How a Designer Turned a Wasted Room Into a Walk-In Pantry for $170

Interior designer and photographer Erin Kestenbaum transformed a basic Ikea Pax wardrobe system into a sophisticated, inky blue walk-in closet for her 1940s Colonial home. The project was inspired by a custom closet in Jenny Wolf's Brooklyn townhouse, which Kestenbaum admired but sought to replicate on a non-custom budget. The Ikea Pax system was chosen as the base due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness compared to building from scratch or hiring professionals, and ease of planning using Ikea's planning tool. The renovation involved several key steps to elevate the off-the-shelf Ikea units. First, Kestenbaum advised extensive planning for the desired finished look, emphasizing flexibility to address nuances in Ikea products. She decided against using Ikea's standard storage accessories to maintain a clean aesthetic. To compensate for uneven floors in her older home, shims were carefully added to level the units, which were then concealed by baseboards. Small puck lights, purchased from Amazon, were integrated by cutting precise holes using a template. Further customization included covering the cabinet seams with paintable wallpaper and using Ikea plugs to fill unused drill holes for a seamless finish. Baseboards, crown molding, and trim, made from half-inch poplar boards cut to size, were then added. The same poplar boards were used to create custom drawer fronts, which were attached to existing Komplement drawers with screws. A crucial step for achieving a professional painted finish was applying a shellac-based primer to the glossy Ikea surface. Kestenbaum stressed the importance of this step, advising the use of a respirator due to the chemical nature of the primer. The final blue color was applied with a spray gun, utilizing many thin coats for an even, high-quality result. High-end brass hardware was installed to enhance the drawers' appearance, while the original wooden Pax hanging rods were stained with floor-finishing oil to match the overall aesthetic. The completed project garnered praise from Jules Yap, founder of the IkeaHackers blog, who noted its thoughtful layout, color, and professional craftsmanship, making it unrecognizable from its Ikea origins. Kestenbaum and Yap both encourage aspiring Ikea hackers to prioritize functionality and personal satisfaction over solely aiming for 'Instagram-worthy' results, highlighting that simple upgrades like paint and new hardware can significantly transform a space. They also advised that success lies in thinking backward from the desired outcome to select suitable Ikea components for custom built-in applications, acknowledging that not all Ikea items are ideal for hacking. #IkeaHack #PaxWardrobe #WalkInCloset #DIYHomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #CustomCabinetry #BudgetRenovation #HomeDecor

A DIY enthusiast successfully transformed basic IKEA cabinets into a sophisticated butler's pantry, showcasing a cost-effective alternative to expensive custom cabinetry. The project involved utilizing standard IKEA kitchen components, specifically the SEKTION cabinet system, to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing wine and beverage storage area. The transformation began with assembling the fundamental cabinet frames, which are known for their modularity and ease of construction. These frames provide a versatile base that can be customized with various doors, drawers, and interior fittings. Key to achieving the high-end look was the selection of custom fronts and hardware that elevated the appearance beyond off-the-shelf IKEA. The DIYer opted for bespoke cabinet doors and drawer fronts from a third-party supplier, often referred to as an 'IKEA hack' approach. This allowed for a wider range of styles, colors, and finishes than typically available directly from IKEA, enabling a more personalized and luxurious aesthetic. The chosen style mirrored classic butler's pantry designs, incorporating details such as shaker-style doors or fluted panels, which contribute significantly to the perceived value of the finished unit. Complementary high-quality hardware, such as brass pulls or ornate knobs, further enhanced the custom feel and added a touch of elegance. The project involved several steps, including careful measurement and planning to ensure the cabinets fit perfectly within the designated space, maximizing storage and utility. Once the frames were assembled and secured, the custom fronts were installed, along with adjustable shelves and specialized inserts for wine bottles and glassware. This internal organization was crucial for the pantry's functionality, ensuring that everything had its place and was easily accessible. The overall design integrated seamlessly with the existing home decor, making the butler's pantry appear as if it were a built-in feature rather than a DIY creation. One of the most impressive aspects of this DIY project is the significant cost savings achieved. Custom-built butler's pantries can often run into thousands of dollars due to labor and materials. By leveraging the affordability of IKEA frames and focusing on strategic upgrades for visible elements, the DIYer managed to create a luxurious-looking space for a fraction of the price. The article highlights that the resulting wine cabinet appears to have cost over $1,000, suggesting a substantial reduction compared to professional installations. The success of this project serves as inspiration for others interested in home improvement and demonstrates that with creativity, planning, and a few key modifications, budget-friendly materials can be transformed into impressive and functional custom pieces. It underscores the growing trend of IKEA hacks, where individuals adapt and personalize mass-produced furniture to suit their specific tastes and needs, often resulting in unique and sophisticated outcomes that belie their humble origins. #Ikea #DIY #HomeImprovement #ButlerPantry #CustomCabinetry #IkeaHack #WineCabinet #CostSaving #HomeDecor

Converting an unused extra bedroom into a functional and stylish walk-in closet is a practical home improvement project, especially for homes built before the 1980s that often lack spacious storage. The transformation involves creative utilization of space and can be achieved with various budget levels, from DIY solutions to professional closet systems, while maintaining the flexibility to revert the room to its original purpose if needed. Selecting the right room is crucial, with experts suggesting choosing the bedroom closest to the master bedroom. This proximity offers the option of creating a direct doorway, a relatively minor construction that can be easily reversed. The core idea is to reimagine the room’s function without committing to irreversible structural changes. For a DIY approach, simple and cost-effective methods include lining the walls with clothing racks on wheels and free-standing wire shelving units. These can be personalized with colorful bins and baskets. Alternatively, custom shelving can be built to suit individual style, such as industrial-look shelving made from black metal pipes and wooden shelves, which offers both sturdy storage and easy removal. The center of the room can be utilized effectively by placing two bureaus of the same height back-to-back, covered with a granite sheet to create an island that serves as storage, a seating area, and a surface for folding clothes or organizing outfits. An elegant table or an upholstered bench or chaise can also be placed in the center for laying out clothes or for trying on outfits. Finishing touches like a framed, full-length mirror leaning against a wall can enhance the “boutique hotel” aesthetic and is easily removable. For a more polished look without DIY effort, various closet systems are available, ranging from free-standing units to more permanent, built-in styles. Brands like California Closets, Poliform, and Porro Storage offer customized solutions to maximize space. Additional practical items, such as a pull-out valet rod, are valuable for planning outfits or packing for trips. Repurposing a bedroom for a walk-in closet offers distinct advantages over traditional closets, including better ventilation and natural light. Natural light is particularly beneficial for tasks like color matching. To optimize lighting, installing dimmers and selecting appropriate light bulbs, such as LED daylight bulbs, is recommended. A common challenge in this conversion is that bedroom doors typically swing inwards, unlike closet doors. While sliding pocket doors can offer a luxurious solution, they are a more expensive option. #HomeDesign #WalkInCloset #BedroomConversion #DIYHomeImprovement #ClosetOrganization #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization

This article details the transformation of an outdated kitchen in a two-family home in Arlington, Massachusetts, that had remained largely untouched for over 50 years. The homeowners, who had resided in the property for almost two decades, sought to modernize their kitchen while honoring the home's 1920s heritage and incorporating a sense of whimsy and warmth. Resa Gray, a partner at Honeycomb Design + Build, led the renovation project, focusing on infusing Finnish design elements, a connection to nature, and cheerful colors to achieve a contemporary feel. One of the primary goals of the renovation was to enhance the perceived size of the kitchen without physically expanding its footprint. To achieve this, the design team removed a partition wall that previously obscured the rear stairs. This modification created a more open and spacious feel within the existing layout. Additionally, a large window was installed, significantly increasing the amount of natural light entering the kitchen, which further contributed to the sense of openness and airiness. A key aesthetic feature introduced in the redesigned kitchen is a vibrant floral wallpaper from Milton & King. This eye-catching wallcovering, characterized by dense foliage and lively blooms, serves as a welcoming focal point. It extends down to the first floor, creating a cohesive visual flow and drawing inspiration from the outdoor garden. The choice of this less traditional, energetic pattern reflects the homeowners' desire for a joyful and colorful environment, as noted by Gray, who emphasized the positive impact of vibrant colors on the family's mood. Given the space constraints that precluded the inclusion of a traditional island, Gray ingeniously designed a breakfast counter. This counter is strategically positioned to face the newly installed large window, allowing residents to enjoy natural light and views while dining. Complementing the custom-designed breakfast counter are orange Eames stools, which add a playful and modern pop of color, harmonizing with the overall color scheme of the kitchen. Further details of the kitchen's cabinetry include lower cabinets painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Marea Baja, a blue hue with a subtle hint of green. These are accented by natural cherry shelves. These shelves were intentionally placed in a corner that was previously hard to access, transforming it into a functional and decorative area for displaying personal mementos and cookbooks, adding a personal touch to the space. For the backsplash, narrow tiles from Nemo Tile were chosen and installed in a herringbone pattern. This choice was deliberate to ensure that the backsplash would contribute texture without competing visually with the bold floral wallpaper, maintaining a balanced and sophisticated design. During the renovation process, the team discovered original fir floorboards beneath layers of peeling checkerboard tiles. These historic floorboards were carefully refinished, and any damaged sections were repaired using salvaged boards from other projects. While this approach resulted in some natural blemishes, the homeowners appreciated the character these imperfections added, feeling that it honored the historical integrity and age of their home. The entire renovation aimed to create a kitchen that is not only functional and modern but also deeply personal and reflective of the homeowners' tastes and the home's intrinsic character. The collaboration between the designers and the homeowners ensured that the final design achieved a harmonious balance between contemporary style and traditional roots. The project successfully transformed a neglected space into a vibrant and welcoming central hub for the family, emphasizing bright colors, natural light, and a connection to the outdoors. Ultimately, the redesigned kitchen represents a thoughtful blend of aesthetics and practicality, celebrating both the past and the present of the Arlington home. The selection of materials and finishes further reinforced the design's commitment to both beauty and longevity. Every element, from the large window to the specific paint colors and tile choices, was carefully considered to contribute to the overall whimsical and modern yet rooted aesthetic. The renovation is an example of how thoughtful design can revitalize an old space. #KitchenRenovation #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #FinnishStyle #Wallpaper #ModernKitchen #MetroWest #ArlingtonHome #HoneycombDesign