You’re in for something really smart and inspiring today:
We’re honored to have Lindsay from The White Buffalo Styling Co. back, to share her latest organizing project with all of you! As if her last project wasn’t clever enough… I’m totally inspired by this one!
When we were adding on a master suite to our small little cottage, I was really inspired by these custom built-in closets.
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Totally dream-worthy, right?
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I mean can you imagine all of that organized and pretty storage?
I knew by looking that some of these were beyond our price range, but I thought a simpler, built-in version might be possible.
We were planning to build them ourselves, but that would’ve meant going without closet storage for months after moving in because this project was pretty low on the list of what had to get done. So, we got a quote on having them built and installed.
Way expensive. Like thousands way expensive.
So what was a closet-dreaming girl to do? Improvise.
I went to IKEA to look at their wardrobes. They have so many amazing closet options…shoe compartments, jewelry storage, bag hooks…amazing. But they’re still pretty expensive. They run anywhere from $250 to $500 and we needed at least two.
So, I was walking around the store all dejected at my lost closet dreams when I came upon their display of Billy Bookshelves.
For my closet, I needed one shelf plus an extension. The total rang in at right around $100. Now that, we could swing!
The best part about these is that you decide where the shelves go.
I knew I wanted a vanity/jewelry storage area, so I left a shelf out around eye-level.
We hung a mirror and I filled the shelf with some pretty display and storage for all of my jewelry.
I can’t tell you how fun it is to get ready in here now! Just makes you feel a little special.
I used some thrift store plates and brass candlesticks to make a little tiered stand…vertical storage is always a good thing.
And I love this little dog…makes me smile every time.
I used some of the extra shelf supports as hooks for my favorite necklaces.
It’s pretty to have my jewels hanging, but also really accessible.
As I said above, I bought the extension so that the shelves would go to the ceiling. I hung the top three shelves pretty close together to maximize shoe storage.
On the bottom shelves, I hung two at a normal separation to stack sweaters, but left the bottom shelf pretty tall.
I wanted a place for my tall boots and a basket to keep my belts readily available.
Nothing like a custom closet with pretty displays to make you feel like a girly girl.
And the best part about this is that you don’t need a lot of room. My closet is 4×7. That sounded really, really tiny to me when we were building it, but with this pretty, vertical storage everything has a place and it feels so much bigger than it actually is!
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{Be sure to check out more of Lindsay’s great projects at The White Buffalo Styling Co!}
Anna @ A Good Home says
Um, what?! That is stinkin’ brilliant. What a great idea, Lindsay! I never considered putting a Billy in a closet, but that works perfectly! An excellent solution to the “my closet is shallow and useless” dilemma š
Lindsay at The White Buffalo Styling Co. says
Thank you so much for having me, Ashley! So happy to share our closet with y’all š
Kyla F says
I love the idea of having a jewelry and vanity station within the closet space. Thank you for sharing Lindsay!
Chaney says
Beautifully done!! And on a budget? Yes please! Thanks for sharing your creative solution, Lindsay!
Tania @ Run To Radiance says
This is so fun! Our next closet is our master suite -finally i will get a walk-in closet! YAY. Definitely will have to add this to my list of options š
Meg says
Great idea! Can you explain a bit what’s going on with your hanging storage? Are those hangers and shelves attached to the Billy and if so how? Hard to tell from the photos.
Genius!!
Jennifer says
Great use of Ikea Hacking! There are so many uses for the Billy Bookshelf; Closets just make sense! Great job Lindsay and thanks for posting : D
Cecilia says
I love your solution and it looks so custom! I am getting ready to redo our closet so I’m gathering ideas – yours is getting pinned for reference. Thanks!