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Great DIY Cabinet Remodel Adding Extra Coat and Shoe Storage

See how I turned a long, utility cabinet in our Laundry Room into pretty coat and shoe storage with this easy DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover.

DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover

This Laundry Room had way too much cabinet storage for our family. And, it was seriously lacking any coat and shoe storage.

So, after thinking about all of the possible options, I decided to convert a section of those cabinets into a small mudroom bench and storage area for shoes and coats in our small Laundry Room.

Today I’m explaining exactly how I made a standard tall, narrow broom cabinet look like custom coat and shoe storage in our mudroom. And the big secret to this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover is trim. Nice trim work makes all the difference.

But don’t worry. This is an easy makeover. And these steps work on any cabinet you’ve removed the doors from, to make them look designed to be open! You can have this makeover done in a day, easy.

Image of the cabinets I turned into a mudroom and coat and shoe storage with a small before picture in the corner.
Don’t forget to Save or Share this DIY Makeover.

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You can find the before and after pictures from my Colorful Laundry Room Makeover, DIY details about How I Added a Mudroom in A Small Laundry Room, and Using Plywood Inside Open Cabinets in other posts.

Using a Laundry Room Cabinet as Coat and Shoe Storage

Let’s start with a quick look at the Before and After pictures on this Tall Cabinet Makeover into coat and shoe storage.

Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome
Here’s a look at our Laundry Room when we moved in, in 2012.

This half of the Laundry Room was extra storage we didn’t need. But instead of ripping these 3/4″ thick built-in cabinets out, I converted all of them into a much needed Mudroom.

Our garage door is just to the left of this set of cabinets. So, it was the perfect spot for coat, bag, and shoe storage since we use that door to get to our cars.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
I started this cabinet remodel by removing the drawers and doors.

The DIY mudroom bench conversion was just beginning. But I had already started trying out coat and shelf layouts for that tall cabinet.

This was before I built that great DIY Laundry Table over our washer and dryer too.

Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome

And, here’s a look at the finished conversion on these cabinets into a small but functional mudroom. Amazing change, right?!

Now, let’s get this DIY Utility Cabinet Makeover started!

How I Remodeled Our Cabinets Into Storage

Tools Used For This Makeover

  • Brad Nailer with Brad Nails
  • Miter Saw or Circular Saw
  • Saw Cutting Guide, I highly recommend using one to get the straightest possible cuts
  • 3/4″ Lumber or Plywood for the shelf
  • A Rod and Rod Brackets for the Coats
  • Trim (moulding) to match your style or room
  • Wood Filler and Wood Glue
  • Dremel Rotary Tool or Hand Saw to cut corner molding with a straight edge on one side and a miter on the other.

DIY Steps Used

Step 1

Start by removing the door and hiding the door hinge holes. You can hide them with corner molding, like mine. Or by just filling the hinge holes with wood filler. Pick the option that you prefer.

BUT if your cabinets are custom 3/4″ plywood built-ins, like mine, you might want to hide slightly crooked door openings with molding, like I did.

Use wood filler wherever needed for a seamless look. And finish with a 150-grit sanding.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
You can see the mitered corner on the trim I used to hide the uneven edges on this opening.

Step 2

Add a DIY Plywood Cabinet Liner that can be stained or painted if the inside of your cabinet isn’t very pretty and polished looking.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
We use this upper cabinet to store anything we don’t want the kids to touch, like my purse and my husband’s laptop bag. Don’t worry, doggy will be safely returned to his owner. 😉

Step 3

Add a Closet Pole Socket in any color, and a dowel from your local big box to hang your coats on.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
Adding a closet rod here has made all of that winter coat storage so much easier!
Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome
Here’s that coat and bag storage area after a few more design tweaks.

Step 4

Add a shelf divider near the bottom of the long cabinet to increase your shoe storage.

Having the trim from the shelf overlap the cabinet frame gives it a true finished cabinetry look. You can see another example of How to Cut An End Cap for Molding, like Chair Rail in a previous post.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
Bringing the trim on the shelf to the edge of the other trim follows along with standard millwork designs. I think this little element was key to making this look like coat storage instead of just a cabinet without a door.

Since the shelf I added was just a couple feet above the ground, I could easily support it with square dowel molding that wouldn’t be seen.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
The shelf is resting on 2 – 3/4″ x 3/4″ square dowels. Scrap wood would work too.

Step 5

Since we never have enough shoe storage, I added 2 different types of DIY wood storage bins to this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover.

If you don’t want to build your own wooden bins, you can buy some cute fabric storage bins to add storage and color, at the same time.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
I decided to add a white tray beneath the coats for extra shoe and gym bag storage.

Step 6

Finish off all of those changes by painting or staining to get the look you love. Here’s my tips for when to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim.

You might also need my steps How to Paint Built In Bookshelves and Cabinets or this post for 25 Step by Step Beginner Furniture Painting Tutorials to decide on which paint or stain look you want in your home.

And, here’s another look at this room when it was being set up to be featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.

The Behind the Scenes details behind this DIY bloggers BHG I Did It feature in 2018. #AbbottsAtHome #BHG #BetterHomesandGardens #BHGIDidIt
After the stylists spent a few minutes testing out some items…the day before the photo shoot.

And, again, here’s how this Tall Cabinet I converted into coat and shoe storage looks now.

Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome
So much better, right?!

More Before and After Room Reveals

This Colorful Laundry Room Makeover is such a huge change from when we moved in!

A fresh Modern Farmhouse look using teal, wood, and lots of white. This Modern Farmhouse Small Laundry Room Design is full of easy DIY projects and affordable decor. #LaundryRoom #ModernFarmhouse #Teal #AbbottsAtHome

I LOVE this Before and After 2 Story Foyer Makeover with Molding too.

Siamese cat reaching out to a plant on a Console Table in a foyer.

And, this DIY Before and After Small Powder Room Makeover turned a boring bath into a colorful space.

A colorful, traditional small half bath makeover with wainscoting and wallpaper.

You won’t believe this great Before and After Family Room Makeover On A Budget!

I am LOVING this Before and After Family Room Makeover Transformation! Check out the amazing pictures and budget friendly DIY projects.

And, last but not least, this popular Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design.

Try this Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design I used to give my Dining Room ceiling a beautiful new look. Includes lots of pictures and a how to video. DIY Ceiling Design Ideas. DIY Ceiling Makeover Ideas.

Feeling inspired? Get out there and do your own DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

Sheri

Tuesday 31st of July 2018

Looks awesome Stephanie! Thanks for sharing at To Grandma's House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Wednesday Link party! Pinned! Hope to see you next time!

Stephanie

Wednesday 1st of August 2018

Thank you, Sheri! Have a great week. :)

Debrashoppeno5

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Love how you converted the cabinet so it is more useful. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make.

Stephanie

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Thanks so much, Debra!

oldnewgreenredos

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Great idea to utilize materials that you already have. Fab transformation!

Stephanie

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Thanks so much!

LINDA

Tuesday 24th of July 2018

Great idea. Thank you sharing your link on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party we've enjoyed it. Come back soon. poinsettiadr.com

Stephanie

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Thanks, Linda!

Comments are closed.