Optimize a Small Bedroom Closet Space: Recycling a Pigeonhole Shelf

Having ample closet space is often considered a luxury rather than a burden. It provides us with the flexibility to store a wide range of items without feeling constrained or cluttered. With more closet space, you can better organize your belongings, easily access what you need, and maintain a tidier living environment. Overall, having more closet space offers numerous benefits and can greatly enhance the comfort and functionality of a home.

The relationship between closets and design is integral to creating functional, aesthetically pleasing storage spaces. Well-designed closets contribute to the overall organization and orderliness of a space, by incorporating features such as shelving, drawers, and hanging rods in strategic layouts.

In the context of a rental property, where cost-effectiveness is paramount, a creative approach to enhancing storage space becomes essential. In this scenario, we’ve ingeniously repurposed a vintage pigeonhole shelf to maximize the storage capacity of the bedroom closet.

The decision to repurpose the vintage pigeonhole shelf offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides additional storage space without the need for extensive renovations or costly installations. This means minimal disruption to the property and a quick, budget-friendly solution for enhancing functionality. With the added bonus of not only minimizing costs but also contributed to sustainability by giving new life to an old piece.

When a Small Closet Disappoints in a Spacious Bedroom

The flat boasts a generously sized bedroom, but unfortunately, the closet within it is disproportionately small. To compound matters, the space is further compromised by the presence of a large water heater with a storage tank. This challenge not only limits the storage potential of the closet but also imposes practical constraints.

In undertaking the real-life makeover of the small bedroom closet, three guiding principles were paramount. Firstly, considering the unit’s status as a rental property, it was imperative to keep expenses to a minimum, adhering to budgetary constraints while still achieving significant improvements. Secondly, due to the practical limitations posed by the rental agreement, it was non-negotiable to leave the hot water tank undisturbed, preserving its current location within the closet.

Lastly, recognizing the presence of two spacious hallway closets within the residence, earmarked for storing coats and winter boots, allowed for a strategic redistribution of storage responsibilities, thereby alleviating pressure on the small bedroom closet and optimizing its usage for other essential items.

In its original layout, the small bedroom closet featured a simplistic design: a single rod spanned across the front for hanging clothes, while the rear area and a shelf positioned above the rod were designated for general storage purposes. This configuration, while functional to a degree, lacked efficiency and failed to fully capitalize on the available space within the closet.

As a result, there was a pressing need for a redesign that would maximize storage capacity and enhance organizational capabilities.

After careful consideration, we opted to optimize the left wall area and the space surrounding the water tank. To achieve this, we divided the left wall into three distinct sections. The first two sections were dedicated to installing rods for hanging clothes, effectively doubling the hanging storage capacity. Additionally, we integrated a sliding-out pants rack sourced from Ikea, which efficiently utilizes vertical space while offering easy access to trousers and other garments. This strategic utilization of the left wall area not only maximizes storage potential but also ensures efficient organization within the limited confines of the closet

The Makeover

The transformation of the closet began with a thorough process: it was emptied, meticulously cleaned, and primed to ensure a smooth surface for painting. Subsequently, two coats of satin gloss paint were applied to the walls, imparting a fresh and vibrant appearance to the space.

Once the paint had dried to perfection, the focal point of the makeover took shape: the installation of the salvaged mail room pigeonhole shelf.

We employed the pigeonhole shelf to optimize the space around the water tank in the closet. After meticulous cutting, cleaning, sanding, priming, and two coats of pristine white paint, with careful precision, the shelf was skillfully cut into smaller sections, tailored to fit seamlessly around the contours of the water heater. This transformed the otherwise underutilized space into a versatile storage hub, offering a multitude of compartments for neatly organizing various items such as folded clothes, accessories, or even shoes.

Once the shelf was securely installed, our attention turned to the opposite wall where we mounted the two rods and the pants rack. However, a slight setback emerged: due to the narrow width of the closet, the slide-out hanger couldn’t extend forward as intended. To resolve this issue, we embarked on a practical solution. Using a metal cutting saw, we carefully removed the right-side rail, thereby ensuring the unit fit. This adjustment, unfortunately, led to the loss of the rack’s sliding-out functionality, a feature rendered unusable due to the diameter of the water tank.

One important tip to remember is that studs typically run along a wall from floor to ceiling, spaced either 16 or 24 inches apart, measured from center to center. Utilizing a stud finder can greatly assist in locating these studs accurately, ensuring secure and stable installation of shelves or other fixtures.

Epilogue

The project was successfully completed over the course of one weekend, and the sense of accomplishment was palpable. However, it wasn’t until Monday morning, when I swung open the closet door, that the full impact of the transformation hit me. The sight of neatly organized garments greeted me, evoking a feeling akin to stepping into a high-end clothing boutique. The sense of order and sophistication that now permeated the closet space was truly gratifying, a tangible testament to the effort and ingenuity invested in the project.

Below, you’ll find three sets of three images each showcasing the transformation achieved through the makeover process. The sets comprise before-and-after snapshots, offering a visual journey of the closet’s evolution from its original state to its revamped, organized form. These images capture the tangible impact of the makeover, illustrating the significant improvements made to the space.