Sawdust Girl®

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Master Closet Built-Ins

All Posts, Master Closet, Tennessee House Tour

I’ve been building these built-in wardrobes for my Master Closet for four months so I can’t even express how happy I am to finally say, “IT IS FINISHED!”  It is amazing to have so much space to hang and store our clothes.  I’m so happy that I stuck it out — even though I wanted to throw in the towel a few times.

built-in closet design

Master Closet Built-Ins

The large drawers are practically big enough to climb in and have 100 lb. glides that are soft/self closing (for the person in this house that never manages to get drawers fully closed!  u-hem, u-hem)

white built-in master closet

The door you can see is to the laundry room and behind the camera is the Master Bathroom that will be getting redone sometime.  That project will include tearing a portion of the closet/bathroom wall out so I haven’t built my 9’x6′ shoe cabinet yet.

white built-in master closet design

Then, of course, there’s the matter of the built-in ironing board that is going in next to that off-center window and the rolling ladder… so the closet is only mostly done!

(Who just thought of Princess Bride, “…he’s only MOSTLY dead”?  I did!)

But it’s usable!

Walk in closet design

white painted cabinets in built-in closet

Walk in closet before

It’s leaps and bounds better than it was when we moved in.

master closet remodel - before and after photos

And we are going to enjoy it!!!

Custom made closets with white built-in cabinets

In case you missed my progress updates along the way, here’s a short recap of my project.  As well as a celebratory happy dance!

A HUGE thank you to Wes for his help this weekend.  I was ready to toss in a match last week. Thankfully Wes pulled some “enthusiasm for using a drill” out of nowhere and came through for me!

It’s been a long, hard journey and now that it’s (mostly) done, I can say it was worth it!   Now, we can move in and enjoy the holidays. And hopefully my next project won’t be QUITE so involved or time consuming.  Here’s hoping!

*Have a question about my closet? Plans, materials, Lights, progress, tips…? Feel free to peruse the “Work In Progress” posts of the entire Master Closet.  And be sure to check out the closet with the plank wall.

Get the Closet Plans!

Learn how to plan and design a walk in closet

Comments

  2. Why do you not have your own HGTV show?! It is amazing! Love, the light….so pretty!! Great job woman! I think I would be walking in there every few minutes just to admire the beauty!

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      • Hi Sandra, order more hangers off the ikea website. A big brown truck will bring them right to your doorstep! Enjoy your new closet….you definately deserve it!! Celinda

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  5. WOW. WOWZER! Beautiful job. I’m not only envious of all that fabulous space, but also jealous of your obvious gigantic wardrobe! The built-in ironing board is genius – brilliant!

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      • Silly question Sandra but curious as to a rough cost estimate. Wondering how much you might have saved as opposed to calling in someone like California Closets. I have two huge closets that I want customized and it would be interesting to know this.

        Thanks Sandra.

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  8. Congrats!! Now I just have to ask when is the comprehensive tutorial coming? Hahaha sorry couldn’t resist asking that! Enjoy the holidays and putting everything away in your beautiful addition to your home!

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  9. Absolutely AMAZING! Can you give us the dimensions of your closet, it looks HUGE and fabulous. So proud of you for sticking it out and I second the notion– Where is Sandra’s show, HGTV?

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    • Thanks Val. It’s roughly 10×20. The floorplan is in my closet design post under “Work in Progress — Master Closet” if you want to see the plans, etc.

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  11. Gorgeous! And the closet a’int bad, neither.

    p.s. if I had drawers that big, you can bet my kids would play hide and seek in them every day.

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  17. Looks great! Nice work on the design And construction. I like those big ass lights. You considering adding a narrow bench in the middle? Next to the window would be a great spot for a full lenght mirror too.

    You’ll have to take another set of photos once you fill it all up with stuff.

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    • Funny you mention it…that was my plan but even my narrowest mirror doesn’t fit. So, on to plan B which I haven’t decided on yet but it will of course be way more work than it needs to be! LOL

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  21. My husband is rushing out to buy me wood working tools and lots of books! Like I could ever do something as beautiful as your closet! You are totally amazing, I love all the details and your sticktuitivness is inspiring! Absolutely Amazing! 🙂

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  22. Sandra it’s executive – to say the least! – it belongs in the White House, fit for a princess. You need to get paid for your work, seriously someone would give big bucks and you’re worth it. Congrats on the finish.

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    • Thanks Jaime! If I ever finish a house and then we don’t move right away, I’ll start taking orders. (Like we’ll ever stay in a house after it’s done!) 😀

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  23. Congratulations – beautiful work. You should be so proud…your crafts-womanship really shows, and such a HUGE job…all I can say is..WOW

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  24. You are AMAZING!!!!! This project justs blows me away. You are a Master Carpenter – no doubt about it. The closet – if you can even call it that is just to die for. You need your own DIY Show!!!!!

    My best- Diane

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    • Thanks Diane. I just wrote “Carpenter” as my “Occupation” for the first time today. I never know what to write…DIY’er? Remuddeler? Today I decided that I am a carpenter even if only for myself. LOL

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  27. Speaking of Princess Bride, that closet is fit for a princess! It’s HUGE and absolutely beautiful. Once again, I think you are amazing. Merry Christmas!

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  29. Oh my goodness! So, can you just throw a mattress on the floor in there so I can sleep in the middle? Seriously, that is the most amazing closet I’ve ever seen! Nice job Sandra (and Wes!)

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  32. I’ve never commented before, but I had to say that that closet is freakin amazing! I wish I had half the skills you do!

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    • Too funny! That was one of my first thoughts too! And this closet is SO amazing and you didn’t need a ‘Mr. Big’ to build it! LOVE it! 🙂

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  37. Can I move in? My mattress won’t take up too much room and you can just walk around me! On a serious note, it looks amazing Sandra. You did such a wonderful job and you stuck it out!!

    xo Jenna

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  38. Holy cow! If I had a closet space that big I’d have to go shopping to fill it! That is absolutely gorgeous, what a great Christmas present to yourself!

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  40. OMG, OMG, OMG! I just want to live in your closet. I am so glad you included the before photo (I had forgotten how awful it was!). You have amazing talent and I aspire to be like you!

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  44. This is a beautiful closet. I can only wish to have one like it. It was worth the time it took you. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  45. It is phenomenal!!!! I am so envious of your mad skills. I kep showing my husband your updates hoping to spark something within…… Still waiting. Lol.

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  51. That is one stunning closet–sheer perfection!

    There is nothing to equal the joy and relief of finishing a long, involved project, is there?

    Well done!

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  52. WOW! That is one amazing closet! Carrie Bradshaw would be jealous! 😀 Seriously, you do really beautiful work and should be very proud.

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  53. woot woot! awesome! I really like those chandeliers. When I saw this update pop up I thought “OMG are the rolling ladders in too???”
    That’s the part I’m most interested in seeing how you rig it up. Although you could quit now and it would still be like living in Jennifer Lopez’s house. You da (wo)MAN!!

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    • I wish! I’m at a good stopping point for now. I’ll move on to other projects that NEED to be done and then, someday when I’m bored, I’ll tackle the ladder! At least we’re not tripping over our clothes any more. Heavens part, angels sing! LOL

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  54. I Love it! and I know what you mean about biting off a big chunk. The playhouse needs to be done in 3 days! And I work full time. Yikes. I love your work … now enjoy it 🙂 Merry Christmas!!!

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  59. It’s a masterpiece. Seriously. Just beautiful. I love all of the details. Your perseverance is enviable. You won’t know what to do with yourself now!! 🙂

    P.S. Why is it that guys never close drawers? I just don’t get that.

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    • Thanks Erin! I don’t get it either. I think half the time he leaves doors/drawers ajar just to see me double-take, stop and close…stop and close…all over the house. He probably creates an obstacle course (of sorts) for me and then sits back to watch the frenzy! LOL

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  61. You did an incredible job! What vision you have. Your husband is so lucky to have you. 🙂 Wishing you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

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  63. Soooo amazing and I can imagine it’s definitely worth it. That’s seriously a dream closet. I wish I had HALF the skills you do. 😉

    Anyways awesome job and I hope you enjoy it immensely! 🙂

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  66. What an amazing transformation. YOU ROCK!!! This really is a well thought out closet plan. For those of us who look at our homes and dream of projects, you inspire us to take the leap and start. For my husband (the ultimate handyman) this means he will not have any rest this year. I like that you and Wes finished the project together. Every time we have worked together, the project turned out twice as good as we planned. Merry Christmas to you!

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  68. Love it! You are an inspiration!

    They say that after giving birth, women produce some hormone (or something) that makes you forget the labor part. That’s the only way you’ll ever go through it again. There must be some correlation with that and building. I’ve often gotten to the “throw a match in” part of building, but once it’s finished I’m jumping into the next project. At least with building there are no dirty diapers and I get more sleep…most of the time!

    Enjoy your well-deserved time off and Merry Christmas!

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    • Haha. Well, moving into the closet has already made me forget how much I was hating it so I guess I’ll be tackling another project soon. Good thing I did a couple posts about my problems so I’ll have a clear recollection of the reality of the project. I always underestimate time, money and effort! Merry Christmas to you!

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  69. Holy Hanna…I would need to do some serious shopping to fill up my side if I had a closet even 1/2 that large! Hubs t-shirt collection would easily fill up his side. :/ Great job and we all knew you would eventually see the light at the end of the closet tunnel! Can’t wait to see your next project! 🙂

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    • Thanks Stephanie! Thank goodness for lights at ends of tunnels!!! Some tunnels are much longer than others but they all have them and actually stepping INTO the light is so satisfying.

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  71. Beautiful! You are amazing! I have been watching your progress through this project and I think you are so incredibly talented. I also really admire your determination. You inspire me to tackle some projects I have wanted to take on for a long time. The payoff looks so worth it 🙂

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    • Thank you Nichole. I definitely had to draw some determination from you all there at the end. This project was a bugger! I’m super happy with it NOW THAT IT”S DONE. LOL

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    • Patti the house is large but this is the only room that is pretty…but I’m working on fixing that! It’s only going to take ForEVer! LOL

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  83. This is really incredible! My husband and I want to make built-ins for our living room – this is inspiring me to get it done! Congrats on a great closet!

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  86. I need to find a way to pick my jaw up off the floor. I think you pulled this closet right out of my dreams! 🙂 Congrats on making the top 6 – I’m still blown away that my bed was included among such gorgeous projects as yours! Well done!

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  89. Ummm…. holy camole woman!!! Freakin’ fantastic! I think you are my new hero! Just linking over from ‘better after’ and am amazed. New follower alert! 🙂

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  90. Hands down, Sandra. This is THE project of the year for me. I’m just blown away by your skills and your courage to take this on! So cool! My favorite part? Your happy dance at the end of the video. Loved it. 😉

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  92. I just came over from A2D because I just had to see more of this INCREDIBLE closet! I’m ready to hire if you are willing to do it all over again 😉

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  93. WOW!!! I found this post through Addicted 2 Decorating. I am so impressed with your skills! I’m the “tool person” in this house–but you just blew me out of the water! Congratulations. Great work!

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  95. I am still in aww…you are fantastic! This is one of the most beautiful closets I have seen. I need to go back and read all of the posts for this.It’s just crazy good!

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  96. WOW!!! That is incredibly beautiful. Such attention to detail. Thanks for putting in all that effort and sharing it with us. It is encouraging me to make the changes to my closet I really want to make. Love it!!!! Well done!

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  97. THIS IS INSANE! I am so jealous. You’re such a visionary. Enjoy that closet! It’s the little [er, big?] things in life, isn’t it?

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  99. Holy-crap wow. That is just….wow. I feel like I shoud have something better to say but that room is just gorgeous! This is the first I have read of your blog and I am about to go see more!

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  103. i just came over from Better After… watched your recap video and just sat here saying HOLY COW! I’m amazed. Your closet is amazing.

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  106. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Absolutely positively stunning!!! You are an inspiration to every woman out there. What an accomplishment. I am sitting here in absolute aaawww! WOW. Enjoy the fruit of your labor girl!

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  107. omg…I just discovered your site through Better After and you are officially my new idol-lol. You are not only super talented, but also a carpenter, designer and truly a super woman for accomplishing that! AMAZING JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its simply incredible!!!!!! 🙂

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  108. Found you via “Better After” and this closet is going to be a long-cherished project, lasting through years and years of changing wardrobes!

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  112. I’m deeply impressed!!! I found your blog at “Better After”. Wow! I’m just amazed! The work!

    Have a nice evening! 😀

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  114. Wow – your closet is awesome!!! You should feel proud that pictures of it have Pinterest :). I think every woman is jealous of your closet now. Awesome job!!

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  116. Ok, when I first saw your picture on Pinterest I was thinking, “Oh, some spoiled brat with a beautiful custom closet.” Then…, I watched your video! Kudos! Truly amazing work…you go girl!

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  117. Ok, when I first saw your picture on Pinterest I was thinking, “Oh, some spoiled brat with a beautiful custom closet.” Then…, I watched your video! Kudos! Truly amazing work…you go girl! Well deserved!

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  124. Hi there! I love this closet! My fiance and I are getting married in November. We are thinking of building our own house and I’m wondering how much this cost you?

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    • Hi Jennifer. Congrats on your wedding. So, you’re not the first person to ask this question and I haven’t answered. My closet is a certain size and I needed a certain amount of material based on the design that I came up with. What MY costs were wouldn’t help anyone figure out what THEIR own costs would be to build out their own closet. I will say it cost a LOT less than having it done by a custom cabinet maker but it took WAY more time to get it done.

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  125. I am back lol, I was watching the video againg… and I wanted to ask how did you do the sparkle text effect of the intro of the video, which program did you use? , is so cute!

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  130. I am in total awe of your carpentry skills! I also really loved the video that you made of you building it. Got a chuckle with the happy dances you all had! I am a follower now and put your blog in the favorites! You give us all inspiration to build our projects! Keep up the great work.
    Liz

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  131. I want to thank Pinterest for bringing me to your blog. It is fantastic, and this post gave me so much inspiration for designing the master closet in my new home. Just curious, what did your budget come out to be? I’m sorry if this was posted and I didn’t see (I tried to look through all the comments, too!) THANKS AGAIN!

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    • LOL It’s a lot of comments to sort through. I haven’t shared that information. It’s a lot for a DIY project but it’s a lot less than if I’d payed a closet company to come in and put entry level, melamine units. I spent a lot on the drawer hardware alone. 22 soft close, self closing drawer glides and 24″ bar pulls adds up. I could have spent less on lower end hardware, but why? I think a girl has to splurge every once in a while. LOL

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  132. Ditto on thanking Pinterest. Am starting a master closet remodel and yours is almost exactly the same dimensions as mine! So nice to see the years-long dream realized before I even start. This is fabulous! One question – do you think a (very) skinny island would fit in the middle?

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    • Not in my closet. It could only be 12″ wide, leaving only 2′ aisles and that would look too crowded in my opinion. I built my cabinets 24″ deep. If I’d only done 18″, as is more standard for closet cabinets, I could have wider aisles but still a very skinny island. I’m not sure how that would look. It’s all a matter of what you want in your closet. How you need it to function. That’s the beauty of building it yourself: You can build it however you want. 🙂

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  134. Well, I think I’ve been stunned for the past hour since I saw your video on youtube and followed you here and went through your projects. I have to admit my mail sovinistic side of me in the first seconds of your video was thinking, this is going to be a disaster. Well, hats off to you and shame on me for thinking only “manly” men like Mike Holmes can do stuff like this 🙂 You’re simply amazing. In fact you have inspired me to take up on a redesign of my (much smaller) walk-in closet. If I manage to do 50% of what you did I think my wife will be happy and my marriage will keep on strong. You had given me great ideas and between this and a very simple but “idiot proof” link I found on how to build drawers I think I can tackle it. I do have a question though. It appears that you cut strips to expose the cement on your floor. What is the reason behind it?

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    • Well thank you Costas. The “closet” that I tore out before I built my new cabinets had been installed before the floors where installed so when I pulled it out, the subfloor was exposed. (One of those things you discover during demolition.) I just build over it as my cabinets were deeper than what I pulled out so it wasn’t a problem. Except for one area where I had to cut out and replace some flooring. No big deal. Just more dust! LOL

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  135. Hi Sandra…… truly amazing….. I’m speechless……… where do I start???? Okay, well all I really want to say is AWESOME JOB!! I really wish I was HANDY!! MAJOR PROPS TO YOU!! I’m thinking of building my own closet organizer. Would you happen to have steps on how to build one?? It’ll be my first building project!

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  136. FANSTASTIC!! Just stumbled onto your page(s)…all I can say is, “WOW!!”, and agree with the reader who said you need your own HGTV show!! Congrats!

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  137. Awesome Closet!! My wife wants something similar and I’ve now found some inspiration. Few Questions: Are there any plans for this? It appears to be all plywood/mdf sheet goods and then solid wood 1×2 and 1×3 face frames and then a base unit of 2x4s to raise them up. Does that sound right? Are you covering the exposed plywood edges with edge banding or just sanding/painting them? Thanks!!

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  138. So what did you use for the light fixture in the middle? I have a large VERY TALL closet with (ick) flourescents in the middle… I want to change them out.

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  141. I just wanted to leave a note to say that I have never seen anything so amazing! You are truly an inspiration!

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  142. Hi, Sandra!

    Has no way to repeat again and again how WONDERFULL is your closet! Im amazed!

    When I grow up I wanna be like you! hahha

    Im trying improve my closet. I went to Home depot to get some information, but OMG! They didnt know the inf. I have 3 drawers 23″ width x 17″ depth and 8″ hight. I need build a cabinet to place them. How do I calculate the cabinet size?

    I appreciate your help.

    Thank you very much for sharing!

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  143. OMG. I had NO idea that when I pushed “play” I was going to be so impressed! I do a LOT and build a LOT of things on my own but I don’t think I could ever do what you did on that closet!

    Your def. an inspiration. Not to mention the thanks for the video… I have a blog myself and after building and renovating a few homes I know the true work that goes into documenting things like this. Good job and THANK YOU!!!

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  144. Sandra,

    They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I design kitchens and bathrooms for many of my clients after I sell them homes. I am on a job with my husband now and having a stellar real estate selling year so we have just started the fixing up thing on the flip I purchased when the market crashed. I have a 10 x 13 closet and I had one of my carpenters attempt built ins. It was a wreck to say the least. I brought in the GC who is also a 40 year veteran of cabinet making. I showed him your video before I read your comments and told him this took you a weekend. I told him you were the daughter he never had! He laughed and said you could come work with us any day. We drew up our plans yesterday after we watched your 2.5 minute video. I will have what you have by next week but your images were the only thing that even moved me for a closet. The only difference will be the darker floor and a few less cubicles. Thanks for the inspiration. By the way, I showed a client the pics that I printed this morning and we will be doing this for her as well. I am going to charge her $30,000. She didn’t blink. Keep it up kid!

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    • Sweet, if I ever need a job, I might hunt you down and hold you to that “job offer”. 🙂 That’s about the number I have in my heard for this closet. If I charged myself for my time, it would be a $25,000 closet…so far. I have a few things left to do in there!

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  145. Hey,

    I love what you’ve done with the space. I am looking to do the same to my mother’s empty space. I was just curious in what type of wood you used?

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  146. Hi, I know it’s been a while so I hope you get notifications for this. My husband and I are wanting to do this to our unfinished upstairs random room that was “added” by dry walling off the attic space which is now our master. Premades are SO expensive and I am pretty handy. How much did this cost you and what materials did you use? It looks like prefabbed material so shiny and smooth! I want luxe for less. 🙂 It’s lovely!

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  147. Lady, you are AMAZING! We will be starting our new build soon & the thoughts of your closet are constantly swirling in my brain. You are my total DIY hero. You need an award for this stuff.

    I was with the cabinet designer today & asked him the approximate cost to outfit our master closet.
    Drumroll………..
    $20k!!!

    My bachelor’s degree did not cost that much. Seriously (& no, I am not 86).

    I need some mojo from you – some courage to take this on & advice for the naysayers (they will be aplenty). I think I will actually keep this little, ahem, big project to myself for a while so I don’t have to deal with negative poo.

    Also, is there any sort of possibility to build most of this baby remotely? Otherwise it will take me a year to finish if I try after we move in & that won’t fly w/DH.

    Thank you kindly for you input!

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    • You could build the boxes off site and haul them if you have a trailer big enough and enough help to carry them in. These are big and heavy which is why I built them in the room. It would be very difficult to get them around corners and through doorways.

      The cost will vary depending on what you want to achieve.

      The actual boxes are really simple. Adding the faceframe is pretty simple as well. There are a lot of components and you just need to plan well. Trimming it out is where it gets tricky. The little details is what makes the difference between a really nice, high end custom job and an off the shelf, modular unit looking built in.

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  149. Fantastic Job! We have watched your video 3 times. It is so well done, and so much fun to watch. i love your silly sense of humor. We had planned on just installing those ready made closets in our new walk -in, until we seen yours from a pinterest pin. We fell in love with your built-ins. So we are in the middle of our project. I have started posting pics this evening, and hope to have more up tomorrow showing them with the front trim, and crown molding on. The floor molding has to wait on the wood floor. Thanks for posting your pics and inspiring us all.

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  152. Enjoyed looking at all your great ideas! I can’t seem to find a place where you shared info on those wonderful light fixtures in your closet. Did I just miss? If you don’t mind I would appreciate purchasing info–THANKS for help and INSPIRATION!

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  153. WOW! That is an amazing walk in wardrobe. I am so jealous. Mind you, I had a thought. What about you come to England and stay with me for free and whilst you’re here you can build me some wardrobe space as a thank you! Hee Hee
    Honestly, I am amazed at what you have created with wood. Your library I have seen too. Amazing.
    Sadly what I loved most was the token drilling of a few holes by the man (your husband?) so he can tell everyone he built it! That is what my hubbie does. Even with small things like jigsaw puzzles….he has to put a piece in somewhere so he can claim he helped 🙂
    BUT even more humorous was your happy dance at the end. I laughed so so much. It was just what I needed (been laid up in bed for a week sick now) to perk me up.
    I will now be following your blog avidly.
    Thanks for sharing, it’s great to see what hard work can achieve.

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    • LOL My husband never takes any credit for my projects. He hates DIYing too much. 🙂 Installing drawer fronts is a two person job (for me) and I wanted to be the one to eyeball the location and hold the front in place while he screwed them on. I was very appreciative of his help because after 4 months I was SICK of working on that room by myself! LOL ENgland sounds good. 😉

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  154. Hi just got to see your fantastic and amazing video on youtube that lead me to this page here. But did you delete all the pictures of your walk-in closet from this website?

    Anyway thank you for an amazing video that for a few seconds made me think that I could do that on my own as well.

    Oh yes, I was wondering. The rectangular cuts in the flooring, what was the purpose of those? (you can see them 30 to 40 seconds into the video)

    Jane

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  155. what are the dimensions – (wall to wall) of the closet? I’m trying to get an idea of how my closet will be and CAN look if I do it right!!!!

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  157. Totally awesome! Do you feel powerful now? You should! If you could build something like that, you can build ANYTHING!

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  159. Hi Sandra,
    Great project. I am looking to do something similar for my wife.
    I am unable to find the plans and materials list for the Master Closet built-ins. Can you advise the dimensions of the cabinet shells? The height of the middle shelf of the cabinets, seems to be two different heights. The size and height of the drawer boxes. Is the MDF 3/4 or 1 inch?
    Thanks, John

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  160. Hi! I have been LOVING the creativity and ideas here, but I have a question. There’s a link (on one of the zillion pages I’ve looked at) to a cabinet-building tutorial, but when I click on it, I get a 404 error. Halp! Thanks!

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  161. Wow you are truly gifted & I love your work. May I ask, what did you use to edge the closet verticals and horizontals and were they larger than the actual shelves/sides etc. Thanks.

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  162. Your closet project is amazing! We have a master walk-in of similar size and configuration. Just curious what it cost in in materials?

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  163. HI.. I can’t find the link to the “building closet drawers” entry.. Can you tell me what wood you used for the drawers?

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  165. Wow! Speechless! You did an amazing job. The video was so fun to watch. Great, great job! 🙂

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  166. I can’t tell you how many times a day I’ve been visting this website becuase of your closet.. I could live in it.. Can you me how the edges were finished? Did you use a special finishing tape so that the ends of the MDF or Plywood grains isn’t appearent. I would love to see a closer image of your shelves.

    Thank you,
    Nancy

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  169. Moved into my new home a year ago. The previous owners walled off the front dining room and made a doorway into the Master bedroom. So now my wife has a large walk-in closet w/ double hung window and arch and 12ft ceilings. But they went cheap in the shelves and such. I want to do something like the modules (boxes) you built. I think I’ll need about 5.
    What did you use for wood? Plywood or MDF?
    If plywood, what type? and what thickness?

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  171. What paint did you use on the plywood without it bleeding through. Latex or oil? Any Primer? And are your 1xs on the edge flush or you have a slight lip?

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  173. That video [and the fact that you did that project all on your own] was IN-FREAKING-CREDIBLE!!! Totally inspiring. Nicely done. 🙂

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  174. Ok another question.. If you have face franes hiw do you attach the drawer slides (the ones where they attach on the sides) ? I saw your post about installing drawers in your garGe but they didnt have face frames…?

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  175. linens, blankets, precious articles, and much more. In other areas of the house, one can use them for storing books, music discs, DVDs, towels, cleaning products, bed linen, off-season clothing such as caps, woollens, parkas, and so on. The best part is that your built in wardrobe can be customized to your needs and for the purpose of use, by using it with different combinations of shelves, racks, bins, and so on.

    Reply

  176. Hi,
    I am wondering if you could provide a $$$ amount spent on materials for this project. You did a phenomenal job…Love the video

    Reply

  177. I am researching built ins for master closets and came across this, amazing work and after watching the video with my husband, he says “she’s my hero!!” great work 🙂

    Reply

  179. I was wondering what space you had to work with to begin with. We are going to be building a closet from the floor space of our family room to turn it into the master suite. I just can’t decide how much is a good amount when our room is 16 X 13 to begin with. Any advice would be Wonderful! Thanks!

    Reply

    • You can look back at all the project update posts to see dimensions, design an how it came together if that will help. 😉

      Reply

  180. Awesome Sandra!!! Thanks for posting all of this online. We are building a closet similar to yours in layout. We have used alot of your tips and without them, I don’t know if it would have been possible. We still have alot of work to do, but we are making alot of progress.

    We have used the Kreg rip cutter, with the styrofoam like you suggested to make ripping full sheets of plywood, easier. We also used the drawer tutorial to make the drawers with the dado cuts, and the jig to align and install the slides.

    Just wanted to say thank you because your tutorials, tips and videos have made this possible for us!

    Reply

      • Sandra, you saved me again today when I started the crown molding! Thanks so much for making it so easy (kinda)!

        Here is a link to my progress video with most of the trim installed. It has been a process, but I can see the light now!

        Reply

      • Thanks Sandra! Will do.

        Did you glue all of your trim molding onto your cabinets or just nail / caulk / paint?

        I didn’t glue it because I was afraid I would mess up a piece and then have a hard time getting it unglued. I had that problem when I built a cabinet door and had to remake the door 🙁

        Reply

  181. Dear Sandra,

    I live in Brazil, just finished to build this big house, with lot of closets to be built and would love to have you around. Is there any way that I could hire you to make the plans and design of my closets and bookshelves, so that a local carpenter could easily do it? Please let me know if this would be possible and the costs associated with it.

    Kind regards,

    Anamaria

    Reply

  182. Hi!
    We are building a house and of course over budget. So we are trying to copy your walk in closet, which I love by the way! Was wondering if you used furniture paint or just regular wall paint? Also do you remember what color of white you used?
    Thanks so much!
    Christian

    Reply

  184. Great job. Your closets are awesome. I am a new bee. Can you please advice on the material you used.

    White closets:
    Did you buy the regular plywood and user primer and white. Can you please advice on the wood and the paint to bring the white finish. How did you do the wide border between the top and second closet. Is that the plywood piece.

    Wood closets:
    Can you advice on what material and the stain we should use to make wooden color closets. Do we need to stain them or do we get stained sheets in homedepot.

    Reply

  185. I LOVE your “making of” video! So much fun. I also love your closet and am looking forward to reading through all of your how-to entries about how you made this happen. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  186. Wow, you are beautiful and talented! Love the ending of your video with the whole family. I am working on smaller projects now, but I will without a doubt attempt this at some point. You are definitely my inspiration!

    Reply

  187. Hi, I loved your closets, we’ll okay just loved everything you did to entire house. I was wondering if there was a reason as to why you used 2 different materials on your closet. Is one better as far as shelving and drawers. I am wanting to build something similar but with a deep cherry finish or mahogany. Any suggestions would be appreciated on best wood or composite type(I think that’s what I’m thinking of). Thank you in advance

    Reply

  188. Hello Sandra,
    what an amazing job you did, I’m sure you are so proud. of yourefforts. I too am a new bee and I’m about a year away from starting a few simular projects. Can I get some direction from you.

    Reply

    • I’m not taking new clients right now but email me as you get closer to your projects for more detials.

      Reply

  191. Firstly I just wanted to say your work is freaking amazing. You are an inspiration and make me want to get my hands dirty and try fixing mine and my husbands teeny tiny walk in robe. Do you use an app to help you design your work or do you draw everything up? If you do use an app, which one is it?

    Reply

  194. I can’t believe I haven’t seen this closet before. It’s just gorgeous. I was just surfing pinterest for ideas before building cabinets for my closet when I found this. I’ve been see-sawing about whether to put mine on a base (because I’m short and that makes the rod that much higher), and wondered if you did it for looks or for dust bunny control, or some other reason. I just hate the way dust bunnies seem to grow along my baseboard in my current closet, so that’s the reason I’m considering the bases.

    Reply

    • I built my cabinets on top of a base because I prefer how that looks. If you are accumulating dust bunnies along the baseboard now, removing the baseboard won’t change that much. They will just gather in the bottom of the lower cabinet or at the base of the cabinet. Just sweep often I guess.

      Reply

  195. Hi. Love the closet. Quick question, for the cabinets on the end, did you double up the plywood/MDF? From the pictures looks like your face board is wider than 1/2 but it appears to not stick out into the cabinet. On the video it wasn’t shown the end piece. Thanks!

    Reply

  196. Awesome job! How did you do dress up the base? I can see the rails run across and a bottom stile. Just stacked molding over it?

    Reply

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Although it is my intention to provide accurate plans and clear instructions, not all plans have been tried and tested. Using plans or information found on SawdustGirl.com indicates that you agree with the Terms of Use policy and will accept full responsibility for the process and outcome of any project you attempt. All plans are for private use only. Plans and information published on SawdustGirl.com may not be reproduced, republished or distributed in any manner without written permission from Sandra Powell, Sawdust Girl. Actual projects built using Sawdust Girl plans may be published on your own site without instructions or "tutorial" as long as you provide a link to my original post with full post title or "SawdustGirl.com" as link title.