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Design Dilemma Building a Home DIY

12 foot ceilings

2 years ago

Looking for advice. In the middle of an ADU build and in order to save money I’m going to build out the closet myself using IKEA products. Even using with the highest PAX cabinets, would leave a substantial amount of space at the top. Any ides on how to utilize this valuable space?

Featured Answer

User

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

so, you'll have 51" of open space above them. you can put some baskets or boxes on top for infrequently used items. or wall mounted shelves if you need storage to go all the way up. this might look cluttered though.

I found this article on what to do with PAX and high ceilings. my favorite advice: find matching drawer cabinets and install the PAX on top of them. they don't have to stick out like this, but if they did, one could sit there while getting dressed.

I think the drawers don't have to match exactly, you could find something that coordinates with the look. such as wood drawers with a white wardrobe.

similar idea: mount kitchen cabinets above. (wall mounted, don't rest them on the wardrobe, it would be too heavy.)

an other idea from that article was to buy another PAX, cut it down to the right height, and install that above the first one. it's interesting, but I'd worry about structural integrity, especially if somebody put a really heavy load in the top. would not recommend that unless you had a handy friend who could help engineer this hack safely.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Put the "valuable space" in the floor level above.
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jkarene
Original Author
2 years ago
I like the idea of the kitchen cabinets on top. That’s definitely something I’d need to hire out.
User
2 years ago
Rods for out of season clothing storage. 48"is tall enough for blouses/jackets/skirts to hang.

There's never enough storage for clothing so I love having additional storage. You can buy a long handled hook like they used to use in department stores for the high racks.
bpath
2 years ago
How will you reach them?
chispa
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We went through a house with high ceilings and they had a sturdy shelf above the wardrobe/built-ins and they were using it to store their empty suitcases. You'd need a step-ladder to get them down for a trip, but it was a great use of the space.
User
2 years ago
bpath - easily, I have a long handled hook (amazon), just like department stores use, that hooks under the hangers to access clothes.
jkarene
Original Author
2 years ago
Storage for luggage is important and something I’ve definitely thought about. Im hoping I can squeeze some storage in a small attic but if not both luggage and linen would need to go into this closet.
The build says it will look fine not going to the ceiling but I don’t know. It’s on the bigger size of small (576 sq ft/53.5 m2) and want to utilize all the space I can.

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