Designing My Closet Island
*Note: I’m so sorry to my email subscribers if you were sent an email this morning showing last Friday’s post again as a new post. I don’t know why that happened. I promise, I’m not trying to spam y’all! I switched to a new email service, and evidently, I set up something wrong. Hopefully I can get that worked out today.
Well, I’m running a bit late this morning because I was so exhausted this morning that I had a hard time dragging my tired bones out of bed. I worked so hard this weekend on my closet, and while I’m not quite ready to share the progress (I’ll show you tomorrow), I wore myself out completely. So I’m off to a late start this morning.
But another thing I did this weekend during my breaks while working on the closet was to get some ideas for my closet island worked out. I’ve had some ideas in mind, but until now, I had never sat down and actually put my ideas down on “paper” to see how they would look. Plus, new ideas kept being presented to me from some of you in the comments on previous posts. So I had my list of items that I wanted to include in the island, but I needed to work out how to fit everything in.
First and foremost, I want all of my necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry to be stored in the island. And I really want the earrings, rings, and other smaller items to be in a wide, shallow top drawer with tons of those little compartments for jewelry. I also love the idea of having glass on top of that section so that I can see those smaller items without having to open the drawer.
I also want my necklaces (and y’all know I have a ton of them) to be stored hanging. I’ve had them that way for a while now in our bathroom, and I love that system of storage, so I want to have that same system in my closet.
And then the most recent addition is an ironing board that fits into a drawer. So if I’m going to have an ironing board in there, then I also need a place to store an iron. And of course, I also want lots of drawer storage in the island.
I had always planned on having everything in the island accessible only from the left side or the right side and having solid panels on the ends of the island. But once I decided to add an ironing board, that no longer made sense. I’ll have about three feet between the island and the cabinets along the walls on either side, and I was afraid that three feet of space for a fold out drawer-style ironing board might be a bit cramped. So I thought it might be better to have that drawer ironing board on the end towards the washer and dryer area.
I wasn’t quite sure how I would make that look right until I came across this closet island on Houzz.
Photo by Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC – Search closet pictures
I don’t know the exact dimensions of that island, but it looks pretty close to the 30″ x 72″ island that I’ll have in my closet. And that one has sections that are accessible from all four sides of the island. That idea would work perfectly for me!
So with that in mind, I opened up my photo editing program and got to designing. As a reminder, here’s the overall layout of my closet…
So I decided to divide the island into four sections.
The narrower 30-inch-wide sections on each end will be 18 inches deep, and the wider 36-inch-wide sections on each long side will be 15 inches deep. Here’s what I came up with…
The section that’s visible from the door side of the room will have four drawers. That’s pretty simple and straightforward.
The section on the opposite end, accessible from the laundry room side of the island, will have a drawer at the top where I will have the fold-out ironing board. and then the bottom section will be a cabinet where I can store my iron, laundry detergent, bleach, etc.
What I especially love is that having that cabinet on the end of the island will eliminate the need for that lower drawer in the wall section next to the washer.
I didn’t love the idea of having that drawer there, but I needed somewhere low and easily accessible to store detergent and other laundry-related items. So this cabinet will serve that purpose and will free up that area in the wall cabinet.
The wider section that faces the left side of the room (i.e., the wall where my hanging clothes will be stored) will also be a drawer section. It will have a non-functioning panel on either end. I may disguise those to look like cabinet doors. The drawers will be 36 inches wide. I considered dividing that section into two columns of 18-inch drawers, but I have lots of 36-inch-wide drawers in my studio, and I really like them. I prefer keeping the drawers wide and using separators inside the drawers to section them off for different items if necessary.
And finally, the wider section that faces the right side of the room (i.e., the side with the wallpapered and mirror section) will look like this…
Again, that side will have two non-functioning panels on each end. The top drawer will be very shallow with lots of little sections to hold earrings, rings, etc. And that section will have a glass inset into the countertop, so that drawer needs to be pretty on the inside. Underneath that drawer will be an open section where all of my necklaces hang on a long bar. I might even need two bars, and I envision those bars being on drawer slides (I’m still working out these details) so that that section can be pulled out for easy access. And then I’ll have a big drawer at the bottom.
I had previously said that I’d build this to look like a dresser with legs, but I’ve decided not to do that. I don’t want to waste any possible storage space with dead space. So this island will have trim right to the floor, but the island itself won’t be attached to the floor just in case I need to move it over and get the washer or dryer out of the room in the future.
Again, I’m still working out the details of that necklace pull-out storage bar section, so if you have any brilliant ideas on how to finish that section out, let me know! I’m open to any and all suggestions. What I don’t want is to hide my necklaces away in a drawer. I love to see all of the colors and designs, so I don’t want them completely hidden away.
Alright, I have an uninterrupted work day ahead of me, so I’m hoping to get a lot of work done on the closet today! I’ll give y’all an update on the progress tomorrow.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Do you have any plans to add any lights around the jewelry storage areas? Not sure if they’ll be necessary with the ceiling light, just thinking about the pretty necklaces being tucked away down under the top drawer, in shadow ;P
That’s an interesting idea! I’ll have to give that some thought.
Amazon has stick on under cabinet lighting, some that are battery operated, so you don’t even need wiring! And some have sensors that turn on the lights as you approach, off when you walk away! I came to suggest using balsa wood to design your separate compartments for rings, earrings, etc. You could just glue them together, and they cut very easy with a craft knife, you can do these in the studio.
Where will you plug the iron in? An electrical outlet on that end would be nice but wiring that outlet might be an issue if the island isn’t attached to the floor.
Good question!
I actually don’t iron clothes that often, so I can use one of the outlets on the side walls. I’ll probably just have a short extension cord that I keep attached to the iron. Since the island would be movable, I don’t think I can add wiring to it.
I am so excited for this closet build (and completely jealous)! You mentioned the island won’t be an attached fixture. Any way to hide castors behind trim so you can easily roll it out the way if you need?
What if you made a frame for your necklaces that way you could screw the flat sides to the drawer slides? So you would have 3 flat sides and the dowel bar attached at the front? Or drill holes at the front of the sides so the dowel can slide in and out? In my head it makes sense, lol.
I also think thought hidden castor’s is a good idea. They can be unlocked if you need to move the cabinet.
I could definitely add casters. That would be pretty easy to do.
I’m trying to envision what you’re talking about with the necklaces. I think I get it. I like it!
Your cat (and maybe the dog) will enjoy playing with all those hanging (easily accessible) necklaces.
My necklaces are currently in a place where our cat has easy access to them, but she doesn’t pay any attention to them. She walks through them to get to the window, but she doesn’t play with them. Our dog would never be in there unsupervised. He’s stuck by my side all day every day, and he only plays with his toys and bones.
Could you use a glass/plexiglass insert in the drawer where you are storing your rings. That lifts up for access. Hate to see you cut a piece out of the counter top for a piece of glass.
I’d put the necklaces in an eye-level shelf on one of the walls with lights. I’m not sure how you’ll be able to see and select with it so low. I know it’s not where the other pieces will be, but it’s just 3′ away from the island.
For the necklaces – What about a bunch of valet bars that pull out…a series mounted parallel next to each other? You could have a specific color family for each bar. They might not be deep enough… For example: https://www.amazon.com/Designer-Reversible-Retractable-Extension-Installation/dp/B0CZJ5MRLY/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?
I love following you, even if I will never do what you do…a couple of ideas: 1) wheels under your island, then a “skirting” around the bottom to hide the wheels, so itooks like a piece of furniture sitting there? 2) longterm, you might be glad to have pedestals under your washer, so you won’t have to bend so far. They could be drawers with storage for your laundry supplies. Although, first you would have to make the pedestals strong enough for the heavy appliances
Why not build cabinet above your washer or dryer to hold the detergent or bleach? It could be right on top of the cabinet with doors to hide them but then you would still be able to reach them and maybe a hanging rod above the other machine. Or did I miss a post about what you’re putting on top of them?
For someone who is vertically challenged, it isn’t convenient to have heavy bottles/boxes of detergent up above the washer, and isn’t safe to stand on a stool or ladder to get them down. She needs them low for safety.
I may put cabinets above one of the appliances, but they will be too high to be useful for me to store things that I need access to on a regular basis. Even the countertops above the appliances are too tall for me to fold laundry. I’m very short, and I don’t want to have to get the step ladder out every time I want to get my laundry detergent out of the cabinet.
Oh, my goodness, now I am a little jealous! However, it is tiny bit difficult to be as this will be terrific for you! Love the progress in the direction you want to go. Don’t ever beat up yourself for not moving faster…it took me 6 weeks to redo a very old dresser instead of the week it should have taken, all because…I just didn’t feel like working on it day after day. I will be following your progress. Now, I just need to start my next project, by the way, it’s been on my list for 4 years running. A simple project and could be finished in 2 days…yes 2 days. We’ll see?
I think you will enjoy the new and improved design of your cabinet in the middle of the room. I especially like you having a pull out ironing board. You will enjoy that. Also having the space for laundry supplies in the end is better than taking up space in the wall cabinet. Is there any way to display your colorful necklaces on top of your island? Will your necklace bar be enclosed with glass doors so they stay clean? Thinking about pretty color, you must have some stain glass dangles hanging in the windows. I like Lyra’s comment about lights on your jewelry collection. You will have to have electricity to the island for the iron, right?
Have a good week. Don’t wear yourself out because you will make yourself sick. You and Matt are on my mind today.
I want to keep the island top clear because that’s what I’ll use for folding laundry out of the dryer. I don’t plan for the necklaces to be enclosed. I have plenty of outlets in the room, so I won’t need an outlet in the island.
I, too, thought a hinged glass fold-down door would be nice to have on the necklace section to prevent dust collecting on the jewelry. I like the suggestion of putting the necklace rack on slides to pull it out for viewing and selecting the necklace du jour, too.
You continue to astound me with your wonderful ideas!
I think I would rather have a clean, uninterrupted island counter than having a glass insert. To me, a glass insert is only useful if I have more than one drawer for jewelry and need to see which drawer to open for the piece I want. If I only have one drawer, I’m going to open it to make my selection or put something back regardless. I have a glass insert in a table and crumbs and dust are always falling into the crevice and has to be cleaned out. Also, I agree with the one comment about the necklaces being too low to function the same as your current situation in your bathroom. Maybe think of a way to have them displayed closer to eye level? Just some things to think about.
what about a pull our bar like this one from Amazon:
“Pull Out Closet Valet Rod, Adjustable Sliding Heavy Duty Steel Top Mounted Clothes Storage Hanger Rail for Closet Wardrobe (447mm/17.6inch)”
Different lengths as well. Could be mounted close to each other to have alot more room for your beautiful necklaces. This one is a bit pricey for me but there are a ton of different ones on Amazon that aren’t as sturdily built for clothes. Your necklaces don’t weigh that much compared to a closet full of jeans.
I’d take a bet that you could probably build some yourself! Possibly separate necklaces by color or style.
I don’t do a lot of ironing – mainly shirts because I have a passion for linen shirts – but I do use my iron when I’m sewing. Unless you have another ironing board in your studio for when you sew I would think that a small fold out one would be awfully annoying when you’re making something like curtains. It might be better to have a full size ironing board share space with your step stool.
I have a full-sized ironing board and a very nice iron in my studio. But when ironing something like curtains, I generally do that on top of my work tables.
If you don’t iron very often and you also already have a full size ironing board in the studio, then is it really worth taking up permanent space in your closet island for another iron and ironing board? Or could you just go to the studio for the few times you need to iron an item of clothing?
I guess I don’t need both, but it would be handy.
Found these for your necklaces. Maybe you could mount these next to your mirror! Then you would have space in the island for something else.
Silly me forgot to add the link!!! LOL! https://a.co/d/41j5miM
This is going to be an AMAZING closet. I had a few ideas and questions. Two things others thought of were the wheels hidden by a piece of trim for the island and concern that the necklaces will be lower than eye level. I also thought it would be nice to somehow have lighting for your jewelry. Looking at all of your pretties lit up under glass would be so fun. If you are in the closet, how will you preview your necklaces with your clothing choices? Is there some way to have your necklaces at eye level? Like a hinged bar that not only slides out but also then lifts up? I also wondered about the space you are regaining in the wall shelf because you won’t need to store laundry soap there now. Will that turn back into a shelf or will you keep the drawers?? Thanks for sharing your journey.
I don’t have a place to put the necklaces at eye level, but I’m thinking about moving them to the right wall under the countertop in the center section. With the detergent and bleach going in the island, I won’t be putting the drawers in the section by the washer.
After experiencing drawers in my kitchen for just about everything, I will never go back to doors and shelves. You might want to consider the laundry supplies in drawers. It’s so much easier to access and see in a drawer.
I can also see the wisdom in making the necklace holders slide out. Looking at them below counter height seems like it might be a little difficult plus the whole light issue.
Hi Kristi: I LOVE your idea for the island! It makes me think my future might include building a custom-built island. That is, if I can weather up the courage that you have. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I know that your finished closet will be a stunner! And you are making fantastic progress. Very impressive!!
Is there any way to put the necklaces on the dresser top below the mirror or another shelf? They are such a statement that I think they should be on display!
I had the same thought – I love the necklaces on display like they are right now. they’re such a beautiful piece of decor, it makes me sad to think of them in the island less visible. Perhaps more space/storage is needed though? The island storage certainly seems cool.
I probably could. I’ll have to think through that. I just don’t want the necklaces on top of the countertop under the mirror. They take up too much space, and I don’t want the wallpaper or mirror covered up.
I’m rethinking that. I do like being able to see them.
I am curious why you aren’t making your jewelry storage in the drawers under the mirror. It seems like the natural place for it to be. I like to hold up different earrings or necklaces in the mirror to decide which ones I want to wear for the day. It would be annoying to me to have to pull something out, turn around, hold it up, turn around, get something else, etc.
I do love the four sides of the island and how where you view it can be customized like seeing drawers from the closet side and seeing a cabinet from the laundry side. I also LOVE how it eliminates the need for the drawers next to the washer! The symmetry there will be so nice now!
Yes, this!
I was thinking the same thing and just came to post that same suggestion. Another benefit from having the necklace storage under the mirror is the ability for it to be seen from the foyer of the bedroom suite.
YHWH Bless You : )
I’ll have to think through that. I’ve had one idea for that section for a very long time now, so trying to change that vision now is difficult for me. Not impossible! Just difficult. 😀
You said no feet for the island, but since you have to put a trim board on it anyway, what about small wheels to make it easier to move, if you have to sometime in the future.
I like that idea.
The immediate idea that came to mind for the necklaces was a slacks rack. It has several “pegs” and can be slide out (like drawer slides). It’s different than how you have yours across, if that matters, and then finding one that fits or be modified to fit your width. There are ines that attatch at the top insead of the side, too. I seaeched closet pant rack and got several options. Some are kind of expensive. The other idea was to use drawer slides, create a frame that can attatch to the slides. Dowels can then be attatched to that frame on the inside. Hope that makes sense.
Will you need a trash can in your closet?
I’ll probably put a tiny countertop container on the dryer for lint, but I don’t think I’ll need anything larger than that.
I can’t wait to see how your island works out! I have envisioned pull out necklace holders similar to tie and belt holders like this vs being straight across. https://a.co/d/2albxxX
What if the necklace section was a pull out box, with a flip open plexiglass top? You could slide out the section, and lift open the plexiglass “doors” to access the necklaces. The hanging rods could be static, and at different levels – shortest in front, tallest in back. There could potentially be three rods at three heights. You could even enclose the front in glass to keep dust out, but still show off the necklaces.
Idea for bottom trim and accessibility to wheels for locking and unlocking them.
Create small bottom corner 90 degree pieces that are held in place by strong magnets
These would hide lockable wheels for island when stationary and maintain the solid look of bottom trim all the way around island. While giving you access to wheel locks when needed.
Lol now you have my wheels spinning. Some other ideas…..what if you made the cabinet top under your mirror glass and made that area underneath for all the necklaces? What if you put a cut out like the leaves on your studio desk on the non functioning panels to draw your eye from the mirrors to a pretty island? Too much? I know we’re all looking forward to what you come up with. I just see my own self having my jewelry in the pretty girly area and where I can see to put my earrings and necklaces on.
I like this idea for the necklaces! What a perfect place for them! Inset glass top counter with a glass drawer front with a light strip inside the drawer space on the backside – then it is functional, convenient, and an artistic feature!
Out of curiosity (and I could have missed it in a previous post) — do you have a reason you aren’t storing detergent/bleach, etc. above the washer, like in an upper cabinet or an open shelf? Then you could use your valuable island storage for something else.
I know it’s not far, but I would want it as close to the washer as possible 😉 And I’m sorry if I missed that in a previous post!
Kristi is very petite (I believe she stands 5’0″ tall), so it would be hard–and possibly dangerous–for her to pull down heavy detergent containers from an upper cabinet, even from a stepladder. Elsewhere she says she might build upper cabinets over the laundry machines, but they wouldn’t be used for anything needed regularly.
For the necklace section, what about a glass door that lifts up or folds down (on hinges) and the bars with your necklaces side out.
I agree with a lot of the other comments about having the jewelry under the mirrored section. I was wondering why you couldn’t use a couple of the shelves that surround the mirrored section as the hanging spot for the necklaces? You could just attach brackets and have the wooden bar, kind of how you have your necklaces now, and hang the necklaces from that. You could have hinged pull down plexiglass panels, so the necklaces are kept dust free but viewable. This would free up the island drawers for other items and give you a mirror to see the jewelry once you put it on. We built a necklace cabinet ourselves for my jewelry. I bought a mirror that is maybe 40″ X 24″. We built a cabinet that was just slightly smaller, added wood “bars” to which we attached eye hooks. We made them about 12″ apart. Then on the backside of the mirror, we attached a piece of plywood and added the wood bars with eye hooks but left more space between them for longer necklaces. We attached the mirror “door” to the cabinet with a piano hinge. It was all stained to match the original mirror, which was an espresso color. We added a magnetic latch on it, so it is easy to open and close. It has worked out great for me. I have my bracelets, brooches, rings, earrings, etc… in several small drawers in little containers that have small separate sections. I put each category in a separate drawer which makes it easy for me to find what I’m looking for.
I don’t know if any of this helps you, but maybe you can look at your options of how you use your cabinets/island in a new way and make it work well for you.
I absolutely would not want to have to bend over to see my necklaces. You spend a lot of time on your jewelry and it’s a priority for you. Why put it in the island? I had anticipated you would use the same hanging system and place it on the nook counter with the mirror. Even with a pullout system I think it would be a pain to have them below counter level. can you do a pullout system IN one of the closet boxes?
Kristi,
I was curious to know if you have ever tried using the washing sheets that are your “soap” for laundry. I have been using them now for better than 3 years. I itch less, I no longer have to tote or buy those huge bottles of liquid (that are mostly water), and I have probably saved a small fortune. \
Loving the closet project.
Take care,
Marti Valincano
I’ve never tried those. Sounds interesting!