Project: Basement Closet

When we purchased our home, we had the builder finish the basement for us before we moved in.  The original plans included a 6-foot hallway in the basement.  Such wasted space!  So, I asked them to put in a 14-foot closet.  I had them leave it completely empty so that we could customize it exactly the way we wanted it later.  Well, later came a couple of weeks ago when my husband had a free day. 

I drew up the plans and began emptying out the closet while he got started cutting and painting the shelves in his shop.  Then it was time to install.  We put shelves in the left side of the closet at specific heights for what I wanted on the shelves.  The hubby installed a divider wall and then braces for each of the shelves.  Then he put the shelves in.

On the other side of the divider, we put a rod up to hang up our winter coats and snow pants in the off season.  

The right side of the closet was left completely empty so that I could put all of the bins (holding off season items and kids too-small clothes).

Here are the shelves once I got them all loaded.

Under the first shelf, on the floor, is a place for all of our suitcases and my Rubbermaid Wrapping Paper bin.  I had measured the tallest item ahead of time so that we could place the first shelf above those items.  This turned out so well because all of the suitcases were accessible and we didn't have to dig to find them!

The bottom shelf was for all of my gift wrapping items.  I have a plastic milk crate that holds all of my gift boxes.  My gift bags are in magazine holders labeled with Martha Stewart Bookplates I picked up from my local Staples. I also have a few boxes of notecards and stationary.

The two drawers hold my tissue paper, bows, ribbons, and gift tags.

The top shelf is for all of my sewing stuff.  I don't use it as often as my gift wrap supplies, but still like it easily available and organized!  I have my sewing machine, serger, sewing box, as well as bins of fabric and other supplies.

Well there you have it folks! Are there any spaces in your home that you have customized to fit your needs?  I'd love to see them if you do!

Project: Kids Craft and Homework Room

Our Kids Craft and Homework Room is one of my favorite projects ever.  When we bought this house and had the builder finish the basement, we had them put in a storage room and this small area instead of a third bedroom.  I had this craft room in mind from the very beginning.  

So this is the room as we had been living with it for the past year.  We had just put up a portable table and had an extra bookcase in there and some plastic drawers.  It was mess....all the time!  It was definitely time for a change!

I took several trips to Ikea searching for the right furniture and the right pieces to put in the small room.  I had several ideas in mind but it took a lot of time to find just the pieces.

My husband and I made a trip to Ikea on a Saturday morning and purchased everything we thought we needed, plus a few extra things just in case.  It was quite the load!

When we got home, we got all the boxes unloaded and I started working on putting things together. It literally took ALL DAY!  I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Ikea.  I love all that they have and I love the prices, but I hate putting it all together!  But in the end....it is always worth it!

We started out with the desks.  I chose the Alex Drawer unit and a Linnmon Table Top.  I also bought the Adils Legs for each desk but ended up resting the table top on the next set of drawers, so we only used one set of legs for the end.

I chose the Besta line of products for the shelving above and across the desks.  A wall shelving unit with doors, a cabinet with drawers, and a bookcase.  One of the problems we ran into, is that I had planned on having doors on the upper cabinets.  But, with our light fixture, a couple of the doors would not have been able to open and close.  Luckily, my husband was able to put in a couple of can lights instead.  It added a lot more light to the space and we were able to add the doors.

 

We finished off the room by adding some Bygel Rails and Containers that I of course labeled so that the girls could keep them organized.  We also added some hooks on the other side of the room for the girls to hang their backpacks.

So here is the finished room!  The girls love having their own space to work and keep all of their crafting items.  It's also a really great space for them to do their homework. It really is a dream come true for them and for me!

Want some more inspiration for a kids craft/homework room?  Check out my Pinterest boards for Homework Rooms and Craft Rooms.