Can you believe it?!? I’m not talking about kitchens! But I *am* talking about how to make something so-so in your home better without ripping things out and starting over (particularly helpful for renters like me who have no other options). I write this currently sitting on my bed, looking to my right onto the world’s most boring, mundane wall full of sliding closet doors. I mean, it’s the entire right wall of my bedroom. I can’t place furniture on it, I can’t hang art, I’m stuck in an all-white cheapo hollow sliding door design purgatory here.
And in case you can’t picture it, I came prepared:
While yes, I am grateful for a decent amount of closet space as compared to my old 1930s apartment, it pales in comparison to the charm of my previous room. Here, take a look, in case you forgot my Makeover Takeover reveal (how dare you):
I still have all the pieces pictured here, but now I have this closet wall to contend with. Frankly, I’ve ignored it wholeheartedly since we moved in seven months ago. I didn’t even let the thought of a “project” creep into my mind considering my entire first floor is one giant unchecked box on my house to-do list. But I’m nothing if not absolutely unreasonable with myself and suddenly, I find myself itching to do something about it.
That, and the same closet situation in my (also unfinished) daughter’s room:
Now, what I’m about to walk you through should hopefully serve two purposes:
#1: Inspire anyone reading who may have a similar boring-as-a-sack-of-flour closet door situation in their own homes.
and #2: Completely derail my hopes for a calm, renewing fall and winter season. (I’m kidding, nothing gets me more excited than a home project, but I’m afflicted with a condition called ICantSeemToFinishAnythingBeforeStartingTheNextThing-Itus. It’s quite serious and my doctor says there is no cure. Have you heard of this?
Regardless of the tragedy of #2, I must volunteer as tribute to help with #1. Let’s start in my daughter’s room.
3 Ideas For Leveling Up the Sad Closet Doors in My Toddler’s Nursery
First, for anyone sitting here, reading and wondering why I would even bother undertaking this task, know that it’s for a VERY good reason: because I want to. Particularly for my girl’s room, I’ve been meaning to do something about her plain walls. I’m not showing it here, but I hung a pair of curtains on her window that I sewed about 10 years ago with a gorgeous watercolor floral pattern. I swore if I ever had a daughter, they would go in her room, and so here we are. Lavender is one of the key colors in the fabric so I always knew if I went forward with intentionally decorating her space, it would be the hue I brought to the walls somehow. I thought of simply painting, but my sweet girl just loves pointing at all the things that excite her so much, including butterflies (and yes, the color purple, too).
So every option below includes a lavender butterfly print I stumbled upon from a brand called Love vs. Design.
Idea #1: Paint the Doors a Coordinating Color to Wallpaper
I like this mock-up more than I thought I would before doing it in Photoshop. The doors are still there, still plain, and still enormous, but the purple feels intentional and kind of a nice visual break from the busier wallpaper repeat. One problem remains, however: never being able to access all parts of the closet at once. The door on the left and right meet in the middle to cover the center door which is a little recessed. I can’t tell you how bothersome it can be when I’m sliding doors side to side to side to grab a pair of leggings….sliiiddee….get a shirt…oh wait, it’s chilly…sliiiddeee….pick a sweater….sliiiddeee…pull some socks out of the little dresser I have inside. Will I survive if the doors survive? 100%. Will I dread putting away Evelyn’s laundry every week more so than I would under normal circumstances? Also 100%.
Idea #2: Swap Doors for Curtains to Match Wallpaper
While I do think this looks soft and welcoming and lovely (you know…if you can get past my C- Photoshop skills), remember that there is already a pair of drapes in this room, directly across from these. I think it just might be too much fabric everywhere. Not to mention, have you ever met a 1.5-year-old? Hanging fabric to a toddler is like a freshly delivered box of pizza to me: absolutely irresistible. Not to also mention having to break the news to my husband that I have yet another thing to store in the garage that already doesn’t fit either of our cars…
BUT, if I did go this route against all odds, I could buy some simple white cotton IKEA drapes and stain them in this pretty purple shade from Rit.
Idea #3: Just Put Wallpaper on *EVERYTHING*
Being that the wallpaper I’m considering is peel-and-stick, I wanted to see what it might be like if I just…stuck it everywhere, including the doors. I do very much worry about what the doors would look like after removing it since they’re flimsy and seem kind of papery, tbh. I suspect I’ll have a bit of a mess on my hands, but let’s just take a look, shall we?
Here’s a little inspiration from an Architectural Digest home tour. It’s hard to go wrong with any application of a de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper, surely. See how lovely?
I’m afraid the effect wasn’t as, uh, successful when I mocked it up. It’s a bit of an assault on the eyeballs, but I also don’t want to discredit the shortcomings of this being a flat, digital representation with no shading, shadows, or IRL anything. It feels kind of wild here, but I’ve seen it done successfully elsewhere and I’m certain this would look much better off a screen and in a real room. Regardless, it’s not the solution I think works best for the space.
If I’m picking right here and now, I’d go with option #1, since I don’t have to worry about storing the doors or ruining them with wallpaper. Painting back to white would be a very straightforward task upon moving out. I’m even contemplating hanging some lightweight art on them with command strip velcro to give them more of a wall treatment but I haven’t decided if that’s the rantings of an exhausted, braindead toddler mom or a genius idea. Thoughts?
Alright, let’s move on to my bedroom, where I cooked up far more choices to talk through.
Have another quick look at where we’re starting:
If these were bi-fold doors, my options would be considerably more interesting, but instead, I’m working with large 36×80 sliding doors. If anything, these are actually worse than my daughter’s because I can’t ever fully access the center of my closet. There is always a door in the way so I have perpetual dead zones to deal with. Total bummer.
A few scrolls through Pinterest while searching for ideas to better my doors had me ready to roll up to Home Depot and just buy new doors. Maybe I could swap them out to open myself up to a whole new world. Of course, I didn’t think through it fully before getting overly excited that I wouldn’t know how to handle the actual track system that’s already in place or the headrail I’m not going to bother removing. Also, did you know how expensive even the cheapest bi-fold doors are!?!? At best, they’re each around $150 (so $600 total here), at worst, they’re several hundred dollars each. That’s a no-go, because while yes, I have 19 months of sleep deprivation debt in my tank, I’m not that deranged.
But should you have bi-fold doors, here are some of my favorite ideas for making them better:
I adore the gathered fabric in that photo above (did you also spot the mulberry-hued printed lampshade?). If you were skilled enough, you could just cut out the top portion of your door and add your textile of choice to a top and bottom dowel which you can affix to the door with a small pipe bracket.
Caning was by far the most common DIY for bi-fold closet doors. I do love the look, and if you want to know how to achieve it, Pinterest has more tutorials than my face has visible pores.
At first, I thought this was also caning but a bit of zoom tells me it’s actually a reeded panel. Cute.
This last one isn’t a bi-fold door, but rather more so what I have in my house. These are actually custom from a seller on Etsy but they do give me an idea for a possibly reversible DIY (keep reading).
Idea #1: Just Paint Everything
Look, I realize this doesn’t look very good. I’m actually laughing as I stare at this concept. This is English Scone by Dunn-Edwards which is the color that was in my previous bedroom. I loved it against the mustard velvet bed and the rich walnut wood tones in my storage pieces. Anyway, let’s move on…
Idea #2: Use Curtains To Replace Just The Doors
I don’t hate it. In fact, I kind of like it. It *is* a lot of fabric, but the room is large so it wouldn’t be fabric overload in addition to my actual window covering. The ticked brick red color of these IKEA curtains would be great against the fleshy pinky peach and give enough contrast that it feels tonal but interesting.
Idea #3: Use Curtains To Cover *Everything* Up
I love the look of a full floor-to-ceiling drapery on a ceiling track lately. It’s less “ballroom-turned-conference-room at the local Marriott” and more boutique hotel with the right vibe. I think my furniture can support the aesthetic, however…not on this wall (it’s something I’m considering for the wall behind my bed with a VERY uncentered window…more on that in another post). See what I mean:
When there’s nothing against a full wall of drapery, it just looks like you’re trying to hide something, which is exactly what I’m doing. NEXT!
Idea #4: DIY Some Character Onto The Doors
The above pin sparked an idea for me: what if I use command strips or the like to affix some “molding” to them and at least make them more interesting to look at? I could buy some very thin sheeting, cut out some simple shapes like below, and then attach it to the door. I can’t do much about the existing handles, but that’s alright.
What I can’t help but ask myself is…am I actually going to do this? Or am I going to mentally commit to it, and then let the idea haunt me for months on end and make me feel like a failure for not making the time to do it? Possibly, unless a certain handy friend of mine ::cough Jess cough:: helps me tackle it.
Idea #5: Add Curtains & Wallpaper
Allow me to riff off my just-curtains concept to see how this Backdrop wallpaper I’m obsessed with looks. You know what this is? It’s like going to the mall (what’s that?!?), trying on a very expensive dress you know you can’t afford to torture yourself, and then talking yourself into buying it. I say that because I have NO intention of wallpapering my bedroom. I barely have intention of painting it, but that’s far more reasonable for me to undertake. But seeing this is like me calculating the cost per wear of something I promise myself I’ll never take off to justify the cost. But doesn’t it look great?!?
Idea #5: Wallpaper & Cool Doors Combo
And now we enter the part of this story where Arlyn lies to herself about who she is and how much time she has to do anything in her house. Wallpaper AND DIY my doors? SURE WHY THE HELL NOT. But admittedly, it looks so tidy and sharp…uh oh…
Idea #6: Try Another DIY That’s Probably Even More Complicated Than The First
What’s that saying? When in Rome? (Or rather, when in DIY dreamland?). Cyn from DIY account Hot Pink Pineapples transformed her boring sliding closet doors in her previous rental with some raffia webbing, paint and thin sheeting cut with a jigsaw. Honestly, she made it look easy. While I do like it, does it feel too “now” with the pill shape cutouts? I think it could be fun, but maybe not in the English Scone I mocked up here:
I like it better if the whole wall is painted the same color as the doors, but again, will I ever really do this? (I hope someone reading does though…send me pics!).
That was A LOT to take in and you probably forgot what the other ideas looked like already, so let’s have a gander at them all side-by-side:
Looking at everything together, the top contenders are fairly obvious to me: #2, #4, #5 and #6. Option #4 would require no painting of me, but I do very much miss that warm, glowy color on my walls. Shall I share Charles’ phone number so my EHD cheerleaders can convince him it’s the right move, too? The wallpaper is hugely tempting, but it’s a big room and that’s a lot of paper…It’s also not peel and stick, so I’d have to hope my liquid fabric starch method I’m trying in my powder bathroom works down there and up here, too.
Honestly, I don’t have a solid answer or path for myself even after walking through all of that. Desire is one thing, but the realities of doing the work are another.
Help me decide, and if you have any other suggestions for my room and Evelyn’s, please drop them in the comments.
Your (indecisive and a little bit lazy) friend in design, Arlyn
What if you just wallpapered the wardrobe doors in a stick and peel paper and make a feature out of them, leaving the walls plain (or a painted colour that complements them)? There are lots of mural versions on Etsy that would give the De Gournayish effect at a reasonable price and it seems like the easiest option.
I like this idea, a LOT!👍
for you.. #5 and 8
Arlen, I enjoy your posts so much. I love your creativity, your realistic budgets, your design-savvy. And my vote is Option 8.
I vote option 2 or 5. I love the wallpaper but get it doesn’t make the most sense for a rental if you don’t plan on being there for the long haul. My thought is if you’re going to put in the effort to make the closet more visually appealing, then it should be more functional as well. Replacing with curtains lets you actually use the whole closet which would be a huge plus in my book.
Loved this post! I vote option two! Looks good and doable and I love the improved functionality that comes with curtains and being able to access more of the closet. I just was in a rental with similar closets and all that sliding is so annoying. I ended up removing the doors and just leaving them open because I was too lazy to do anything else. Ha!
Arlyn, your posts have quickly become my favorites here! I love your ideas, your realistic budget and time constraints. I have twin 20 month old boys and can relate so much!!
This might sound silly, but what about hand painting faux paneling on instead of DIY? Plenty of tutorials out there and you could go either fanciful or realistic. Super affordable and easy to paint back!
HI Allana , I agree with this one. I painted faux molding on the sliding hollow core doors in my bedroom (they were an orange-ish stain, so I painted them with white cabinet paint, then did lots of taping to add boxes with two shades of gray to create the look of molding). Then, for a bathroom, bedroom and linen closet door (also painted because they were stained hollow core doors), I glued, then caulked and painted thin molding in two box shapes. It’s been a few years, and I still love how it turned out. Looks elevated and subtle and fits our 1930s house. Lot sof great tutorials out there, and if I can do it, anyone can!
Hooray, this was my solution, too! I did tromp l’oeil faux paneling in my powder room, with a very hand-painted wobbly aesthetic, because I thought it looked cute but also because it was fast and required no taping. I, too, have little kids and no time. Taping takes TIME. So I went for theatrical and a little playful, and I get compliments on it ALL the time! There are fun examples on Pinterest, but basically just pick a few tones of accent paint and let loose. My only tip is to use wall paint and an angled brush you would use for painting walls; I tried an art brush, but it came out streaky.
I’d probably approach this in phases…Option 1 to start (easy, cheap and probably much cuter when you get the whole room styled out), then Option 8 when I’m ready for another fun project.
Also! I’ve had AWESOME results with wallpaper (or fabric) + fabric starch! I love that technique.
The “curse” of the creative mind, so many ideas! For your time, budget, and sanity, I think I’d go with Option 1, just painting. Add interesting little pieces of art with bold frames on the middle wall strip, maybe put a statement vintage (fringed lampshade?) lamp on the nearby nightstand to grab the eye so the closet wall doesn’t get so much attention. Whatever you choose, will be amazing! Budget your energy–those darling little toddlers are always on the move!!!
I am feeling very strongly drawn to the most doable and useful options for you at your stage in life.
I think for your daughter, wallpaper the walls and paint the doors. Done!
For you, I’m strongly in favor of the tonal soft look of Option 2 and the ease of no doors. Yes it’s a storage issue. But if you already don’t use your garage for your car, what’s the big deal? I have similar sliding doors and I’ve been contemplating a curtain as well.
I agree with this! Although I vote for Option 3 🙂
I vote for nursery painted doors with wallpaper room or mural doors with painted room. And option 2 for the win!! Looks great, super easy, more functional, goes with paint color.
I love these options! Can’t wait to see what you decide!
Option 5, for sure. Making the doors prettier is not going to let you access the center of your closet. Just be rid of them and get a good track system for the curtains so they don’t fall down (no wiggly tension rods).
True, true!
Sometimes trying to hide the doors makes them stand out more. I have a 1960s custom, blonde wood wardrobe along a whole wall of my bedroom. It’s hugely functional, but at odds with the 100 yr old features of the rest of the house. (The rest of the built in makeup corner and bedhead went with the restoration-they were odd and took over the room!) Instead of painting it or rendering it in some way, I kept it simple (KISS), and switched the hideous 1960s knobs to sleek, brushed stainless curved ‘U’ handles. 💡I recommend changing your handles/finger holes to something similar!!! Opening/sliding those doors will be SO much easier!!! Plus, it’ll take the 1980s edge of the closet doors. I wouldn’t paint it all the same colour…looks overtly like you’re attempting to hide them. I love the panelling idea, but think it’s highly impractical…and doubt it will be as doable as it seems. For Evelyn’s room, I adore the wallpaper, but encourage you to choose a close match peel n stick while you’re a renter – not worth the hassle of glued paper! Nooooo waaaaaay would I have piles of curtains to collect dust and have become fort material.… Read more »
The wallpaper for Evelyn is peel and stick! I could never dare to do a traditional glue wallpaper in a rental. 🙂
Having bought a house two years ago where ALL the closet doors (12) and some other doors (3) had been removed, I can say it was a very expensive nightmare to purchase fit. add hardware and replace those doors. The doors may not be ideal, but they are better than you (and your guests) looking at all your closet contents. In two rooms where we had with the three doors just like yours, we added a small drywall return on one end so we could use 2 larger doors in lieu of the three doors. I find that if I put summer items on one side of the closet and winter on the other side that I don’t really need access to both sides at once. I keep some basics in the center and can easily grab those from either side. And I put things like a basket with swimsuits or gloves in the hard to reach areas and switch them around for the season. In you child’s room, I would consider maybe one door each a different color, a giant tic tac toe board with magnetic paint and large flat diy butterfly magnets, chalkboard paint that could be decorated… Read more »
Your posts are fabulous, you come up with such interesting options. Here’s what I’m thinking for the closet doors –
for your daughter’s room, paint the closet doors a lavender-gray so it looks like a deeper tone of the carpet. Or just wallpaper the doors only with peel and stick. I would never wallpaper the walls of a rental.
For your own room, I like the idea of adding wood to give them more character, but I would probably pick a paint color you love, paint them and call it done.
“Call it done” is very very tempting.
Another way to execute #1 is to “paint” the closets using peel and stick wallpaper in a SOLID color (like lavender).
Ohh…interesting.
I meant #1 as is painting closets + patterned walls.
Glad to know I’m not the only one who hates the sliding closet doors in my rental unit. They’re constantly coming off the tracks and preventing full access to storage. It really is shocking how much it costs to knock out the track unit and install doors (whether bi-fold or french). I’m contemplating asking the landlord to split the cost at this point, because nothing is worse than being held back from *potentially easy, breezy* storage. It’s dangling right in front of me.
The curtains across a wide closet worked very nicely for me in my last home, and I liked the look & function. Consider what kind of rings or track you want to use if metallic, clattery curtain rod noise in the mornings will be a problem for you or your husband!
Oh good point!
For a rental, I like the easiest options the most. Number 2 for your room and number 1 for your daughter’s. Although, maybe you can remove just one of the doors on her closet? I’m not sure which one, but it might help with the insanity of the back and forth. My daughter’s closet had bifold doors that drove me nuts so I just took them off and never looked back. Also, I looooove the lavender paint and wallpaper you picked for her room. So pretty!
What about #4 but with the walls painted?
4, 6, 7 or 8! I don’t think the curtains would be pleasant to deal with on a daily basis.
Struggling with the same problem but my sliding closet doors are mirrored (quelle horreur!). Any tips/advice here??? Can’t paint it so even less options are possible. Please do another post on this!!!!!
Fariha Nasir used peel and stick wallpaper on a room remodel with mirrored doors. She has some reels about it on her instagram https://www.instagram.com/pennies_for_a_fortune/.
I guess I’m in opposition of the masses. I really like those closet doors, even the round handles, but I do understand that functionality is important too. I like the look of painting the doors the same as the wall color. I think this helps blend them into the room. But if you’re looking more for functionality and ability to access the entire closet at once, I’d go with curtains. I love the simplicity of a flat panel and 100% wish these were my closet doors instead of the ugly full mirrored doors my home’s previous owner installed in the 80s. 🙂
I’ve had those same mirrored closet doors myself and yeah…I much prefer this as well.
I love your writing style and how relatable your posts are!
I think you have lots of good choices, but I would nix #4 and #6 – the trim detail screams “pseudo-carriage-house-garage-door” to me.
Yes I came here to say the same thing! Trim detail could be great but that particular configuration looks like many garage doors in my neighborhood.
HAHAHA well…now it’s all I see.
I had curtains instead of closet doors for about a year, and arranging them nicely was really fussy and annoying. My partner did NOT care if they looked neat, so I found myself fixing them many times each day. I am 100% team doors. We eventually installed updated mirrored sliding doors in all three bedrooms in our house, and I like how much light they add to the rooms- all our bedrooms are north and east-facing. I know you aren’t particularly pro-sliding doors from your previous post, but by designing the interior closet system with the door layout in mind, I don’t find it to be bothersome at all.
Oh gosh you’re so right. I wonder if pinch pleating them on a track might keep them neater? And weights at the bottom so they sit where they need to naturally?? My husband regularly leaves his closet door half open, so who knows what it would look like with curtains.
Dear Arlyn, First: you are not lazy. You have a toddler, and as you say, are into 19 months of sleep deprivation. If everyone in the family is flourishing and healthy then you have done your essential work for the day.
That being said, when I went through the options, I truly like #1 (especially with lavender doors and wallpaper) and option #4.
Making curtains is never trivial, in terms of time and expense. And curtains at closet height might bother you, in the long run.
I feel your pain – I have a similar problem in my apartment.
Thank you for this. Good thing to remember, for sure.
Different option: it sounds like you’re dreading painting. so why not make a fabric curtain a feature, rather than a soft accent? I did a similar thing when I rented a place with nine feet of mirrored closet doors (OH MY GOD). I stored the doors under my (Just pick up the mattress and the slats!) and put up this Marimekko fabric https://www.marimekko.com/us_en/maripedia/patterns/lumimarja
Not a bad idea, either! I more dread the conversation to convince my husband we should spend the time and money on the painting. Gotta time my hair brained schemes appropriately haha
Closet doors often fit under beds, too, in case you hadn’t considered storing them there! We had a variety of closets in our last rental with massive swinging doors that took up all the room in the rooms. We pulled them off and just left them under the bed until we moved out!
our bed is very low slung but our mattress just sits on slats so maybe they can just go under there!
how about for your room you do number 4 with the paneling but also paint both walls and doors? i think that could look really neat 🙂 but i also like number 2 and it would be the easiest to redo probably buuuut storing in the interim will probably be not fun….
I did consider that! I had a mock up of it but it didn’t make the cut.
I have #4, sometimes painted and sometimes not (depending on whether we had painted the trim in the room or not), in most of the bedrooms besides the primary bedroom in my gut-remodel home where we could have easily gone with bifolds, but not enough room for a full swing door. We use the closets mainly as non-clothes storage though so only being able to open half the closet at a time has never bothered me (and I love the 0% of floor space needed to accommodate the closet door opening). Our sliding doors are a 3-panel shaker that matches all of our interior doors.
Option 8! No curtains – I think that’s worse than the doors.
Haha this made me laugh (not in a bad way, just in a matter of fact way).
So I have a very similar closet situation, but in my home that I own. So instead of coming up with a renter friendly option, I am looking for the very best way, both aesthetically and functionally, to improve a 10ft long reach-in closet that only has a few feet between the closet and the bed. Very specific, but I am having a hard time making a decision!
Could you turn the whole thing into a built-in closet with more of a cabinetry-look approach?
We took the doors off and added curtains to our rental closet and it was ace. We also had a 2 year old and I didn’t regret it because I could get inside the storage area and that was worth the man marking! Make your life easier for the short term on this one.
That’s definitely the way I’m leaning for sure.
Goodness, your posts lately have been just outstanding! You are an incredibly talented and creative designer. I love your problem solving skills and ability to see possibilities, even in ugly cabinets or closet doors. Options 4, 6 and 8 are all really great.
Thanks Steph! That made my day. 🙂
If you have folding doors, consider adding some of the beautiful felt panels or tiles available, particular ones from an acoustic company like FilzFelt if you want to dampen sound. Harder to do with sliding doors because of he depth of the felt panels.
I don’t think these closet doors are atrocious and, as a renter, would probably just live with them.
As an owner, a kid closet of that size can present some fun options for removing doors and turning part of the space into a reading nook or play space. As a renter, I’d be more inclined to either paint a fun design on the doors or use peel-and-stick decals of flowers, butterflies, rainbows, unicorns or whatever engages your little one.
For your room, again, I’d most likely leave it, as I did when I lived in a similar rental. But if you really want to use that wall to add some interest to the space, I’d go with 7 or 8 but in different colors as the raffia + pinkish paint is a little too pink + orange for me. I’d love it with a white cutout or, if the pink is already lined up, I’d use a wallpaper instead of the raffia or stain the raffia to match any darker furniture pieces you’re using in the room. I just like the curves of that design better for a bedroom than the sharper lines of the moldings.
I agree with Erin. If there ever was a perfect application for peel ‘n stick wallpaper, this is it. Even peel ‘n stick decals would work. Something fun for the nursery and more sophisticated for your bedroom.
https://www.thewallstickercompany.com.au/c/nursery-wall-stickers/
If you want to improve the functionality, then just taking off the doors is the way to go, with or without a curtain that you can close IF and WHEN you want to.
And on a more personal note, I found that if you just do a little something to scratch your nesting itch, but not so much that you burn yourself out, you’ll have more time and energy to appreciate this wondrous phase of parenting.
I upholstered the bifold Closet doors in my daughter’s room. I did it just like a chair cushion (batting, fabric pulled taut, upholstery tacks in the corners). I was going to turn them into moving ribbon boards but they looked so great in the fabric I left them as is.
Option 2, much prettier and practical than the doors.
love the look of the craftsman style doors — but be careful about changing the weight of the doors too much so that they don’t stay on the ceiling track or become too unwieldy to use easily!
I really dislike cheap sliding doors and am in process of getting rid of them in my 70’s raised ranch. They’re charmless and very hard to use. While I’m waiting for my DIY husband to install some new bifold louvered doors, I put up gauzy semi sheer curtains on a quality tension rod. I don’t care for the heavy look of the drapes and as an allergy sufferer when I look at the them all I can think of is the dust that they will collect. Just looking at them makes me want to sneeze. The curtains are fresh and airy and can be washed every few months.
I am team door, 100%. I have the exact same door set up and as a New Yorker am grateful to have a place to keep things tucked away. I actually begged to have the second set of doors installed so I really appreciate them being there! I love the top commenter’s suggestion to make the doors a feature with peel and stick paper or a mural. Of all of the options you showed for your room, I like #6 the best, despite the garage door reference (with peel and stick paper or paint on the walls). I have to say I am amazed at how many people have attempted DIY tromp d’oeil, incroyable!
I probably like 2 and 5 the best, but I think most of them are great options. Most importantly, you’re not lazy. Your the parent of a toddler, and it’s hard yo find the kind of DYI time you’d need for these projects.
I love this idea. I struggle w boring closets, and when that’s the view from your bed, what’s the point of making the rest of the bedroom great if what *you* see from your ‘from the bed view’ is crappy rental?
— But, what if you take #6 and change it a bit so you’re making wallpaper PANELS! On foam boards, hung by command strips or whatever. That may not work if they slide though.
Or you can do that w fabric, too. Otherwise I love the curtain idea. I can’t remove doors as we have no storage or I would totally do that,too.
I wish my rental would let me paint. I’d be fine decorating! Ha! (Ok that’s a big lie!)
Brilliant post, thank you, seriously we love seeing all the thoughts behind design decisions.
Beyond love the bedroom you did before, that is a classic, glad you shared it again, truly nothing I would change in it, it all comes together. You will do the same with these bedrooms in balance with the energy you can give them.
Have you considered removing the doors in your daughter’s room? We moved into our house right before our daughter was born and her room had bi-fold closet doors that seemed like a finger-pinching nightmare. We removed them, along with the track, painted the interior a slightly darker yellow than the walls (I wish I’d gone bolder), and had a buddy install some shelves along the side and above the rail. Then I bought some nice baskets and made the whole thing part of the room and have loved it ever since. Now that she’s 14, I think it’s time for a closet re-do. But it’s worked really well until recently…Good luck with your projects!