DIY Closet Ideas: Awkward Small Bedroom is Now a Serene “Cloffice” in Our New Home!

Yay! A DIY from our new home to share, and I can finally begin to organize clothes and office stuff after the move! While our bedroom’s existing walk-in closet is a decent size, we prefer separate closets. Fortunately, there was a spare bedroom adjacent to that walk-in that captured my imagination when we toured the home. Since I love me a cozy dressing room and home office nook, I was determined to create a custom closet trifecta: closet, office, and dressing room. How did we do it ourselves? Smart design help, DIY friendly product, and a collaboration with Modular Closets. I hope these DIY closet ideas help you imagine the possibilities.

Lots of drawers and pull outs in my new pretty DIY closet - Hello Lovely Studio. #closettowers #customcloset #closetupgrade

This post is sponsored by Modular Closets, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that make this blog possible.

DIY Closet Ideas: Small Bedroom Becomes a Serene “Cloffice”

If you have an underutilized spare bedroom too, why not make the space work for you? I saw potential for this quirky one to become more functional (1) without demo and (2) without losing status as a bedroom (because resale, y’all).

A DIY custom closet with a vanity/work area at the window was the perfect solution for this spare and awkward bedroom - Hello Lovely Studio. #customcloset #diycloset #cloffice
DIY Closet Ideas…in case you want to transform an underutilized spare bedroom.

Overview of the DIY Project

I wanted my own serene closet with smart storage and room to work or exercise, and since this quirky bedroom is adjacent to my husband’s closet…

But what do you mean “quirky?”

before

The dimensions are approximately 7’x10′, and the shape is Tetris-like, mostly because the room has 7 doors.

Wait, mama. SEVEN?

Oui. 2 bifold doors (to a shallow closet) + 1 door (within said closet connecting it to the main bedroom’s closet) +1 door to a linen closet +1 hall door +1 door to bath + 1 access door to jetted tub behind a custom oak built-in.

For the love of closets, just too many clunky dark doors! But no more!

So many doors in this awkward little bedroom I claimed for a closet and office - Hello Lovely.

Even the oak built-in shelves were awkward (see them below). Too shallow to hold anything beyond little bottles of nail polish or pain reliever, it all had to go.

before

The Bedroom’s Underutilized Real Estate

The room’s pluses? Killer view of our wooded property, adequate dimensions for a cloffice/dressing room, and proximity to main bedroom’s closet. (We can easily connect these closets in phase 2 should we decide to.)

before

What I didn’t want was to just line the walls with a bunch of hanging rods or wardrobes (good gracious, not more clunky doors!) and expect it to feel inviting and calm enough for work.

before
BEFORE…DIY Closet Ideas from Hello Lovely

Help With a Design Plan

Modular Closets was the perfect solution for these real life renovators! Their site is user friendly with actual human beings to help you with design. What a blessing for anxious types like me who get overwhelmed easily.

Here are some of the renderings you can expect:

Design plan from Modular Closets for the closet - Hello Lovely Studio.

While there are plenty of closet configurations with towers, drawers, and accessories to consider, Modular Closets found the sweet spot…they offer just the right amount of options.

Entrance to the former awkward spare bedroom that is now my closet, office, and dressing room - Hello Lovely Studio. #diycloset #cloffice #dressingroom

TWO COMMON MISTAKES HOMEOWNERS MAKE WHEN DESIGNING A CLOSET?
1. Not double-checking measurements…it is key to have the correct dimensions.
2. Skipping the step of writing down what is in their wardrobe. You want to design the closet for YOUR wardrobe. Make sure to specify the categories of clothes in your wardrobe. (For example, where one person has mostly dresses and requires hanging, someone else may own a lot of pants and require more shelves.) – Christina Giaquanto, Professional Organizer & Brand Ambassador for Modular Closets

Serene and airy, this customized closet transformed an ugly bedroom and is a pleasure to relax in - Hello Lovely Studio.

I browsed online for closet inspiration, measured our space carefully, assessed my wardrobe needs, thought about the amount of hanging and shelf space I required, decided on a location for my desk/vanity, and shared this info with MC so they could design a solution.

Detail of Modular Closets Vista shelves and chrome pull out drawers. - Hello Lovely

Prepping the Bedroom for Closet Modules

I liked the closet design immediately and felt energized to prep the little bedroom for its new identity.

Here’s what we did before opening a single box:

–>Removed existing ugly lights and installed sparkly fixtures on a dimmer. (What a huge difference!)

A Mongstad floor mirror from Ikea in my DIY closet, office, dressing room "cloffice." Hello Lovely Studio.(

–>Removed the oak built-in then repaired the 6′ tall hole in the wall with new drywall (that hole was left of the mirror). We won’t require the “access door” to the jetted tub since that tub is going bye-bye.

–>Primed and painted all the dark trim, window, and doors white. I can’t tell you how many hours and coats this took…sweet Cozy Moses…but what a bright and cheerful transformation it made!

My cloffice and dressing room with modules from Modular Closets - Hello Lovely. #diycloset #clofficeinspiration

Transforming the Space into a DIY Closet/Office/Dressing Room

When the boxes arrived from Modular Closets, my husband got a core workout carrying each one up the stairs. A few nights later, he began the closet installation before completing it the following evening (he rated this an intermediate DIY project).

DIY closet project to transform a little bedroom into a cloffice dressing room - Hello Lovely.

HOW TO DECIDE WHETHER TO INSTALL PRODUCT YOURSELF OR HIRE A PRO? Honor what you feel comfortable with. The Modular closet system is designed to be DIY friendly! We are here to help answer any questions. However, if you feel more confident enlisting help, don’t feel bad. Perhaps someone in your family or a local handyman can help. But it is 100% designed to be easy for you to install! – Christina Giaquanto, Professional Organizer & Brand Ambassador for Modular Closets

What a bonus there were no missing pieces or damaged panels to slow the installation down!

Vista shelves, hamper pull out drawer, and slanted shoe shelves from Modular Closets - Hello Lovely. #closetmakeover #cloffice #diycloset

My Favorite Elements of the Product & Cloffice

I love the new cloffice/dressing room! Not only can I now begin organizing belongings, I have a pleasant workspace, vanity area, and yoga space.

Love the closet accessories and modules from Modular Closets in my closet, office, dressing room "cloffice" - Hello Lovely Studio.

Here are some specifics I appreciated:

The boxes of carefully packed product were gently delivered to the inside of the garage, and nothing arrived damaged.

Modular Closets drawers, towers, and accessories in my new closet/home office. Hello Lovely Studio. #diycloset #closetcustomization #closetupgrade

Even though you can have a blast customizing modules, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRIM OR TRICK OUT THE TOWERS FOR THEM TO LOOK GREAT. The material is made from top-grade and high-density wood. I thought I might need to labor, add trim, and fuss with the modules to make them feel pretty and friendly…nope.

Woven baskets, chrome pull out bins, and smooth gliding drawers in my closet/home office/dressing room - Hello Lovely Studio.

While the Shaker design is simple, I love the more minimal, unfussy look! Even the standard metal drawer knobs work for my taste. (See a video of the space HERE.)

Hanging space and plenty of drawers in my new closet/office/dressing room - Hello Lovely Studio. #diycloset #customcloset #clofficeideas
My office supplies will go in the baskets you see above the coats…I don’t require much beyond a laptop!

The pull out hamper drawer and chrome wire pull out drawers are DREAMY and glide smoothly. Closet accessories like these from Modular Closets enhance and bring ease to the everyday!

Slanted shoe shelves, hamper pull out drawer, and chrome pull out bins make this DIY custom closet system perfect for my needs - Hello Lovely Studio. #closetupgrade #diycloset #closetaccessories

While you don’t have to add embellishments to the closet systems, they lend themselves beautifully to personal design expression. I prefer natural woven baskets to corral items on shelves. If you favor soft-sided fabric bins, they would be perfect too.

When I catch my breath, I plan to line the drawers with pretty fabric…stay tuned!

Detail of Modular Closets Vista drawer and chrome pull out - Hello Lovely Studio.

My smart new DIY closet feels integrated and like a personal little boutique. I wondered whether the product would read too modern and maybe compete in this traditional style bedroom with all the 6-panel doors. Instead, it has freshened the existing old school vibe and feels like new construction because it is!

Natural woven baskets soften the Shaker style towers in my DIY closet, home office, dressing area - Hello Lovely Studio.

Is Customizing & Upgrading Closets a Good Investment?

The beauty of this DIY project is how we smartly enhanced the bedroom without demo or changing the room’s status as a 4th bedroom! There is still room for a twin or even a full size bed (I tested it! It fits easily on the wall with the floor mirror that is free of modules).

A petite vintage desk fits nicely under the window in my closet, office, dressing room - Hello Lovely Studio. #cloffice #diycloset #prettycloset

I can imagine a teen loving this as a cozy bedroom, and it would make a lovely nursery as well.

HOW DO CUSTOMIZED CLOSETS AFFECT RESALE VALUES? More than ever, organization is important to people, especially when it comes to their home. By adding a closet system, it adds more value to your home should you ever sell it. – Christina Giaquanto, Professional Organizer & Brand Ambassador for Modular Closets

Crystal chandelier, closet system from Modular Closets, and a vintage desk transformed an awkward little bedroom into an inviting closet, home office, and dressing area - Hello Lovely Studio. #cloffice #homeoffices #diycloset

The 2020s have certainly re-shaped our ideas about design and how we want to live at home. For example, with so many of us working remotely or schooling from home, our rooms need to live larger these days.

Cloffices are becoming commonplace. Home offices, workspaces, and study spaces for children are attractive features to homebuyers.

Our DIY closet project has enhanced my everyday! Now my closet feels like a mini boutique - Hello Lovely Studio. #diycloset #customcloset #closetupgrade

Since we are laboriously adding so much DIY heart and soul to the renovation of this traditional early 1990s home, I’m ever mindful of adding value by addressing the needs of future owners. Let’s face it, they probably will appreciate modern amenities such as upgraded closets.

Sweet little vintage desk becomes a great vanity and place for the laptop in a customized cloffice - Hello Lovely Studio.

In fact, real estate and home experts seem to agree that in addition to recouping more than half of your investment for a closet upgrade, you’ll also make it easier for your home to sell.

Lots of drawers and pull outs in my new pretty DIY closet - Hello Lovely Studio. #closettowers #customcloset #closetupgrade

It seems to me that with so much post-pandemic uncertainty looming beyond our four walls, we all crave more order within them. Simply designed closets can provide structure for such order.

Soft and serene colors set a tone in my DIY closet, office, dressing room - Hello Lovely Studio.

For folks readying their home to sell, I asked Modular Closets about staging a closet mindfully:

A pretty closet with plenty of shelves and storage in my "cloffice" space which I carved out of a spare bedroom - Hello Lovely Studio.

HOW SHOULD YOUR CLOSET BE STAGED FOR RESALE? Keep it simple. If you are selling your home, stage your closet very simply and without a lot of clothing in it. You want to stage the closet so potential buyers can visualize themselves using it. Less clutter allows the buyer to imagine what it would be like to have their own wardrobe items in the closet. Also, with less distraction from clothing, the focus can remain on the closet system itself. You want the potential buyer to get excited about filling up this closet. – Christina Giaquanto, Professional Organizer & Brand Ambassador for Modular Closets

The drawers and pull-outs in my pretty closet glide smoothly - Hello Lovely Studio.

So smart! When we toured our new home, it was emptied of everything, yet it didn’t feel soul-less or vacant.

A pretty closet was created in an awkward tiny bedroom - Hello Lovely Studio. #cloffices #closetupgrade

I am so very grateful to MODULAR CLOSETS for the opportunity to partner and experience their excellent customer service, high quality product, and easy design process.

A simple DIY closet "cloffice" is better use of this spare bedroom - Hello Lovely Studio.

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our DIY closet project…please do PIN this post and these images like crazy to spread the love and support this blog!

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

p.s.

My husband is THE MOST amazing DIY partner this fairy on the prairie is blessed to call hers! I bow to his skill, strength, and courage along this renovation journey.

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16 Comments

  1. Amy
    May 4, 2022 / 10:32 am

    Wowzers…love it! I’m jealous of such pretty & useful closet organization! I love your natural baskets and how you placed them asymmetrically on the shelves. Your chandelier looks peach with the lights on…so pretty! The view you will so enjoy everyday! When we built our house we just put in the wire shelving knowing we would replace it with something better later…this is definitely something better!! So happy for you to have your first DIY room all done! And your hubs definitely deserves your sweet shoutout! Y’all make an amazing team and do fabulous work together! It’s a blessing to have a handy husband…I know that from experience! 🤗

    • Michele
      Author
      May 4, 2022 / 11:56 am

      Thanks, Amy. This is the second home in a row where my closet initially didn’t exist, and I had to start from scratch. In our former home, my closet started life as a sort of “panic room” with an exterior door, laundry chute, and not a thing in it – not even shelves! For this one, doors and shelves and dark wood to paint. So it’s great to give this space new life. My husband is incredible, and has very little time for these projects since he is a trial attorney, but he’s truly that good! Highly recommend these sort of closet upgrades that enhance the everyday! 🙂

  2. Margarita W.
    May 5, 2022 / 11:56 am

    What a great idea for your closet and it turned out beautiful! All your hard work paid off and I was very surprised to see the chandelier so very reasonably price too.

    • Michele
      Author
      May 5, 2022 / 8:54 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words. Yes – the chandelier only looks expensive! And it really does look amazing in person. 🙂 Thanks for reading.

  3. May 9, 2022 / 10:35 am

    Oh, Michele, this is just gorgeous. I love the cloffice idea, and you have styled it to perfection. I’m now eyeing my married daughter’s old bedroom with new eyes! I’m in love with this! Do you remember where you found those big baskets on the shelves? They are so nice. I’m so glad you shared this at TFT. Can’t wait to see more of your projects in the new house! xo

    • Michele
      Author
      May 9, 2022 / 10:45 am

      Thanks, Pam! The baskets were found at Homegoods prob 5 yrs ago. I love the combo of white with woven. I appreciate the feedback since I have never clofficed a bdroom before. I knew I needed a closet, but I didn’t want to over-customize since we may sell in a couple of years. This was a nice balance. The design allows for enough room for a bed and desk even though the space is quite small. I can imagine this system/design working well for a number of home offices and craft rooms! Looking forward to sharing more from our DIYs if ever I can find time in between them to give them proper photo shoots! 🙂

      • May 12, 2022 / 7:24 am

        Thanks for the Homegoods tip! Who knows, maybe they’ll have something similar, so I’d better get up there and see. 🙂 I always love an excuse to stop in there. After seeing your cloffice, I love that white with woven combo, too. (Also, I’m amazed and a little envious of that view from your window.) I’ll be featuring this at the TFT party today!

        • Michele
          Author
          May 12, 2022 / 7:58 am

          Yay! Thanks, Pam! The view is the reason we bought the place – our own little slice of paradise while still in a neighborhood. I’ll be over to the party soon! 🙂

  4. May 9, 2022 / 11:49 am

    Michele,
    So glad you stopped by. I love how your closet turned out. Hope things are going well in your new home.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    • Michele
      Author
      May 9, 2022 / 8:31 pm

      Thanks so much, Bev. Every project seems a little harder in this house – and I think it is probably because we’re older and not as resilient! I have been painting a little each day. Hope your husband is healing nicely and that you are relaxing more than I am. 🙂

  5. May 10, 2022 / 4:17 pm

    This is absolutely gorgeous!! You’ve got my creative juices flowing! Thank you so much for submitting your post to the Wonderful Wednesday blog hop. You are my feature for tomorrow’s hop. Whew who!

    • Michele
      Author
      May 10, 2022 / 8:07 pm

      Awwwww, thanks, Christin! Thrilled to hear it and looking forward to visiting you. 🙂

  6. Red
    May 5, 2023 / 2:39 am

    Hey Michelle! I am from impressivewardrobes. Great post! I love how you’ve transformed the space into a hybrid closet-office-dressing room. Your DIY closet ideas are fantastic, and I appreciate the detailed explanations and helpful tips you’ve provided. It’s inspiring to see how a small space can be utilized so effectively. Your hard work turned out to be quite a wonderful space you can call home. Thank you for sharing your creativity and expertise!

    • Michele
      Author
      May 5, 2023 / 12:18 pm

      Thanks for reading. 🙂

  7. Abogado De Trafico En Virginia
    July 3, 2023 / 2:46 am

    The most informative article!Keep sharing the post.

    • Michele
      Author
      July 3, 2023 / 1:46 pm

      Thank you. Keep reading. 🙂

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