Welcome back to my closet renovation! Last week I shared that I will be participating in the One Room Challenge hosted by Calling it Home (once again!). The challenge is to completely redesign any space in your home in only 5 short weeks, and then to share the big reveal on week 6. As we know from our daughter’s Big Girl Bedroom and our Guest Bedroom transformations, it is definitely a challenge! We are only one week in, but I’m already feeling the pressure. Starting a Renovation Project is a lot of work!
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Week 1 / You’re here / Week 3 / Week 4 / Week 5 / Week 6
Last week I was SO excited to share our design plans for my dream closet (despite not having a ton of space available!). This week we started the project, and I didn’t realize just how much work it was going to be.
Step one – purge!!! I spent one night taking every. last. item. out of my closet and sorting them. Keep, give away, or throw away. At the end of the day I had two bins for of “keeps”, one garbage bag full of “throw aways”, and FOUR garbage bags of “give aways”. That’s FIVE bags total of clothes that I purged from from closet. Who out there is proud of me?! lol.
And then the fun part started: demo!
There are a few basic tools that you need to start a renovation – if you have these 6 basics in your tool bag, you can start getting dirty and find out what’s behind those walls!
6 Simple Tools for Starting a Renovation Project:
Hammer
Pry Bar
X-Acto Knife
Screwdriver
Drill
Drywall Saw
When you are starting renos, use a screwdriver to remove shelving, vents, outlets, etc and prep the space. It can be easier to get into corners than a drill. I prefer the handheld tools when working with electrical outlets.
The X-Acto knife can be used to help remove the trim from the wall. It helps if there is caulking or paint sticking the mouldings in place. Using the knife will help save the mouldings if you want to reuse them later.
Pry bars can then be used to remove all of the mouldings with the help of the hammer! Just hammer it in and pry it off.
When you’re ripping off drywall, use your hammer between the studs to rip out drywall in sections. You can use the drywall saw to make more exact cuts when needed. When the drywall is removed, use your drill to remove the screws that may be left in the studs from hanging the drywall.
If you are removing carpet, just rip it out, and use the pry bar again to pry up the carpet nail strips.
That’s really everything you need for starting a renovation project. The basics. A couple hours, and six tools later, you have a blank slate to work with!
We also spent some time this week removing the shower that was attached to our master bedroom closet. Last week I shared how we are planning to reframe the closet and make room for a larger shower. It will be a long time until our new shower starts to take shape but I’m already excited!
The last thing we did was shut off the water supply and change the pipes in preparation for moving the water lines (for the new shower). This week we are hoping to reframe the closet and move the water lines. There are also a couple of things that need to be moved because of the changed we are making. The entrance to our attic on the ceiling needs to be moved, as well as the air vents on the floor. Both sit above a below a new wardrobe that will be moving into the space… so I guess we just made more work for ourselves… lol. I keep telling myself it’ll be worth it!
Here’s how we are doing on our lengthy Master Bedroom Closet To-Do List:
Clean out closet (FULL purge!)Complete demo- Reframe closet (& shower!)
- Cut/build new door frame for barn door
- Move electrical, vents, and water
- Scrape popcorn ceiling
- Paint walls and ceiling
- Trim closet and doorways
- Install sliding barn door
- Stain sliding barn door
- Install new tile flooring
- Install Weathered Wood Ceiling Panels
- Install new wardrobe
- Buy a new rug
- Build DIY closet lighting
- DIY a closet mirror
- DIY Drawer Pulls
- Buy closet accessories
EEK! We have a LOT of work to do in a few short weeks! Wish us luck!
See more of my One Room Challenge Here:
Click HERE to see more great One Room Challenge Participants!
I totally didn’t know you were ripping out walls for this makeover! And you said you were taking it easy this round, LOL.
haha – it’s a small space! I am taking it easy, lol. Or at least I thought I was until I actually started the work!
Wow, this is quite a big job! It’s going to be SO worth it to have that bigger closet! So excited for you!
Thanks girl! I keep telling myself it’ll be worth it… lol.
Hello! I love your closet makeover, so amazing! Can I ask how much space you were working with? I’m looking to do something similar with my 12′ x 4′ (yup 4 feet!!) Master but not sure if the pax is a good fit. Our closets “before” look similar so I was just curious how big yours is. Thanks so much. Wonderful job!
I’m not sure what size it was, as we no longer live in this house, but we’re guessing the space was about 6ft. by 4ft? Your best bet is to use the planner on the IKEA website with your own measurements!
Lots to do but progress is progress!!
And progress ALWAYS feels great!
Oh boy, you’ve made a lot of progress! I just added some potential projects to my list, and it’s starting to make me panic! Good luck going forward! Can’t wait to see next week’s post!
haha, me too! I can’t wait to see how your closet turns out too!
I am so impressed with all these big projects, you and Amanda have your hands full. I am excited to see the closet come to life in the next few weeks!
Maria
Awww thanks! When demo is involved the project seems a LOT bigger, lol.
Wow that demo work looks intense! I have never done any demo before! Can’t wait to see where you are at next week!
Me neither! This is my first time – it’s pretty fun though :)
You guys are my reno heroes! I don’t think I’d know enough off the top of my head to do this properly. Following along for some inspo and knowledge!
Honestly – the reno knowledge is all my husband! This is really my first time ripping into a wall!
I know what you mean about there being so much to do still! You do have a long list but I’m sure you will cross the finish line just fine. Can’t wait to follow along your progress next week!
Awww, thanks Tee! Fingers crossed I really can get it done!
Way to go on the demolition, Lindi and the hardest part ever… purging! Yes, I’m very proud of you!! Can’t wait to see what you guys do this week!
Haha, thank you! I knew someone would be! lol.
Wow, you’ve got a lot more skills than me! I love your inspiration board and am jealous already of how great this is going to be!
Aww, thanks girl! It’s super exciting to see it all coming together!
You made a lot of progress! I bet sorting through the closet felt SO good. Can’t wait to see next week’s progress!
It did! Purging is SO satisfying! lol
So this is just a really simple makeover, right? Oh wait, you took out walls and flooring! haha I don’t want to know what hard looks like to you :P All that to say, this is incredible and you’re going to have the dreamiest space ever when this is all done!!!!!
hahaha. Ya….just wait until we get to a bathroom or a kitchen!
Got to love a blank slate! Can;t wait to see more!
Thanks Kyla! It’s been super fun to renovate so far!
This plan is amazing! I have a linen closet I would love to gut and redo to look amazing like this.
You totally should! I think it will be SO satisfying when it’s done!
Oh wow, your taking on a big project! Your to-do list is long but you can do it!
Thanks girl! I’m not really sure that I can do it! lol. But I’ll try!
You forgot one extra thing needed for a renovation—-A big dose of extra sanity. Because it never goes the way you want it, and always takes 2x longer than you think.
Kudos to you for giving this a go. Sandi—9months on the tail end of an all house redo. Sigh….
Haha, this is SO true! So many unexpected accidents! Wow – that’s a long reno! Good luck getting it all done!
Your closet is going to be awesome when you’re done! Can’t wait to see the finished project. Thanks for sharing your renovation with us at Merry Monday this week!
Thank you so much! I’m very excited to see it all come together!
I can’t believe how much you are undertaking in your room! At least you’ll have a blank slate to start with, and I know it will look awesome!
I just keep tell myself it will be worth the beautiful closet (and later besutiful bathroom!). haha
I am proud of you! It’s so great when a reno is an opportunity to purge some items. We all tend to have too much. I have been decluttering for a year and a half! Looking forward to seeing this project progress. Jo
It can be SO hard to purge sometimes. But 4 garbage bags?! I did good! lol.
Do you have the measurements for your closet?
Are you looking for the before or after measurements? I can send them to you in an e-mail :) The ikea cabinets are SO versatile, you can fit them into may closet designs. You can find my e-mail in the “About Me” section. Thanks for your comment!
Do you have the measurements for your closet? Finished.