DIY

IKEA HACK LINEN CUPBOARD SOFT REVEAL

If you have been following me on IG since before May then you know that I have put the pro in procrastination when it comes to working on my linen cupboard built-in. I am writing this blog post giddy because it is DONE.

Before

Today

Well, done, other than the glass inserts that will go in the doors. I have the glass on order (cue industry-wide delays). So we will call it a “soft reveal” for the time being. I am doing a frosted reeded glass and I could not be more excited about it. It is going to be the showstopper. I pulled my inspiration from Chris Loves Julia’s cabinet and Amber Interiors’ pantry (see below).

Source: Chris Loves Julia

Source: Amber Interiors

When designing this linen cupboard, storage and a “seamless look” were my top priorities. The closet that used to be there was dark and dingy. It was the last place I wanted to pull a cozy towel from before a shower!

Obviously, a linen cupboard’s main purpose is storage. But I wanted to make the storage more functional and prettier. I really wanted a glass feature because the space is in view from the couch in the living room. With the solid living room built-in doors, I wanted to break it up with another material and texture.

In an ideal world, my linen cupboard would always be organized and clean. But this is not realistic. So I decided on frosted reeded glass — two layers obscuring. My hope is that this will blur out what is behind the glass enough. Check back in a few blog posts when I do the hard reveal to find out how that worked out!!

Personally, I find drawers are so practical. When it comes to DIY, they are a lot harder to make than doors. I was jumping up and down when I discovered the Ikea Hemnes 3-drawer dresser dimensions worked for this space. Hello time saver!!

This worked out so perfectly because I was hoping for the finished look to be inset and flush with the drywall. I wanted it to be low-profile. Who doesn’t love a good Ikea hack? All the pretty and tidy items will live on the upper half shelves and all the messy and cluttery items will live in the bottom half drawers.

For the doors, I used a very simple wood knob that I painted white. I used these pretty antique brass pulls for the drawers. They feel like the fraternal twin of the knobs I used on the living room built-ins. They are on the same sightline from the living room so it just feels really cohesive. And finally, I decided on antique brass door hinges.

Functional? Yes. Pretty? Heck yes. A successful DIY? I would say so!