DIY Life

Yearning for more closet space, but you have no space for a closet? A row of hooks can work just as well, and this one, from Apartment Therapy, is not only stylish and efficient, but also eco-friendly.

The rails are salvaged wood, the hooks are old doorknobs, and the shelf above is a metal stud, folded in at either end. The entire project cost its designer US $17, and a little time.

If you don't have a box of old doorknobs rattling around your basement -- though we can't imagine why not -- you can try thrift stores or garage sales, or, as the article suggests, use garden faucets from your local hardware store instead.

For more instructions on creating your own salvaged wood shelf, follow the link!

A set of ten boxes, nested one within the other. The largest is perhaps two feet square and a foot deep (60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm), the smallest half those dimensions.

You can purchase the yummy unit shown at right through Seletti, or -- using instructions provided by those generous folk at Seletti -- you could make your own very personal unit, and save yourself a significant bundle of cash!

You'll need a collection of sturdy wooden boxes in various sizes, decorating materials, and two sections of heavy-duty strapping.

Are you heading off to college in the fall? The dorms are a great place to live. It's been a few years since I was there, but I'm still in touch with many of my college friends. I'll never forget the late-night Euchre games, parties, reluctant study sessions, and (unfortunately) the complete lack of space.

Even though dorm rooms are usually off-white, bland spaces roughly the size of a shoe box, you can still make them your own. In addition to posters, photographs, and other wall art, decorate your room with items that do double-duty by looking great and serving a purpose.

Storage and other multi-use items are important for your dorm room. You're not limited to milk crates "borrowed" from a local restaurant (not that I know anyone who did that... ahem). I'll share some fun, decorative, and useful dorm room ideas after the break.

I love IKEA: I can spend my days looking and drooling at all the wonderful products that I could have shipped to my home. My husband is incredibly thankful that I am not a big spender, because I really could have IKEA packages delivered to my door every day.

If I did go on a shopping spree for IKEA products, one of the items I would buy would be this awesome GRUNDTAL towel rail, primarily made for the bathroom. It is inexpensive and can be easily hacked into something else, namely a spice and condiment stand.

Instructables user Frootloose used the Grundtal towel rail, attached a piece of openwork steel to it, added a few hooks to hang necessary kitchen utensils, and affixed it to his kitchen wall. The towel rail happened to be just the right size, shape, and length for what he needed.

With my tiny kitchen, I am very appreciative of Frootloose's hack. I have one space on my wall that is just begging for this shelf, and it will free up some clutter in my cabinets. What do you think you could use the Grundtal towel rail for?

[via: Curbly]

I love the DIY projects Derek and Lauren do on Wednesdays over at Design*Sponge. They are vacationing in Hawaii this week, but still had time to post about a great shelf makeover project straight from their friends' kitchen.

You can spruce up your Ikea shelves too, simply by covering them with woven grass cloth, or fabric of your choice, paper, or vinyl, and then applying a coat of wood stain. You'll need to follow the directions carefully, being sure that you don't staple your fingers in the process. Make sure to wear gloves, too, otherwise you'll have a hard time getting the stain off your hands.

Ikea products can be boring, so the shelf makeover is something I definitely need to try. For more Ikea makeovers posted on DIY Life, be sure to check out Francesca's Ikea bike rack hack.

All of us at one time or another have had too much clutter. Our closets and our cabinets can become virtually overrun with clothing, bedding, or food that we just throw in because we don't have time to properly put it in its spot, or we are just to lazy to do so.

If you're running out of room to store all your clothing or food, and are having a difficult time cramming any more items into your closets and your cabinets, then check out this article I found on Gomestic.com. Ruby Hawk tells us 10 ways to organize those messy closets and cabinets.

From over the door pantry racks, multi-tiered can dispensers, hooks and utility racks to under the bed storage boxes on wheels, the article has it all. If your closets and cabinets are so cluttered that you dread the idea of even tackling them, maybe it's time to donate to charity or your local food bank. Gather up some boxes and start tossing in what you can live without. You'll be amazed at how much space you end up with!

I love to read. Books are a way for me to escape the hassles of life for awhile, but I don't feel like I get to stick my nose in a book nearly enough. I read for a bit when my littlest one takes her nap, and for about 1 hour at night before I go to bed. Nope, not nearly enough.

I have amassed quite a few books, and have found that my bookshelves are overcrowded and boring. All books, just books, and gasp, books. It was time for me to add a little life into those boring bookshelves and although it took me the better part of 4 days to come up with happiness over how I finally arranged them, I want to share my results with you.