Order Of Operations: Finish The Closet Completely? Or Move On To The Bedroom?
Well, I didn’t finish painting the cabinets yesterday. Ugh. Yesterday morning, I had it in my mind that the cabinets on the right side of the room were completely finished, and all I needed to do was paint the cabinets on the left side of the room. So when I started working, I began by doing all of the parts that had to be done with a brush – cutting in around the corners and painting the top trim. And then I realized that the cabinets on the right side of the room actually weren’t finished!
Because I often do things completely out of order (I do things in the order that keeps me interested and motivated to continue moving forward rather than in the order that makes the most logical sense), I had finished the painting on the first two sections of cabinets on the right side of the room, and then I jumped to the wallpaper and finishing out that middle wallpapered section. I completely forgot that the final two sections (the shoe shelves and the cabinet by the doorway) still only had one coat of paint on them.
So instead of just focusing on the cabinets on the left side of the room, I had to finish up those last to sections of cabinets on the right as well. That cabinet with the shoe shelves takes forever with all of those shelves, so that put me behind my intended schedule yesterday. As of this morning, this is where the project stands.
All of the remaining parts can be rolled with a 6-inch roller, so that should go much faster today.
As I was working, I was making a mental list of what all still needs to be done for the closet to be finished. Here are the items still on my “to do” list for the room:
- Finish painting the cabinets,
- Install the closet bars for hanging clothes,
- Sand and seal the floor (in the entire bedroom suite),
- Move the center junction box for the chandelier,
- Install additional lighting,
- Install tape lights around the jewelry drawer and necklace bar,
- Patch and paint the ceiling,
- Frame the doorway, patch the drywall, and trim out the doorway,
- Paint the window wall and the areas above the washer and dryer,
- Hang the wallpaper on the window wall and above the washer and dryer,
- Install and paint the rest of the crown molding and baseboards,
- Build the countertops on the washer and dryer cabinets,
- Make the flower chandelier,
- Paint and install sconces over washer and dryer,
- Paint (or gold leaf) frames on artwork and hang artwork over washer and dryer,
- Build center island,
- Buy baskets or make containers for organization on shelves.
That’s still quite a list of things to be done before I can call this project finished. I had intended to get this walk-in closet completely finished before I move on to another room. Over the years, I’ve caught quite a bit of flak for not staying focused on a project until it’s finished, and wandering off into other projects before a project is finished. So I’ve been trying to do better with that. I know that I’m anxious to see this closet completely finished, and I know y’all are, too.
And just to remind you, the reason I started with the closet instead of the bedroom is because my lack of a closet is the thing that is affecting my life the most. Matt and I are still pretty comfy sleeping in the breakfast room, even though it’s been about five months now. But I had just about all I could take of having my stuff scattered about the house after the first month. My shoes are all in my studio…
My clothes are in the sunroom…
My jewelry, until very recently, was in the bathroom. In order to get ready to go somewhere, I have to trek from one end of the house to the other end and back just to gather everything to put an outfit together.
Since that was affecting my peace of mind more than sleeping in the breakfast room, I decided to do the closet first. But someone suggested in a comment the other day that I should get the closet finished to the point that I can bring in all of my clothes and shoes, along with the washer and dryer. And then I should turn my attention to the bedroom and get that done at least to the point that Matt and I could move into the bedroom. It wouldn’t have to be completely finished, but I could at least get it to the point that we can start sleeping in there. And then I could come back and finish the closet, then finish the bedroom, and then do the foyer.
Initially, I didn’t think much of it. I was pretty determined to see this closet project through to completion before I get sidetracked with other things. I’ll also add that I asked Matt two days ago if he was getting anxious to get into the new bedroom. He said he was perfectly fine in the breakfast room, and he’s not anxious at all for us to move.
On the other hand, I do think it would be nice to have our breakfast room (actually, sitting room) back sooner than later. Right now, Matt is spending way too much time in bed because our bed is where his recliner used to be. So for now, his recliner is in storage. That leaves his wheelchair and the bed as his only two options. While he’s perfectly fine sitting in bed when he’s not in his wheelchair, and he says he’s not anxious to get into the new bedroom, it would definitely be very good for him to have his recliner back as soon as possible.
So over the last couple of days, I’ve been thinking through what that would look like, and the order in which I would do things. If I do that (and that’s still an “if”), here’s the order I’ve come up with…
- Finish painting the cabinets,
- Install the hanging bars,
- Sand and seal the floors throughout the bedroom suite.
Once the floors are done, that would allow me to bring my shoes and clothes into the closet so all of that stuff can be consolidated into one space. The floors can be walked on 24 hours after the last clear coat, and they take three days for a full cure. During that time, and while I’m needing to be careful with the floors, I can continue with the closet…
4. Paint the window wall of the closet and the areas above the washer and dryer,
5. Hang the wallpaper on the window wall and above the washer and dryer,
6. Move the washer and dryer into the closet and get those hooked up.
The wallpaper has to be hung on that wall before I can move the washer and dryer in so that I don’t have to work around the washer and dryer to hang wallpaper, which would only add frustration to that project. That’s why I have it on that list above. But once the washer and dryer are in place and hooked up, I could turn my attention to the bedroom and get just as much done as needed in order to get us moved into the bedroom. Here’s what it looks like now…
To get this room to the point where we could move in, I’d need to:
7. Patch the scuttle hole to the attic,
8. Have the breaker box moved up about eight inches,
9. Hang the wallpaper,
10. Skim coat the bottom part of the walls and sand,
11. Install wainscoting on the bottom part of the walls,
12. Install crown molding,
13. Paint all of the trim,
14. Bring in the area rug, bed, TV, and dresser.
At that point, we could make do with an unfinished bedroom, and I could turn my attention back to the closet and get it completely finished. Once the closet is done, I could finish up with the pretty stuff in the bedroom — draperies, headboard, bedside tables, artwork. And finally, I could do the foyer.
Anyway, I’m still mulling it over. I’d be disappointed to turn my attention to another project before getting the closet completely finished, but at the same time, it really would be nice for us to get into the bedroom sooner than later and to get back to having a sitting room where Matt can actually have his recliner back. How would you tackle this if it were your house? Just get the closet to usable state and then focus on the bedroom to get it to a usable state? Or completely finish the closet before moving on?
Personally, if it were me, I would finish the closet to a point. I would do everything on the list with the exception of the last 5 items, which are:
Make the flower chandelier,
Paint and install sconces over washer and dryer,
Paint (or gold leaf) frames on artwork and hang artwork over washer and dryer,
Build center island,
Buy baskets or make containers for organization on shelves.
That way, when you go back to the closet, its fun creative items which will motivate you to go back and get it finished.
It sounds like it would be what makes you feel most comfortable. But, just an idea (as long as Matt is comfortable and is not getting bed sores, maybe finish closet up to Island (leave that for later), and start working on bedroom as far along as you want.
I wholeheartedly agree with this plan. Get the big things in the closet done (except the island) so your washer and dryer is installed and all your clothes are put in place. The decorative items can wait for you to get the big things done in the bedroom.
Though you could go ahead and have the electrician come in to move your breaker box. It may be worthwhile to see what they would charge to install all the lighting in your closet and bedroom at the same time. We know you CAN do it, but the electrician might be able to take it off your plate for a reasonable price since they’re already there.
Remember, your time has a value/cost. Your time may be better spent on the things only YOU can do. 🙂
This is a perfect plan. I highly recommend Yvonnes’ idea, Kristi.
Yes, this idea seem to be brilliant!
Exactly! Anything “messy” should be done now in both rooms. Then you can move in your clothes and your bed (high priority items) and focus on the other details later.
Finish the closet, please! You’re almost done!
Finish the closet! Get closure. You’ll be happy you did. Love it!
I agree! Finish!
Hi Kristi: My first instinct is to recommend finishing the floors and any painting of the walls in the closet and then finish up everything else in the closet so you don’t feel so overwhelmed and pulled in various directions. However, as you state that it impacts Matt, I would get the closet to the point where you could start on the bedroom. Definitely do all of the floors in the bedroom suite, any lights that would make significant dust and any painting in both the closet and bedroom. Then you can get the bed in there and the recliner set back up in the breakfast/tv room and then finish the closet.
Once you get all the dusty jobs out of the way, it will feel more settled and you will be able to focus on tasks better. I redid some of the popcorn ceilings and drywall in my home and the most stressful part of the job was dealing with the dust. I was really surprised on how it plays on the psyche.
Don’t loose sight that you have accomplished so much! We’re routing for you!!
I think this is a better plan, especially for Matt. Get him comfortable then you can tackle all the little things in both rooms. On another note, will you use a topcoat on the closet? Or is the brand of paint you used durable?
No topcoat this time! This will be the first time I’ve done a big painting job in this house without a topcoat, but the Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane paint is so good (both in durability and sheen) that it doesn’t need a topcoat. In the past, the reasons I’ve used a topcoat are (1) to make up for durability when using a lesser quality paint, and (2) to knock down the sheen of a paint when it’s too shiny for my taste. That first reason is why I topcoat Behr paint, and the second reason is why I topcoated my kitchen cabinets even after using Benjamin Moore Advance paint, which is great quality as far as durability, but is too shiny for my taste even with their lowest sheen available. But the Sherin Williams Emerald is perfect all by itself!
I think the suggestion to move you in to the bedroom and proceed with plan B sounds smart. Although Matt is fine in bed, my husband is as patient and easy going as Matt and also has MS, it may be better for his overall health to have more movement and spend time in his recliner and in multiple rooms. Although the path to completion may be unusual, I think it may be better for both of you over time. I have no doubt that whatever you choose will be the best for the two of you!
Girl finish that closet! I think mentally you’ll feel better, and you’ll be able to clear out your stuff from other rooms
I usually want to see you finish a project through but in this case your list to finish closet is still going to take some time. I like the idea of finishing enough to bring all your clothes and shoes in and get the washer and dryer hooked up. After that work on bedroom so you can start sleeping there. You will still get a lot of enjoyment just looking at your closet everyday.
Ditto! Also I don’t remember if you ever cut the holes for the electrical sockets behind the wooden backs of your shelves. Or do you not need them?
I think I would do your amended plan and get the recliner back, leave the closet island, etc., until after you have the bedroom basics done. I love that you are so flexible and take in new considerations as you move forward.
When I don’t know which decision will be better, I consider which one I would regret doing or not doing the most. I think that if you finished the closet, but looking back realized that it hurt Matt in some way, you would regret that much more deeply than if you followed your alternate plan and started on the bedroom and didn’t finish one room fully. Of course, there are unforseen things that come up, so we can only make the best decisions we can at the time, and trust God to take care of us! I do think that your alternate plan where you move to the bedroom sooner than planned is well thought out and makes a lot of sense.
In any case, you are in my prayers so you can make a decision that will serve you and Matt the best.
Matt’s needs take priority. If he needs to be able to have his recliner back in the sitting room, imho, that should come first. Getting the closet to the point where you can hang your clothing and have your shoes all in one place will make your daily routine more efficient as well. The closet will still be there when you’re ready to tackle it again.
I would completely finish the closet before moving on. You are a fast and determined worker. Head down, get it done, call in help if you need to, but finish up one thing at a time.
I must say completing the closet to the point of the fun things is a good idea. Having the bedroom usable and having Matt live in different parts of the house is important mentally whether you realize it or not. Also being able to sit beside him in a chair to eat and talk is mentally good for both of you also. You can complete the main parts of the bedroom and then work between the rooms to complete fun projects.Do what is best for you and Matt not what we readers want.It is all great to read about and thank you for sharing.
Sheila F.
I totally agree!!
First of all, you are doing an AMAZING job on this closet! If it were me, I would want to get all of the dusty work done before bringing in clothing to the closet or anything in the bedroom. Since you need the electrician to move your panel box, I’d have that done while you are finishing the must do’s in the closet. Also, finish any other drywall repairs in the ceilings and walls in the bedroom, closet and foyer before you move in. Then sand your floors in all the spaces and have all of the dust gone before you paint or wallpaper in the bedroom and foyer. Keep going it’s beautiful!
I believe you already know what you should do. You’ve said “I had just about all I could take of having my stuff scattered about the house after the first month. My shoes are all in my studio…my clothes in the sunroom”, etc., etc.,etc. If you finish the closet, then you will have all things you need access to on a daily basis, including laundry, in one place and the other rooms that are housing all things that you need to access on a daily will be freed up to use as they were intended….I think your long list is driving you crazy and an another suggestion take out Matt’s recliner and put it somewhere he may use it.
All the pretty lighting and such for the closet can wait and those projects, which seem to make you happy, can be done while working on the bedroom and even when demolition begins on your addition.
Hi Kristy, I would do all the closet work – except the island. Then all the work in the bedroom. This should bring you to June or July. It’s great you have a list- Follow it
I was curious about how you access a bathroom while you do the floors as both of your working bathrooms are where you are finishing the floors. Didnt you rip up some of the 1/2 bath off of your studio before you actually needed to do so or do you use that even with it partially torn apart?
Hi, Kristi,
I have a question for you—would you be sad to leave your bedroom floor dark, or would you plan to change it? If you would change it would it be a pain to have to wrestle with furniture ir would you lighten it up before moving in?
Whatever you do, thanks for sharing all of your projects! It’s so fun to watch and get ideas from you!
Good alternative plan, imo. The “finishing touches” will be fun to do and removing the underlying stress of a renovation is always a good thing for everyone!
I’m encouraged to re-visit a few of my “projects” and the order in which I am tackling them…..
If it were my project, I’d 100% finish the closet and bedroom before moving in. Personally, I feel more accomplished when I can mark a project as truly complete, and I know if I half-finished things here and there, then moved into the room, my odds of getting around to those “leftover to-do list” items greatly diminishes, especially with my stuff in the way. That’s just my opinion, though.
Team Move On.
Having a lot of fun following your work!
Hallie.
I vote plan B, only because you asked.
1) I think it is weird for people to criticize you for jumping around on projects. It is just so odd to me that anyone has an opinion on someone else’s life that doesn’t impact them in any way.
2) I know for me, sometimes the variety will keep me engaged. The mundane of looking at the same things for too long will cause me to check out.
3) I think anything that impacts the life of someone I love in a positive way outweighs my desire to “finish” some task(s).
Love your progress! Cheers!
What she (Erin) said! Totally agree about people who type on a computer for 3 minutes in their ivory tower trying to direct your life. Oh, yeah, that’s me, too! One comment, though – I think for most of us, our homes are always “works in progress”, and as you live with changes, you adjust. Living with your partially finished closet will definitely affect the build of the island, just as living in the guest room with 2 small closets affected your current build. Plus I agree that simplifying your current dressing process and improving Matt’s options is a big priority, and it will allow you to savor the “fun stuff” when you get there. Thanks for allowing the commentary, and for sharing your process and vision!
This is a decision for you and your needs, but it seems like something likely could shift….
If the goal is to get Matt moving I see the priority. If that solution is the recliner and bedspace… Is it possible to fit the bed in the studio, or the recliner in there? Finding that solution may be less work than start/stop of you breaking up both the bedroom and closet projects to use the space. I see a moment of impatience, from forgetting a part of a step that had to be broken up. Then there’s another round of cleaning/shifting added to manage dust and more. That just deflates the motivation.
I see you got all the shoes visible, Is this a collection where you use 20% all the time and rest sometimes, or do you prefer seeing ALL the options vs narrowing it down with a lot of day-to-day variety. One way is create small collections of the shoes and jewelry you use now, to the clothes and have that in one place. That’s what I’d do. but i wear the same shoes an minimal accessories. It’s a pain to cross the house 3x in getting ready to browse stuff in different areas. As a parent of a tiny tornado. A second idea if you can’t condense choices, is shift when you select and gather, as a part of closing the house. Our mornings had us fishing an outfit from 2-3 baskets of laundry (that land in various places), finding shoes, then class gear. Instead you can use the trips around the house in the evening to gather/choose things passively. Its good at night to slow down at bedtime, lets you reflect a little on the next day, look up the weather, prepare. For us we built up a routine to walk the shoe options to the door, choose the outfit, at bedtime with pjs, before going to bed. During that time, kiddo/parent discuss what is needed for the next day and talk about it. That way the decisions are made in the mornings, and can start dressing in one place. The things needed are defined and likely gathered. Yes something always changes, but its feels less scattered and focused.
I think you already know what you are going to do, and whatever it is, it’s the right move to make! I wouldn’t have a clue, and would be torn trying to choose! This whole bedroom suite is going to be soooo fabulous! Can’t wait to see how it progresses all the way to the end, whenever that may be!
Bring recliner and TV into existing BR and keep going on the closet.
I hadn’t even thought of that! That may be the perfect solution! I’m going to see what Matt thinks about that idea.
As someone who has an impressive trail of unfinished projects in their past, finish out the closet before moving on to the bedroom.
If you leave the tedious portions until after you complete the first part of the bedroom, you’re going to end up with an OVERWHELMING list of tedious tasks, because you’ll have closet tedious tasks plus bedroom tedious tasks. Then, you’ll either have to commit to an unbearably extended period of unpleasant work, or living permanently in half-completed spaces.
If your mission is to empower DIY’ers, effectively saying “This project is too overwhelming and boring to finish,” is the opposite of empowerment and encouragement.
I think it makes sense to get yourselves into the bedroom – for the logistical reasons you mention regarding Matt’s health – and to reclaim your public spaces while you do the creative fun stuff for the closet and bedroom/foyer and solidify plans for the rest of the renos on your agenda.
My initial thought when I read the post title was to just get the closet done and then move on. I didn’t realize that Matt was currently limited to the bed or his wheelchair. In light of that situation,, I’d go ahead and move on to the bedroom and get that to a move in state so he can get his recliner back and the two of you can get your sitting room back. While he may not mind being in bed, it’s probably healthier if he were moving more between locations and seating positions.
Exactly my thoughts – do what is the better way to make Matt comfortable (even if he says he is 🙂 ) and leave all the pretty decorative items in the closet until after the bedroom is usable. That way the things that still need doing are the ones you look forward to anyway and you can be content with the living situation for both of you (and thus might even be able to lose yourself in a project that takes more time than estimated – like the spoon chandelier!) Somebody wrote that you might not look back later on the halt of the closet as a hindrance so much than on a neglect of Matt’s health and I agree there. You got this!
Finish the closet. The longer you leave it the more likely you are to forget you need to do things like you did with the painting yesterday.
I vote get the closet to a point you can move stuff then work on your bedroom. I would definitely love to have my stuff in one place.
I think for all your reasons it may be better to get into your bedroom sooner rather than later. At would be my vote.
If it were me, I would work on both spaces to get to the useable state, and then go back for finishing touches if it doesn’t add too much work for you. I would think Matt would be far more comfortable in a recliner than a wheelchair, (and bed doesn’t count as sitting in my book.) But only you and Matt know what works best for him so I’m sure you’ll make the right choice. Either way, it’s gonna be great!
I can’t imagine building anything, but for my own sanity , I’d like to get my closet finished then move on.
I would continue on the closet until it is complete.
It will feel so much better to have it DONE, not having to come back to it later…
You are motivated to finish the closet so you can start the bedroom, right?
I don’t know about Matt, but I also have a health problem that causes me to be bedridden too. I can tell you from my perspective that abdominal muscles are not used in the bed, and my posture is terrible when I have to stay in bed for long periods. Maybe y’all have a better bed than I do that will elevate him, like a hospital bed, which might make him more comfortable. It also takes more energy for me to sit up than to recline in my bed, or in my hammock. I personally would get Matt back in the bedroom so that he could sit up in his recliner more. 🥰
I would finish the closet and get everything moved in. But you would have to sand all the floors first. Then continue to the bedroom. You have been in the breakfast room this long, you could stay there another month, right? I would hate to think both rooms would be unfinished at the same time and you still had to finish both of them.
I like Lynne’s idea of moving the recliner and tv to another area. However, your studio already has a tv and Matt would be surrounded by nice things there vs a bedroom that needs plenty of work done. It would come down to whether Matt would like to be closer to you while you work or on the other side of your place.
MAKE myself finish the closet. To the point it is finished, finished. You really are so close even though you have a long list. Get all of your stuff out of every room in the house and into its place in the closet. That will make you so happy which will motivate you to do the bedroom.
Good luck. If Matt is okay where he is, then no worries there.