In short: we reduced the number of exterior doors in our bedroom from eight to six, and the room is just as wonderful. We mainly use the middle pair of doors to go outside, but the remaining glass doors flood the room with light and frame the view, which makes the space feel bright and welcoming. Adding a fence to create a small private courtyard has been an unexpected bonus—both the yard and the bedroom now feel more secluded and cozy.
The big change from removing that extra pair of doors was that it created a little nook where we could tuck the bed. The cozy alcove makes the bed feel anchored, and the shift freed up the opposite wall for something much more useful: a wall of closets.
When we first bought the house, the room had even more openings. We drywalled over a two-door opening (where the left side of the bed once sat) so we could use that space differently. Closing off that interior opening allowed us to rotate the bed and use the reclaimed wall for storage.
After reconfiguring the layout, we installed Ikea Pax wardrobes along the wall where the bed used to be. Two tall, wide Pax units give each of us generous hanging and shelving space, and a narrower third unit stores seasonal items and decor. We left the hardware off the small corner door because it’s rarely accessed; visually it reads like a paneled wall so it blends in nicely.
We didn’t remove the exterior doors from the outside—rather, we drywalled over them on the interior where they were inset, creating a flush wall while the doors remain on the exterior for now. From the outside we frosted the glass for a clean look. Once it’s safe to have contractors in the house again, we’ll likely remove the exterior doors and patch the siding, and we may add small windows above the future nightstands to increase natural light.
Using Pax wardrobes felt familiar and efficient—we’ve used the system in previous homes and appreciate how customizable and budget-friendly it is. We added brass hardware to coordinate with the room’s knobs and curtain rods so everything feels cohesive.
The large Pax units are 8 feet tall and nearly 39 inches wide each, so between two of them we each have ample storage for clothes, shoes, linens and travel bags. The smaller 19-inch unit stores holiday decor and other items we access only occasionally. The design choice to keep that cabinet door without a knob helps it read like part of the wall rather than a blocked closet.
The added closet capacity changed storage throughout the house. Our previous bedside dressers were moved into other rooms: some became nightstands for our daughter, creating more storage in her room, and freeing up space so she now has a desk for creating and studying. Our son gained full access to his closet and some added shelves and bins, turning his dresser into a desk area instead. Those small furniture swaps made both kids’ rooms more functional.
Storage has been a game-changer. Living in a smaller home has its perks—faster cleaning, lower utilities, less yard work—and smart, concealed storage makes everything feel organized and intentional. Having a place for everything creates a calm feeling that’s hard to overstate.
We outfitted the Pax interiors with a mix of shelves, hanging bars, pull-out drawers and baskets so the wardrobes handle everything from everyday clothes to luggage. Having luggage options both inside the closets and under the bed feels indulgent and surprisingly useful.
The dresser currently in the corner is temporary—our long-term plan is to relocate the bedroom entry to that wall and build a compact ensuite bathroom in the adjacent recessed area. That space measures roughly 9 by 6 feet, which is a good footprint for a simple, efficient bathroom. Moving the entrance here lets us use the original room footprint more effectively without touching the kitchen windows or porch beyond them, keeping those features intact.
Ironically, there used to be a doorway in the location we plan to reopen, so we don’t anticipate major structural complications. The floors run continuously beneath that wall and there are no obvious plumbing or electrical conflicts, which makes this a straightforward remodel when the time comes.
We value the ability to test ideas and change course after living in a space for a while. Instead of committing to a full renovation before moving in, we made smaller updates and lived with the layout to see what actually worked for our family. That approach has led to better decisions and fewer regrets.
The new bathroom wall will line up with the front of the Pax closets and will include a doorway between the closets and the ensuite, giving us a compact but comfortable bathroom with a window. The mini-split unit will sit above the new bedroom door in the recessed area for efficient heating and cooling without losing sightlines.
Even with the bathroom addition, the bedroom will still feel spacious because the main seating and bed areas remain generous. The fireplace will be centered on the main wall once the bathroom wall is in place, and we plan to add built-in cabinets flanking the hearth for balanced storage and styling.
We use the table near the fireplace for puzzles and remote work—it’s become a functional, lived-in corner of the bedroom. The room’s natural light encourages us to spend more time in the space, which is one reason we’ve embraced adding function to a main-floor bedroom rather than treating it as a simple sleeping area.
Yes, a table in the bedroom or a wardrobe wall instead of a single walk-in closet is an unusual choice for some—but this layout works for our family. It maximizes storage, preserves light and flow, and creates flexible zones that make the room feel like a real living space rather than a purely functional one.
We’re happy with the changes after ten months: a practical amount of closet storage, a clear plan for an ensuite and bedroom entry, and a sunny spot for puzzles and work. Living in the house while making changes has let us refine our ideas and prioritize improvements that genuinely improve daily life.
P.S. The house update archive documents the projects we’ve completed in the last ten months and the decisions that led us here—useful if you want to follow the full progression of this remodel.