Clunky closet can become attractive alcove

Storage areas such as closets and enclosed cabinets may seem ideal places for stowing all sorts of stuff. Their big advantage is that unused gear can be kept out of sight; the less obvious issue is that these repositories often become so cluttered that it takes forever to find a specific item.

So do keep the negatives as well as the positives in mind when considering storage options for a new or renovated space.

Q: We recently bought an old house in the country that needs some serious renovations. Among its charms is a large eat-in kitchen with a rustic look that we’d like to retain.

There’s no attached mud room, but there is a sizable closet right next to the back door that leads directly into the kitchen. Although the closet has a brick floor, it’s not in very good condition otherwise.

Can you help us decide what to do about storage space for boots, coats and hats?

A: The simplest solution would probably be to hang some new shelves and a shoe rack in the closet. You can then just keep its door closed and focus on sprucing up the kitchen itself.

That approach will likely lead, however, to the problems I mentioned above. So perhaps you should tear out the closet and go in the direction suggested by the accompanying photo, which comes from the Taunton Press book “Decorating Ideas That Work.”

In a country kitchen, it’s perfectly appropriate to remove the door of a closet and integrate its storage function with the rest of the space. The result will be an alcove in which you could install a bench with storage bins for boots built in beneath the cushions.

Hats and coats could be hung on a simple wood strip above the bench. You’ll then have an informal but well organized storage space that’s in keeping with the kitchen’s rustic look.

The closet’s brick floor may be in good shape now, but that’s a difficult surface to keep clean. The grouting is sure to present problems as well.

I suggest that you seal and wax the part of the brick floor that will remain inside the reconfigured storage space while replacing any segment of it that extends into the kitchen itself.

The material for that part of the floor should be compatible with brick but in a contrasting color. You’ll find many types of suitable tiles in black, tan or terra-cotta with rustic finishes. Flooring of this kind is easy to clean and virtually indestructible.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.