Inside: How we used Ikea Brimnes dressers to convert a closet into built in cabinets for an office space.
So you know when you have a problem area in your home and the work it would take to actually come up with a plan and carry out said plan seems almost impossible but you know you have to follow through or you might actually drown in junk mail and craft supplies?
Yeah. That’s where I was when I showed you those awful before photos of my office. But I knew that if I publicly embarrassed myself it would hold me accountable and I’m happy to say that following my method to declutter this space has finally gotten me to the point of being able to decorate it in a way that inspires me an the biggest. hugest. change has officially occurred in my office and things are lookin’ up!
Yep!
We turned the standard closet in this room into a beautiful built in cabinet and shelves for all of my office and craft supplies and it is life changing!
You’ve got to see this transformation!
The Closet Before We Converted It To Office Storage
We started with this standard 70 inch wide closet. First we removed the doors and gave the interior walls of the closet a nice coat of neutral white paint.
We didn’t bother painting the back wall of the closet because as you’ll see it’s getting wallpaper.
Adding Pattern Behind Shelves
I added a big dose of pattern (I know, so unlike me) with this beautiful wallpaper from the talented Ms. Kate Riley’s collection on Spoonflower.
The instructions warned me that I needed a buddy to assist me in hanging it, but the only person around was my 3 year old, and well, he would have probably had other plans for this pretty paper that mommy wouldn’t have agreed with, so I did it myself.
I started by drawing lines that were perfectly plumb to use as a guide. The pattern on this peel and stick wallpaper needed to be straight so I could line it up at the seems and I couldn’t rely on the ceiling line for this.
I hung it in 3 pieces part way down because I planned to install my built ins on the bottom half and this way I only had to buy one roll. Tip: Know your measurements before you start this project so you only buy what you need!
By the way, I sprung for the repositionable kind, and I’m so glad I did because it caused a lot less anxiety when I needed to make a few minor adjustments along the way.I had a little overlap on the side corners which were easily taken off with a sharp utility knife.
My mom was nice enough to come over and participate in an IKEA furniture-building-a-thon with me one day and we put together these 3 IKEA Brimnes dressers.
I really like that the top has a frosted glass front to add a bit of something to the space. I also used 2 different sizes to make it feel more custom and less like I threw a few dressers into a closet.
The problem (which you’ll see in a minute became an amazing bonus) was that I had 8 inches left over. I could have centered the dressers and used wood to cover the space….or even better, I could push them to one side and use that 8 inches.
Which is exactly what I did. 8 inches of space is a lot to give up when you have a lot of crap to store! Right?
We pulled the dressers forward to cover the hole in the carpet that once was the closet door track. Then we framed it all in with inexpensive wood painted white.
We placed one continuous piece of thin white laminate on top so that there were no seams.
The handyman cut a piece of laminate and glued laminate stripping on the edges to create this door for my 8 inch gap. This gave me a place to store my cutting mats and rolls of photo backdrop. I’m glad I had him do this because he was able to drill holes for those really nice hinges (just like the soft close ones at IKEA.)
I love this spot because these are the types of things I never knew where to put and they were always getting in my way!
Ok. Let’s just take a minute and step back to admire that amazing wallpaper and all of this handy work!
The hubs helped me install shelves on the top half for even more storage. I was careful not to add too many because I wanted the wallpaper to be the star of the show.
I’m excited about playing around with the styling of these shelves and switching it up as I get settled in!
This room is off to an amazing start. I still need to get things organized and the finishing touches complete so definitely stay tuned! UPDATE: See the shared office room reveal here!
Maybe I’ll have to do it in 10 minute time bits since my little one is giving up his nap most days, but this momma is determined to make this space happen! Being able to find a pair of scissors in 5 seconds flat is a definite productivity changer!
Share the love, pin the image below!
Thanks for stopping by today to see me on my way to redeeming myself! Can’t wait to show you the end result!
Mary says
I love this! They do not have the small side pieces that I can find, anymore. So sad because I love this idea!!!
Corey Willis says
Hi Mary, it wasn’t that long ago; perhaps you can contact IKEA customer service and ask them for something similar. I’m not an IKEA affiliate so don’t have any information other than what’s on their website. Good luck!
Linda Schultz says
Love it and I’m going to “try” and replicate it in my craft room!!!
Wish me luck!
Corey Willis says
You can do this, Linda! And I’m only an email away if you have questions hello@heytherehome.com
Kelli says
This is so beautiful! And an awesome use of space! How are your drawers organized? I have one each of the smaller and larger drawer units and I am looking for good ideas for drawer organizers for my supplies? Any suggestions? Do you have any pictures of the inside of the drawer units? Thank you!!
Corey Willis says
Hey Kelli! I use the cloth collapsible drawer organizers from IKEA inside my drawers for craft supplies. The bottom drawer holds my folded fabric which you can see in these tips to organize your fabric stash. You can use them for file storage too by buying the metal file racks and setting them inside the drawers. I don’t do this, because we have another file cabinet but I measured and it would work. Other than that I also keep my camera and photo equipment in one of the drawers. It’s nice to have everything handy but out of sight.
Carol@BlueskyatHome says
Great idea. Turned out so pretty. I would like to do this in our master closet. Thank you for the great tutorial. Would you share it on Tuesday Turn About Link Party starting Tuesday at 5 PM? Would love to have you.
Eva says
I looked on ikeasite and I do not see the smaller dresser drawers I only found the 4 dresser one. How long ago did you purchase?
Corey Willis says
Hi Eva, it wasn’t that long ago; perhaps you can contact IKEA customer service and ask them for something similar. I’m not an IKEA affiliate so don’t have any information other than what’s on their website. Good luck!
Pauliina says
Hi, and greetings from Finland! I just came across your blog and this particular post yesterday and I had to come back and read it again today, and I had to come and thank you for this wonderful post! Hubby and I are currently in a process of buying a house and while we don’t have the house just yet, I’m waaay over and ahead of myself planning all sorts of renovations and decorations that one could imagine. We have lived in several apartments so far and closet space is something that has always bugged me in one way or the other. I hugely dislike the traditional built-in closets and wardrobes that (especially older houses and apartments) usually have and I have yet to come across a new one that I would have actually liked. But this! This gave me ideas! Something like this just might be perfect. I could easily picture this being modified to work for keeping clothes, and how perfect it must be for an office and crafting space! I realised today that I need this in my life! I really love the way this looks, with the wallpaper at the back giving colour and giving beautiful contrast to the white shelves and the Ikea units. I think I’m in love a little. 😀
Sorry for the long message, I just had to come and thank you for this! <3
Corey Willis says
You’re so welcome Pauliina! Happy house hunting!
Melissa says
I’m so bummed that I am not going to be able to do this. My closet is framed so the frame will prevent me from opening the drawers that are up against the right side wall. I might still do something similar, but with only two sets of drawers.
Corey Willis says
Hi Melissa, I definitely think you could trim down the number of drawers to match your closet configuration. Best wishes!
Kelly Schott says
This looks so nice, neat and streamlined. I am, for sure going to keep this in mind for my oil organization.
Corey Willis says
Thanks Kelly, good luck on that project!
katie says
wow this is great! I am converting my guest room closet into a crafting area.
I’d love to see inside the drawers for the internal organization!
Vickie says
Corey, love the idea you had on converting your closet space with the ikea units, but have a couple of follow up questions.
1. When you moved the units forward in order to cover tracks from closet doors with the piece of wood, what did you do to keep them from eventually moving back?
2. What did you do to keep units tightly together so there were no gaps in between the three units?
Corey says
Hey Vickie.
We screwed the units together and then the top holds them in place and covers the gap between the back of the dressers and the wall since the top is attached to the tops of the dressers from underneath. Does that answer you question?
Nicole says
What door or paint did you use to match the ikea dressers?
Corey says
I didn’t match it on purpose. The door that I created is just a piece of laminate coated MDF board from the hardware store and the paint on the walls is Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. They don’t match perfectly, but it all is pretty darn close. The door matches almost perfectly though.
jenny says
i love your room was looking for similar cabinets but it seems they dont have these in ikea anymore what a bummer
Corey says
Oh no Jenny! I didn’t get them too long ago either. I’m sure they’ll be coming out with something similar soon.
San says
They are still available…
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/80360404/
Paula says
Corey,
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration! I have been planning my craft/sewing/office room for some time now and really like the contemporary look of these drawers & cupboards. They only have the larger size of drawers, 30 3/4 x 48 7/8 but not the smaller drawer, which I was needing to complete my look. Do you have any insight as to when/if they will have the smaller drawer available? My research is coming up empty.
Paula
Corey Willis says
Hi Paula, perhaps you can contact IKEA customer service and ask them. I’m not an IKEA affiliate so don’t have any information other than what’s on their website. Good luck!
brenda lopez says
Normally I don’t post my thoughts on any of the ideas you have shared. Today is the exception!! I really like the creativity and impromptu solution you came up with!! Great job!!
Corey says
Thank you so much Brenda! Happy to hear from you 🙂
Kim says
Absolutely beautiful, I just wish I had a closet that I could use!!
Ram says
Looking beautiful.
Mary Johnson says
What a beautiful & creative space with my favourite colour on the wallpaper! Thanks for sharing it.
Corey says
That color is definitely my fave too! Just makes me happy! Thanks for stopping by.
Karen says
Where did you get your laminate? And the wood on the bottom to cover the track? We were just out looking today for some good solutions for my husbands office…this is AWESOME! I want to copy you almost exactly! ☺️
Corey says
Hey Karen! How flattering! The laminate is from Home Depot and the bottom piece is MDF in white. Hope that helps!
Linda Louise Weeks says
this is really snazzy! And so functional, too! It gives me hope for my closets yet!
Corey says
Ha! Thanks Linda!
Alexis says
That little compartment on the side is amazing! I need one!
Corey says
It was a last minute solution and turned out to be my favorite thing ever! Just a few weeks till we get to play in Salt Lake!!!
Vin says
So pretty Corey! Whatva great storage solution!
Corey says
Thanks Vin! It is my favorite part of the whole room so far! hahaha. #itsthelittlethings
nancy says
Great project…a much better use of available storage space. I’m having a V-8 moment. (lol) Well done!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
Wow, this is just great! Seriously, perfect use of space. Pinning/sharing like crazy. Love it.
Corey says
Thanks so much Ashley!
Amy | Delineate Your Dwelling says
WOW! Corey, what a great space. I’m pinning both this closet transformation AND those Ikea shelves! Love that you added a mini door to that extra 8″ too.
Corey says
Thanks girl! This space is so much more inspiring and it is making me get so much more done already!
Colleen says
Wallpaper makes it! Nice job.
Corey says
Agreed Colleen! Thank you!
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says
I am totally going to steal this idea! Looks organized and smart:-) Xo
Corey says
Steal away my friend! Miss you like crazy. I’ve been hiding and head down workin’ but want to catch up soon!
Cindy Brooks says
Beautiful! I’m glad to hear you liked the wallpaper from Spoonflower. I’m deciding on a pattern for my laundry room and am choosing from a few available on the site.
Corey says
Hi Cindy. It was so easy to put up and looks amazing. Can’t wait to hear how your laundry room turns out!
Paula says
Love it! It all came together seemlessly. Thanks for showing us there are ways to overcome the non-seemless times.
Corey says
You are so very welcome Paula. Coming up with ways to work around those kinds of problems keeps me up at night at times but it is so much fun! I seriously love what I do and love to share the inspiration. Hope you are having a fantastic day!
Melanie says
That is amazing! And I love the door on the side. The wallpaper is definitely a hit! Great job and thanks for sharing!
Corey says
Thank you so much Melanie! I’m pretty convinced that wallpaper is my new best friend and my husband is a bit scared. Hahaha.
Vivian says
You did a fabulous job! I love the wallpaper and you are right that a small amount looks great. The closet storage unit is much better than a plain closet any day. You should be proud!
Corey says
Thank you so much Vivian (and I have to admit I am proud) Not only of the way it looks but that I finally have a system to keep all of my stuff organized!
Lizzie says
Wow! It looks awesome and I am totally jealous of all that glorious storage!
Corey says
Thanks Lizzie. I think I’m finally set up to stay organized! It feels so good, and I now realize that I put it off way too long. Hope you are having a great day!