Transform Your Closets: 7 DIY Makeovers and Our Go-To Systems

Few things are as frustrating as a dysfunctional closet. We’ve all experienced those poorly configured spaces that hinder effective storage, fundamentally defeating the purpose of a closet. The good news is that virtually any closet can become a hub of functional storage if you’re ready to embark on a DIY closet makeover using a smart closet system. We’ve successfully transformed seven closets, and we can assure you, it’s far easier than it sounds.

When people hear “closet organization system,” they often jump to the conclusion that it means spending thousands of dollars. However, a closet makeover doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive! There are many fantastic DIY closet systems available today that can transform your space from barely efficient to beautifully organized and incredibly easy to use. My preferred options are those that are simple to design, purchase, and install yourself, offering significant savings without compromising on style or functionality.

Over the years, we’ve tackled more than our fair share of closet makeovers. In this comprehensive guide, I’m excited to share all our past closet transformations and reveal the specific closet systems we’ve personally used and wholeheartedly loved. You’ll see how various systems can address different needs and budgets, helping you find the perfect solution for your own home organization challenges.

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Our Master Bedroom Closet With EasyClosets

In our previous home, our master bedroom featured a walk-in closet that, while appearing spacious in photos, was actually quite compact. Maximizing every single square inch was paramount. After extensive research and comparison, we decided to install an EasyClosets system. This choice allowed us to achieve the sophisticated look and feel of custom closets and built-ins, but without the steep cost typically associated with bespoke cabinetry. EasyClosets provides a seamless blend of elegance and practicality, making it an excellent choice for a primary suite.

The EasyClosets DIY closet system installation process proved to be much quicker and more straightforward than we anticipated. I was genuinely impressed by the meticulous detail in the EasyClosets instructions. The entire system is intelligently designed around a robust steel rail that you install at the precise desired height. Attaching this foundational rail was surprisingly easy. We meticulously followed the instructions, starting by locating and marking the wall studs in our closet to ensure a secure installation. A significant bonus was that the drawers arrived fully assembled, saving a considerable amount of time and effort.

In total, the EasyClosets installation took us approximately 6 to 7 hours. We were incredibly pleased with both the high quality and superior functionality of the system. We enjoyed its benefits for over four years before moving, and I can confidently give it my highest recommendation. However, it’s worth noting that the system is a significant investment. We found it justified for our master closet, as a well-appointed primary suite closet is often a key selling point for potential homebuyers, but its cost meant it wasn’t a feasible option for our children’s rooms or other secondary closets.

Our Linen Closet Makeover With Elfa

Our linen closet in the old home received a beautiful and incredibly functional makeover. To infuse personality and visual interest, I applied removable wallpaper to the back wall, adding a lovely pop of color and pattern. Beyond aesthetics, I incorporated several smart storage solutions, including large, organized bins specifically for our sheets and towels. For more in-depth advice on optimizing this space, be sure to check out my 7 simple tips for a functional linen closet.

However, without a doubt, the most impactful addition to that linen closet was this over-the-door Elfa storage system from The Container Store. It dramatically increased storage capacity for smaller, often-overlooked items such as sunscreen, extra toiletries, and batteries – things that simply didn’t make sense to store on the main shelves. This innovative solution instantly transformed a previously underutilized space into a highly efficient storage area, proving that every inch of your home can be put to good use.

We were so impressed with the efficiency and ease of the Elfa over-the-door storage in our linen closet that we decided to implement it elsewhere. We subsequently added over-the-door storage to our girls’ closet doors as well, providing them with dedicated spots for their accessories, hair bows, and other small treasures. The best part about the over-the-door Elfa storage is its remarkably simple installation process. You don’t need any specialized tools or complex hardware; it even comes with the necessary Allen wrench to securely tighten everything. It’s truly a 5-minute DIY installation, making it one of the quickest and most impactful organizational upgrades you can make in your home.

Our 5 Closet Makeovers Using IKEA Closet Systems

While we did utilize some IKEA Pax units to create closet-like storage in my old home office/craft room, we’ve never installed it in a traditional closet space. We found it reasonably effective for its purpose, but I wasn’t captivated enough to choose it again for other projects. My main reservations with the IKEA Pax wardrobe system were twofold: I felt its price point was higher than justified for the product, and its assembly proved quite challenging. Furthermore, we noticed that the shelves tended to warp fairly quickly under moderate weight, which was a significant disappointment. While many individuals absolutely adore the IKEA Pax system, I personally wasn’t impressed by its overall value and durability.

The IKEA closet system that has truly captured our hearts and has been used repeatedly across multiple projects is what is currently known as the Boaxel system. This system, previously known as Algot, has been our go-to for a total of five dedicated closet spaces, in addition to its invaluable use for craft room storage in my home office. Its appeal lies in its incredible affordability, remarkably easy installation process, and exceptional durability—it has held up beautifully for many years without showing significant wear. I would estimate that the Boaxel system is comparable in cost to the basic wire shelving systems commonly found at big-box hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. However, the Boaxel system offers a vastly superior aesthetic and user experience, providing a clean, modern look and robust functionality that far surpasses its competitors in the budget-friendly category.

Our Girls’ Closet Makeovers

We enthusiastically installed IKEA Boaxel closet systems, complete with integrated drawers, in both of our daughters’ closets in our previous home. IKEA offers an incredibly user-friendly online planner tool that simplifies the design process significantly. This planner allows you to input your specific closet dimensions and organizational needs, then easily configure the system with various components like shelves, drawers, hanging rods, specialized shoe storage, and even pegboards for small accessories. This customization ensures a perfect fit for any space and requirement.

The cost for each system in our girls’ closets was approximately $300, which we considered a phenomenal deal, especially given the extensive storage capabilities. Furthermore, the installation for each closet took only a few hours, highlighting the system’s DIY-friendly nature. The transformation was remarkable, yielding a tremendous amount of storage space. We not only created ample room for their clothes, organized neatly on rods and in drawers, but also integrated a significant amount of toy and linen storage, keeping their rooms tidy and functional. The Boaxel system truly maximized every inch, turning chaotic closets into perfectly organized, child-friendly spaces.

Our Coat Closet Makeover

Our positive experience with the IKEA Boaxel system in our girls’ closets was so profound that it inspired us to tackle our notoriously messy coat closet with the same solution. Before our significant coat closet makeover, this essential space suffered from a common organizational flaw: it had only a single, high-set clothes rod. While this setup is not uncommon, it severely limited the closet’s utility for our family’s diverse needs. We envisioned a coat closet that could truly function as a workhorse, providing versatile storage for everyone.

With the Boaxel system, we implemented crucial upgrades. We added multiple shelves, perfect for stowing away bags, hats, and neatly organized baskets. Crucially, we installed a lower hanging rod, making it easily accessible for our girls to hang their own coats, fostering independence and tidiness. This multi-tiered approach transformed the closet from a chaotic dumping ground into a highly efficient and family-friendly space, demonstrating Boaxel’s adaptability to even the most challenging storage areas.

Beyond the Boaxel system, another addition to our coat closet proved to be an absolute game-changer: this high-capacity over-the-door shoe rack. We now store the vast majority of our family’s shoes in this single, convenient location, and we loved it so much we brought it with us to our new home. Its design allows it to hold an impressive number of pairs, making shoe clutter a thing of the past. While it initially comes with adhesive stickers to prevent movement, these can eventually lose their efficacy. For a more permanent and sturdy solution, I highly recommend securing it to the middle of your closet door using a small screw and wire. This simple modification ensures it remains firmly in place, even when fully loaded, providing incredibly effective and long-lasting shoe storage.

Our Guest Room Closet Makeover

It may seem surprising, but our guest room closet makeover was actually the project that ignited our deep appreciation for the IKEA Algot system, which is now the Boaxel system. Before its transformation, this closet was, unfortunately, a chaotic dumping ground for miscellaneous items, a disorganized mess that did little to enhance our guest room’s appeal or functionality. Our goal was to integrate effective storage solutions throughout the entire guest space, and the closet was a prime candidate for improvement.

By installing this versatile closet system, we successfully created dedicated spaces for essential items. It became the perfect spot to store extra linens and pillows, ensuring our guests always had fresh, comfortable options. Additionally, it provided an organized home for all our gift wrapping supplies, consolidating them into one accessible location. Despite accommodating all these items, we were still able to include ample hanging rods, allowing guests to comfortably hang their clothes during their visits. This makeover transformed an underperforming space into a welcoming, tidy, and highly functional area that benefits both our family and our visitors.

Our Laundry Room Closet Installation

Is it unusual to talk about a closet in our laundry room? Perhaps, but necessity is the mother of invention! Our laundry room didn’t originally feature a built-in closet, but it did have a substantial blank wall that was ripe for transformation, and we desperately needed more storage space. So, we decided to get creative and design a custom storage solution. We effectively “created” a closet using the incredibly versatile IKEA Boaxel system, complete with integrated drawers, and then cleverly concealed it behind elegant floor-to-ceiling curtains. This innovative method is a fantastic way to add significant storage to virtually any room in your home, even if it lacks a traditional closet structure, proving that functional spaces can be both practical and stylish.

IKEA Closet System in my Home Office/Craft Room

While this isn’t a traditional “closet” in the enclosed sense, I wanted to showcase how adaptable the IKEA Boaxel system is for creating open-access, highly functional storage in any room. We initially installed this versatile system in my old home office/craft room, and its success led us to implement it again in my current home office. It’s truly brilliant for organizing all kinds of supplies, particularly excelling with crafting and sewing materials, keeping everything visible and easily accessible.

It’s important to note a small change in the product line: the solid white drawers that were an option with the older Algot system are no longer available. The very similar Boaxel system, which replaced Algot, now exclusively offers wire mesh drawers. While this is a minor aesthetic difference, the core functionality and organizational power of the system remain exceptional, making it an invaluable asset for anyone seeking smart and accessible storage solutions in a creative workspace or home office.

So, there you have it! I genuinely hope you’ve found this in-depth look at the various DIY closet systems we’ve used and loved both informative and inspiring. Our extensive experience with closet makeovers has equipped us with valuable insights, and while the closets in our current home await their own transformations, I feel completely prepared to tackle them. Embracing DIY closet systems is not just about organizing your belongings; it’s about reclaiming space, reducing stress, and enhancing the overall functionality and aesthetic of your home. Start small, be patient, and enjoy the rewarding process of creating perfectly organized spaces tailored to your needs.

Other Posts You Will Enjoy:

• All Closet Posts
• 7 Simple Tips for a Pretty and Functional Linen Closet + Inspiring Linen Closets
• Coat Closet Organization for Under $100
• How to Add a Closet to Any Room: Discover creative ways to integrate storage solutions where you need them most, even in rooms without existing closets.
• How to Organize Your Closet in 2 Hours or Less: Practical, quick tips for a rapid closet refresh.

Wondering how I approach transforming rooms and spaces in our home? Check out Designer in a Binder®, my comprehensive guide that simplifies the interior design process into achievable steps, making beautiful home decor accessible to everyone.

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