FRONT ENTRY CLOSET RENOVATION | SHIPLAP ACCENT WALL | CUSTOM MADE FLOATING BENCH

[@MesseswithMichelle]

I love how my closet turned out. Just taking off the doors and having an open concept made a huge difference. Let me know in the comments if you have worked on any projects around the house lately.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

@Tehmen Rachel Definitely give it a try. It opens up the hallway so much and it also helps keep the closet clean and not back into the mess it was before LOL.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

@Tehmen Rachel We screwed the hooks into the wall studs behind the shiplap as well for added strength. We used an all purpose flat head screw 8 x 2-1/2.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

@Tehmen Rachel yes, that is right.

[@chickenmuffin]

This is EXACTLY what I want to do with our front closet, someone help me convince my wife haha. Instead of Shiplap I almost want to use pegboard so you could move them around for hanging scarves coats etc in winter, but then hats and other things in summer.

[@billmuertos]

I liked how you karate chop the pillow @11:41 lol best part

[@MesseswithMichelle]

hahaha thanks! I wanted to make sure I had the perfect chop in the pillow LOL.

[@RatHouseProductions1]

I’ll be sending this to my husband lol thank you

[@dianesmith7472]

Love it - so helpful - my closet is about the same size and I just removed the doors - about to dismantle and remake similar to yours

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you! Just taking off the doors makes the hallway seem so much wider. Happy renovating. I am sure your closet is going to look fabulous.

[@annheide8856]

It looks good. Nice attention to detail. I wish you had shown the entire space, before and after. How does your entry way look on the whole? I’m sure it’s great since you’re enjoying so much, but I can’t totally appreciate the outcome or feel inspired to do it myself with out a broader view.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Ann Heide thank you. I’m really happy how it turned out. I’ll be posting a few pictures soon on my Instagram account messeswithmichelle with a few different perspectives of the hallway with the renovated closet.

[@indoodesai6896]

Great great job! 😊

[@nsalerno91]

Michelle, how did you seal the front face piece to the bench plank?

[@allamerican3100]

She won’t tell you because she’s a jerk

[@brendaleyva-padilla965]

Beautiful!

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you!

[@davidmiller3671]

Great job well done 👍

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you!

[@valeriephillips3009]

Beautiful transformation and a great idea! I am constantly looking for a place to put on my shoes. Problem solved! This DYI is something I can complete. I am inspired! Love the open concept. You can also add the doors back on if you choose later. You convinced me that a closet can play an important part of my decorating!

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Valerie Phillips thank you! I agree the closet can make a big difference in the space to change it up.

[@alicewells5834]

Love it !,you guys did a amazing job.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you! It came out beautifully. I love the open concept.

[@ladykenja2700]

- VERY nicely done.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you!

[@ericaphillips4891]

I love it! Gorgeous transformation!!!! Very inspiring.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Erica Phillips thank you!

[@patriciaf3190]

Gorgeous!! Definitely inspired to do something in my front closet now....🤗

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Patricia F thank you! You should definitely do it! Taking off the doors alone makes a huge difference.

[@taylorfausett177]

Great job!

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you!

[@millwright24]

Wow looks so good . Great job 👍👍👍

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you. I am very happy my vision for the closet came to life!

[@mickimc2883]

Beautiful! I am looking to help my sister do her entry closet like this, been looking for inspiration. Thank you! Love it! By the way, I am Michelle and my husband of 30 years .... Bobby. LOL (no kidding!)

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you! The open concept really makes an impact in the front hallway. That is awesome! It just shows Bobby’s and Michelle’s are a match made in heaven 😉

[@mickimc2883]

@@MesseswithMichelle :OD

[@triciadovidiocosmetologist5613]

looks great! I'm just concerned that coats will always be on display. Does that ever bother you? Thanks

[@MesseswithMichelle]

I switch out the coats seasonally to avoid too much clutter displayed. The open concept does need extra tidying up throughout the week. Thanks for watching!

[@ailanitliz592]

Hi! this is so great to see. Does anyone have recommendations to do if you have a staircase leading into this closet? I have a railing instead of the left door basically so it seems like I would have to remove the wall where the railing is but wondering if anyone has done this near a staircase, thanks!

[@celesteskycop6671]

What wood do i buy at home depot? Soft pine 2x4's or hard wood 2x4's? Did you get the sanded, paintable maple plywood for the top?

[@johnnytocino9313]

Nice job. One problem. What happened to all those shoes? Just end up in the basement? I think you can make a nice moveable shoe rack underneath the bench. Say with some full extension drawer slides. You have heavy duty 2x4 bench to hang from that can support the weight.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you. I ended up donating a lot of the newer barley used shoes and throwing out the older ones. The baskets on the top shelf have the overflow with the rest. We were planning to add a second shelf but ended up scrapping the idea because there wasn’t enough clearance for tall winter boots with two shelves.

[@johnnytocino9313]

@@MesseswithMichelle it looks great though.

[@optimalpropertysolutions2952]

Great job. How has the bench held up with the floating concept v’a having legs for support?

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you! We built a frame around the perimeter of the closet using 2x4's and secured them to the studs in the wall. We used joist hangers to connected all corners and added additional 2x4's in the centre of the frame for added support. This allowed the floating bench to be secure without the use of legs.

[@optimalpropertysolutions2952]

@@MesseswithMichelle I love it. Most of the videos Ive seen ppl have done legs and a raised floor which seems like a lot of wasted time and space under the bench. Im going to copy your design. Just didn't know how much weight that would hold.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

@@optimalpropertysolutions2952 we did a weight check prior to placing the board for the bench to make sure it was sturdy. It can take a lot of weight. Just make sure to buy strong joist hangers.....we learned the hard way when we did the first weight check and the frame collapsed. Lol.

[@juliefolkerts1809]

Closet looks great. But I didn't see how you finished the frame where you took off the closet door.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Thank you! We just painted over the frame. We didn’t end up patching up the door frame holes because at the time we were not sure if we were going to keep the doors off. We still haven’t patched the holes just so we have the option to put the doors back on. Thanks for watching!

[@hannahstark331]

I’m struggling with lack of instructions on how to connect the front lip of the bench to complete the project. Do you have any guidance or details on the how?

[@MesseswithMichelle]

We used L brackets to connect the front lip. The L brackets are secured under the front lip and connected to the bottom of the bench.

[@heathermoore-simmons4544]

I would like to do the same for us but I need to figure out how to do more shoe storage (and by boys have size 14 shoes!)

[@MesseswithMichelle]

Originally we planned to add a second shelf under the bench for added shoe storage. Bobby is a size 14 as well LOL. It’s so hard to find size 14 at stores. Most stores carry up to size 13.

[@mjob1955]

How did you fix where the hinges were when you removed the doors

[@MesseswithMichelle]

I didn’t end up filling in the hinge indentations or holes, just to leave the option to put the doors back on if needed.

[@NatechGaming]

What music do you use in this video? Specifically the song that starts at around 5.25. I cannot find it anywhere.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

I use Epidemic Sound. I don’t have the complete song info but I believe the song name is wolves at our back door.

[@Jsn604]

I’m curious why you didn’t open the entire wall, floor to ceiling?

[@MesseswithMichelle]

We wanted the option to put the doors back on if needed. We have two dogs and one likes to steal shoes so we weren’t sure if the open concept would last but so far so good.

[@kylebabbitt9238]

How high up from the ground did you decide to put your bench? What made you go with that height?

[@MesseswithMichelle]

From the top of the bench to the floor the height is 22” and from the front lip of the bench to the floor the height is 17”. We were originally planning to add another shelve for extra storage but decided not to do at that time but we can now add an extra shelf if needed.

[@cocoll8635]

But then where are the shoes and jackets

[@lexybrownn3]

What approximately did this cost you? I'm wondering if it will be cheaper to do myself or have it done.

[@MesseswithMichelle]

I can’t remember the exact cost but it was under $1,000. The cost of the prefab shiplap was the biggest expense for the project each board was around $10.

[@DanielL5951]

What’s the diameter of the cupboard please

[@MesseswithMichelle]

The measurements are 22” deep, 56” width and 81” height.

[@didtoknan8128]

Good job but the after shots do not include the jackets and with them we all know it's less cute. That's the reason I did not remove the doors in mine.

[@staceyleighp1]

May I ask the cost of this project

[@MesseswithMichelle]

The cost was around $1,000. The biggest expense was the shiplap and we had to buy the saw to cut each board.

[@jasminereynard1360]

Where did you get your bench board? Do they do custome size at any old home depot or something?

[@MesseswithMichelle]

The board is from Home Depot. We bought a large sheet and cut it to size at home but I believe Home Depot can cut the wood for you.

[@p.cardielc9170]

Can I ask what screws you used for the frame (to screw into the studs)? Thx

[@MesseswithMichelle]

We used an all purpose flat head screw 2-2.5 inches in length.