I don’t know what number of instances I’ve mentioned this by way of the years, but it surely stays simply as true at this time because it’s ever been. Typically I get so dug in on an thought, and whereas my remark part can usually really feel like I’m ingesting from a fireplace hydrant with all the variety of concepts being shared with me (which I like, however may also really feel a bit overwhelming at instances 😀 ), generally it’s one single remark that will get my consideration and actually will get me considering in a brand new route.
And that’s precisely what occurred when Phoebe made a suggestion concerning the closet and laundry space mixture room that I’ll be constructing within the present visitor bed room. She instructed that I divide the room into two separate areas in order that I can have a separate closet and a separate laundry space.
That’s an thought I had already thought-about, however I had dominated it out as a result of in my thoughts, one room (presumably the laundry room) can be accessible by way of the present door into the room from the hallway, and the opposite space (presumably the closet) would require a brand new door from our soon-to-be bed room into that sectioned off space. I shared this concept some time again, and it appeared like this…
I had thought-about that choice very critically, and had even talked to Matt about it, however for some purpose he’s adamant about not constructing a wall in that room, and particularly about not placing a doorway from the bed room into that room. I don’t know why he’s so adamant about that, however he’s. And since he makes so few requests with regards to this home, I concentrate when he really is adamant about one thing, even when I don’t perceive his reasoning. 😀 And since then, I’ve gotten fairly enthusiastic about having a comfortable little studying space the place the door into the closet would have to be, anyway. With that concept in thoughts, I had moved previous the two-room choice and have actually turn into hooked up to the studying space thought, so I don’t need to give that up now.
All that to say that when this concept was offered, I didn’t actually contemplate it. I wrote it off instantly, and defined why I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it. Phoebe defined that’s not what she envisioned, and he or she despatched an electronic mail to elucidate her thought extra intimately. She wasn’t suggesting closing the 2 areas off to one another fully, and he or she wasn’t suggesting placing a door from the bed room into the brand new closet area (which, for some purpose, is the half that Matt actually objects to). And he or she despatched me this drawing…
I used to be intrigued. Her design nonetheless confirmed a wall diving the 2 areas, and I knew that Matt wasn’t thrilled with that concept. However I believed that perhaps because it didn’t require a doorway from the bed room into the sectioned off a part of the room (the half labeled Laundry Room), he may be on board. So I began enjoying round with the association.
What I noticed in a short time is that this plan wouldn’t even require me to construct a wall in any respect. I might actually simply use the wardrobes, positioned in two “U” preparations and secured to the ground and ceiling, to part off the room into two areas.
At first, I used to be having a extremely onerous time getting all the things to suit as a result of I used to be nonetheless set on utilizing the 23-inch-deep IKEA wardrobes for each areas. Wrapping such deep wardrobes round corners causes an entire lot of wasted area, so with 4 wasted corners, I wasn’t really gaining any space for storing by having extra wall area accessible. Something I’d acquire with extra wall area I’d lose with corners.
So I headed to Pinterest and Houzz (my two go-to sources once I want fast inspiration) to seek for closet inspiration, and I noticed that almost all closets don’t use 23-inch-deep frames. Most closet system are solely about 14-16 inches deep. The one purpose you’d want 23-inch-deep wardrobes is if you wish to put doorways on them and have all the things closed inside. However for those who’re not utilizing doorways, there’s actually no want for such deep frames.
Right here’s what I’m speaking about. That is a picture from Residence Depot’s customized closet techniques web page. You’ll be able to see that the hanging garments stick out previous the frames of the cabinets and drawers. These frames are solely about 14 inches deep.
And there’s no want for them to be deeper since there aren’t any doorways on the frames, and no want for the hanging garments to be fully contained inside these frames. And having shallower cabinets simply makes extra sense to me. I used to be having a lot hassle picturing storing my sneakers or folded sweaters or purses on 23-inch-deep cabinets. It appeared like plenty of wasted area. And the excellent news is that whenever you scale back the depth from 23 inches to 14 inches, the corners turn into usable. You’ll be able to construct usable nook cabinets into 14-inch-deep frames with out taking on an enormous quantity of area contained in the room, so no space for storing is misplaced.
So with all of this newfound inspiration, I began again at sq. one with the room. I began off making an attempt to make IKEA’s 14-inch-deep wardrobes work, however since they solely are available three widths, the dimensions limitations grew to become an issue. Plus, the primary dimension I would wish to make this new design work (the 14″ deep x 29.5″ huge) is the one dimension they’ve been out of inventory on for a number of months now, and there’s no indication after they’ll get extra in. I can’t base my complete design round one thing that will or might not be accessible once I’m prepared to start out the room. And so they didn’t actually match completely anyway. It was extra of a “it’s the closest to what I would like so I can most likely make it work” kind of scenario.
So in the long run, I simply determined that the way in which for me to squeeze each inch of usable space for storing out of this room is for me to construct it myself from scratch. With that in thoughts, I designed, and tweaked, and moved issues round, and tweaked some extra, till I got here up with what I feel is the proper plan based mostly on Phoebe’s authentic thought. This offers me fairly a bit extra closet space for storing than my authentic thought, and it separates the laundry space from the closet space. And one of the best factor of all is that going from 23-inch-deep frames to 14-inch-deep frames permits room for a small island in the midst of the closet space, which not solely offers me extra drawer area, but in addition offers me a countertop to fold garments as quickly as I get them out of the dryer. So right here’s the brand new plan…
I’m so enthusiastic about this new plan. I lie awake at evening and dream about it. I can’t wait to get began! You’ll be able to evaluate that to the outdated plan beneath. I used to be in a position to do the outdated plan on the IKEA planners, which provides a 3D view of the plan. I wasn’t in a position to do the brand new plan on the 3D IKEA planner as a result of it gained’t will let you put Pax wardrobes anyplace apart from lined up on a wall. Anyway, right here’s the outdated plan, which solely utilized the 2 lengthy partitions of the room. This was the laundry room facet:
And this was the closet facet:
The brand new plan does require a stacked washer and dryer, however I’m okay with that. I imply, I’m solely 5 toes tall, which implies that I’m used to issues in life being somewhat bit inconvenient for me. Once I had my outdated washer and dryer (earlier than I purchased my present ones), I had to make use of a step stool to get issues out of the washer. Fixed slight inconveniences are only a lifestyle whenever you’re solely 5 toes tall, so I’m used to it. So if I’ve to make use of a step stool to get issues out of my dryer, it gained’t be any worse than my outdated washer.
Facet word: As I used to be ending up penning this put up, the driveway guys confirmed up!!! They weren’t scheduled to be right here till Monday, however they completed up their final challenge early, and got here proper over to get began. WOOHOOOO!!!! They’re going to start out behind the driveway (again part of driveway behind my workshop, and the ramp to the workshop) at this time, after which work their option to the entrance of the property. So by the top of the day at this time, I could have a ramp, however the bulk of the progress will nonetheless occur subsequent week. However not less than there’s progress, and EARLIER than scheduled! How usually does THAT occur?! 😀
UPDATE: The washer and dryer within the new association are on an exterior wall. That’s the a part of the room that juts out previous the entrance wall of the lounge and the entrance wall of the master suite. There was initially a window there, however we had it closed up.
ANOTHER UPDATE:
Okay, okay! I hear y’all! 😀 I promise, I do pay attention. I did one other ground plan displaying side-by-side washer and dryer with higher cupboards as an alternative of stacking the washer and dryer. This may additionally embody a countertop over the washer and dryer, which I didn’t present within the drawing.
I’m additionally loving the concepts of a door between the 2 areas like I did my music room doorways (i.e., pocket doorways that aren’t actually pocket doorways), and the concept of the island on locking casters in case I must get the washer and dryer out. All nice concepts!
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and enhance the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do nearly all of the work on the home on my own. You’ll be able to be taught extra about me right here.
