How can I create closet space in a living room?
Question:Transforming a living room in a bedroom. Please help!
Answers:
Armoire
An armoire/wardrobe is the best bet. The old ones were invented to be used as closets in old houses. They have a hanging rod across the top for your hanging clothes and drawers or shelves at the bottom for folded items. All this is hidden behind doors. They are still in use in Europe where the houses were built without closets.
You should be able to find one at an antique shop or a flea market. They still make them in the US but they now hold TVs mostly instead of hanging clothes.
An armoire is the simplest way, but not always the best method design wise. However, an armoire will only give you about 4'X2.5' of closet space. Then of course there is the issue of choosing one to fit in with your decor, finding a place to put the thing, and merchandising it.
Building a permanent wall to create closet space is a simple affair. It will also give you options to design in other elements that will improve your space and, if done correctly, will add value to your home.
If building a permanent wall is not an option, and you need more closet space than an armoire will provide, there are two simple and cost effective options that I would suggest.
1. Buy two rolling clothing racks and a large folding screen. Place the racks side by side against the wall and put the screen in front of them. This will cost you about $100-$120 at WalMart.
2. Buy 2 shelving units at Walmart. Look for the ones that are 6' tall, 4' wide, and 2' deep. Place them facing each other so you have 4'-6' between them. While you're at WalMart, pick up some curtains that match your room (or if you sew, material for curtains) and a curtain rod that will reach 4'-6'.
Go to your local home improvement store and have them cut you a piece of 3/4" plywood to put on top to tie the two shelving units together. Also, buy a bar to hang your clothes on, a box of 1" wood screws, and 3 support bars. (The clothing bar will need to hang from the plywood unless you replace the cardboard shelf backing with plywood as well...)
Put the plywood on top of the shelving units, spanning the distance between them and screw them in place. Screw the support hangers for the rod into the bottom of the plywood. (Depending on the support rods you buy, you may need to put the rod in first.) Hang your curtains over the doorway.
This will probably cost you about $250, but you will have created a removeable closet with shelving inside for storage, and a place for storage above. It's also "customizable". Because you are working with wood and chipboard, you can add crown moulding, hang pictures (or more shelves) on the shelving units, etc.
The only concern here is the cardboard backing the shelving units come with standard. However, they can be primered and painted, replaced with plywood, or covered with fabric. Heres a tip though, They come with one nice side that is supposed to face the inside of the shelves. If you put them on backwards, nice side will face the room.
I hope this helps, or at least helps you think of your own creative solution. Good luck with the project.
-SD-
I have 2 different kinds of armoirs for sale, if your interested.
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