you are a BUSY woman! Hugs and hearts! (so bummed I won’t get to meet you at Haven!)
Hey Julie, What a fantastic idea! I wish I had known about this years ago! I love that your closet really looks like part of the design of your room and you can add beautiful wreaths or other decor!! Its perfect!
Hi, Nancy! Thank you SO much! I’m tickled with it, and hope others find it useful, too! Have a great week! Hugs!
This is really brilliant, Julie! I love how light and airy the shoji screens are!! A wonderful and practical solution to that age-old problem of storage space. Thanks for the fun idea!! Pinned to my Perfect Storage board for the future. 🙂
Awww, you are so sweet and encouraging, Barbara! Thank you so much! You made my evening! I hope you can use the idea in your future home, or help someone else with the idea. 😉 Hugs, friend!
Brilliant! As much as I love our 100+yr old farmhouse, it does lack closets (two closets total that are small by today’s standards) and a usable basement, so storage has been a challenge! Love this storage idea! Beautiful too. 😉 I had to have somewhere to store Christmas stuff, extra bedding, etc., so I got rid of our Queen box spring and built a platform out of 2x4s and plywood that was high enough to slid large plastic bins underneath. Small spaces and lack of storage call for creativity!💡
Josslyn! So glad you came by! I’m glad you like the idea, and I love your pedestal idea for your bed! I would love to incorporate something like that in my bedroom, too! Hugs, friend! (Miss your mom! Hope she got my last email!)
Such a smart solution, Julie! It looks great…your blog is just beautiful! XO
Oh, thank you so much, Christy! Workin’, workin’ on making the blog a place that others enjoy visiting! Hugs, friend!
So creative! What a great idea. Since we live in Japan, I have a new appreciation for Shoji screens. 😉 Thanks for sharing at the creative circle. xoxo
Thank you, Kathy! They are beautiful and so versatile! Japan has a special place in my family’s heart… We have had several Japanese exchange students stay with us, and my sister and her family have visited several times! Thanks for coming by!
Julie – is this room divider (I’m thinking the 3 panel) sturdy enough to be put up and down weekly? Donna and I are talking about making the office next to Pastor’s office a cry room. Input? Thanks!
Hey, Peg… I move it around A LOT, it has stood the test of time! I think it would do great, as long as little ones are not playing around it. The paper is thick (mine has fallen against my bed and nothing has happened), but I don’t think it would stand-up to a child falling into it or accidentally punching a hand through it. 🙂 Hope this helps!
Great idea! You have so many awesome organization tips! Thanks for sharing at TFT. Pinning to my cleaning and organizing board!
Oh, thanks so much, Amber! This is actually one of my fave projects (if not my fave!) I love my sweet ‘closet’! Thanks for pinning! Have a great weekend, friend!
Julie, This is absolutely BRILLIANT!!!! I can’t stand it!! Wow. And it looks gorgeous, too, like it was meant to be there. I love the pictures on the wall too. Yummy. Thanks for sharing at Thursday FAvorite Things. I’m the new co-hostess, signing in and saying I LOVE YOUR STUFF!! Your new best friend, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Oh… I’m glad you liked this! I’m actually getting ready to update the post, and I’ve got some ideas to make the post, itself, much better! 😉 Welcome to TFT as the hostess, and thank you for the love! 😉
I just came across the idea and so thankful I did. Getting ready to move into a small apartment and will need closet spac desperately. Now that I saw your idea think I may make some adjustments to create a some wardrobe that is easy to move and renter friendly. I think I may be able to use two units and fold them so there are two sides and maybe a panel at the back (4 panel divider) – a panel at the back one at the side and two at the front. Use L type brackets to secure the corner ends top and bottom. Securing two pieces of thin wood under the back panels, both sides and under the secured front panel leaving that last front panel free to open and close(put ut a knob/handle on it). The thin piece of wood at the bittom should allow the front “doors” to easily open. In each of the closed sides slide in those portable plastic drawers. Then run a rod across the top end to end to hang clothes. I know I’ll haven’t I make it sturdier to hold the weight of the clothes, though. I know there will be adjustments to make along the way but I think it could work. You idea have me the inspiration to at least try.
Super smart, Delia! That would make a great post! 😉