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When Jud and Susanne Gardner built their house, there was room for their family of four kids, but when they decided to become foster parents, the living space became too crowded.

To make better use of the existing space without adding an addition, the room used for a home office was converted into a bedroom for the three boys.

A wall was then built the length of the room to turn part of it into a closet for the bedroom and a pantry for the kitchen.

Framing up the new interior wall.
Framing up the new interior wall.

Interior Wall Construction

The first step in constructing the interior wall to divide the bedroom was removing the moldings where the new wall would be located. The wall was then built 4½’ out from one end of the room. A door for the pantry was cut into the hall and a door for the closet in the bedroom.

Watch How to Build a Non-Load Bearing Interior Wall to find out more.

Man applying joint compound to drywall.
Finishing drywall.

After the wiring for the electrical outlets and lights had been roughed in, the drywall was hung and finished using a quick setting joint compound.

Read How to Cut and Hang Drywall to find out more.

Special light switches were installed on the hinges of the door units for both the closet and pantry to turn the lights on and off whenever the pantry or closet doors are opened or closed.

The next step was installing the crown, baseboard, and quarter round moldings for the new wall. The nail holes in the molding were filled with spackling and the joints caulked. After any drywall dust had been removed, the new wall and trim were painted.

Watch How to Install Crown Molding to find out more.

Using a pneumatic nailer to attach crown molding.
Danny Lipford installing crown molding.

Closet and Pantry Storage

The shelves and drawers for the closets were made using laminate materials from ClosetMaid. Wire shelving was installed in the pantry.

After the wire shelving had been installed, the pantry was stocked with all the supplies needed to feed the Gardners’ large family.

New stocked pantry with wire shelving.
New stocked pantry with wire shelving.

Finished Project

What was a home office has now been converted into a bedroom, complete with bunk beds, for the Gardners’ boys, with plenty of room to sleep and play. The new doors and trim we installed match the millwork in the rest of the house.

Converting the office into a bedroom, complete with a new closet space, increased the value of the Gardners’ house. The added pantry storage space would be welcome in any home.

Bunk beds in bedroom.
Bunk beds in new bedroom for Gardner boys.

Pouring kitty litter on oil on a garage floor.

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Soaking Up Spilled Oil

To absorb oil spilled on a concrete surface, like a concrete garage floor or driveway, pour kitty litter on the oil and use a brick to grind up the kitty litter. Allow the kitty litter to soak up the oil for 20 minutes or more, then sweep it up. (Watch Video)

Green Gobbler Drain Cleaner

Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Green Gobbler Drain Cleaner

Green Gobbler breaks down grease, hair, and other organic materials. It’s safe to use in sink, shower, or tub drains, garbage disposals, and toilets. Green Gobbler is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and available at The Home Depot. (Watch Video)

Installing bifold closet doors

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Improving Closet Access

Replacing bypass doors with hinged or bifold doors is a great way to improve access to a closet. Bifold doors come with a track and hardware to install them easily. Hinges doors require mortising the hinges into the doors and casing. (Watch Video)

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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