All right Ladies!  Who said you can't use power tools? 

For my first project I would like to share a neat idea I got from my local newspaper.  This is a great project for anyone who has a small space to work with and is looking to make the most of every square foot availiable.

For the first year in our new home we had the computer set up in our guest room.  It was convenient because we rarely had any guests and since we were poor from buying the house we arranged it so the computer table was crammed between the foot of the bed and the wall so we could sit in the end of the bed to work on the computer and there was no need to buy a chair.  It was clever but crowded and when we started to have guests stay with us it just seemed rather ugly to me. 

When I saw this in the paper it was using a small narrow coat closet type of space.  But after looking at the picture I didn't see any reason why I couldn't use my longer narrower guest closet by making some simple modifications to the idea.

Here is a before picture of the closet before the project:

I started by cleaning the entire closet out, vacuuming and spot cleaning the walls.

Next, I took two filing cabinets that I already had in the closet (you can see one of them in the picture) and put them back into the closet to serve as the base of the desk I was going to build.  As a matter of personal preference, I left a good space between them so that I had some leg room for sitting.  I also made sure not to place them too far apart so that the drawers would hit the edge of the door when I opened them

The next thing I did was to get a large piece of plywood from hubby's basement.  I carefully measured the length and width of the closet.  Being sure to keep in mind that a little flex room would be necessary as well as making sure I had a good fit with the door jam and trim.  I then fired up the jigsaw and cut the plywood to the correct dimensions I had measured and marked with pencil onto the wood.  I made sure to wear goggles while I used the saw because it created a lot of sawdust and little flying chips of wood.  After I finished cutting I did a quick dry run to make sure the wood fit.

Next, I sanded down the edges and rough spots on the plywood to prepare the surface for the covering.  I debated on whether or not to just leave it plain, paint it, or cover it somehow.  I decided that if I left it plain then as time passed it may start to leave little splinters if we brushed against it wrong.  Painting was okay but I was trying to complete the project in a day and didn't want to wait around for it to dry especially if I had to use multiple coats.  So I had decided ahead of time to cover the plywood with contact paper.  I selected a nice fake looking marble that went with the file cabinets and kept with the 'look' of the guest room.  I covered the plywood with the contact paper, taking my time and making sure it was smooth.  When that was done all I had to do was lay the 'desk top' across the filing cabinets and PRESTO!  I had a desk in my closet.  I can use the filing cabinets as file storage OR drawers.  I then transferred the computer into the space.  Once that was done I added a few finishing touches.  I had a free lamp that I had gotten from a friend who was moving, I hung some artwork on the sides of the walls, and I finished it off by hanging several pieces of corkboard tile in the back to serve as a bulletin board. 

This project was actually a Father's Day gift for my husband.  He was on the road while I did it and I think I scared him half to death talking about using his saw and tools but refusing to tell him what I was doing.  Several nights in a row he called me in a near panic and made me promise not to cut a hole in any of the walls.  On the day he was to arrive home I had the guest room rearranged and decorated.  There was SO MUCH room now that that huge desk and computer set up had been removed.  I had the closet doors shut and a big bow on the door knob to the guest room.  When he came home I had him go upstairs and when he looked in the room he was confused until I opened the closet.  I have to admit with great pride that he was stunned and very impressed.  He thought I was such a clever wife and loves to show off my little project to anyone who visits. 

The nice thing about this is that I didn't have to make any structural changes.  I didn't even put a single nail in the wall except to hang a few pictures.  When we have guests we just turn the chair around and place it in the corner.  The closet doors slide shut and everything is hidden from view. 

I am very proud and pleased with my first project involving power tools.  I did it all by myself with no help and I still have all my fingers!!!!