The Closet Is Clean And Ready To Be Loaded!
I have to start by giving my mom a huge shoutout for her help yesterday. She is amazing, and I’m so incredibly thankful for her willingness to come over and help me get this closet ready to be loaded with all of my stuff. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed after the weekend we had, and by the end of the day, I was feeling so excited, encouraged, and ready to tackle these last few items on my check list for the walk-in closet.
The last time I showed you a somewhat full view of the room, it was pretty messy — paint cans, tools, and supplies strewn about. But what you can’t really see in the photo is that everything from top to bottom was covered in dust.
So we first got the protective paper out from underneath island since the island base is now completely finished. And then while I helped Matt with his lunch, she got busy clearing out all of the tools and supplies from the room and then started cleaning. Each shelf had to be vacuumed and then wiped down. She wiped down all of the trim, vacuumed all of the baskets, and even dusted off my necklaces. She also vacuumed the floor, but it will need a more thorough cleaning once every single thing is checked off of my list.
When Matt was finished with his lunch, I started working on a few items from my checklist that still needed to be done. First, I drilled the holes in the washer and dryer cabinet countertops for the light cords since I’m using plugin lights for those areas instead of hardwired lights. I used this desktop grommet kit (affiliate link), which comes with a hole saw.
I also had to reinstall al of the hanging bars because I had initially installed them too far back, and the hangers touched the back walls of the cabinets. So I moved them forward 1.5 inches, and then had to fill, sand, and paint the original holes. But now there’s plenty of room for the hangers and my clothes to hang free without being smashed against the backs of the cabinets.
I also headed to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby to find new frames for my artwork that I’m going to hang above the washer and dryer. I didn’t find exactly what I wanted. I had hoped to find brushed metal gold frames, but neither place had those. So instead, I had to opt for these wood frames with a brushed gold foil wrap. It was either that or order something online and wait for delivery, and I chose immediate gratification instead.
I also headed to Home Depot to pick up some extension cords that I’ll use to wire the lights. These lights are intended to be hardwired, but they do have a hole on the backplate so that they can be wired for plugin use. They don’t supply those cords, though. So I’ll have to use extension cords to wire them. I didn’t have time to get that finished, so maybe I can get this done today.
One of the bigger projects I still need to do is add all of the shoe molding, not only at the floor around the baseboards, but also vertically where the cabinets meet the wallpaper. So that really needs to be done before I hang the artwork and the lights. I’m not really sure that I’ll get that done today, because my priority for today is to get the island completely finished. But you can see that that trim is needed because I didn’t do such a smooth job at trimming the wallpaper along the edges of these cabinets.
But anyway, check out my clean closet with clean, ready-to-load shelves, y’all!
I could not be more excited to be at this stage, and I wouldn’t be here without my mom. I’m keeping the island covered until I know that I’m completely finished with tools in here because I keep setting tools, screws, etc., on that island top, and I’d cry if I scratched it and had to do repairs to it at this stage.
Another item on my list that still needs to be done is cutting the holes in the backs of the cabinets for the four electrical outlets that are in the room. That note that’s taped to the back of that center section is the measurements for locating those outlets. I should have done that long ago, but I kept putting it off. Thankfully, it shouldn’t be a very messy process since the backs of the closets are only 1/4-inch plywood.
But these shelves are ready to be put to work. I can’t wait to get all of my handbags and shoes in here! I’m almost to the finish line!
Sadly, I never got that tenth basket, and my order shows that it’s complete. And now, Kohl’s is completely sold out of those baskets. It’s fine, though. I can just use eight baskets. I still need to attach the labels that I made for them.
But, oh my goodness, y’all. The finish line is in sight.
So, as I said above, today will be about finishing the island. Right now, it’s holding my paint cans and paint tray. But I’m almost done with those, and I’m really hoping that by the end of the day, I’ll have a finished, usable closet island.
The sun is out today, so maybe the weather will cooperate so that I can get the drawers and doors painted and clear coated. If the humidity is still too high, I’m going to turn the bedroom into a spray booth and get it done. I’m so glad that the only things in that room that need to be protected at this point are the floor and the windows. I don’t care if overspray gets on the walls or the ceiling, so I can bring our dehumidifer closer to that area of the house, cover the floors and the windows, and get this thing done.
If I can get the island completely finished today, that just leaves a few small projects for the room and one final big project for the room — the chandelier. And after all of the building and construction that has gone into this room, I’m actually quite excited to wind down this closet project with a fun, creative project like a chandelier makeover. It will be the perfect ending to this marathon of a project.
More About My Walk-In Closet/Laundry Room
see all walk-in closet/laundry
room diy projects
read all walk-in closet/laundry
room blog posts
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.
So excited for you! What a great asset your mom is. You’re so lucky to have her. Can’t wait to it with all your lovely items loaded.
I just scoured the internet looking for a place still selling your last basket…..and they are truly gone. Sorry.
Thank you for looking! It’s fine, though. I can work with eight. 🙂
You might consider getting clear plastic trays to put on the top shelves to make it easier to get stuff down off those shelves. That way, you won’t forget what’s up there. Alternatively, get 2 woven trays that match the weave on the baskets which is actually a very common pattern. Here is an Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/GRANNY-SAYS-Rectangle-Serving-Decorative/dp/B0D9VY22LT/ref=sr_1_6
Amazon has a whole lot of baskets that would not match, but augment the ones you have. There are even some cute, smaller round ones with a scalloped lid that has an edge that could be painted to match. Based on the size, you could use 2 on each top shelf.
It’s so pretty!
Amazing! It’s beautiful!
Reveal day—so happy for you. Take a deep breath, be patient and take your time iin finishing things to avoid mishaps amidst your excitement.
Totally AMAZING! Hugs to your mom. You will certainly enjoy that closet and laundry room.
I’m so eager to see this closet loaded!! You’d think I was moving in.
Wow. Just WOW! This is the loveliest closet I’ve ever seen! On the island, will you be doing the gold trim on the ends of the island as well as the sides? Kudos to your Mom, and congratulations on the progress so far. We’re all looking forward to seeing the closet loaded with all your clothes, shoes, and handbags.
I would leave the shoe molding off the baseboards. I like the clean look of it.
It’ll be so satisfying to see all your stuff in this beautiful closet!
Fantastic progress and boost from your mom! This might not be symmetrical enough for you, but you could build two boxes of wood with a scalloped trim lid and paint it navy with a gold or wicker colored trim for the final two slots. I can see why you might not want just two, but in terms of two sides, they would match.
You have worked so hard on this project. Thankful your mom came to help. I’m sure she enjoyed being part of the closet project. It is one big beautiful room. You are amazing. It is great to see the sun after 7 days of dark clouds. You will be completely finished by the end of this week, I bet.
Hug Matt, pat Cooper and the cat, too.
I could never even dream up all the amenities you have incorporated into this closet! It is just fabulous.
Have you Google image searched the baskets? I’m sure Kohls isn’t the only place that sells them.
I actually have. Kohl’s seems to be the only place that sold the ones with the blue. I’ve found ones without the blue, but even in those, the large size is almost impossible to find.
The closet is amazing! I was wondering when you will do the floor? Won’t that make a dust mess?
The floor is done. 🙂 I wanted a light, natural look. I’ll eventually do the whole house with this color floor. I’ve lived with the dark stained wood floors for long enough.
What fun to be so close to the finish line. I am excited for you! It is lovely.
So happy you’ve gotten this far—so glad you have a mom who is able and more than willing to help!!
If you haven’t contacted them, please let Kohls know you didn’t receive all of the baskets you paid for—you would return a basket you didn’t receive and they need to know you didn’t receive what was paid for!
Looks really great. Can’t wait to see it with all of your clothes, etc. in there.
Maybe one of your sweet readers will send you one basket they have just like the 9 you have!!!! Kudos to Mom for helping you! That’s what moms do!
It appears that they’re sold out all over the country. 😢
Did you ever find out what happened to your CA?
How’s Cooper doing?
Cooper is doing well! He seems like he’s about 99% back to his normal self today. Once I see him barking at Tiger through the studio door, I’ll know he’s back to 100%.
My brain must be tired. I don’t know what your first question is referring to. 🤔
What a great thing to have a special mom like yours. The closet is looking awesome, and I too cannot wait to see it cross the finish line. Not that anything in anyone’s house is ever completely finished. Good to see Cooper keeping watch. Ever Forward.
Cheers to you, Matt, your Mom and Cooper!
Fabulous!
Kristi, you have done a fantastic job-as usual! This closet is going to bring you so much joy. We are working on our closet and I’m wondering where you purchased your rods or maybe I missed that? I’m going to go back through and see if I can find that.
Enjoy!!!
They’re from Amazon. Here’s my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/44EbkZ1
Your Mom is the bomb dot com!! Wish I could do half of what she can do. I blame my injuries this past year, but really its just my laziness! The closet is so pretty all cleaned up! Can’t believe you didn’t stay up all night and put your things in there, or at least some things! I think the frames look like metal, only you would know if you didn’t tell.