dresser + hardware | door knob | mirror | changing pad | pail | baskets (natural, white)

This post is in partnership with Homes.com.

We first began planning for the nursery closet way back in January – before this room was a nursery and better known as The Scary Room. Because the room itself is long and skinny (as is typical for a Chicago bedroom in a hundred-year-old home) the hope was always to create a spacious closet that was wide and deep enough to accommodate a dresser. Now that the room is officially our baby girl’s future nursery, we knew that this closet needed to be a workhorse that would could grow with her and accommodate her different needs. We needed more than just a closet – we needed a space to change diapers, nooks to tuck away creams, lotions and a diaper pail, baskets to house too-large clothing and storage for surplus blankets, diapers and books. And for the coming years, we needed the space to hang clothing, stash shoes and contain Legos, stuffies and dolls.

After sketching out various plans on paper, crossing them out, trying again and finally landing on a design that was neat, clean and modular, we got to work! Although I had my eyes on a higher end custom closet, Scott challenged us to create an organized and multi-functional system on a budget. We’re sharing the entire makeover – from the pale pink walls to the DIY plywood shelving (with veneered edges!) – on the Homes.com blog this week!

Every square inch of the closet has been accounted for, including the vertical shelving on each side (and the perfect nooks they create for our diaper pail and laundry basket), but the changing table is a scene stealer. We worked with our friends at MegMade to transform a vintage dresser from its original dark mahogany finish (can you believe it used to look like this?) to the palest shade of birch, with shiny brass bin pulls to top it off! All sources are listed at the bottom of this post.

We no longer keep the door to the nursery closed, and we love that Jack, Chunk and Libby have been exploring all the corners of this room. The closet doors are kept open, too, acting as an extension of the room, but we love that we can close it off should we feel the need. The full closet tutorial – from rough paper sketches to DIY shelving to putting organizational systems in place – can be found on Homes.com!

Source List:

Wall color: Benjamin Moore’s Intense White (room), Morristown Cream (closet) | DIY shelving | vintage changing table from MegMade | dresser hardware | closet knobs | mirror | changing pad | diaper pail | natural baskets | white baskets | wooden infant hangers (with clips) | small laundry basket | pink hippo toy | rug | sconce | polar bear high tops | white sneakers | denim overalls | plaid dress | raspberry cardigan | jumpsuit