What to do with my hole in the wall (cabinet, shelves, etc.)?

15 years ago

Not quite sure where to put this, figured it would be best here, but please let me know if you think it may go better somewhere else.

I have this hole in my living room where a cabinet used to be built in. It matched the 20 year old builder grade kitchen cabinets, and when those went, this had to go. I had no idea what I was going to find behind there, but to my surprise, I found finished walls. My original plan was to build another similar cabinet there. But since I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do, when I had the carpet done I had it carpeted as well, and I painted and installed base when I was doing that, figuring it would be easier to remove if necessary, rather than installing it afterwards. So, thats where I am. Its in the living room to the right of where the tv currently is. It measures 23"x29 1/2"x82". There is electrical in that wall, so I can fairly easily put a dome light or something similar. The 'hole' is bounded by the hallway to the right, the laundry closet behind it (inside the double doors), the kitchen to the left, and the tv in front of it when facing it. The front door is behind me when taking the pics, so this can be seen when entering the front door.

This is in a 1100 sq ft condo with not a lot of storage. Figuring I don't really need storage in the living room, I did consider closing off this hole, opening it up in the kitchen, and making some sort of pantry. But this wouldn't have easily worked because the fridge is on the other side of that wall and I would need to find a way to move that.

I've just got cds stacked up there now. But I really don't play cds or even dvds much, so I don't really need a media storage center and don't even know if I'm going to keep the cds there or what exactly I'm going to put there. I'm not a nick nack type of person, so I don't need a spot for that. I'm thinking something kind of versatile that can kind of be reconfigured with adjustable shelves depending on the need. I'm just not sure what. On the high end, I'm thinking of having a custom cabinet designed and built, possibly with glass shelves, and some sort of light at the top. On the low end, I'm thinking maybe just install a base cabinet and some adjustable shelves or something similar on top of that. But I don't want it to look cheesy, so no garage shelving or anything similar.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Comments (10)

idie2live
15 years ago
I'm the last person to give advice, but it just seems to be begging to become a closet! Storage, niche looking and unobtrusive.
annzgw
15 years ago
That was my first thought also.....just hang a door. Second option: if the wall to the left of the laundry doors isn't a supporting wall, I'd tear it out for more sq. footage.
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weedyacres
15 years ago
I'm with the other two: either close it off with a door or add some cabinets.
drywall_diy_guy
15 years ago
I know what I would do. Hang a door. Maybe a louvered-accordion type.

Put up some shelves. Possibly put up a clothes hanger pole if we needed more room for winter coats, etc.
User
15 years ago
It's obviously destined to be a CD storage bookcase. They have already migrated there for the winter.

One pre-fab base cabinet with drawers or shelves to hold games and TV accessories with shelves above it sized to hold the CDs, DVDs and tapes would make a big difference.
californiaplaya
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions all! I've already got a hall closet down the hall that holds just basically my portable ac unit since I haven't room for that elsewhere and don't really need a 'coat closet'. But, thats one thing I had not thought of and will keep it in mind if I don't do anything else with it.

I don't know that I necessarily want to keep media there. I am slowly converting to everything being on a media server, including all these cds. Although I haven't played them in years, I can't bring myself to part with them either. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but there is just something about having a physical copy of music. They may end up going in the garage once I get my shelf project completed there.

Thats why I'm kind of stuck with what to do with it ...and the closet idea is growing on me.
stolenidentity
15 years ago
I'd hang floating shelves in there, keep the cd's on those shelves and maybe add some decorative items as well. The floating shelves could even be corner ones that go along the back and then follow along the left side and stop at the ceiling edge. I like that space, and would not cover it.
californiaplaya
Original Author
15 years ago
I hadn't thought of floating shelves sasafras, I do like that idea, fairly simple and inexpensive too...compared to a custom cabinet anyway. But I'm still thinking maybe a base cabinet on the bottom then the floating shelves on top. Don't know if just shelves all the way down would look right. Anyone got pics of something similar?
annzgw
15 years ago
That would also be a good area for a dry bar. I've included two pics but google 'dry bar' and then select images for more ideas.

{{!gwi}}
californiaplaya
Original Author
15 years ago
Found this pic searching in the bath forum and I like it. What does everyone think of this? Obviously its a different setting in a bath. But I like the idea of framing it up (that the correct term) on the bottom and one side. And then install casing around it. And then simply install shelves. It gives it a nice built-in feeling like it was meant to be there. As mine is now, it just looks like a hole in the wall. This would be a bit of work framing up the bottom and side and I would lose a bit of space, but I think it would make it look better.

{{!gwi}}