ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER: TAKE TWO (BECAUSE LIFE HAPPENS)

A while ago, I shared how I transformed our entry closet by dividing it in half with an old bookshelf. 

At the time, it felt like the perfect solution, one side for cleaning supplies, the other for coats, jackets, and guest shoes. 

It even looked neat and tidy if the door was left open.

The bookshelf divider worked well for a while, and for what I needed, but eventually it started to feel cramped and cluttered. 

The back half of the closet was harder to access, and the space just wasn’t being used to its full potential. 

On top of that, everyone was leaving a mess on what was supposed to be my “clean and tidy” side.

So… I redid it!

I’ll share both the new and old look in the photos below, but as you may know I’m real life over here. 

I’ve got a creative house, that’s for sure, but at the end of the day it’s still a real house. 

So, these photos aren’t staged or Pinterest-perfect. 

They’re fresh and clean because I just painted and reorganized, but this is still my entry closet, friends.

 Shoes, jackets, and everyday life are all part of the picture.

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The First Makeover: Dividing the Closet with a Bookshelf

When I first tackled the entry closet, I had a lightbulb moment — why not divide the space with a repurposed bookshelf from the basement? 

I patched the walls, secured the bookshelf centered in the space and painted everything one color to give it a built-in look.

It was simple, affordable, and gave me two distinct areas in a closet that measures about 6’ x 9.5’. 

Guests had a spot for coats and shoes up front, while cleaning supplies and our our other jackets and shoes were tucked neatly out of sight in the back.

And honestly, for a while, it was great.

Here’s how it looked:

NOW, TAKE TWO! 

The New Entry Closet Version: Open Shelves + Fresh Paint

As life shifted (like it always does), the divided space just wasn’t working anymore. 

I needed more flexibility and room, so I moved the bookshelf against the long wall and added new shelves on the opposite side. 

That opened up the closet completely while still giving me plenty of storage.

The best part? 

I painted the walls white and the bookshelf storage and shelves a soft sage green, and now the whole space feels calm and refreshed.

I also added some fun adhesive shelf liner to the bookshelf shelves for a little practical style, meaning the shelves won’t get scratched when I place things on them.

Eventually, I’d love to find some cute baskets for the center shelves of the bookshelf, but in the meantime, I painted a few old drawers to match, just a temporary solution until I find the perfect ones (probably from Amazon, lol).

A Happy Bonus: My Art Cart

Under the new wood shelves, I rolled in my little black art cart, and I absolutely love it. 

Since my art room is temporarily taken over by workout equipment, this cart has been a lifesaver. 

It gives me a spot to keep paints, brushes, and sketchbooks close at hand. 

Plus, it has wheels and a little desktop, so I can pull it out onto the front porch or into the living room whenever creativity kicks in.

I’m also using the vintage cabinet right outside the closet to store the rest of my art supplies. 

So even though I gave up my art room for a bit, everything is still tidy, organized, and findable (even if I’m always a mess-maker with my supplies, lol).

Lessons Learned

This closet project is such a good reminder that home projects don’t always have to be “one and done.”

Sometimes the first idea works for a season, and then you pivot when your needs change.

 The best part? 

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make it work again.

With a little rearranging (and maybe a fresh coat of paint), you can reuse what you already have in a whole new way. 

That old bookshelf was the perfect room divider and storage solution back then, and now it’s just as functional against the wall with a new look.

Thank you so much for stopping by Farm Dust and Paint today, it means the world to me and my little farm.

Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram @farmdustandpaint. 

XOXO

Emily

So, did you prefer my first closet makeover better, or the second one?

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