Just T
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Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jul 10, 2016 13:31:04 GMT
I have a bookshelf that I want to "repurpose," and I want to get some opinions on whether or not I should do this.
It's a bookshelf that has 3 shelves on top with cabinet doors on the bottom. Right now, it is a cherry wood color, and I want to paint it white and put it in my kitchen to use for cook books, colorful dishes, etc. I have a narrow wall that separates the kitchen from the family room, and that is where I would like to put it. Once it is painted, it will be the perfect thing for that particular spot, except for one minor glitch. It is an inch and a half wider than the space. I don't think it is that big of a deal, but my husband thinks it will look stupid. What do you all think?
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Post by Suziee2 on Jul 10, 2016 13:38:35 GMT
Honestly, it would drive me crazy. Can you do a test run and just move it there for a while before painting it and let it sit? See if it bothers you and DH?
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Post by librarylady on Jul 10, 2016 14:07:02 GMT
How will you get it in the space of it is too wide?
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Post by mom on Jul 10, 2016 14:08:17 GMT
If its too big, then its too big. I wouldnt use it.
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Post by mom on Jul 10, 2016 14:09:07 GMT
How will you get it in the space of it is too wide? I am assuming that its going to overhang on the wall space and not that it is going to a niche that it would have to be squeezed into.
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YooHoot
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Jun 26, 2014 3:11:50 GMT
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Post by YooHoot on Jul 10, 2016 14:15:15 GMT
Is it in a corner? Can you kitty corner it?
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Post by lesley on Jul 10, 2016 14:22:07 GMT
I would also move it before painting it to see how much it annoyed me. How wide is the opening it is overhanging? That would partly influence me too. If it is 1.5" butting into a 3' space that might feel different than if it is narrowing a 6' space.
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Just T
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Posts: 6,145
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jul 10, 2016 14:27:08 GMT
Here is a photo of the space. Ignore the mess in the background! We are still in the midst of remodeling.

It is a wide opening into the family room. That little wall is the only wall that separates the two rooms, so it's not a tight space.
Kitty-cornering it is a good idea! I'll have to put it there to see because a new door is going in that is wider than what is there now, so that wall next to the door is going to be a few inches narrower than it is now.
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Post by bigbundt on Jul 10, 2016 14:28:19 GMT
I would move it over and just live with it for a bit before doing anything to it. Could be fine, could drive you crazy, depends on the layout of the space.
Is there base trim you can remove to make the cabinet fit in the space better?
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basketdiva
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 10, 2016 14:49:36 GMT
Also consider the depth of the bookshelf. With the wall ( with the door) is going to be smaller, then the shelf might be too close to the door and light switch. I know it would drive me nuts to have it so close to the door. You will lose floor space with it on an angle too.
Like others have said, play around with the placement before painting. Live with it for a few days in each position.
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hannahruth
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Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Jul 10, 2016 14:53:36 GMT
Having a piece of furniture in that small space so close to the door opening and switch would drive my batty.
I think it would look as if you want to use the furniture but don't really have room for it. I agree with your DH.
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Post by bigbundt on Jul 10, 2016 15:01:12 GMT
Now that I see the picture, is there a way to build out the opening? Add some molding or trim to that wall to beef it up since you are already remodeling? I've seen molding wrap around an opening to look like a column. 1.5 inches wouldn't take that much.
I think kitty cornering the cabinet in that corner with the light switch might be an issue. Looks like there isn't enough room to make an angle look intentional, it would just look like you crammed it in there.
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gsquaredmom
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Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jul 10, 2016 15:01:51 GMT
Not that you asked for other ideas, but I would consider a smaller coat hook shelf or coat rail there. Seems the perfect place for that.
However, if you really want shelves there, look into a wall mount system or a smaller wall mounted bookcase
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Post by gailoh on Jul 10, 2016 15:12:43 GMT
Now that I see the picture, is there a way to build out the opening? Add some molding or trim to that wall to beef it up since you are already remodeling? I've seen molding wrap around an opening to look like a column. 1.5 inches wouldn't take that much. I think kitty cornering the cabinet in that corner with the light switch might be an issue. Looks like there isn't enough room to make an angle look intentional, it would just look like you crammed it in there. I was thinking the same thing about building out the opening a little or the trim...but also try kitty corning it before you paint try it there and see...
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Post by Suziee2 on Jul 10, 2016 15:33:17 GMT
Seeing the picture, I would find something else for that space if I really wanted it. I'd find something else or custom make something to better fit. OR I would build out the trim like bigbundt suggested. Great idea to make both of you happy.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 10, 2016 15:35:12 GMT
I would not place it there. It just really doesn't seem to "fit" the space both literally and just in terms of the feel of that piece in that area. I can't see any way to do it that wouldn't feel as if it were crowding the space.
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georgiapea
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Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Jul 10, 2016 15:38:29 GMT
Ah, put trim around the doorway opening. Of course that will make the opening you have to walk through 3 inches less. Is that feasible, or will people run into the wall trying to get through?
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Post by malibou on Jul 10, 2016 15:38:46 GMT
Is there header and footer trim at the top and bottom causing the over hang, or is the whole height of the bookcase over hanging? If it has trim you could remove. If it's the whole thing, I would agree with the suggestion to build up that opening casing.
J
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Post by femalebusiness on Jul 10, 2016 15:41:31 GMT
I am another who would put a trim piece to build out the space. An inch and a half isn't that much. You could run a trim piece completely around the opening.
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paigepea
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Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jul 10, 2016 15:44:19 GMT
I would buy something different.
It's a great spot for the type of furniture you want there but I don't like when furniture over hangs in the space.
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Post by cmhs on Jul 10, 2016 16:03:48 GMT
It would bother me in that spot. If you really want it in that space, I like the idea of adding trim to the wall.
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Post by ilikepink on Jul 10, 2016 16:09:27 GMT
When I read the first post, I thought just put it there - but after seeing the pictures, I think you should try and add molding to the wall to build it out, if you really want that piece there. It's tight, but you want to make it seem like it belongs. So, make it belong.
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 10, 2016 16:11:33 GMT
It would drive me batty to see the back of the bookcase sticking into the opening from the other room so I wouldn't put it there. If you build it out with trim, there will be no overhang from the back side, but it would reinforce (to me) that the bookcase is too wide for the space on the front side.
I'd also be concerned about having clearance to open the lower cabinet doors with a bookcase tucked in the corner. If there are any knobs or pulls on those doors that wall is going to be continually dinged.
I love your wall color!
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Just T
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Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jul 10, 2016 16:16:22 GMT
Thanks for all the replies. I think you all are right...it's probably going to look out of place. My husband is starting to work on the door, and the new opening is going to come right to the left edge of the light switch plate. I will look for something narrower that will fit the space better.
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Post by stingfan on Jul 10, 2016 16:51:44 GMT
I don't think I'd put anything there. People are going to bump into it going in and out of the door. I could just see myself with a nice, big bruise on my hip  .
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Post by anniefb on Jul 10, 2016 19:54:41 GMT
I don't think I'd put anything there. People are going to bump into it going in and out of the door. I could just see myself with a nice, big bruise on my hip  . That would be my concern too.
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smcast
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Mar 18, 2016 14:06:38 GMT
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Post by smcast on Jul 10, 2016 20:10:09 GMT
I wouldnt do it. You'don't have to paint the back, too then.
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kelly8875
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Oct 26, 2014 17:02:56 GMT
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Post by kelly8875 on Jul 10, 2016 21:31:42 GMT
I wouldn't put it there. Based on the picture of the space and your description of the bookcase, it sounds like a bad fit. A smaller short open case would be a better option IMO. You could hang some pretty plates on the wall above it.
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