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Transform Hall Closet into Library

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Last year we bought a house… a late mid-century with little to no character, mid-century character or any other kind of character.

My goal was to take this super bland slate of a house and turn it into feeling more like a Colonial Revival from the 1940’s.

In this post, I’m going to show you just how boring the front hall was, and how we transformed the hall closet into library space!

I’ll mention many times in the upcoming posts, as I reveal room after room, how I attempted to build in character in each space throughout the house.

This front hall was no exception.

It needed a few issues addressed, (besides the obvious things like flat panel hollow core doors, 1970’s ranch molding, way too fancy of a style of light fixture). The hall felt super long and narrow. It was poorly lit, and had the bathroom at the end of the hallway. There was nothing interesting in the hallway. No character whatsoever. Instead, what felt like the final destination, the bathroom, was the attention grabber. Not good!

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

In the ‘before’ picture you can see how it was a long and narrow hallway directly leading into the bathroom.

I had a plan in my head to completely change the feel of the hallway space as well as add character to it.

Part of that plan included switching around the bathroom assignments. The guest bathroom at the end of the hall would become the master bathroom, and what was the master bathroom would become the guest hall bathroom.

Confused yet? Let me go on and really muddy the waters of description for you…

By changing the guest bathroom, located at the end of the hall, to be the master bathroom, we could delete the direct access to that room. Then what was the master bathroom, (to the left in the hallway) would now become the guest bathroom.

This area to the left would gain room into the hall space from what used to be a closet in the master bathroom too.

I could have built in a linen closet, but I felt to have a freestanding hutch here would visually open up the space more.

Okay, so that part of the hallway plan, with changing which bathroom goes where, is a bit confusing. When friends would come through and I’d try to explain how we were opening up a door on one and closing the door on the other, their eyes always would glaze over… it did sound confusing. But fortunately I knew, and my carpenter knew what we were doing. 🙂

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

In a nutshell, some of the walls could be opened up, and some of the doorways were closed.
hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The hallway started feeling wider as things were removed. The bi-fold doors on that first large closet were taken down. (for some reason the drapes from the bathroom got set there, rod and all… there they remained for a few weeks while other things were addresses) Then the wall to the left with a new opening to the old master bathroom was created.

Then…

the end of the hallway got shortened and a new wall was built separating the hall from the old guest bathroom:

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Ahhh…

That long skinny hall awkwardly leading to a bathroom was gone. The space now felt so much more open.

Ooops…

The carpenters built the new stud wall, but the first time around, they forgot to build in the opening for the vintage transom window I had bought.

Next morning they fixed it:

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

There we go, that’s going to still let in light from that window, but not give a view into the bathroom. Instead the beautiful antique window will be a lovely accent.

(BTW: Here is my favorite place to shop for vintage and antique leaded glass and stained glass windows)

Next up…

The popcorn ceilings:

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Our friend came over and scraped all the popcorn texture off all the ceilings on the main level! It’s a messy job, and I’m so grateful he did it for us!!

(here’s a post I wrote highlighting how to change a popcorn ceiling texture to knockdown texture)

Now for a little inspiration for what to do with that hall closet space:

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

This lovely library, pictured in Traditional Home, was my inspiration! We have a lot of books. To transform the hall closet into library space would be perfect!

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

I measured out the space and transferred my ‘closet into library’ plan onto graph paper taking special care to have comfortable sizing for the bench seat height and good space for head allowance etc.

Being available to discussed details with my carpenter as he went along was invaluable.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The carpenter decided it’d be best to have the wood floors installed first, then build the library on them after.

Once the plan came to life I could prime and paint it.

We had extra pickwick pine paneling left over from the dining and kitchen, so that was perfect to work into the hall detail.

It’s good to repeat certain details, sort of ingraining them into the design spaces.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The built-in seat has a lift lid for storage. The hinges are special safety hinges so the lid will not fall on top of little fingers.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Deciding the exact placement for the wall sconces was easiest with the wall sconces in hand! A different mounting height may be necessary for a different style light. It’s always good to have items already on the job site in order to make precise detail decisions.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Concerned that the wall sconces alone weren’t going to light any of the top shelves, we added a hidden under cabinet light up at the top of the library space. It turns on with the wall sconce switch.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Here is where I found these library wall sconces at Houzz. (they’re not just for a library)

Now, when you come into the front door, this view greets you. The closet into library transformation feels like a destination in itself. It is like changing that hall closet into library space added a whole other room to our main floor.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

Where there once was a bathroom door, there now is a lovely old Colonial style window transom.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The hutch serving as a linen closet is like a landing in the hallway.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The closet into library shelves hold kid’s books on the lower shelves and adult books on the uppers. A few found treasures from The Kennebunks adorn the walls, along with a gifted map pillow of the southern Maine coast.

hall closet into library simpledecoratingtips.com

The ‘after’ pic looks so different from the ‘before’ pic at the top of this post, doesn’t it?

I love projects like this!

I didn’t add one square inch to the space, but in using the given space differently, taking down walls and adding walls, the space became so much more usable and appealing to the eye with interesting character.

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!

Here are more carpentry renovation ideas:

Blue-and-White-Backsplash-Tile
Cabinet-Door-Gallery
how to install a floating shelf
install door knocker in a hollow steel door
Wallpaper Mural
Repurposing-Vintage-Screen-Door
transform-hall-closet-into-library
Creating a Built-In Faux Fireplace
wall mounted potrack
antique inspiried kitchen island
shutters do's and don'ts
DIY Faux Exposed Brick Chimney
DIY Frosted Glass  Privacy Window
DIY Cedar Closet Lining
How to Change a Door Lock
tips to refresh basement steps
Old Time Carpenter Taught me this Trick
Wallies
How to Make a Chandelier Longer
DIY Wide Plank Laminate Flooring
How to add a fireplace to any room
Composite Decking
Tips on Creating a Kitchen Island Feature
Changing Popcorn Ceiling to Knockdown
Closet-Transformation
how to mount a shelf when there's no stud
Easiest DIY Beadboard ever
Nautical Cottage Bathroom
DIY wall mounted potrack
How to install a farmhouse sink

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 now Instagram! I appreciate you reading along.

This post is linked up to these other sites: Between Naps on the Porch, Refresh Restyle, Skip to My Lou, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Cedar Hill Farmhouse

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Welcome to Simple Decorating Tips! I’m Liz, the author, and I’m so glad you’re here!

My goal is to encourage you with DIY tips, techniques and tutorials so you feel empowered to join in the fun! Along with this DIY blog, I have a DIY shop, Frame and Frills!
Frame and Frills is in Wisconsin. I stock amazing DIY products! Fusion Mineral Paints, ReDesign Transfers, Decoupage, Waxes, loads of DIY Goodies, re-done Furniture and more! Even if you're not close to where the shop is in Wisconsin, good news... I ship nationwide, (USA) daily! Check out the link here and let's get your DIY on!
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Welcome to Simple Decorating Tips! I'm Liz, the author, and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to encourage you with DIY tips, techniques and tutorials so you feel empowered to join in the fun! Along with this DIY blog, I have a DIY shop, Frame and Frills!
Frame and Frills is in Wisconsin. I stock amazing DIY products! Fusion Mineral Paints, ReDesign Transfers, Decoupage, Waxes, loads of DIY Goodies, re-done Furniture and more! Even if you're not close to where the shop is in Wisconsin, good news... I ship nationwide, (USA) daily! Check out the link here and let's get your DIY on!


Disclosure Policy: According to FTC guidelines, I want you to be aware that some of the content of this blog may be a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post. Thanks for reading along, Liz

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Sharing is great! Please feel free to share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook and Pinterest and Flipboard and Houzz and YouTube the more the merrier! I appreciate you stopping by. But please remember that all photos, images, text and content are owned by SimpleDecoratingTips.com. So anything you share, please be sure it always links back to my original post it came from. Please do not remove watermarks, crop or edit anything without written permission from me first.

Disclosure Policy: According to the FTC guidelines, I want you to be aware that this blog is a source of income and may occasionally incorporate endorsements or testimonials and shopping links. It is important to me to disclose this to you. The content of this blog is a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. Products provided to me by my advertising partners for my review are given to me free of charge with no cost to myself. This does not ensure a positive review of the product in any way. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and always make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post. Thanks for reading along, Liz

Disclosure Policy According to Federal Trade Commission guidelines, I want you to be aware that this blog is a source of income and may occasionally incorporate endorsements or testimonials. It is important to me to disclose this to you. The content of this blog is a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. Products provided to me by my advertising partners for my review are given to me free of charge with no cost to myself. This does not ensure a positive review of the product in any way. My truthful opinion will be what I state, no matter if I'm getting paid or not. Accuracy and truth are the priority for me on this blog's information, no matter if it's about a product or anything else. Not every product or service or store etc. may be mentioned in each and every post as an affiliate. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and always make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post.

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