How To DIY A Fabulous Shared Kids Closet
/As most parents know, kids somehow accumulate an endless amount of stuff—clothes, toys, books, artwork, random clothing price tags, you name it. And then you add kids sharing a room…game over. Our girls have been sharing a room for the past two and a half years and organizing their belongings feels like a never-ending challenge, especially in their closet.
But fear not! With a little creativity and some DIY magic, I was able to transform this shared kids' closet into a functional and stylish space that will grow with them.
*These links contain affiliate links. Meaning if you purchase through my link, while it’s the same cost to you, I get a small commission – see my full disclosure here*
Assessing and Planning
The first step was to assess the space. Their closet is a decent size, but it originally only had two shelves. So much wasted space! After living with it for 6 years, 2 of those being shared, I was really able to come up with a plan of what they really needed now and in the future. After knocking down the shelves, it was a blank canvas just waiting to be transformed.
Taking everything down really allowed me to visual to be able to plan out the design. Although we wanted hanging space for their clothes, we decided that more shelving for toys, books, and baskets would be the priority. They would each have their own dresser for clothes storage, so we wouldn’t need as much in the closet. The goal was to maximize the space, from floor to ceiling.
Adding a Splash of Color and Personality
Beginning with the ceiling, I knew I wanted to the wall color to pair with the bead board in the room, so I wanted to do something fun with the ceiling. I had this wild idea to add a half round moulding design, playing off the trending wood slat walls. Originally, I wanted the trim pieces to be the same color of the wall {SW Natural Linen} to pop from the dark green gray ceiling color {Behr Cedar Forest}. But once I got them up there, I decided to paint it all one color and it was the best decision; it looks so much more intentional.
I replaced the outdated light with this cute, modern light. Not only does it brighten up the space, but it also adds another fun and whimsical touch.
DIY Floating Shelves: Adding Storage with Style
The standout feature of the closet makeover was the addition of 7 DIY floating shelves {5 on one wall & 2 on the other with hanging clothes underneath}. I ended up going with a birch plywood mainly because it matched the birch used on their bunkbeds…but it is also a durable choice. I started off by using 2x2’s to make the supports, attaching to the back and side walls.
If you are a visual person like me, you will know that you can draw out all the plans you want, but sometimes once you start putting things up, you will see that your original plan did not make any sense. Remember, that is okay! Don’t ever let it hold you back. I’ve really learned to be okay with getting 3/4 through a project and realizing it wasn’t right. That happened here, of course. My original plan was to have the floor to ceiling shelves on the opposite wall. My friend had mentioned it before I even began, but I didn’t realize it until I had 75% of the shelves supports up that they should be on the opposite wall with the window. These shelves were going to be deeper and the original wall had an alcove above which would be nearly impossible to reach with such deep shelves. It took a few extra days, but I am so glad I made the switch; instead of seeing their hanging clothes when you look into the closet, you now see the beautiful birch shelves.
The shelves themselves took time, but that was because I wanted them to be extra perfect so I spent a lot of time learning how to scribe and make them fit into the wonky plaster wall spaces as best they could. Because I was putting them in a tight space, I attached them directly to the supports using wood glue and brad nails. If you want to see more, you can check out these reels on instagram: shelf supports 1, shelf supports 2, installing shelves, scribing, finished closet.
Putting the Finishing Touches
With the main elements of the makeover complete, it was time to add the finishing touches. I hung some pieces of colorful artwork to add visual interest and with hooks underneath for their backpacks. And then my favorite part, organization time! I originally planned to use my favorite tried and true baskets, but then I found these which had a sharper corner vs rounded {and cheaper}, and they were perfect. They have a square shape and rectangular shape that fit beautifully on the shelves
If you're feeling inspired to tackle your own closet makeover, don't be afraid to get creative! Look around your home for items that can be repurposed or upcycled to fit your needs. And if you're in need of some new storage solutions or decor items, be sure to check out the links below to shop the post and find everything you need to create the closet of your dreams.
Transforming our girls' closet into a functional and stylish space was a rewarding DIY project and has already made big difference in our daily life {goodbye toys all over the bedroom floor, hello seeing the rug again!}. With a little imagination and determination, creating a closet that not only maximizes storage space but also reflects the unique personalities of your little ones is simple. Roll up those sleeves, gather your tools, and get ready to unleash your inner DIY guru!
Oh, and let me know what you think of Berkley and Sawyer’s new closet 😉 Thank you for being here and whatever you are doing today, I hope it is great!
