Master Closet Update: Filling Holes, Adding Trim, and Nixing the Ceiling Beams

We've got another master closet update for you! Last week, we built the wardrobes, and this week, we've spent a lot of time trimming them out and making them look really custom, solid, and professional:

1. First, we filled all of the holes.

IKEA cabinets come with lots of little holes on the sides so that you can customize where you put your shelves. They actually make plugs for these holes (we used them in our last closet), but these plugs are still pretty visible (kind of like an outie). We used wood filler instead, and it made the holes disappear. If you apply this method, make sure you allow the wood filler to dry overnight before sanding. Those little holes are pretty deep, and if the wood filler isn't completely dry, you risk pulling out the "plug" with your sander.

2. Next, we attached the trim to the top and bottom.

For a custom closet look, we wanted to apply trim all the way to the ceiling. We used a mix of pine 1x12 for the top and 1x10 on the bottom, all 8 feet long. We cut small wood blocks out of dimensional lumber, scrap pieces of 2x4 that we attached to the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling so we'd have something to attach the trim to. We glued the backs of the trim with Liquid Nails and then used Finish nails to attach the trim to the blocking.

3. Then, we added "fronts."

After the tops and bottoms were all trimmed out, we added thin pieces of wood (primed finger joint 1x3s) to front of the cabinets, where the individual boxes came together. We did this for a couple of reasons: (1) Adding trim to the closet fronts covered all of the seams, giving the closet a truly custom-built look. (2) The fronts were now level or "even" with the top and bottom trim. (3) The front pieces make all of the shelves more sturdy, like one solid piece of wood. Once we add our drawer fronts, they'll be flush, too!

4. Finally, we added more wood-fill to close the gaps.

The trim left little slivers of spaces (less than 1/8 inch) where the pieces aren't *quite* coming together. We could probably leave these, and no one would ever notice. But this is the part of carpentry that really makes a space look finished. So, we're going to keep applying wood-fill to the little cracks and crannies that we find. We'll sand those spots the following morning, and repeat. We'll likely fill and sand several times for a completely smooth finish.

What's next:

We tested out Farrow & Ball’s Lamproom Gray on different surfaces and in different light. At first it looked a little dark — but we’re not afraid of dark. It's a warm gray that captures some blue and green at certain times of the day. So dimensional and gorgeous.

We also started playing with the idea of a modern crystal chandelier. Originally, we were planning to go with this one. But I also love this one because it's so pearly and linear and modern. This option really surprised Chris the most. I love it because I think it would play so well with the more masculine elements in the room (the gray, the ottoman...). I also love this modern take on a classic. Which is your favorite?

We've decided against the ceiling beams. Like all of you, we're staying home and practicing social distancing at the grocery store. The ceiling beams are not something that we can DIY with a delivery or a curbside pickup, (we have to special order the white oak we wanted) and we're not willing to risk contact with people. So, we're going to plank the ceiling. We really love this inspiration from The Fox Group:

We're using it to inspire our basement family room/theater room, too, so I think it will be a nice tie in! The beams also were kind of intersecting with our mirror design so this directional pivot has us feeling very excited.