Asked on Feb 22, 2014

Building an armoire closet

Christine
by Christine
Confusing? Yup. I have an area that's going to be a closet. But, rather than just boring closet doors I'd like to make it look like I've put an armoire in that alcove. I can make the doors, no biggie. It's the rest of the idea that's confusing me some. What would you do?
  8 answers
  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 22, 2014
    @ christine are you seeking help on how to install the doors? I love your idea and wonder what type of decor/theme the room will have,if any?
  • Christine Christine on Feb 22, 2014
    No, I know how to build and install the doors. I guess I'm looking for what kind of framework I'd put in this alcove. I'm picturing something that looks like I pushed a big armoire into the alcove. I'm thinking the front sides of the armoire, it's face frame, and the doors would stick out a little bit. I'm rather traditional with a little bit of detail, so it'll be simple, but maybe with some appliques or crown molding on the top. I wish I could find a picture. I've searched built-ins and armoires and every variation I can think of, but as of yet, nada.
  • Christine Christine on Feb 22, 2014
    I found this on Houzz, which is the closets picture I can locate so far: I'm just not certain how to make this happen. I'm a self-taught problem waiting to happen! :)
  • Louise Perkins Louise Perkins on Feb 23, 2014
    Are the doors going to the floor or will they be floating like the cabinet in the pictures? if it floats you will need to add a floor or shelf a little higher then the cabinet doors for them to cover it. The rest is just a face design. Frame work would be like the front of any cabinet. good luck!
  • Christine Christine on Feb 23, 2014
    I've actually been thinking a frame at the bottom into which the doors would fit. So yes, there'd be a bottom to the armoire. I'm also thinking to make it look like it's protruding from the alcove, I'll have to make some kind of side frame, as well. It's coming together in my head. Now, to get it from head to armoire!
  • Z Z on Feb 24, 2014
    I saw this sometime ago and fell in love with the idea. Luckily I found the blog post for you. Even if you use full height doors the way she framed it out could help you. http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2011/06/faux-armoire.html
    • See 1 previous
    • Z Z on Feb 24, 2014
      I thought that might be what you were looking for @Christine. Why I can remember things like this and not what I did five minutes ago I have no clue. Ha ha ha! Guess it's lucky for you though. :^D
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Feb 24, 2014
    Since not all chests float, all you have to do is put a flat piece along the bottom of each door (I would make it about 1/8" higher so there would be no chance of it dragging.) The top can be finished out above the actual door as fancy as you wish to make it. If you want to avoid a lot of weight on the doors and make it sort of antique, you could use a wire grate inside the frame (could be filled in later). This would allow for ventilation and could have fabric inside the doors (just a thought) An attractive latch on the outside to hold the doors closed would be a good touch too!
  • Christine Christine on Feb 24, 2014
    I think the frame with a grate or something might be a good idea, because the space I have is wide. I don't want it to be overwhelming, so I'll have to figure that part out, too. Essentially, the space/alcove is a bump out in one room for the coat closet in the front hallway. The coat closet is too shallow to hang coats, and the space on either side of the door in the closet is this 1.5" space that can't really be used for shelving, nor hanging anything. So it's dumb space. My idea is to build it out a little into the other room, making it a viable bedroom, (must have a closet) give it proper hanging depth, but make it more interesting that just a bi-fold door or something. I see what you mean about the bottom of the doors. Great.
    • See 2 previous
    • Z Z on Feb 24, 2014
      Thank you @Christine. I'm obsessive about organizing so closets, along with cabinets and furniture, are all about storage in our home and they are used to their utmost.