DIY Del Ray: Small Spaces Make Great Places

In small homes, we're always looking for ways to make the most out of every corner. Leslie and I both have kids that share bedrooms so it's even more difficult to give each of our kids a place of their own. Both of our oldest kids were also asking for privacy from their younger siblings and a quiet place for homework and art projects.

Pondering this small-space connundrum, we realized the closets in our kids' bedrooms were wasted space—none of our kids have clothes that need to be hung up and we've found ample space under beds to store clothes and toys. So our solution: turn the closets into home offices.

Leslie's daughters' closet got a makeover with sky blue paint, built-in shelves, a bulletin board, and space for all her oldest daughter's prized posessions. She removed the closet door and installed a sheer curtain for added privacy.

In my sons' closet, I disassembled a table I found on the side of the road, spruced it up and secured it to the back wall for a perfectly sized desk. The closet also got a fresh coat of paint and some carpet tiles. Next up is adding a light, shelves and some bulletin boards. 

Thanks to some free curb-side treasures, the additional supplies needed for these projects were less than $100. And the good news—the offices can easily be converted back into closets and so far, both younger siblings haven't expressed interest in their own closet office. That'll be another small-space hurdle, but it's one we're ready to face.

Looking for more ideas to make the most of your home's small spaces? Visit http://www.DIYDelRay.com