Before & After: Closet Makeover

Storage is not really the biggest issue in my house… but what I DO lack though is organized storage! 

I’ve realized that you can have tons of closets and storage room space, but if there aren’t shelves, storage containers, drawers, etc., to actually store what you own, it’s not really going to work well for you or your home.

A couple of weeks ago, I pretty much had a meltdown over this closet in our study/”not really a man cave anymore.” I have organized almost everything else in our home, but I had been avoiding this closet for a very long time… You can even see why.

So when I finally reached my breaking point…

1. I took out everything and started to organize things into “departments,” so that I actually had some idea as to what was in there and how I could use this closet
2. I made sure to throw away and donate whatever I wasn’t using
3. The clothes were completely taken out of this closet and moved into storage boxes (such as our winter gear) or into our other closets
4. I also thought a lot about what else I could potentially store in this space

After taking everything out, I realized that I needed more shelves, drawers and storage containers… So I decided to just redesign the closet to work for me!

I drew out what I thought would work, measured everything, and then went shopping! I bought some of the clear containers that I wanted to use, and pull-out drawers from the PAX system (IKEA), before we started building so that the contractor could build around my items.

The closet redesign was built by a local contractor – since I’m not a DIYer – for around SR 400-500.

So not to sound too full of myself but… the end result is just awesome. It didn’t turn out to look like the drawing, but I’ve learned through a few projects that you always have to be open to adjustments, i.e: you can’t hang heavy drawers on the dry wall 🙂

So here is the after!

SUPER cute, right? I love love love it!

My thinking behind this closet was that I just wanted to SEE everything. I don’t want to dig through a million different containers to find stuff. What I want to hide though goes into pretty white boxes with lids. I still need to label some of the things, but it’s kinda not necessary when you can see everything.

Now even the things that my husband uses for cricket are visible and easily accessible – surprisingly, he no longer “forgets” to put them away 😉

Paint color: “Deco Blue” 4477 (JOTUN)

Pull-out drawers: IKEA (part of the PAX system accessories)

The cricket bats are propped up on an IKEA picture ledge – one of my favorite ideas!

The gold & white hooks were purchased from H&M Home in Bahrain. I attached the hooks to a piece of wood so that it could hold heavier items like my camera gear and my super cute picnic blanket from East of the Sun (IG: @east_ofthesun)!

Even my spray-painted gold FINTORP rail (IKEA) looks so good against the navy blue walls!

Lantern: Artikel (Bahrain)

Gold Basket: H&M Home (Bahrain), Nautical themed trays: Ashley Furniture (Khobar)

“HOME” sign: Home Zone (Bahrain)

Vase: Home Center, Red Pinecones: Zamil Stores, Decorative balls: Ashley Furniture