Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

Kitchen Closet Makeover with Ace 31 Days of Color

March 19, 2015 by Cassie 48 Comments

Pin2
Share1
Tweet
3 Shares

You guys…. I have been hiding a dirty little secret from you all.  I am hanging my head in shame.  Remember that time we made over our mustard yellow formica kitchen and turned it into a kitchen of my dreams inspired by colors of the sea?  Well, there’s something that’s been lurking, hidden, remaining mustard yellow and just generally gross, but thanks to Ace Hardware and 31 Days of Color, I am no longer ashamed!

ACECOR14060_31DOC_logo

Do you see that teeny tiny closet back there….

closet of shame before

 

Even Catcher couldn’t stand to look at it.  Here’s the dirty secret that was lurking inside… mustard yellow, paint splatter stains on the wall (from me and my paintbrushes!), an old particle board shelf covered with bamboo paper…. YUCK.

IMG_2567

I thought this closet would be the perfect place to add a more dramatic color and I chose Artistic Blue from Clark&Kensington to add a punch.

PaintChips_650x650_0020_Artistic Blue

This color has that moody ocean vibe that i knew would work perfectly with the colors in our kitchen and dining room (which the kitchen opens to).

I knew that I needed to reorganize this closet a bit as well, but the first steps were stripping it down.  I removed everything, the wood boards, hooks, everything!  I started to prepare the closet for paint by filling all of the nail holes with Ace’s own spackling compound.

IMG_2595

Once the spackle dried, I sanded the walls lightly, smoothed out as much as I could.  In all honestly, I could have taken the orbital sander to it for very smooth walls, but this is a kitchen closet, and frankly, I don’t need perfectly smooth walls in there.

I then was able to directly apply Clark+Kensington Artistic Blue as it is a paint+primer in one – no primer needed!  I gave it two coats, and that was all it needed which was impressive for a dark color going over a light color.

While the paint dried, I devised a plan.  This is a very narrow closet, and really needed to have two shelves (otherwise we just make a mess of stacking things on the one shelf….. trust me).  Because of the height of the door frame, I couldn’t fit two shelves reasonable at the top of the closet.  I decided to add one on the bottom and sit the trash can and recycling bin on top of that, and then add a top shelf slightly higher than the pre-existing one.

I followed the same design of building the shelves that the previous owner had used.  My local Ace hardware is attached to a planing mill and I was able to get some 1×4’s there that I knew would be perfect. I measured the back wall of the closet (24″) and cut two pieces to 24″.  I also measured the depth (22″), subtracted one inch for the board that would be sitting on the back wall, and cut 4 more pieces (2 per shelf) in 21″ lengths.  I drilled lead holes in those as well.

IMG_2584

I knew that the studs were all located in the corners so I made my lead holes as close to the edge as possible.

Next, I started with the back boards, using a level to line my boards up, and then using wood screws to secure them in place.  I repeated the same with the side boards.  (Sorry for the photo quality here!  I snapped this with my phone as I worked on a rockin’ Saturday night).

IMG_2586

Once the boards were all installed, I painted them Artistic Blue as well, applying two coats.

While the paint was drying, I gathered some pine boards I had cut to the size I needed, 24 x 22 for the bottom shelf and 24 x 16 for the top shelf.  I wanted the top shelf shallower because I wanted room to reach in front of it.  I used Minwax Gel Stain in aged oak, applying with a rag with the grain of the wood, to give these pieces a rustic tone.

IMG_2587

This stain went on beautifully, and I didn’t pre-condition my wood.  Once it dried, I applied a coat of minwax polycrylic to seal and protect.

Once they were dry, I was able to rest them on the brackets I had made with the boards.

I added a couple other touches I will share as I show you the pictures of where this closet ended up!

Are you ready to see it?  Here you get a sense of just how skinny this little space is!

closet done

 

I absolutely love how it turned out.  It’s much more useful now, and the color makes me happy!  It now fits in with the rest of our home!

I added brass hooks from Ace to the back board and we were able to hang our broom, mops, and dustpan.  So much better than the old half broken organizer we had in place!  These hooks are technically garment hooks, but they are so pretty, and deep enough to suit our needs here.

closet hooks

 

 

 

You can also see here how the newly stained shelf sits perfectly on the wood brackets I created with the 1x4s.  And check out the gorgeous tone of the wood now! I love it!  It fits perfectly with our rustic wood touches in our kitchen on our counters and island.

closet brackets

Another welcome addition was a new light.  This closet had absolutely no light and faces the back of the house (light enters through the front), so it was always very dark in here.  Ace carries these easy to install LED closet lights.  I screwed mine in place on my support board.  (And as you can see, this is where I hang my paint brushes once they’ve been washed).  I chose to hang the light here as opposed to on the ceiling so that the kids could easily reach it as well.

closet LED light

 

It makes such a difference!

closet LED light on

Moving down the closet, I decided to get a little crafty and created some vinyl arrows and lettering for our trash and recycling bins.  Guests are always asking which is trash and which is recycling, but no more!  Easy to read labels!  I simply used a stencil and hand cut the letters.  The arrows I free handed.  Who needs perfection?  And right below them underneath the shelf they now sit on, we  have the perfect little space to store trash bags.

closet bins2

Because of the change with shelves, I was now able to place my basket of cleaning supplies in this closet, which frees up space in our guest bath closet!  I feel another closet makeover coming on….

And I am not even kidding when I say that opening this little closet to throw something away now makes me so happy- no more cringing in shame for me!How to make the most out of a tiny kitchen closet

Thanks so much to Ace for providing me with everything I needed to make this closet shine!  Be sure to check out their 31 Days of Color, which launched this month on ThePaintStudio.com! Every day in March, Ace will reveal a new Color of the Day at 12pm EST (Clark+Kensington Artistic Blue, which I used for this project, is today’s color of the day!) Plus, you can enter to win the 31 Days of Color Sweepstakes daily for a chance at a $10,000 makeover or $50 gift cards, and Ace is giving away free samples of the Color of the Day each day to the first 1,000 entrants on ThePaintStudio.com. Check it out! 

I am a member of the Ace Bloggers Panel and Ace Hardware has provided with the products used within this project. I was also compensated for my time and this blog post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware

 

Related

Pin2
Share1
Tweet
3 Shares

Filed Under: Kitchen, making our home, My House, Organization

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« Sweet Clover March Sale This Weekend
Friday Happenings (& Southern Hospitality!!!!) »

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    March 19, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    I love it Cassie! That blue is so gorgeous and the storage solutions you came up with are great! I’m going to have to check out that LED light because I definitely have some dark closets that could use some more light!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      thank you so much! the light is awesome- especially for unwired closets!

      Reply
  2. megan says

    March 19, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    It turned out great. I love the color. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    March 19, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    It’s such a big change for such a small closet. Turned out so good. And I need to do something similar with our tiny pantry which is even smaller than this.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      thank you so much! the biggest change was adding that shelf at the bottom- it’s made a big difference.

      Reply
  4. Shavonda says

    March 19, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    So so smart Cassie and that blue is gorgeous!! Love it. Our pantry is laughable at best right now so I totally get the before.:)

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      oh yeah, well our pantry is awful and it has ductwork in it we need to work around… ugh!

      Reply
  5. Gretchen says

    March 19, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    ooh, a broom closet! I want one of those! And I want it to be beautiful and blue just like yours 🙂 Great job making the most of the space!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      thank you, gretchen! you and i love our dark blues, don’t we!

      Reply
  6. Rachel says

    March 19, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Amazing!! Awesome color and great ideas for utilizing storage and paint brushes! Great job

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 19, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  7. Corinna - For My Love Of says

    March 19, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    I really love it! It may be small, but how handy! It makes for a great trash and broom closet especially with all the added storage. That color is SO pretty for it, too!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      thank you so much, corinna!

      Reply
  8. turena says

    March 19, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    Very nice!!!!come fix mine now. ;/

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      ha! ok! 😉

      Reply
  9. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    March 20, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I have a a laundry room of shame where our trash can lives and I’m always so embarrassed when guests go in there. Luckily a makeover is happening in a week. I can’t wait to have my mops and dust pans hanging in a closet like yours! The color is great and I love that the shelves are stained.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:03 pm

      thank you so much! your home is stunning- i am sure your shame is much better than my shame.

      Reply
  10. Suzanne says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:34 am

    Hey Cassie – fyi your link didn’t work when I clicked on the title of your post via your email. It worked when I clicked the bottom of the post link. Your closet looks fabulous and so does Catcher. Some mad carpentry skills! Have a great snowy first day of spring!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:02 pm

      hmmm i have no idea- i think i was having feedburner issues so maybe that’s why? and thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Kristin @ Bliss at Home says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:52 am

    haha! closet of shame. reminds me of the cone of shame 😉 paint can work miracles 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      it totally was the closet of shame…. when friends wanted to throw something away, it was like “hi, i will take your snotty tissue and toss it!” just so they didn’t see.

      Reply
  12. Rachel says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:52 am

    LOVE it! Such a stylish little space!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      thank you, rachel!

      Reply
  13. Sue Hoke says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Cassie, so do u think you will ever use the C/K paints on furniture? if so will u just polyacrylic over the top for protection? I just went to Ace and got 4 sample cans of paint for $4. love that it has the primer right in it so as to save on # of coats. I just love to open up your emails each day… thanks for the inspiration!!!!!! Sue

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:01 pm

      hi sue! i am sure i would give it a try! i haven’t yet, but i don’t see why not, and yes, i would poly for protection. 🙂 and thank you for the lovely comment!

      Reply
  14. Gwen says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    It looks totally amazing! That color is fantastic and I love that you added a shelf at the bottom. Very creative! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      thank you so much! that shelf at the bottom is the best part!

      Reply
  15. [email protected] Chronicles of Home says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Oh wow, Cassie, what a difference! Even tiny closets should make you happy when you open them 🙂 Such a pretty blue!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      thank you so much! i agree!

      Reply
  16. Bethany @ Dwellings By DeVore says

    March 20, 2015 at 4:35 pm

    The blue is so pretty! I love it paired with the warm wood tone of the shelves!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      thank you so much, bethany! and happy birthday!

      Reply
  17. [email protected] Rustic Maple says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    That is a beautiful blue and a great makeover of your closet.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      thank you so much, elizabeth!

      Reply
  18. Krystine www.KrystinEdwards.com/blog says

    March 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    That color is so good and that organized closet makes me happy!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      thank you! they make me happy with they stay organized!

      Reply
  19. cassie {hi sugarplum} says

    March 22, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    I love the color, and those little brass hooks! It’s crazy how happy those little spots make us…and what takes us so long to get to them!?!?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:55 pm

      thank you so much, cassie! i have a few hidden corners like this in the house. ssshhhh.

      Reply
  20. Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession says

    March 23, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Wow what a difference paint and a couple accessories make to your closet! So much happier now!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 24, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      thank you so much! it was AWFUL before!

      Reply
  21. Jessica says

    March 24, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    What a great way to use a closet. I think it is so neat that you decided to place your trash in the closet…I need to remember that. Trash is such an eyesore. I am happy that you chose to stain the wood instead of paint it. the natural wood against compliments the wall color nicely. Good going!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:06 am

      thank you so much, jessica! it was such a pit before- i am so happy with it!

      Reply
  22. Amber @ Wills Casa says

    March 24, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    Seriously awesome! Great color and genius refresh for that space!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:07 am

      thank you! XOXO

      Reply
  23. Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    March 26, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    I love that color. So deep and rich!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 27, 2015 at 9:09 am

      thank you! me, too!

      Reply
  24. [email protected] says

    March 26, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Love that color in the closet. It’s amazing how much paint can transform a small space like this.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 27, 2015 at 9:08 am

      i agree! like the back of your bookcases!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2022 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework