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Posted on: 9/12/14 9:30 AM ET
I am in a NYC one bedroom apartment. Sadly, we have to do a gut renovation of our bathroom.

We have what I've called a "bonus room" in our apartment. Basically, at some point in the past, it was a his-and-hers closet. It's like a small hallway, with two double-deep closets. Many people in our building knock out those closets and make a single walk in closet, or a small, windowless room (den?).

Right now, I've got one closet set up as kitty's private bathroom (he loves it), and the other has my craft supplies. My sewing machines are crammed in the little hallway outside the closets.

When our contractor comes to do the work agreement for the bathroom on Monday, I'm asking him for an estimate on what it would cost to take those closets out and fix the walls and floors. If it's not too much on top of the bathroom, we may do it.

What that means is that I need to decide what else (like a closet unit) needs to be done to make that room a good craft room.

Here's the caveat: Someday, the room may have to be a nursery or child's bedroom (or even a guest room). So I can't do anything to it that would make it so specifically a craft room that it cannot be changed over.

Any suggestions?
-- Edited on Today at 9:31 AM --
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CAPSULE ONE: two dresses (done), five blouses (2/5 done), jeans (store bought), pencil skirt (one denim, one brown).
  
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Posted on: 9/12/14 9:34 AM ET
Possibly a basic conversion into a room and use an armoire for bookshelves that are not permanent
  
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Posted on: 9/12/14 9:45 AM ET
I agree with Kathy. If you do a basic Reno, you could investigate places like IKEA for cost effective cabinets and shelves and a myriad of storage pieces.
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Posted on: 9/12/14 9:46 AM ET
Perhaps add a couple of electrical outlets if it doesn't have them already? Also overhead lighting to save on space.
  
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Posted on: 9/12/14 9:57 AM ET
I would consider going with an armoire or wardrobe over a closet too. It will make the space more versatile. Even if you use it for a child's room later on, kids don't need a whole lot of closet space. My teen does not have a real closet in his room, instead he uses a vintage chiffarobe and drawers under his bed. (I am not sure chiffarobe is a term used much outside the Southern US--it always makes me think of To Kill a Mockingbird--but it is a wardrobe/dresser hybrid)
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Posted on: 9/12/14 11:10 AM ET
Don't forget to make use of your wall space. Shelves can easily be put on and taken off. An alternative to an armoire would be a nice wide dresser and where you can put shelves over it on the wall to maximize that space.

How much work space do you like? I'd pick a desk like this: http://uhurufurniture.blogspot.com/2011/09/smaller-oak-teachers-desk-80.html

It has 4 useful drawers and an small extension you pull out for extra work space.
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Posted on: 9/12/14 12:30 PM ET
I sewed out of a closet for years. I knocked two back to back closets together in my old house, and added a light fixture and ran a dedicated circuit to the "room". It was only 5' x 6' but with a tabletop on either side, and shelving storage above, I had the long craved for ability to close the door on work in progress.

Most of it was done with pine boards used as shelving and tabletop, and simple 1"x2" cleats along the walls to hold it up.

Looking for a photo, I know I've posted it here before.

Here

-- Edited on Today at 12:33 PM --
  
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Posted on: 9/12/14 1:23 PM ET
I agree with the extra electric outlets! How about lower and upper kitchen type cabinets on one short wall. This would give you storage for sewing things and later storage for baby clothes and diapers, toys and blankets. This would work until the child is almost 4, then I would convert the upper cabinets to hanging space for clothes. A few years later, take them out and put in a closet.
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Posted on: 9/12/14 3:50 PM ET
In reply to Pomegranate27
Quote: Pomegranate27
Don't forget to make use of your wall space. Shelves can easily be put on and taken off. An alternative to an armoire would be a nice wide dresser and where you can put shelves over it on the wall to maximize that space.



How much work space do you like? I'd pick a desk like this: http://uhurufurniture.blogspot.com/2011/09/smaller-oak-teachers-desk-80.html



It has 4 useful drawers and an small extension you pull out for extra work space.

The room would be about 6' x 8.5'.
-- Edited on Today at 3:50 PM --
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2022 SWAP
CAPSULE ONE: two dresses (done), five blouses (2/5 done), jeans (store bought), pencil skirt (one denim, one brown).
  
Member since 9/12/14
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Posted on: 9/12/14 4:03 PM ET
I've been saving sewing room ideas on pinterest. You are more than welcome to look - I have sewn in a closet myself, so I do understand. http://www.pinterest.com/melodyhofmann/sewing-room-ideas/
  
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