● More Closet Doors

T

here were more builders doors that I replaced. They were all over the house! This time, the laundry and linen closet doors had to go. These were the same clunky bi-fold models that “jumped” the hinges at the most inconvenient times.

I was frustrated constantly trying to make sure that all the parts were balanced. I was fearful that the sharp bottom edges would graze my feet one day and draw blood. It became difficult to place them back on the track hardware. The maintenance became more frequent.

I reluctantly accepted that these doors were on their last legs (pun definitely intended). The situation, itself, became increasingly hard to take.

I did not want to put this kind of effort into something I did not even like!

It was time to replace them. I liked the louvered doors that I fixed onto the broom closet. Why not do that here?

I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.
– Vincent Van Gogh

Doing it myself helps me know my living spaces a little better. I learn how things work. Importantly, these projects help me achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in my life – at home and in the shop. I get exactly what I want as I imagined and designed them.

Here is the project.

Story #13: More louvered doors

I measured the openings. The linen closet already had a frame or casing to hang a door. There was no casing at the laundry room. I bought a few boards to frame that opening. Louvered doors were my first choice. They were perfect for the broom closet that I completed earlier. Having the same doors for all of these storage spaces would be a decorating win in coordination.

I picked an inexpensive door set in the bi-fold style. I separated the panels. The stiles were shaved with a hand plane to fit each opening. Sandpaper helped with the final fitting.

Louvered door for the linen closet

The linen closet…. is just a linen closet. I can’t say much more about that.

I like sourcing whimsical, handmade door pulls for my projects at flea markets and estate sales.

For a decorative touch, I added some on the doors.

The towels and paper products are stored in this small closet.

Incidentally, this closet presented another opportunity to remove more original wire shelving. In another bootstrap project, I installed wood shelves that provided more efficient storage space here.

The louver slats provide ventilation for the towels in the linen closet.

Louvered door for the laundry room

Across the hall from the linen closet is the small laundry room. Here, I replaced the original clunky doors with louvered ones to match the linen closet. I followed the same procedure separating the panels and adjusting the fit. The bright sunflower color I chose to paint the doors could have gone wrong. Instead, it adds texture and actually calms the space.

Notice the magnetic latch at the top of the casing. It holds the door panels securely when the door is closed. The laundry light cover on the wall solved the bare bulb issue. It was similar to the problem solved in the bedroom closet.

Heat and moisture from the washer and dryer dissipate faster now. A big surprise: the noise level was not as loud through the louver slats as I feared. That was an issue I wrestled with. It was not soundproof with the heavier original doors. Sounds from the washer and dryer are minimal. In fact, the louvers manage to dampen the sound when the machines are in operation. Clothes tumbling in the dryer are not disturbing at all in the hall or adjacent bedrooms.

This time, I finished the door with painted ceramic pulls found at a flea market. Those tiny pieces of whimsy make doing laundry less of a drudgery.

The painted louvered door brightens the hall and coordinates with the wall art.

And that color – sunflower – coordinates peacefully and cheerfully with the neutral wall color.

Under the skylights on a sunny day, the approach on the stairs to the door is uplifting. That makes me very happy!

Baadaye

Shirley J ♥️

Remember: If you are going to make any project, be mindful and be safe.