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cobra grover
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# Posted: 30 Aug 2012 21:40
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Most of the plans I see online make no mention of closets. If I ever plan to spend much time there I would think closets would be necessary.
How about you guys?
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Rob_O
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 00:09
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Closets and cabinets are a necessary evil. They take up space you need but give you space for the stuff you need. RVs and travel trailers typically offer a lot of storage in a minimum space, you can look the floor plans online to get ideas on how to make the most of your available space
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rockymtngal
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 00:27 - Edited by: rockymtngal
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I was thinking about building a combination sitting area/sleeping area with storage underneath to hold items and to maximize space.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 00:33
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Our cabin was built in 1912 and had NO closets at all!!! We put on an addition that was a multi-purpose room (laundry room, clothes closets, pantry and closet for vacuum and cleaning products). I would be lost without that room! We live here full time so our needs are not the same as if it was just a getaway place.
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PA_Bound
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:01 - Edited by: PA_Bound
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I did not plan closets for my cabin as I plan on using cupboards and large cabinets for that purpose. In the long run they'll take up almost as much floor space, but they give me flexibility to move them around and wall framing is that much simpler/easier. But my place is a camping cabin, we'll never live there.
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ShabinNo5
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 12:40
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As Rob_O mentioned, closets involve balancing space requirements. We have been staying in a 24 foot trailer as we build. There is lots of storage, but the trailer is like living in a hallway. This works great for sleeping but not so good for socializing.
In our case we will have a stairwell in the Shabin and plan on using every nook and cranny available.
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Sustainusfarm
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 14:05
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I used to think that we needed a lot of indoor seating and sleeping areas for guests and such. So , we planned for bigger couches and more chairs instead of storage and closets...
I am now thinking that indoor closet space and storage is more important! Designing around just the two of us instead of always thinking about the crowd that may be there 2-3 times per year....
That way if we ever have to move there ( it may be sooner than later) we can be comfortable.
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trollbridge
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 14:28
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We added a small mudroom/ night time potty bucket room by our entry and have a full closet under the stairs but chose not to waste the space in our bedroom. Hooks on the walls are great as are dressers and under bed storage.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 16:36
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I have a pantry, its int hebunk room, shelves for everything. Its a warehouse now. Plus I have coat hangers near the end, next to my first aid kit. I also have coathangers near the front door too. I have a kitchen with upper and lower cabinets, lots of spare storage in there for now. But its filling up fast.
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 17:48 - Edited by: Martian
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In a small cabin, space is precious! Consider using 3/4" plywood to enclose the closet area. It requires no additional framing.
There is space in the top for off-season clothing. The middle is for hanging clothes, and the lower part will be two large drawers. I've since lined the hanging part with local aromatic cedar.
In my last cabin, I forgot to lay out for a closet and ended up putting the bathroom door in the perfect place for the closet. I didn't realize it until all the wiring and plumbing had been run, and the sheetrock was taped and mudded. Too Late! A closet could have built as part of the support for the stairs to the loft, had not the bathroom door already been there. I had to build a seperate wardrobe. It takes up 8sqft of usable floor space that could be put to better use.
Sustainusfarm is absolutely right. If you are building a small space, build it for yourself/selves. Eventually, you are going to take over all the space anyway.
Tom
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johng
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 18:35
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If you visit very many historical homes, you will notice few had closets in the original plan. The reason for this is that closets were taxed as extra rooms. That's why colonial furniture had wardrobes/armoires in bedrooms and hutches in dining/living areas.
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johng
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 18:47 - Edited by: johng
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Our guest bedroom at home has a walk-in closet. When we shopped for furniture for that room, we looked for a suite that included an armoire.
The reason was two fold. It allowed me to put a keyed entry lock on the closet for securing my gun cabinet and anything else needing another lock...but also keeps "guests" from bringing more than a reasonable stay would be. 
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2012 21:47
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Quoting: johng If you visit very many historical homes, you will notice few had closets in the original plan. The reason for this is that closets were taxed as extra rooms. That's why colonial furniture had wardrobes/armoires in bedrooms and hutches in dining/living areas.
That is really interesting to know. I had no idea that was why there were no closets. Thanks for the information!!!!
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Sustainusfarm
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2012 09:32
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Martian, love the plywood idea! I did just add a bathroom/ foyer/ closet addition and I think the plywood closet is good work great! I have renewed interest now!! Thx
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ljohnsaw
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2013 15:02
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Quoting: hattie Quoting: johng If you visit very many historical homes, you will notice few had closets in the original plan. The reason for this is that closets were taxed as extra rooms. That's why colonial furniture had wardrobes/armoires in bedrooms and hutches in dining/living areas. That is really interesting to know. I had no idea that was why there were no closets. Thanks for the information!!!!
And in modern day, at least out here, if you have a closet, it is considered a bedroom. Your septic has to be sized to the number of bedrooms. So a coworker built a really long room in his house. The inspector asked what it was, thinking a bedroom - nope just a playroom. When the house had its final inspection, he added a new wall that contained closets, dividing the room into two bedrooms.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2013 17:03 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: cobra grover Most of the plans I see online make no mention of closets. If I ever plan to spend much time there I would think closets would be necessary. How about you guys?
I have used my pantry for lots of storage items. Stuff that can keep year round, ie toiletries, towels etc.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Jan 2013 22:10
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A little off topic, but don't forget the good old Murphy bed for saving space.
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