Colorful Coral Closet DIY

I’ve been inspired by the recent interior design trend of beautifying small spaces like foyers, pantries, and closets. Bold colors, fun wall paper patterns, and washable graphic runners can give those abbreviated areas of our home high impact and a great first impression. I decided to take on my bedroom walk-in closet, timing the project to take place on some of the final days of winter weather when I’d be home bound anyway.

My closet was just okay, basic white, and I wanted to add some drama to motivate me to look my best daily despite the comfortable work-from-home culture some of us have grown accustomed to. I wanted a closet that was striking, functional, warm, and inviting. I also wanted to display photos, diplomas, and travel mementos.

The project required some planning. My bedroom has deep turquoise walls with yellow, gold and red furnishings, so I decided an earthy red color would be warm yet energetic. After some deliberation using my Benjamin Moore fan deck, I settled on Coral Bronze (BM 1298) for the walls and ceiling, and Spanish Red (BM 1301) for the closet shelves. I set aside two days to allow time to streamline and declutter my entire wardrobe.

The materials needed were minimal: one paint roller, one 2-inch angled brush, one small foam roller, two plastic paint pans for each roller size. I needed far less than a gallon of paint so I purchased quart size cans. I don’t love painting walls, but with good music and a great paint color, the task provided instant gratification. And what a dramatic change!

A bold color or pattern in a small space deserves great lighting, and my basic ceiling bulb needed an upgrade. I decided to use a small basket that I bought in Kenya many years ago and cut a hole in the middle to fit into the light fixture. I further customized the basket fixture with gold fringe trim. I love working with materials that I’ve got on hand rather than getting online to make a purchase, hire an electrician, etc. I use each side of the closet to display personal items such as handbags and belts using cute functional hooks. Creating these "me" walls was fun to work on and brought back nice travel memories.