I have a love/hate relationship with organization. I hate the process of getting there, but I love the challenge of finding solutions to problems.
After seeing that Taylor’s Vintage Industrial Bedroom Reveal made it into my top posts of 2012, I realized that I never went into detail on how I organized Taylor’s closet-in-a-office (aka. The Cloffice).
To bring you back to how it all began, here is the closet before it’s vintage industrial makeover.
It’s been almost five months since I surprised Taylor with his redecorated bedroom and I have to commend him on keeping it neat.
Let me clarify that…neat for a teenage boy. Oh wait, I need to re-clarify that since he just turned 18…neat for a young adult male. I occasionally have to leave him a reminder note that his laundry basket is not a moving target and that any clothing left on the floor will not make it to the laundry room.
I hope that by organizing his room, I can instill in him some skills that he can use once he’s on his own at college next year. (insert a sniff and a tear here)
When organizing a space, I keep these three things in mind:
Contain It, Label It, and Reduce Visual Clutter
Since Taylor’s room is only 10′ x 10′, there is very little room for a dresser, much less a desk. The solution was to use the square footage from his closet to make an area for him to do his homework, watch TV, and play his X-Box.
There is also storage for his everyday clothes, books, out-of-season clothes, and two large boxes a little extra room for things that I need to store for myself.
So, without further ado, I will share how I organized this space by starting at the top of the closet and working my way down.
I had someone at our local home improvement store cut a 12″ wide shelf for me. To beef it up, I added a piece of 2.5″ wide molding.
These particular boxes are no longer available from Ikea, but the Kassett Boxes that sell for $9.99/2 pack are very similar.
Just like in my laundry room reveal,
if you are short on space, go vertical or go home.
I used business card holders to hold the printable number labels from Graphicsfairy.com.
Why, yes, there is a method to the madness. This card hangs inside the closet and has coordinating numbers so I can remember which box holds what.
These baskets are also from Ikea, but they no longer carry them.
I made the basket labels by using off white card stock, this awesome old typewriter font via Fuzzimo, and the same template I used for the Wisteria catalog inspired place cards found in >this link<.
I bought this vintage carpenter’s tool caddy 14 years ago.
It got sanded, whitewashed and re-purposed as a desk organizer.
An Ikea Mackis box (this is similar) sits inside the carpenter’s caddy. It has been distressed so it would look like it belonged to the vintage caddy.
I made his TV stand from a laminate shelf and screwed in doorstops as legs. It helps to free up space and hide the wires that run behind the TV.
Speaking of wires…they are my nemesis. Velcro ties and tags help keep me somewhat sane.
I made a kick pleat skirt to hide the visual clutter beneath the desk. The only part that is sewn, is the center stitch. I can sew a mean straight line. The pleat was made by folding and then stapling the fabric to the back of a board. The board was then nailed to the front of the desk top. The hem was done with fabric glue.
Underneath the skirt are these Antonius drawer units from Ikea. The galvanized bin from Lowes holds clothes that Taylor has outgrown and will be handing down to his two younger brothers. The wooden box stores school work.
Little metal rimmed tags label the drawers.
How do you feel about organization? Is it on your hate list or do you look forward to getting things in order?
Just in case you’re new here, you might want to see some other projects that I’ve done in this bedroom:
Vintage Industrial Boy’s Room Reveal
DIY Restoration Hardware Inspired Cage Pendant Light
How To Make Galvanized Metal Curtain Rods Made From Plumbing Parts
Design Board for a Vintage Industrial Boy’s Room
If you have any closet or office organization ideas, I’d love to hear them!
lynn says
If I hired someone to do the “boys closet office” about how much should I espect to pay? I am a single mum and always getting ripped off.
Just a ruff estimate.
thanks lynn
Tricia says
Hi Lynn, I’m thinking it should be roughly $500 to do something similar including the planks, countertop, and fabric.
maesaysdoit says
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Love what you did with the baskets for videos, books, etc. Looks good and can fit into “drawer-type” space. Thanks!
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Charlena says
This is awesome! What a great way to organize and simplify while remaining stylish.
Jan says
I love it! One question…what about hanging clothes, such as pressed shirts, pants etc. Where do they go?
Nancy Wiebel says
One of the best closet offices I’ve seen. You did a fantastic job!
Nancy
Tricia says
I’m flattered, Nancy! Thank you so much!
Debbie says
What did you use for the actual desktop?
Tricia says
Hi Debbie! The desktop is a 4×8′ sheet of melamine. I had it cut at the home improvement store. To cover the raw edge of the melamine, you can buy a roll of iron-on laminate. The desktop is supported with 2x4s horizontally run along the back wall and side walls of the closet. The drawers underneath also support some of the weight.
Gabby says
What an amazing space!! I love the wall
Margarete Aguiar says
Essa idéias são muito bacanas e criativas. Adorei as cortinas ” escondendo” ou diminuindo a poluição visual, conforme a necessidade do momento. Beijos
Katie says
I love the office sign and the wall! We recently moved my desk to a cupboard too and I love it.
Cristina@remodelandolacasa says
Wow, that’s organization at its best! I love how neat everything looks, the plank wall, the pendant light, everything! Stopping by from Monday Funday.
-Cristina
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Kristin says
hello!
love the site! where is the laundry basket from?
Tricia says
Thanks! I have the tutorial on how to make the laundry basket here:
https://www.simplicityinthesouth.com/2012/09/tutorial-how-to-decoupage-galvanized.html
All you need to buy is an oval galvanized bin from Tractor Supply or the home improvement store, burlap and mod podge. The writing was done with a stencil and permanent marker.
Anja says
So many great details! It seems to be easy to use and very easy to keep an overview over all his stuff. And those colors are always a winner! It sucks, though, that IKEA always discontinues the best things, right?
Tricia says
Isn’t that the truth? But most of the things I have bought have lasted!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
Just saw your project featured on DDD and had to stop over for a look. I seriously love everything about this closet makeover. I love the materials and products you used and the great use of space! It’s just perfect!
Allison
Susan says
Wow! I love your office area! The tool box is awesome and the rustic wood wall in the background is beautiful with all the added color in it! Thanks for sharing your ideas, the labels are also another great touch!
Susan
Candice says
Oh my word- I LoVE this room! I’m getting ready to work on my boys room and this is just the inspiration I need! Thank you for sharing! Here from tt&j
julie@renew-create-restore.blogspot.ca says
I just found you through on Happy Hour on Crafty Scrappy and I love your son’s bedroom! I have a 16 year old and he needs some organization in his life and this is so cool! I’m now following you.
Happy New Year,
Julie
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Jaime from crafty scrappy happy says
What a wonderful space! So pretty AND so organized! Thanks for sharing your great tips too! AND thanks for linking up at Happy Hour!!!
Jaime
Kristine @ Lovely Again by Kris says
So tidy and handsome and wonderful! I love it! The walls are fab and the idea with the TV shelf is so dang clever.
cate says
you have skills my friend!! it looks so orderly!!
Joy@aVintageGreen says
Happy sigh after reading your post. It is so very organized and so rational. Loved it.
Joy
Susan D says
I love the entire office/closet! The shelf with the doorstop legs for the tv is brilliant!
the cape on the corner says
holy smokes, tv stand from door stops=genius. the whole transformation for “young adult male”=fabulous. love it all!
Ruth says
Pure genius!!! I love your blog, and I LOVE this post! Greetings from Argentina!
Tricia says
Thanks! Glad you stopped by!
Michelle C says
The wood paneling walls in the closet are just gorgeous. I really love the way this turned out. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
I so wish I had an office closet…love every single detail!!!
Tricia says
Thanks, Jessica! This might end up being my craft closet and office once Taylor goes to college. I sooo need a sewing table and a place to store all of my craft supplies!