Full Speed Ahead On The Storage Room Project
Now that I’ve finished my outdoor projects for the time being, I’m ready to focus 100% of my attention on the storage room project until it’s finished. I’m actually a little bit sad about it because I loved being able to work outside every day, but it’s just getting too hot for that. So I’ll be working inside for the month of August. I hope to get back outside and tackle more outdoor projects when cooler weather gets here, but for now, I need to focus on inside projects.
At the beginning of this year, when I wrote my 2026 list of home goals, the only exterior projects I had on that list involved the exterior of the bedroom door — painting the trim, building steps, and adding landscaping around that door. So now that I took the last three months to do way more outside than I had originally planned, I’m sure I’ll have to adjust my expectations a bit for the rest of this year. I have a feeling that the one project that will have to get pushed to next year is my workshop.
There are three other areas that are on my list of goals for this year that still haven’t been finished. The first is the breakfast room, which requires no construction and just needs to be decorated and turned back into an actual dining space with a table and chairs instead of a sitting room with recliners and a TV. After I “shopped my house” to complete other rooms, I took a lot of things out of the breakfast room (i.e., sitting room), so it’s looking pretty bare right now.
And then there’s the sunroom, which I want to turn into a home gym at one end and a TV area on the other end. This will be a big project because this room is currently filled to the brim with stuff. It’s basically a huge storage room, but when it’s cleared out, it will look something like this, except with an added 13 years of wear and tear and mistreatment since it’s been used as a storage room that I thought we were going to tear down…
Obviously, turning this room into something that looks presentable will take quite a bit of time and effort. I still question whether it’s even possible, but I’m sure going to try.
All of that to say that, because I have so many other projects I want to make time for this year (and there are only five months left), I want to get through this storage room project as fast as I can. Right now, the room looks like this…
That’s how I left it the last time I was forced inside because of rain, so I spent that day working on tearing out that bathroom to make room for the storage room. But that’s as far as I got.
But because I want this project to go as fast as possible, I’ve been looking for ways to make it faster and easier. I realize it’s just a storage room, and I’m the only person who will ever actually use this room. But I also really like pretty, nice, custom spaces, even if they’re just for me. I’ve been all over the map when it comes to deciding on what kind of storage shelves I want for this room. I’ve considered everything from ready-made, adjustable wall units to building cabinets from scratch that match the cabinets in my walk-in closet.
But over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been asking myself what’s more important. Having the most beautiful, custom storage room that rivals my walk-in closet, or having a simple, organized, and finished storage room. I’ve settled on the latter, so I’ve tried to readjust my expectations for this room and come up with a way that I can build attractive storage shelves without going to all of the trouble that I went to in my closet where everything is on display. Nothing in this storage room will be on display, so I don’t need this room to be that fancy. I want it to look nice when it’s finished. And yes, there will be bold color and wallpaper because I like those things and I want it to be fun to look at for me when I open those doors. But I really just want to get it finished.
One idea that has stuck in my mind is from this YouTube channel called The Awesome Orange. She built these very simple units with adjustable shelves, and this is one of the simplest designs I’ve come across.
You can see that she used a series of wood blocks attached to the side pieces of the shelving unit, and those spaces create the supports for the shelves. If she wants to adjust the height of the shelves, she simply pulls the shelf out and moves it up or down.
Here’s what the finished shelving unit looks like. I think that looks pretty amazing!
I really loved this design as soon as I watched that video (which you can watch here), and I’m considering building shelves like this for my own storage room. Like I said, I just want quick and easy. I want this storage room to look nice and organized when it’s finished, but it doesn’t need to look like my closet. I don’t need all of the trim and fancy stuff that will take a long time. In fact, I’ve decided that I don’t even need drawers. I just want it finished. I do want it to be pretty (for me), but mainly, I just want it finished, organized, and usable, and I want that as soon as possible. I’d rather focus the bulk of my time and energy on areas that guests will actually see when they come to our house. So that’s my mindset as I focus 100% of my attention on this project until it’s done.
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.
I know you are done with outside projects now, but may I suggest, when you go back out that you paint the risers on the stairs going into your side door. I think they should be white.
A practical plan. That shelving idea looks like just what will work.
And, having a dedicated place for Matt’s large equipment will free up so many spots where it lives now. Great relief for you.
Go for it!
Those are very cool shelves. Love how they are totally adjustable. And, not a lot of brackets, etc., especially for a nice bookshelf unit. Not sure if you need to do all that woodworking for a more utility closet, but the idea is really nice. I’m glad you are moving inside to work now…you are really in the HEAT of the summer. Fall will be exciting to go back out there. I’m sure your inside fur-babies will be happy to watch you work again.
Perfect plan. You are right. It’s doesn’t have to show off. Just needs to be practical and pleasing. Which you always do
Wow! Those shelves are a great idea! Now I can see every room in my house with some shelving or another made that way. I will add that to my list of projects that I buy materials for and don’t ever complete! I agree, opening a door and being happy when you look inside goes all the way from the front door of the house into your storage closets – go for it! Can’t wait to see your interpretation of the shelving and how this project ends up.
So excited to watch and learn as you go through this process! I am hoping to build something similar and would love to see how you work through the build. I think this is such a great idea for that space – to be functional, but still look fabulous. Let the fun begin!
Have you considered this IKEA Ivar system?
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/ivar-shelf-unit-pine-s89404578/#content
Our Daughter-in-law asked my husband built a three unit one for our grandchildren’s room, and it has been great for the five years since it was installed. In addition to adding more shelves, we painted it the same color as the walls. Not only does it look great, it holds a lot of heavy books without bowing.
The DIY system you found will be much more expensive, just for the materials, and will take a lot of time on your part, especially installing all those cleat blocks, caulking, sanding, and painting.
When I redo my pantry, I am going to use this Ivar system, because it is so flexible.
I second the Ivar system. You can add cabinets for closed storage and drawers or hanging bins. There are so many options and the Ivar is super easy to put together and paint. You can also choose your shelf depth.
Love the look! Adjustable shelves as needs change are a definite choice.
I was thinking meh when I saw the first photo of the adjustable shelves but when I saw the shelf fame painted black with the light natural wood finish on the shelves I thought those look great! The sunroom does look a little sad but I think after you replace the old draperies and windows, the carpeting, ceiling tiles and paneling it will become a very nice room with good access to your patio and backyard.
Same!
I love those shelves, they look awesome and when painted, holy cow, they’re great. Modular works, because you never know what the equipment size will be in the future when you have to replace something. Flexible, the only way to go.
Cheers to you, Matt, and The Fur Appreciation Team!
Yay! I applaud your decision to quickly get through the storage unit area so you can get onto the other project. Also, I love what you did to the outdoors. It looks beautiful.
Great Plan and I love the shelf idea! I’ll be following along, cheering you on!
Hi Kristi! I am an interior decorator and I also do a lot of installation work for my clients. I recently have been building out a lot of closets so I purchased the kreg shelf hole jig. It allows you to easily drill holes in the side of a bookshelf in order to add adjustable shelves that sit on pegs. I’ve been amazed at the sturdiness of the shelves and also the final look!
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Kreg-Shelf-Pin-Jig-5mm-with-6-hardened-steel-drill-guides-KMA3232/319450681?g_store=1936&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25P-025_007_POWER_TOOL_ACCESSORIES-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Power_Tool_Accessories2024_EXISTING_BHU24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25P-025_007_POWER_TOOL_ACCESSORIES-NA-Multi-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Power_Tool_Accessories2024_EXISTING_BHU24-20536976352–&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20542542173&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfHbTCErDnFuaT71hI1AktTg&gclid=CjwKCAjw7KvTBhA6EiwAWnutYSeYvYyBh_bxISvE-_LiRDW82piayt9q3sdK8CBXwdlkid8loIq-_hoCA8oQAvD_BwE
I hope that link works!
Here is a closet where I used that system.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXC_f2jhgRD/?igsh=dDR6N2t5aThucGhz
I actually have that! It works great! I was just looking for something a little different for this storage room.
That shelf design is so clever! I wish I had thought of it…
What a brilliant plan for the shelves. And they look pretty, too. I love that they are adjustable.
You may absolutely hate and dismiss my idea. I won’t be offended in the slightest. I use rolling heavy duty wire carts in my basement storage areas. I also use one in the garage. Perfectly utilitarian. Adjustable shelves to fit your items. They are on rolling wheels, so they are easy to move out of the way when necessary. Relatively inexpensive. https://www.costco.com/p/-/trinity-5-tier-heavy-duty-wire-shelving-rack-60-x-24-x-72-nsf-includes-wheels/100709272?langId=-1 I just thought they might be a good temporary storage solution while you work on some other more important projects like the bathroom and the sunroom, and you could reuse them elsewhere later — or sell them. Just a practical suggestion that might allow you to move on to other more visible areas of your home. Feel free to dismiss my idea without any notion that I might be offended. 🙂