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Antique Cupboard with a Clever Secret

April 18, 2016

SimpleDecoratingTips.com This Antique Cupboard holds a Clever Secret

But first, let me start out by clearly stating: THIS IS NOT A POST ABOUT HOW TO CLEAN AND ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET! (Ha Ha… as you’ll see real quickly further down…)

No, this is about an antique cupboard with a clever secret…

It’s a handsome piece I found when we were renovating our 100 year old house. It was either find a huge cupboard like this one or build a utility closet, because I needed a place on the main level for the vacuum and cleaning supplies.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com antique utility cupboard

I found this cupboard on Craigslist for $100… it was in great condition, just with a really bad coat of old paint… That was easily fixed. (it also had a makeshift dresser inside it, which we had to remove in order to have room for the vacuum.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com antique cupboard knob

By the way, to have the contractor build in a closet would have cost upwards of $500 with nothing fancy at all! I loved this option… so much better looking… and still lots of storage!

(Ha… see what I mean about this post not being about a clean closet?)

SimpleDecoratingTips.com antique utility cupboard one door open

But it sure does store a lot of stuff… with a couple shelves across the top as well as along the right side, making use of that tucked away cubby area. (we added the shelving to it)

But on the left no shelves…

Why???

Well the hinges are a clue…

SimpleDecoratingTips.com hinges on antique utility cupboard

Yep, that’s right! At some point a former owner actually carefully changed the left panel into a door!

SimpleDecoratingTips.com left panel is actually door on antique cupboard

So now both ‘doors’ open wide for easy access…

SimpleDecoratingTips.com both doors open on antique cupboard

Wow!

(and I’m not saying ‘wow’ because it looks a little messy… 😉 maybe you are though… I was saying ‘wow’ because of all the stuff I can store inside this cupboard)

I can keep my ladder, tools and cleaning supplies in there and not have to struggle with getting them in and out, thanks to the hinged panel turned door.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com both door open with shelves on right

What a smart idea to do with an old cupboard/wardrobe! Change one of the panels into a door and create a huge opening for the closet.

OK, enough of looking into my not so wonderfully organized or ‘staged for photos’ closet interior… let’s look at the outside again, because it is kind of charming.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com antique utility cupboard

So for $100 and less than a pint of paint, our breakfast room has the much needed utility closet, but in the shape of a charming antique cupboard with a clever secret door, no less.

Oh and one tip about installing it…

When we were installing the cupboard and baseboard after a huge renovation in the breakfast room, (check out the posts with the breakfast room renovation here) we, (our carpenter) attached the cupboard securely to the wall, and actually cut the baseboard to butt up to it, instead of go behind it… that way the cupboard back is totally flush against the wall without a gap in the back.

Did you know I now offer e-decorating? I can help you with your decorating needs via email, without having to step foot in your home. If you’re interested in more information, visit my e-decorating site: Frame and Frills. I’d love to help you with your project!

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Antique Cupboard holds a Clever Secret

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please feel free to follow and share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook, Pinterest, Flipboard, Bloglovin, YouTube and Instagram! I appreciate you reading along.

This post is linked up at the following other sites: Design, Dining and Diapers, French Country Cottage, Too Much Time on my Hands, The Charm of Home, Designer Trapped, My Thrift Store Addiction, Posed Perfection, Savvy Southern Style, From Evija with Love, A Pocketful of Posies, DIY Dreamer, My Repurposed Life, Cozy Little House, A Stroll Thru Life, Home Stories A to Z, Yesterday on Tuesday, StoneGable, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Coastal Charm, Between Naps on the Porch, It’s that DIY Party, Skip to my Lou, Redhead can Decorate

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry says

    April 26, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Smart storage~ Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 26, 2016 at 11:57 am

      Thank you Sherry! 🙂

      Reply
  2. simple nature decor says

    April 24, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    Thanks for sharing this on Dream Create and inspire, the antique cupboard is very clever as a storage for cleaning supplies. If you have a few stop by love the visit.
    Maria http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/

    Reply
  3. Mary-The Boondocks Blog says

    April 22, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    That is very clever indeed Liz. I wish I had one of these to store everything (meaning all of my craft stuff) in and not have to look at it all day.

    Reply
  4. Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says

    April 22, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    That’s a great piece, Liz. As far as I’m concerned, you can never go wrong with extra storage! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!

    Reply
  5. tarahlynn says

    April 21, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Love the idea of using a more free standing piece of “furniture” instead of a full built in closet, so much more character and options – you can always change it out if you want something different! For a minute I thought the secret was going to be that you finally found the ward robe that went to Narnia 😉 That extra panel into a door is just awesome!

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 21, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      hahaha… good thought on Narnia Tarahlynn! 🙂

      Reply
  6. distresseddonna says

    April 21, 2016 at 7:23 am

    This so clever and creative. I am definitely pinning and sharing this lovely old cupboard – secrets and all.

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 21, 2016 at 7:32 am

      Thanks Donna for sharing this post! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    April 18, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    Great idea! I have a large wardrobe that we use to store dishes and table top things. It is in need of a good purge and reorganization. I keep putting if off, but it would be the perfect task for this rainy day. ‘-)

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 22, 2016 at 11:08 am

      I love doing housework and projects on rainy days… or napping… 😉

      Reply
  8. Celeste @The Whole Serving says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:21 am

    What a beautiful way to have everything you need, but out of the way.

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 18, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Thanks Celeste 🙂

      Reply

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