Creative Closet Solution: Try This Fun and Easy Chifferobe Makeover!
I recently made over my guest bedroom that was “Modern Folk” inspired. It needed a small closet for clothes but also a place for guests to place their personal items on and this thrifted antique chifferobe was the perfect solution!
WHAT IS A CHIFFEROBE? Trust me, don’t feel bad for asking this question because I also didn’t know. A chifferobe is a piece of furniture that combines a long wardrobe for hanging clothes with a set of drawers. Most will also have a small mirror (like mine). This furniture item was the perfect solution for this space but I knew a few simple upgrades would make this small-space closet solution feel a little more magical.
Read on to learn about the full transformation!
Chifferobe (or antique wardrobe) Makeover
Compared to some of my furniture building DIYs that I've been doing of late (check out the headboard I made for the same guest bedroom or the coffee table/ottoman I created for my living room area), this chifferobe makeover was super simple. It was really just about cleaning it up and making it match the rest of the spare room!
Tools and Materials List
Mural: https://etsy.me/3T0Q8rq
Hardware: https://bit.ly/3wr4Uii
WallPaper Insert *didn’t have blue but I wish I had used this one!
An old wardrobe/armoire/chifferobe that meets your needs
Cutting mat
Box cutters
Dynamic wall covering adhesive
Sanding block
WD-40 (you can find this at Home Depot)
Howard Feed 'N Wax (your new best friend when it comes to restoring old wood!)
The wood itself was in great shape with just a few nicks and bruises here and there. I think they actually made this chifferobe look even better since I wanted to use it as a vintage statement piece. There was existing contact paper in the bottom of the wardrobe area and the drawers too. That paper was in rough shape and I knew it would need to be replaced. The wood knobs were in good shape, but I personally feel that one of the easiest ways to make furniture into a work of art is to replace the hardware! So, I knew what I needed to do. It was time to execute the plan!
The Mural
This was the pièce de résistance and the best part of this furniture makeover! I purchased a giant mural-in-four-panels off Etsy. I chose the panel I liked best (the last panel on the right) to add to the wood panel on the front of the wardrobe section of my chifferobe. I chose this mural for its muted colors and beautiful landscape. The whole thing reminded me of a vintage oil painting, which was perfect for the vibe I was trying to create.
This was such an easy way to make a big impact in the space!
I cut the mural panel to size on the floor using my cutting mat and box cutters. Then applied the wallpaper adhesive on the cabinet door, added the mural panel on top, and smoothed it with my putty knife. I trimmed the edges where needed.
I could not BELIEVE how beautiful this turned out. I felt like I was looking through the wardrobe into a scene from Narnia! It was just the right amount of vintage whimsy the room needed.
In case you're wondering what happened to the other three panels, never fear! I repurposed one of the strips on the back of my door to create a little hidden surprise for my guests <3 The other two will be kept for another project in the future.
New Hardware
I chose a muted brass flowered knob that complemented the mural and the wood without overwhelming any of it. I removed the old wood knobs, sanded off the glue residue left behind, and added the new knobs. It really is the little things that can make the biggest difference, and new hardware is no exception! Even though there was nothing wrong with the old wood knobs, I'm so glad I put in the extra effort.
WATCH THE FULL PROCESS ON YOUTUBE!
New contact paper
I had been squirrelling away a roll of gorgeous vintage flower contact paper hoping for the right project, and I am so glad I did! It was a vintage floral pattern with a bit of yellow to it that definitely matches the room. I pulled the old paper out of the drawers and the wardrobe (this was so easy, yay!). Then, I vacuumed and wiped down the whole thing so I was starting with a clean piece of furniture. Next, I cut my peel and stick contact paper to size with the cutting mat and box cutters and put it in the bottom of the drawers and wardrobe. Contact paper is such a great way to make an instant and dramatic change! Now whenever I go into the drawers to retrieve the small items stored there, I will smile and admire the paper. Perfect!
Finishing touches
Once the mural, contact paper, and new hardware were all installed, there were just a few cosmetic changes to make. I used my trusty WD-40 on the hanging rod to make it slide in and out more smoothly. Then, I used my favourite wood polish to make the whole piece shine. This product hydrates any dry spots in your wood and evens out and deepens the natural color of the original wood to make it look young and fresh again. For example, the faded circles where the old knobs used to sit almost disappeared after a coat of the polish.
I hung the formal clothes we do not use on a regular basis in the wardrobe and styled the top of the dresser portion with some dried florals in a white vase and a glass jar with vintage vibes. I am so happy with how this chifferobe makeover turned out!
What are your best tips for living without a traditional closet? Share them or your own furniture DIY in the comments or on Instagram with @diydanie!
How do I make closet space without a closet?
There are a few ways to create closet space without actual built-in closets! Here are some that I considered:
Use existing furniture as storage
If your bedroom has a couple of nightstands, a side table, a chest of drawers, or an existing storage bench in it already, try and be creative with these small spaces and put them to good use! Leaving one drawer open in the nightstand for your guests and using the bottom drawer as your own storage space is a great option, for example.
Utilize vertical space
If you're like me and don't have the floor space for an actual closet, consider going up instead of out! You could use over-the-door storage (there are so many different organizers out there for every need), install hooks on some wall-mounted boards on one wall, or even install some open shelving. All of these options are creative ways to make storage space that doesn't take up as much room as an actual closet. If open floor space is your ultimate goal, these are great options that could work well on a small budget.
Remember the space under the bed
If your bed has enough room underneath it, another viable option for more storage is a collection of baskets or storage bins that are either pretty enough to be in plain view or that roll away from the edge of the bed for unseen storage options. IKEA makes great woven or plastic bins to suit any style. It's all about using the space you already have!
Add a piece of furniture
A wardrobe or armoire still takes up less space than an actual closet and can be a great option for adding bedroom storage while conserving extra space.
