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Home Decorating Design Dilemma entry

What do I do with this entryway space? Ugly utility closet!

Lindsay Frederickson

6 years ago

Featured Answer

tedbixby

6 years ago

You could paint it and the frame the same color as the wall to make it disappear or you could hang something over it ( framed mirror) to cover it up but still give you access to it. If you were to hang something over it, the handle would have to be taken into consideration. Or have an artist use it as the canvas and paint something on it.

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Comments (11)

groveraxle
6 years ago
If that's your electrical panel, you have to retain access to it. Paint it the same color as the wall and call it good.
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That far wall is just painted an ugly copper like color, i prefer to drywall it up, there are no doors on that wall, it doesnt go to anywhere. The front door is that wood door where the boxes are in the picture. That is a swimming pool outside of those patio doors, that area is where the dining room will be though. Those sliding glass doors will be french door sliding doors soon. I would like to make the space a more formal living area, I do like the idea of a bar and then 4 chairs with a cocktail table in the middle, should I also maybe included a rug in the space? The problem that I'm having is how to actually layout the formal space, meaning where do I place everything in the room so that it looks clean, modern, and not out of place. The new front door will be white with glass, when that is installed the door that will open will be further away from the copper looking wall and the doors open outward not into the house, so maybe I should put some type of long modern buffet type piece against that copper looking wall?
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I’ve decided to install shelves in the closet between my kitchen and the living room, instead of using it to hang clothes (it’s just not deep enough so regular hangers prevent the closet door from being shut). Since I have a pantry in the kitchen, maybe I’ll use this closet for linen and shoes. The closet is 7.5 feet tall. And it’s 2 feet wide. And 12 inches deep. Today I removed the hanger bar. See attached photos below. The next thing is to apply a coat of joint compound over the screw holes and other holes then do some sanding. Then I’ll prime and paint the closet. Stupid questions: 1) For the shelves, can I simply use strong anchors for the brackets or do I have to find studs for each bracket? Since I plan on installing as many shelves as I can, I doubt I’ll be able to find enough studs. 2) Anyone know of any cool shelf brackets that I can use? 3) For the shelves, I plan to stain the wood and then apply polyurethane. Any suggestion of what kind of wood I should use or does it not matter?
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Think about how you live and what you will realistically do as the years go on. Do you really want to stand in a narrow hallway folding the laundry? I sure wouldn't. Especially as you get older you won't. You'll prefer bringing the laundry somewhere you can sit down and do it. Why not keep the laundry closet a laundry closet, which every home really needs. Unless you don't do the laundry at all, and have paid domestic help and will for the rest of your life, in which case my concern isn't relevant.
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@Gcubed Living room serves as a large comfy space when we have lots of friends over. I was also thinking of splitting the space so that 1/3 of the space is a conference table. We have a dining room in the back connected to the kitchen. There's two side doors, one that opens into the kitchen and the other is near the staircase. None of those have a closet/mudroom functions. The basement has an entrance and I was going to make that the mudroom entrance because of the dogs. My husband likes to enter from the sides. I like to enter through the front door and hang up things. It would also be the entrance for guests so that's why I wanted a coat closet. @Lidia - Something like this?
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einportlandor
6 years ago
Can you put something tall in front of it? A plant? A coat tree?
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
6 years ago
Easy enough to put a hinged, large painting over it.
PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
large leaning floor mirror? large canvas art? giant dart board?
jlj48
6 years ago
Barn door?
clt3
6 years ago
I would change the handle to some kind of very small latch and hang a picture over it.
oaktonmom
6 years ago
I’d paint and forget about it. It’s in an area where you just walk past it... not in a room where you have to spend a lot of time looking at it.
btydrvn
6 years ago
If you post a pic from much further back...showing as much of the surrounding area as you can...comments could be more specific.....as to the dilemma...I see this as a real negative as well...all the other switches...thermostats?...add to the eyesore as well...the most appealing suggestion so far is the barn door concept....however it could be a smooth more modern version with a big piece of art...that just rolls away for access...is this your main entrance?
erinsean
5 years ago
If possible, paint it the same as the wall color. Then put a console table under it and either a mirror on the door or artwork....taking into consideration of the latch....with something hung within the frame, you probably won't notice the latch. If you have a plug in, put a lamp on the right side of the console and something low in front so that the door can be opened fast! If no plug in then put some pretty candle sticks on the right side and something low in front. Judging from the door knob on your door, this opening is quite high....maybe a taller chest of drawers would be better, but am thinking a console table would be best. Or you could go lower and put a pretty bench in front of the opening after you have painted the opening the same color as the wall.
Fori
5 years ago
Trompe l'oeil wallsafe!

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