Bold Ideas

Small spaces can be a challenge, but only if you let them get the best of you. Do not shrink yourself to fit a small room. Instead, see that room as an invitation, a chance to think boldly and completely outside the box. Guest rooms are the first place we tend to compromise. We assume they are too small, too secondary, too just for guests to deserve a big idea. But what if the bold idea was an upgrade? What if the bold idea elevated the room? What if the bold idea delivered beauty, function, and an immense amount of storage all at once? Would you lean in? Would you sign on the dotted line? I think you might. Because once you see the transformative power of a big, bold idea in a small space, you will start looking at every room in your home with fresh eyes. So, let’s take a peek inside the awkward little guest room closet of a Bridgeport Model and see how we boldly went where no one thought to go, somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Closet
We turn our attention to the closet in this space. The Bridgeport guest bedrooms are connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom. One of the bedrooms is a comfortable size, but the second is typically smaller and challenging to furnish because of the traffic pattern leading to the bathroom. After decorating this model for years, we finally found the solution by removing the drywall that formed the original closet. Drywall-built closets often waste two to three feet of valuable storage, and in this room every inch mattered. Once the drywall was gone, it became clear that we could install a built-in closet that offered far more function than we ever thought possible in such an awkward layout.

  •  Built in multi-functional closet
In this room there is rarely a natural place to put a TV for guests, since the bed typically has to face the closet with its closed doors. To solve this, we installed four drawer stacks from wall to wall, creating generous storage for the homeowners and plenty of space for guests. We added two large armoires for hanging clothes, offering both guest storage and a bit of overflow for the homeowners. Above the armoires, additional cabinets reach to the ceiling to accommodate long-term storage.
Between the armoires on the back wall, we added a board and batten treatment to visually connect the two pieces and create a clean backdrop for a guest TV. The flat surface between the armoires also provides a convenient spot for guests to place personal items. When the room is not in use, the space remains tidy, and if one of the homeowners needs a quiet place to rest, it becomes a comfortable secondary spot to relax and watch TV.

  •  What did we eliminate
We eliminated a significant amount of dead space in an already small room. When you use every square inch by building from wall to wall and all the way up to the ceiling, the room immediately feels larger. The addition of drawers is especially valuable. Drawers provide both storage and easy access; you simply pull one out and can see everything inside. With a traditional closet, you often have to move items around to reach something you are not even sure is there. By rethinking the layout, we removed the awkward feel of this room. It now looks inviting and ready for guests, and the pathway to the bathroom feels far less intrusive.

  •  What did we gain
The closet now has dedicated hanging space that is easy to access. There is no need to slide a door back and forth to reach anything; you simply open the door, find what you need, and go. If hanging space is not a priority, shelves can be installed behind the armoire doors instead. And once again, the drawers are a major advantage. We gained large, highly functional drawers that can hold almost anything. If there are items like Christmas décor that cannot tolerate heat, the drawers are the perfect solution. Think creatively about what can be stored here; it does not have to relate to the guest room, since guests will only need a drawer or two. The closed storage also brings a sense of calm to the room, giving the entire space a more serene and orderly feel.

  •  Not a builder basic room now
A standard small drywall closet often feels like an afterthought, while a built-in closet instantly reads as part of the architecture. It gives the room a tailored look, and buyers respond to that. Increasing storage has been one of the most consistent requests over the years, and this approach not only adds storage but creates storage that feels very thought out and well designed. These are Wellborn Cabinets, the same cabinetry used in the new homes, made in America from start to finish. The closed, clean, and fully finished look brings a sense of calm to the room and gives the space the feel of a boutique hotel.
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Before and After Pics Below