Before and After: This “Dumping Ground” of a Closet Was Transformed Into a Gorgeous Reading Nook
Closet space — especially when there are limited amounts of it — can be fickle, especially if it’s for a child. On the one hand, it needs to be functional and everything needs to have a spot, but alternatively, it can quickly become a headache as young children’s needs change seemingly daily. Jacqueline Schowetsky is no stranger to a chaotic closet.
When Jacqueline, her husband, and their 3-month-old daughter, Vienna, moved into their rental home, the closet in Vienna’s bedroom was the only storage space beside the basement. “I couldn’t go downstairs with an infant when I needed her extra diapers and wipes, etc.,” Jacqueline says.
The closet is three feet wide and seven feet long and, at the start, had two shelves and a bar for hanging clothes. “It was a dumping ground of all her things with no organization at first,” Jacqueline explains. “As time went on, I put leftover nursery wallpaper on the ceiling and organized all of her things into baskets and bins. I also hung her blankets on the clothing bar, but I felt as if it still wasn’t being used properly.”
Last year, as Vienna approached her second birthday, Jacqueline decided to change the space. She wanted to create an area where Vienna could “read and play in this new toddler stage of life,” Jacqueline shares. It was important that Vienna was included in the reimagining process, too. When dreaming about how the new closet would look, Jacqueline asked her daughter to help look through mood board inspiration. Eventually, Jacqueline landed on creating a reading nook full of pinks and gold.
“I wanted it to be a whimsical space with nods to her favorite things like Barbie, Minnie Mouse bows, and The Wizard of Oz,” Jacqueline says. “I made sure the design left room for storage but wanted her to have access to her books and toys to create more independence. Many of her toys are in our living room, so this space was solely for her.”
Once Vienna and Jacqueline decided on the mood board, it was time to do some research. Jacqueline admits that she wanted to make a big difference without spending a ton of money. So, she took inventory of what they already had and, at the time, partnered with Lowes. Taking the project slowly also helped save money, which proved to be tricky as Jacqueline admits she’s a somewhat “impatient person.” There were other roadblocks during the project, too.
“Each step felt like it took forever because I could only work on the closet when my husband was able to take her out of the house,” Jacqueline shares. “I couldn’t work on it while she was napping because it was in her room. Every time I worked on it, I had to remove her belongings and put them back since, of course, she lives and plays in her room.”
Jacqueline started by removing the ceiling wallpaper and repairing the drywall. Then it was time to paint, which Vienna actually helped with, too. Behr’s White Stone, Sunwashed Brick, and Pebbled Courtyard were the perfect color palettes to create the new space.
Jacqueline and her husband (plus a little help from Vienna!) installed new IKEA cube shelves and wrapped them in Amazon wallpaper. Several details made the space feel even cozier. For example, a pink reading chair, a DIY pendant lamp using an IKEA plant pot, bow-shaped hooks, and a rug from Amazon.
“With each part of the design, I had to take into account the way she plays and create the space to be conducive to creating independence,” Jacqueline explains. “The closet is also an add-on to the house, so I needed to put a rug in there to keep her warm and cozy as well as rechargeable lighting since there is no electrical in the closet.”
It took Jacqueline around eight weeks to finish, and she submitted it to the One Room Challenge in 2024. Another plus? Because of her ability to use materials they already had and the Lowes partnership, the closet makeover cost less than $200 and was entirely renter-friendly. Vienna loves the space, too, and can often be found playing solo, reading, or pretending to DIY or paint (following in Jacqueline’s footsteps!). The closet also makes Jacqueline feel sentimental about her childhood.
“The different shades of pink and gold, along with the Barbie Dreamhouse and bow design that I painted, remind me of when I was young. I love that the stuffed animal hammock helps with the storage of her many cuddly friends. I also had a similar one when I was a child,” she says. “It makes me so happy that I could create a space that inspires her to be creative and independent, cozy, comfortable, and safe. I love that she is able to play by herself, be imaginative, and nurture the foundations of reading. She loves her little sconce light that I DIYed and her cozy pink chair.”
Product List
Storage Baskets — Amazon
Rainbow Light — The Home Depot
Rug — Amazon
Plant Pot — IKEA
Bow Hooks — Amazon
Shelves — IKEA
Wallpaper — Amazon
Chair — Lowes
Further Reading
These 15 Kids’ Storage Beds Have Hidden Depths
The Best Twin Mattresses for Kids
This $16 Find Is One of the Best Purchases I've Ever Made at IKEA
