Help! Open closets!

Jujubie
by Jujubie
I moved into a rental and this is what I have for closets. No doors. No trim. A previous renter used shower rods and hung curtains. I can't stand them. It never looks tidy. Any suggestions to remedy this??icon
PS I can make any changes per landlord.
This is the closet's "finished" edges.
  11 answers
  • William William on Apr 20, 2017

    Looks like somebody built a "closet" where there was none. Nailed up a 2X4 frame and slapped some paneling up. You can install doors and trim yourself. Checkout the big box stores and see what appeals to you. I know Home Depot has pamphlets available for the DIY. Make sure you have permission from the landlord in WRITING and see if they are willing to split the cost with you. Otherwise I would do something temporary and not spend my money on a rental only to have the landlord benefit from it.

  • Cheryl Markus Reynolds Cheryl Markus Reynolds on Apr 21, 2017

    I'm in the same situation as you. I rent and I have closets with no doors in both bedrooms but my closets have woodwork around them. I also use the shower rod and curtain method. My remedy for keeping it from looking sloppy, is to use the same sheer curtain on the closet as I do on the window. It's just wide enough for one panel and doesn't bunch up. I think that's the biggest issue with yours. They are bunched up and bulky. Unless you really want to put a door of some type on it, try playing with different fabrics, designs and textures of curtains. Even a shower curtain with a saying or nice picture.

  • CecileH CecileH on Apr 21, 2017

    If you have a Restore near you or a building supply contractor's depot you can often find bi fold doors for less than $20 CAN. You would likely need two for the width of the door. You also need a track for the top, not sure if they have a track for the bottom or not (I don't think so). If you can't find them, look for sets of shutters and find yourself some hinges and make your own. The people at the Habitat for Humanity Restore's are awesome for asking questions and getting very professional advice! Another idea would be to pick up a screen door (lighter weight than a regular door) staple sheer fabric or a second hand sheer curtain to the back to cover the screen and use it as the door. You would need to put up a piece of trim on the opposite side of the hinges so the door has something to close against...add a couple felt pads or you will get that not so nice smacking sound every time you open and close the door! lol If I can add a piece of advice, it looks like the shelf above the hanging rod isn't working for your needs. If you are able to get a 1" x 2" piece of scrap wood at least 4 times the length of the depth of your closet, measure out 4 pieces the depth and make yourself a second shelf for the seasonal or not so often used items you can store higher. Make the actual shelf not as deep as the bottom one so you have room to get the items up between the front wall of the closet and the shelf.

  • Hel6969717 Hel6969717 on Apr 21, 2017

    U can try to buy an IKEA cabinet that will fit inside and is a bit Lower and yu need spaces to fill add some fitted baskets or install a restore door and add a mirror on the door hence two ideas at once ...,will hide the door and frame a mirror from an old bathroom and it will make the space look larger too .. hope that helps

  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Apr 21, 2017

    Looks like you may be able to use bi-fold doors that do not need a track at the top. I used Lowe's, they will install for a fee, two bi-fold doors to block off my kitchen from the back entry way. Might cost a few hundred in total cost, depending on the door style you use, but this will look much neater than hanging a curtain.

  • Mary Boger Mary Boger on Apr 21, 2017

    Sheer curtain as mentioned r even a pretty sheet.

  • Sharon Sharon on Apr 21, 2017

    You might also find a folding shoji screen, and buy one of those barn door track systems or some other kind of track to mount it into the opening. Ikea sells shoji screens I believe. I have also seen people make a barn door look with pallet wood and mount on barn door slider.

  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Apr 21, 2017

    That looks like a tension rod holdin up a curtain. Maybe the shower rod that has a curve to it would work better since it directs the curtains out further they won't get caught up on the items in the closet. You could mount it higher above the door frame on brackets that stick out further to give enough room for two panels that open in the middle to stack up at the sides when open.

  • Cmw16916895 Cmw16916895 on Apr 21, 2017

    I have used hanging beads on a rod (like the 70's look!) or shutters connected on either ends of the closet. You can install mini lights and greenery to the shutter "doors" So pretty and functional!

  • Derrick Moore Derrick Moore on Apr 24, 2017

    A barn door would look nice there as long as the owner allows it.

  • Tea21287307 Tea21287307 on Apr 24, 2017

    Not sure I would go to the expense to put Dorsz in in a rental. I would use a shower curtain the Bose out word and get some really cute fabric that matches your Decour you could even find some cute stuff at like a Joannes or calico corners

    Then just fold over the top and so if you have a machine a loop and put the rod through it just remember to get extra because it will bow out word so when you're measuring you will need an extra foot four to bow out to make sure it Will be wide enough. I often look at their scraps because some of them are end of the bolts and they have really cute material