Page 6 - Van Wig & Associates Newsletter, Lakewood Edge ~ October 2019 Issue

odds and ends
IN THE HOME

by Kathryn Weber

t’s true that you can never have
too much storage. Homes with
I generous closet and drawer space
are a dream. But what if your closet
is shy on space? With some clever
changes you can carve out more
storage in your closets.

1. USE THE BACK OF THE DOOR
The back of your closet door can
hold a variety of items. Add an over
the door hanger with multiple hooks,
and you can hang robes, exercise
wear, belts or hats. Look for specialty
hangers specifically made for the back
of your closet door.

2. DITCH THE PLASTIC HANGERS
It’s true; tubular plastic hangers 10 WAYS TO SQUEEZE MORE SPACE
do take up more space. Recycle those
mismatched plastic hangers with OUT OF YOUR CLOSET
velvet thin hangers in a single color.
You can get 100 for about $32 on
AmazonBasics (www.amazon.com).
5. PLACE SHELVES AND of closet real estate because they’re reduce the number of hangers needed
3. ADD A SHELF DRAWERS UNDER CLOTHES bulky and they’re doubled up. by hanging up to eight garments per
ON LOWER RODS Make the most of space by Reclaim some of that space with hanger.
If you have a double rod closet, be adding a dresser or drawer unit specialty hangers for pants that let
sure to add a shelf over the lower rod. under hanging shirts. Look for easy you hang four or five pairs of pants 10. ADD A SHELF UNIT
This is the perfect place to add thin to configure units like the Nordli on one hanger. It may seem like you’re taking
jewelry boxes like Colleen’s Prestige (www.ikea.com) that can be adapted away valuable hanging space,
sunglass and jewelry storage boxes to multiple sizes and shapes. 8. GROUP CLOTHING LENGTHS but a shelf unit can be outfitted
(www.hsn.com). Place all long garments on one end with baskets that can work like
6. INSTALL HOOKS ON SHELVES of the closet. This will enable you to drawers, storing folding T-shirts,
4. GET WIRED Adding hooks on either side of create more space under the shorter corralling flip-flops, housing shoes
Affix wire baskets to odd corners closet shelf boxes makes a handy garments for additional storage. or containing other odds and ends
and small spaces to hold odds and spot to hang belts, handbags and that clutter closet floors. n
ends. Wire shelves can be added above scarves. 9. PUT TANKS AND CAMISOLES
regular shelves to add more space, and ON A MULTI-HANGER ©2019 Kathryn Weber.
they enable you to see what’s on the 7. REDUCE YOUR PANT SPACE A tank top hanger (www.target.com) Distributed by Tribune Content
shelf at the top. Jeans and pants eat up a lot is a great way to group like items and Agency, LLC.

by Kathryn Weber

here’s one holdover that’s
common to a lot of
T bathrooms and that instantly
dates your bath: the acrylic shower
or tub enclosure. It’s expensive and
troublesome to remove this piece.
However, updating the enclosure
is an easy and inexpensive project
for most homeowners. So if the
trouble and expense of removing
your acrylic tub or shower surround
isn’t for you, there are budget- and
time-friendly ways to refresh its
appearance.

DOOR MAGIC
If you have silver or gold trim
on the door enclosure, your tub
will instantly take you back to the
‘80s. Update the trim by replacing
the doors and frame with a new set
decorating notch, replace the doors UPDATING
trimmed in oil-rubbed bronze or
silver with clear glass. To take it up a

with a frameless pair that opens in
the center. This change will set you YOUR ACRYLIC SHOWER
back a few hundred dollars but will
go a long way toward updating your
bathroom.
Another option is to remove the OR TUB ENCLOSURE
doors altogether and replace with a
shower curtain. This is a very easy
job for the average homeowner. It
merely requires removing the metal Once the doors have been enclosure’s look is to add a tile stick tile squares. These are simple the front with a ledge made of a
surround and doors. removed, you can add a shower surround. A tile surround that goes to cut with a utility knife and look PVC board, or really give it an
Start by removing the doors curtain, or you can dress it up a bit from the tub enclosure sides and rear terrific. upgrade with a stone or quartz
first, then popping off the top bar. more by hanging two curtain panels up to the ceiling or even halfway up countertop material. Check with a
Next, remove the screws inside the on either side of the tub and a clear the wall will have great impact. UPDATE THE APRON local stone yard for extra piece that
vertical tracks and then the bottom or white shower curtain behind. When you do this project, carry The front of the tub is another can be added for your ledge. It’s a
track. Run over any residual caulk Add in tie backs, and your bathtub the tile around to the outside of area where you can make an update
with a plastic caulk remover tool, will be beautified and positively the tub about 4 to 6 inches. This that gives your bath a fabulous look. great look for a low price. n
and use a melamine eraser sponge spa-like. gives the illusion of a tiled bath and Using one-by-four lumber, you can
to remove any stains or excess caulk. will upgrade your bathroom look create a faux front with beadboard ©2019 Kathryn Weber.
Fill the screw holes with a dab of ADD TILE quickly. Instead of using real tile or panels that looks expensive; it Distributed by Tribune Content
waterproof caulk. One way to really update your that has to be cut, go for peel and can be done in an afternoon. Top Agency, LLC.
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