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The Library Closet – Before & After

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Sometimes the small jobs take much more time than we think they will. Such was the case of the library closet. That said, these little organizational projects often make the greatest impact in our house because finally, everyone knows where items go, and they put them away.

The objectives for this closet project were as follows:

  1. Remove everything that does not belong in the library closet
  2. Save it, toss it, give it away
  3. Fix the cracks in the plaster
  4. Paint the closet
  5. Hang shelves
  6. Return only library items to the closet

Before

A few months after we moved into BHH, we were all anxious to get the boxes unpacked. As a result of that impatience, we began stuffing things into the library closet as a way to get them out of sight and out of mind. Initially, it was not too bad, but as time went on, getting anything out of the closet was like playing a game of Jenga. Soon enough, the library closet became a catch-all, and it was no longer functional.

Want to play a board game? No? I don’t either.

Prep, Primer, and Paint

First, I removed all of the hooks, nails and the additional shelf.

There were superficial cracks in the plaster. I took the easy way out and simply skim-coated them all with wall patch. I also patched the nail holes and smoothed a thin line of caulk on all of the corners, baseboards, and trim.

Most of the trim in our house is painted with oil-based paint. If you put latex paint over oil-based paint without the proper primer, the latex paint will simply chip or flake off. This scenario is playing out in BHH, especially on the staircase and around the front door. We think that before putting BHH on the market, the executors paid to have a someone come in and put a fresh coat of paint throughout the foyer. Unfortunately, they did not do proper prep, and that paint job is failing after just three years. It is going to be a real bear to fix too. I am trying not to think about it.

Oil-based paint and primer is a pain to use. It dries slowly, and it does not move smoothly from the brush to the surface the way latex paint does. Since the closet is small, I decided to try something new when I painted the trim. I used the spray-on version of my favorite KILZ Odorless oil-based primer.

It was definitely faster and more precise using the spray-on version of the primer, but it was also cost-prohibitive. Each can of primer costs around $6, and it took three full cans for the trim and ceiling. If I had used a brush, it would have cost around $6 total. Also, this is an aerosol product, and because of the environmental impact of aerosols, I cannot in good conscience, use it on a regular basis.

This experiment did give me something to think about for future projects. Because the spray cans were easier to use than a brush, putting the oil-based primer in a regular paint sprayer might be the way to go. I am filing that idea away for later.

I used regular Kilz latex primer on the walls and topped everything with a fresh coat of Citilite by Sherwin Williams. (Note: Citilite does not seem to exist on the internet. I have no idea why not. If you like this color, I would be happy to post the formula. Lowe’s displays the paint chip, and the color is not discontinued nor has the name changed. Citilite is a bright white with just a touch of yellow to cut down on the harshness of pure white.)

The Finished Closet

After I had painted, Andy and I installed some basic shelving on both sides of the closet. We also put the original top shelf back into place. This simple track shelving is my favorite. It is durable, easy to install, and very adjustable which is perfect for closets. We also used it for the built-in bookshelf in our son’s room.

Now, when we open the door, the closet looks almost empty.

There is room for a small cart or a narrow set of shelves if we ever need more storage.

The board games are easy to reach.

Across the top, I added bins of items that we use infrequently, but they still belong in library closet.

We could utilize the vertical space more efficiently, but right now it is not necessary.

On the left, I placed our subscription kits (Tinkercrate on the top and Magic School Bus Science on the bottom left) as well as some additional educational and craft supplies.  I hung the meter stick and the yardstick from a small cup hook. (Are we the only people who use a meter stick and a yardstick regularly?)

As I have mentioned before, my son and I are part time Origami teachers. We start co-teaching a block of classes next week. The middle shelf is perfect for origami models and paper. Everything we need is right at our fingertips.

The small black bag on the hook is my classroom bag.

The bins of Lego set on the floor, underneath the shelves on both sides.

Now, everything has a place. It is easy to reach and simple to put away. No more closet Jenga. That feels so good. It is possible that I love organized closets more than the average person. I have never done an official poll.

Note: We could have configured this closet in a completely different way to utilize the center more efficiently. I chose to do it this way for three reasons. First, I wanted to avoid “black hole” corners as much as possible. I find that too many things get lost in the dark recesses of disorganized spaces. Second, keeping the storage at a minimum encourages us to keep our belongings pared down to a reasonable amount. I have a minimalist heart. Third, I try not to alter the original footprint of BHH as much as possible. While I cannot imagine our library being used as a bedroom someday, it is not out of the question. Since we configured it this way, the library closet could easily function as a bedroom closet with very little alteration.

Our Favorite Board Games

Clearly, we have a deep and abiding love for board games here at BHH. I routinely sort through our game selection and purge games that we no longer play or that we have outgrown. Some of the games are so beloved that they always make the cut.

Just for fun, I asked two of the kids to tell me their top five board games.

M . (Age 10)

  1. Clue  (a classic)
  2. Exploding Kittens (Not nearly as violent as it sounds. It was designed by Matthew Inman, creator of  The Oatmeal.
  3. LineUp (This game always makes me feel like I am in the beginning stages of dementia.)
  4. Presto Change-O (A quick Google search shows that this is available for a lower price from other sources. However, it is a discontinued product.)
  5. Telestrations (hilarious family fun)

S. (age 16)

  1. Don’t Break the Ice (I love that he is 16, and this is still a favorite. The nostalgia is strong with this kid.)
  2. Apples to Apples (We have the Jr. Version.)
  3. Munchkin (Be advised: This game is more complicated and requires a more mature audience.)
  4. Clue
  5. Pick Up Sticks (another classic!)

Do you like to play board games at your house? What are some of your family favorites? Also, do you organize your closets or toss everything in and hope for the best?

21 Comments

  • Chad
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    My parents have these colorful flannel yardstick cozies! They’re useless but I love them because they’re weird.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      I think my grandma had something like that. 🙂 I should write a post about the “cozy” generation. That was a thing in the 1970s and early 80s. Who knew yardsticks got cold?

  • Sarah
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 1:21 pm

    Oh my God. The same exactly bubble/chip thing happened to our trim paint in EVERY ROOM OF OUR HOUSE – the sellers had someone come in to do a quick fix and WE WANT TO MURDER THEM. Over the last 5 years, we have slowly re-done the trim in every room of our house. (We = my husband) We’re maybe halfway done. Shoot me now.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:05 pm

      Oh, Sarah, that’s awful! 🙁 It is such an unavoidable problem too. Ugh!

  • Sarah
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Also you should add SkipBo to your collection of card games. 🙂

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:01 pm

      My daughter played this at a friend’s house, and she loved it. I will take a look at it. It sounds small which means I like it already. 😀

      • Sarah
        Posted March 11, 2017 at 3:12 pm

        My entire family plays SkipBo at every family gathering – we have years long running game tallies! It’s so fun, and competitive. We pay for quarters sometimes and for bragging rights mostly. It’s a good 2 person game, too – my husband and I play alone. We love it!

  • Ame Jo
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    We also use a yardstick on a regular basis! And when I say “we,” I really mean “I.”

    The closet looks fantastic. We have the same scenario going on with our trim – executors had the place “freshly painted” to list it for sale, and latex was slapped on over oil-based enamel (beautiful, glossy enamel that did not need to be painted). The trim and doors are almost all in various states of peeled/scraped latex. There are a few areas that I devoted some time to scraping away all the latex, but what a pain. Anyway, I feel you.

    We like Munchkin, a lot. We also play a lot of Harry Potter Clue. Trivial Pursuit is the family favorite, I think. And of course, we play Uno… and BS. ?

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      I am so sad that share this poor paint situation. It did not have to be this way. Wait, is that overly dramatic? 🙂

      We also love Uno. Now, I wonder where it is? It is probably in M’s room.

  • monica
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    I use a yardstick on a regular basis too – I keep mine hung on a nail just inside my basement door, right off the kitchen – my mom always had one in a similar spot and I think of her every time I grab mine!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:11 pm

      In one of the houses that I lived in when I was a kid, I think we did the same thing! I love that you think of your mom when you grab your yardstick.

  • Devyn
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    I’ll go with Mrs Peacock, with a lead pipe, in the Library (added by Colonel Mustard).

    Looks great! I love how even the inside of the closet gets the full-on molding treatments. I also love the tiny detail of the routed bead on the top and bottom of the shelf support rail, our closets have that same detail. Nowadays they don’t even bother with wood support along the back, just a bracket to hold the shelf and closet rod.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 7, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Ha ha! Clue is a winner. I always liked Colonel Mustard the best.

      It’s funny that you mention all of the trim. I wrote all of that in the post, and then I edited it out because it was getting too long. It makes me laugh that we have rosettes and full-height plinth blocks IN the closet.

  • Cathy
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    What? No Sequence game? That’s one of our family favorites. The boys both LOVE exploding kittens. Closet is too empty….. needs more stuff. Oh and yes, the bubbles of paint incompatibility, btdt. Hopefully never again.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 8, 2017 at 7:44 am

      We have never played Sequence. I will have to take a look at it. Perhaps it belongs in our game closet too. LOL about needing more stuff. 😀

  • Carrie
    Posted March 7, 2017 at 10:55 pm

    What oil trim paint are you using? I last painted trim 15 years ago with Benjamin Moore Alkyd Satin Impervo that I loved, but that paint is no longer available locally. My local Sherwin Williams store apparently carries two different oil trim enamels but couldn’t tell me much about them.

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 8, 2017 at 7:48 am

      Hi Carrie, For all of our projects so far, we have used latex paint. Latex can go over an oil-based primer, but it does not work the other way around. In addition, latex paint over oil-based paint will fail. 🙁 We might use an oil-based paint in the foyer someday, but I need more experience before I commit to that. I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

  • Jenny
    Posted March 8, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Timely post! Our house isn’t historic, but we’re trying to figure out how to organize the guest bedroom closets that have become catch-alls–they’re nice long closets but are accessed by a standard single door, which means the corners are dark and hard to get to/keep organized. Shelves at the ends may be the way to go!

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 8, 2017 at 9:58 am

      Excellent! I am glad I could help. Good luck with your project.

  • Andrea Matters
    Posted March 10, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    Your closet redo is great! So clean and tidy and useful! It’s inspiring me to tackle our coat closet in the hall, with its L O N G cracks in the plaster. I did go inside the closet and turn around to check the trim… yes, it’s all trimmed inside! Not as fancy as yours, though.

    I use our combo yard/meter stick all the time. Like another poster, I keep it behind the door at the top of the basement stairs, just off the kitchen. Also keep a hammer and a set of screwdrivers there, so we don’t have to go down to the workroom for every little task.

    I noted the coned yarn in a box in the closet…are you by chance a fellow handweaver? Or perhaps it is coned thread for a serger? Or kumihimo stuff?

    • Post Author
      Stacy
      Posted March 11, 2017 at 9:40 am

      Thank you, Andrea. 🙂 For some reason, I am so tickled by the fact that the inside of the closets is as beautiful as the outside.

      You have good eyes! The cone thread is for my serger. I have been sewing since I was a kid.

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