Built-ins & locker storage

This project has been on our to-do list way BEFORE we even moved into this house. A little back story as to why I knew we needed this locker/storage unit. At our previous home in Wisconsin, we had a mini version of just the lockers (see picture below) it was designed by myself and built by Evan (my husband). It 100% helped with all the storage for the kids however, the downside was the space it was in. Our only option back in WI was the laundry room and we had limited space to work with.  

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This unit went to the ceiling, had 4 individual "lockers" with two hooks (one for backpacks/ jacket), a bench, and then down below were baskets for each individual to put their stuff into. Above each locker, I also had additional baskets that I kept all my items in. The storage was wonderful and the best part was, we were all organized! 

Fast forward to today in our new house. We knew the new updated version would need to be bigger, we needed to add shoe storage, and we had to maximize all the storage in this space that we could! We started with a sketch and literally went to @homedepot! All the pictures you'll see below are the progress photos I took along the way. This whole unit was built piece by piece and customized to the space. Not only function but how it looked was very important to me. 

the beginning

The "base" was the first part to be constructed (pressure-treated lumber), this part serves as the shoe storage and a bench. Then, the lockers (don'tcha just love that make-shift coat rack I made ... haha). Above the lockers are two cabinets. Eventually, we will be putting a shelf in there to divide each of them and a door to hide it all!

Next, the construction of the storage cabinets next to the lockers. 

Trimming out & shiplap 

Shiplap was added to the locker section and trim boards were added all around. The bottom trim board (which is against the garage floor) is vinyl. This is all incase water comes in-contact with the unit. The bottom two will eventually have doors (along with another shelf) and the top will have separate doors.
​It's all starting to take shape!

Tools Evan used along with:

• MDF
• Pine Boards
• Pressure Treated for all base cabinets
• Shiplap
• Vinyl trim against garage floor

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Last two storage cabinets

These are the last two storage cabinets will complete the unit. Additional shelving will be added to the first cabinet once we find out what works best and the last cabinet is perfect. It will he holding lots of Evan's tools to the left and the right - brooms, blower, and long handled supplies.  

Painting, staining, lighting, & hooks

Priming was completed with white on the outside and black inside each cabinet. Eventually, the whole unit will be painted black. However, it will take many many coats of paint!  
*Black Magic by Sherwin-Williams*
Also, in this picture you can see where we added lights above the lockers and electrical inside the cabinet. These lights are controlled via smart-switch inside the cabinet (Alexa enabled for easy turn on/off).  

After many coats of paint, staining of the bench seat was completed. I kept the paint and stain consistent with what we have inside our home. Next, was installing our beautiful lights and hooks! 

cabinet doors

To finish off this project, the doors were next. Evan has never built anything like this before, so this was really learn as you go for him. The plan was "shaker" style doors, as we have throughout our home. He used a router, router table, and a handy little tool by Kreg called a Concealed Hinge Jig. 

done & done

The doors were all painted (three coats to be exact), hinges added, along with knobs/pulls. Theses are the same knobs and pulls inside our home so everything is very consistent throughout. The extra storage these cabinets have are AMAZING, and the fact I can hide everything behind closed doors is PERFECT! The kids are loving having their own hook/shoe storage, and I love that everything has a home :)