Happy New Year, can you believe its already 2020? I’m so pumped about this upcoming year and the projects I plan to tackle around my house. I feel like this is the year, I want to address as those ‘un-seen’ areas in my house no longer want to ignore — for example, messy kitchen cabinets, closets that need help. I want to be very intentional about creating systems in my home to keep those areas organized and clean.
Over the weekend, we kicked off our first DIY/Demo project of the year! I’m so pumped about this project, its been years in the making. Our linen closet is the first project we’re tackling, and I’m so excited! When we first moved back into our home in mid-2013, I planned to finish our hallway linen closet by installing doors. BUT, a few things held this project up. The way our contractor built the shelves and framed out the area for a small door vs. a built-in linen cabinet. Which honestly was my bad! I should have been more clear with my plans/look for the linen closet.
“When a small space is maximized to its full potential, function happens, its easier to keep the space organized”
That stalled project, because I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted a built-in seamless cabinet with deep storage and drawers. Over the years I’ve learned its OKAY to make changes to your original plans, YOUR HOME should suit your needs for your current season of life, not the one ten years ago.
Last year after we added a PAX Closet System in our master bedroom, I wondered if we could do something similar in our hallway. The PAX System has been a #GameChanger! We now have much more storage, and it stays organized. Read more about the project here.
Fast-forward to a few days ago, and I started measuring to see if a small PAX Closet could fit in where I linen cabinet/shelves are in our hallway. It would almost fit, but space is a 1 1/2 inches too short. I went back to the drawing board and began brainstorming more ideas about how we intend to use the area. But first, inspiration! I love all the beautiful linen cabinets below, so so much!
SMALL LINEN CABINET INSPIRATION
“I feel like this is the year, I want to tackle as those ‘un-seen’ areas in my house, I no longer want to ignore”
image via Decorpad
image via Uhousehmc.com
image via Shelter Interior Design
Lovely Linen Organization
image via Sincerely, Marie
image via BHG.com
Linen Cabinet Wish-list
Exterior drawers for linens: Bedding, Throws, Toliet Paper, Cleaning Supplies
Shelves for towels and large blankets
Interior cabinet drawers for extra bathroom items: cotton balls, q-tips, washcloths, etc
Pretty Cabinet Hardware
Glass doors would be a bonus, but not a must
Double the current space and make it usable
As a small home dweller, I’m constantly looking at ways to improve the storage in my home. Our linen closet is in our small hallway, and I want to transform it for a dumping ground of junk to an organized Household Hub.
Our linen cabinet is tiny guys, I mean tiny! But when a small space is maximized to its full potential, function happens, organization happens.
Our linen closet measures a whopping 19 inches wide and 26 inches deep! After looking at a lot of the options IKEA offers, including books and various cabinets, it made the most sense use a tall kitchen cabinet that we could totally customize the interior.
Here’s a look at our messy and underutilized linen cabinet before and after the demo! I never stored linens in the cabinet because of this area of our home was a #JunkMagnet for all the things, bathroom product overflow, paper towels, and all the random crap.
SMALL LINEN CABINET BEFORE & AFTER DEMO
Let’s be honest, my little linen closet potential was unveiled once demo began!
Our linen closet measures a whopping 19 inches wide and 26 inches deep! After looking at a lot of the options IKEA offers, including books and various cabinets, it made the most sense use a tall kitchen cabinet that we could totally customize the interior. Plus using the kitchen cabinet allows us to take advantage of the depth in our small closet and fully maximize the space.
We visited IKEA on Saturday and looked at all the options and features we wanted and placed our order! We ordered the IKEA Sektion / Maximera High Cabinet which typically is used as a pantry cabinet. It’s going to make an awesome linen cabinet.
The cabinet will have three lower drawers and two interior hidden drawers on the upper cabinet. I’m debating if we need two pull-out upper drawers, so one might go back and get replaced with a shelf. We chose the Bobyn Grey door/drawer fronts.
The cabinets arrive on Saturday and I can’t wait! Crossing my fingers all goes smoothly and fast! Thankfully after building four IKEA Pax Closets, I feel confident we can knock the project our quickly. After we install the cabinet, we'll trim the cabinet out and I’ll paint. Crossing my fingers, updating coming next week!
