We have a fairly large mudroom that was added to our home before we moved in, and we've always wanted to install some cabinetry to make good use of the space. We looked into getting some cheap cabinets from IKEA, but decided it would be a better idea to find used cabinets that were better quality, since they will get used heavily.

Here's what the finished project looks like!


We looked at Craiglist and found this large entertainment center. The cabinets were in great shape, so we decided to buy them. We got a good deal on them, because my husband took them out so that the homeowners didn't have to. He worked as a cabinet installer in his previous job, so he has lots of experience in that line of work. Lucky for me!

It didn't cost us much for the cabinetry (a few hundred dollars), but it did take a lot of time to reconfigure the cabinets to make them work for our space. That's something my husband is great at doing. He painted them Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Advance quality (satin finish), which is specifically made for doors, trim and cabinetry. I highly recommend it! It doesn't show the brush strokes and is super durable.

After the cabinets were done, he installed a piece of walnut wood for the bench that he happened to have on hand. We found some leftover old wood in our little horse barn that we used to create the shiplap behind the bench.

The sign is from our shop here.

Now each child has a hook for their coat and a hook for their backpack. He also created cubbies inside one of the cabinets for their gloves and hats. We wanted to have space for their shoes and boots, so he made room for them under the bench.

We love how this project turned out! It definitely took time to put together, but I would highly recommend checking around for used cabinetry if you are wanting some custom cabinets in your home. It was worth the work!

April 10, 2019 — Aimee Weaver