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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Decorate Your Home » Reader Dilemma: Katie’s Odd Closet Space

Reader Dilemma: Katie’s Odd Closet Space

by Lindsay Ballard on March 14, 2012 49 Comments

Recently, a sweet reader sent me a photo of a spot in her house that could use some advice.  Katie and her husband moved into a new home last September, and they have been pondering this little space ever since.

Katie wrote:

we have no idea what to do with this random bit of space in the house. the previous owners put a narrow-ish bureau in there with pet food dishes at the base.

as you can see right now, it’s holding (although not very neatly) our painting supplies while we’re in our ‘PAINT ALL THE THINGS!!@#’ mode.

what can we do with this space?

I’ll add that we do not need more shelving/bookcases.
We have a pantry (to the left, see?).
We do not have pets so an amazing pet jungle gym is out.
We have a decent sized laundry room, so my ironing board does not need to go here.

AND – we have 9-foot ceilings on the first floor. Yep, that baby is 9 feet high.

Katie asked if I would bring her dilemma before my awesome readers, and I was happy to oblige.  What would you do with this space?  And why do you think it was built into the house in the first place?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:08 am

    Well, my answer is pretty boring, but I would just put up some drywall and get rid of it. The space doesn’t seem to be needed, so why not lose it and use the wall to hang something pretty?

    Reply
  2. shawna says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:09 am

    I would drywall that baby in. It is very akward and useless. I think if you try to make it into something it will only draw attention to its wierdness even more. The cost to drywall it is probably way less than what it will cost to make it into something functional and in the end still akward. I’m normally up for a creative challenge but this is what I would do hands down:)

    Reply
  3. Bren says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Can you open it up on the other side and sort of make an indented corner? It would open the space up a little and make a nice little niche for a plant or a piece of art. We have something like that outside our master bedroom and I stuck a skinny book tower in there and have photos and “treasure books” (ones that have been handed down, family faves, etc.) and photos. People always get excited when they see it and it beats leaving the space empty to catch the dustbunnies!

    Reply
    • Wren says

      March 14, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      Bren –

      Hi I’m Wren (I’m not kidding) and I LOVE your idea!

      Reply
  4. Nicole R. says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:19 am

    My initial thought was add a bunch of shelves and use it to store board games or books. Or, maybe you could open it up wider and use it as a display area.

    Reply
  5. ZTB says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:20 am

    It looks like a broom closet? I’d hide my trash can in the space you can’t see and put a vertical row of pictures in the space you can. Sorry, this one has me stumped.

    Reply
  6. ErinQ says

    March 14, 2012 at 7:46 am

    It does look like a perfect place to hide a vacuum. That said, have a little fun with it and make it a “phone booth.” When you go in, you are ordinary you, when you come out, you are SUPERMAN! Okay, I jest, but i have a little boy that would love that idea 🙂 For more grown up idea, how about diamond shelves for wine storage?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 14, 2012 at 8:00 am

      Oooh, I’m all about the wine storage idea! LOL I wonder if she’s let me come visit?

      Reply
  7. Jessica says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:12 am

    I’ve never heard “I don’t need any more shelves”, ever. Put shelves, the objects will come! 😉 I do like the wine storage idea someone else suggested. If you put nice shelves in perhaps it would be a good display/storage for pretty platters and bowls, or recipe books. But, if you can’t think of anything to do with it, then I would definitely just dry wall it closed, or angle it to match the pantry across the hall like someone else suggested. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to keep it!

    Reply
    • murfnik says

      March 15, 2012 at 8:38 am

      I’m with Jessica!

      Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:16 am

    I agree with ZTB, my first thought was a narrow display area maybe put some vintage deco items that flow with the kitchen, I was thinking Glass shelves with a bright light at the top, I think if you played with the items on the shelves you could cast a neat lighting effect all the way down.

    Without needing the extra storage space, I do think that it was a broom/vacuum/everything you don’t want your friends to see storage, maybe a shelf at top for cleaning supplies and space at bottom for brooms and mops and stuff. Although I don’t know why people (me included) hide the cleaning supplies. I am sure people know that I clean my house (although I am sure people wish I would clean a little more. 🙂 )

    Just had one more idea, becasue freash veggies tend to go bad faster in abundant amounts of light, you could also put plastic bins in there and make it a fresh veggie storage. Have like potato, onion, oranges, apples, and a few other items on hand.

    Reply
  9. Pamela says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:17 am

    I love the idea of a type of wine cellar especially if it is right off the kitchen! Another idea would be to open it up even wider (if possible?) and make an open computer/office space? Like a kitchen/office/command center space? But don’t know the dimensions and if that’s possible.

    Pamela

    Reply
  10. Mary says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Temporarily I would get an ikea bookcase in white to slide into the space.
    Hide your valuables behind the shelf. Then as you have children… Two purposes come to mind. Naughty mat… Or reading nook.

    Originally looks like it was for the pets. It could have been for a furnace unit and somebody oops!

    Love Love the phone booth idea. I could see myself, as a teen, laying on the floor, feet propped up, twisting the really long phone chord around and around, But with cell phones, It’s kind of dated.

    Reply
  11. Andrea says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I don’t know if you have children yet or not but if there are small children in your future I would add some shelving that allows room for bins and expect it to be filled with toys. You could make it a “command center” where you have your family schedule, calendar, in/out mail bins, maybe a piece of sheet metal to make it magnetic and able to be used as a dry-erase board. If you like wine you could make some really awesome wine storage. Or make it a place for liquor and wine glasses.

    Reply
  12. Pam Kueber says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:33 am

    (1) Paint the trim around that tall opening the same color as the wall – it doesn’t need to be highlighted
    (2) Install a false wall to make it not so deep
    (3) Tall shelf at top for something decorative and dramatic and pretty
    (4) Shelves along rest of space for — Cookbooks!

    Alternatively, put a locking door on it, and when you have kids, you can lock them in there when they are uncooperative. JK of course!

    Reply
  13. foxspirit says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:59 am

    Honestly it seems like a great space for a little closet style hydroponics system. Think aerogarden but cooler. You could make yourself a little herb garden there or maybe some indoor flowers?

    Reply
  14. Wendy Piersall says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:01 am

    I think you could use this as a clever hidden storage area. You could make the door look like a grandfather clock, a paneled door with a photo display, have built in bookshelves (in the actual door, as seen on Pinterest), a mirror or chalkboard/corkboard. I also like Bren’s idea of opening up the whole corner. You could make it into a built in mini seating area, or even just put a big plant on display.

    I wouldn’t close it up, your need for storage will grow every week you live in your home! Trust me, 6 years ago I never thought we’d run out of room in our new house… famous last words. 😉

    Reply
    • Delle says

      March 14, 2012 at 4:32 pm

      I like Wendy’s idea of a hidden storage area. You might need to drywall down from the top a couple feet – that’s a tall hole to hide! A hidey hole can be pretty handy – just think of all the stocking stuffers you could hide back there!
      I hope we get to see what you eventually do with it!!!

      Reply
  15. jannet says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:07 am

    i would so use it as a time out space!! it’d be great to have a space for the kids to be in time out that doesn’t move. and that has specified surrounding walls. 🙂 love it.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      March 14, 2012 at 10:27 am

      My first thought was “time out” space too. Of course you would probably want to leave it pretty plain so it isn’t too stimulating.

      Reply
  16. Lynn Grate says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:18 am

    How about glass shelves and a light inside at the top for displaying or an herb garden?

    Reply
  17. nancyo says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:29 am

    what’s on the right hand side on the closet? could you make the closet wider to look like a built in hutch?

    Reply
  18. Katie says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Thanks for all the suggestions so far!! I thought I’d answer a few questions that have to do with “what’s on the other side of it” —

    You can see I’ve labeled the TV room to the right of it. That does come right up to the side of this cubby hole, so expanding the space to the right is a no-go.

    The hall closet makes up the “back” wall of the cubby. I suppose we could make a suuuuuper longgg hall closet if no other options are appealing.

    I like the idea of opening it up and having corner shelving there (even though I said we don’t need more shelves :P) – but we’re pretty sure there is a supporting column/stud in that spot so we wouldn’t want to remove that.

    Reply
  19. Robyn G says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:54 am

    My first thought is broom and/or trash can closet, if you don’t already have a good place for those items. But since someone mentioned wine storage, you could easily put in a counter height “shelf” as a small bar counter with shelves below for wine/liquor storage and shelves and hanging racks above for glasses and bareware.

    Or get a life sized greek statue and install a light in the top of the closet for a little art niche.

    Reply
  20. Robin says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Couple different ideas…since the hall closet is around the corner and backs up to it you could close this off and then open up your hall closet to be a setting area with baskets, bins and hooks, similar to what Shelley did at thehouseofsmiths.com blog.

    You could put in some type of rolling cabinet for trash and shelves.

    You could make it a broom closet with broom vacuum and cleaning supply storage.

    Reply
  21. Melissa Griffin says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:36 am

    I’m a big fan of the wine idea! If not, I’d use it as a cleaning closet. I’d hang little bars in there to hang cleaning bottles off of, and then maybe making a clip to hang brooms and mops off of. I think putting a door on it will make it very useful for many different things.

    Reply
  22. Sandy says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:41 am

    I would turn it into a built-in mail sorting, phone/ipod charging station with mail slots, a calendar/corkboard/chalkboard for keeping messages & appointments, phone books, etc. can all go here. I would put in a counter and either hang a curtain under for recycling bin or make it look like a built-in cabinet with place to store stamps, pens, return address labels. We have something very similar in our house and that’s what we did with it and it is awesome. It is great to have a place where all the mail and things go so they don’t end up stacked on the dining room table or lost and forgotten in the office. The only mail that ends up in the office is the stuff that needs to be filed. This is a handy spot for grabbing what needs to go to the mailbox/post office and keeping track of phones, appointments, etc.

    Reply
    • Mrs. Robinson says

      March 15, 2012 at 9:01 am

      This is my favorite idea so far! Those are all great ideas – and if you search on Pinterest, there are tons of cute ways to make a “station” for your home where you can have a calendar, list chores, have a chalkboard, etc.

      And my second favorite idea would be the wine cellar. But that’d only work if y’all are really into wine. =)

      Reply
  23. Vicki J says

    March 14, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    What about a beverage station (AKA Bar) Closed cabinet at the bottom, countertop and then glass shelves on the top.

    Or what about running some elec in there and making it a charging station for all things electronic?

    You may not need the storage today.. but given time.. we all yearn for more!

    Reply
  24. Shannon R says

    March 14, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I’d make the door a secret door, put a clock or large art or an external bookshelf on hinges, and then it doesn’t really matter what you put into it. Cleaning supplies, booze, a mysterious safe, emergency rations, embarrassing old CDs/DVDs you don’t want to get rid of but don’t really want to display your prior bad tastes…

    Reply
  25. Jenny says

    March 14, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    What about installing some fun, vintage hooks or knobs in the back and using it as a guest coat closet? And you could buy a bright and funky rug/mat for the floor for outdoor shoes, and if there is room, maybe an umbrella holder? Not sure who actually uses umbrella holders, but they look cool! This would be both functional, and also attractive when not in use! 🙂

    Reply
  26. julie says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Id say the builder did not want to waste the space. I would not want to either.
    I would add shelves for book display and nick nacks. I also love the idea of opening up the corner. Great for a display pc of art.
    You could also add a door the same color as the wall to hide it and store misc items on shelves. Id utilitze it any way you feel you can.

    Reply
  27. Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    I think building a rolling slide out cabinet that is custom fit for that space would be the optimum storage solution. Think of it like the fancy roll out pantries in a new kitchen. Or like these under the stairs storage: http://pinterest.com/pin/263671753153569804/

    Reply
    • Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says

      March 14, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      That was supposed to say built-in (not building) ;-( I’m tired.

      Reply
  28. Vicki Valenta (Grams) says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Since it’s right outside the TV room, could it have been meant as a component closet or control space for electronic wiring? Honestly, it looks like it should hold one of those built-in ironing boards like they built into houses in the 1960s.

    I think I would paint the inside a different color and put an interesting piece of artwork there.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      March 17, 2012 at 3:40 pm

      That’s what I think that the space was intended for, esp. since it is near the TV room. That being said, I like the ideas if a wine center or family command center.

      Reply
  29. elizabeth says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    ditch the trim, put up a shelf on hinges, and you have a secret panic room behind the shelf …. a tall skinny panic room … if you’re panicking with someone, it’ll be cozy … or a really good hiding place if you still play hide n’ seek with your pals …

    Reply
  30. Lisa Peterson says

    March 14, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Went to make some suggestions and alot of them were already suggested so here is my few that were left. Put in shelves and use it for Xmas storage. Everyone needs that. Another is leave it and store skis, golf clubs, or any sports equipment that is tall and skinny. Be sure to put a door on it and if you could I would make it plain so it wouldn’t show and have one of those push and pop open locks. Then it wouldn’t be so show-ey. You know the kind that they put on kitchen cabinets that you just push and they pop open. Hows that for getting you thinking?

    Reply
  31. Samantha says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    I would put in a freestanding ice maker. I feel like everytime we entertain we are always short on ice. Most free standing ice makers are right around 15″ wide and 25″ deep so it would fit the space perfectly!

    Reply
  32. Kris says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    Living in a 750 square foot home, I can’t imagine not needing more storage. I would love to have that dilemma. I would consider dry walling the space over on the wall shown and removing the awkward jog it must create in the unseen t.v. room.

    Reply
  33. Laura says

    March 14, 2012 at 11:34 pm

    Shoe shelves?

    Reply
  34. Tumaini Rivera says

    March 15, 2012 at 1:25 am

    A GIFTING STATION. I would use inexpensive tension rods to put spools of wrapping paper, ribbon, twine, rolls of tape, etc. Maybe some old shutters hung on one of the inner walls where you could keep cards, stationery, etc. On the other inside wall I can see some sort of mesh (or recycled metal fence) to hang scissors, markers, etc. How, you ask? An old cheese grater hung upside down (with a hook) on the mesh fence. Or you could nail a hole to one side of a tomato sauce can, thread some string or wire through and hang it on mesh/fence. A fold-out table, perhaps? Chalkboard paint on the back wall to make a to-do list or a to-craft list. Hang your cans of paint from the ceiling? (I totally would). Could you put drawers (instead of shelves) at the bottom? I can see a flippin’ curtain (made from beads, buttons, or family photos)! GASP! On the back each family member’s photo is their birthday. Maybe you already know every family member’s birthday so, instead, you put pics of your friends’ kids. They email tons of unrequested photos, right? Print them out, mod podge them onto a piece of wood, hang the photos/wood in a vertical fashion, paint the back of each piece of wood with chalkboard paint, then write the person’s birthday, favorite color, gift idea, etc.
    Ooohh, maybe you could invite a fellow blogger to come over with the “winning idea” to do it for you!!!

    Ok, for real, I’m stopping.

    Tumaini

    Reply
  35. Stella says

    March 15, 2012 at 6:19 am

    You should completely put a false back into the storage cupboard, paint the alcove in nice colours, install light fittings/mains plugs, add some Narnia tributes maybe? Chuck some cushions or books in there if it will be used regularly, have a hinging shelf system on the open side and leave it for future children to find. That would be just about the most amazing thing ever, and that’s coming from a 18 year old.

    Reply
  36. Rochelle says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:37 am

    To me the photo booth idea seems like it’d be a bit cramped, cute, but cramped. I like the idea of opening up the other side to make it a corner display. I also like the idea of drywalling over it.

    Reply
  37. the Blah Blah Blahger says

    March 15, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I’d use it for technology storage…put your DVR, CD player, etc, in there!

    Reply
  38. Marcie says

    March 15, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    I would get rid of all of the trim and make the opening the same dimensions as the inside. Then I would do a built-in on the bottom (or is there enough room for a wine fridge?) with a counter and use it as a wine bar with a stemware shelf above. Or have the built in on the bottom and great mail-sorting and device charging stations above. I think if it were completely open on 2 sides with shelves, the shelves would eventually just get cluttered. I would much rather it have some real function if it were in my house.

    Reply
  39. Bernadette @ B3HD says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:50 am

    If you like art, I would get (or build in) a cool table height cabinet (you can never have too much storage, if even just for keys/mail, etc) and then “above the table” you could even DIY some really cool abstract art that would be showcased in the cubby. That might work without something grounding out the bottom.

    I wouldn’t necessarily wall it in unless it is really just that obnoxious to you. I think what helps homes stand out are the little unique quirks like this that make your home stand out from every other home on the street.

    My two cents.

    Reply
  40. janet @ ordinary mom says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    I think I would cover it as well. It is taller than the openings on either side yet framed the same, which to me makes it even more awkward. If it was door height, and you could put a super narrow door on it, it would be a great broom closet or for hanging aprons, etc. to keep those items out of the pantry. Otherwise I would get rid of it and hang some great art.

    Reply
  41. Petra says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Ooh, I would love a closet like that to hide my Nordictrack ski machine when it’s folded up. We got tired of it fighting the coats in the entry closet, so now it’s just sitting out on the floor of the living room waiting for just such a spot to materialize! Could you transport that closet to my house, pretty please?!

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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