A small DIY linen closet upgrade for a more organized home. Table of Contents: When we moved into our home by the beach, there was a small hallway linen closet, but it wasn’t finished. There were only three rough, unfinished shelves, with extra boards left on the floor, as if someone had started building it and never came back. With so few shelves, everything had to be stacked high. Sheets and towels shared the same spaces, piles were unstable, and pulling one thing out often meant the whole stack could tumble. It worked well enough to get by, but it wasn’t functional or organized. Part of creating a relaxed coastal lifestyle, at least for me, is making sure my home actually works day to day. When storage functions better, everyday routines feel easier. This small closet project ended up making a bigger difference than I expected. Scroll to see how this unfinished linen closet came together, from the original shelves to the finished result, plus the supplies we used to complete it. Supplies used The wood and paint materials came from a local hardware store, but I’ve linked what can easily be ordered online below. How this DIY linen closet shelving project came together Installing additional linen closet shelves created a layout that made better use of the vertical space. BEFORE When we moved in, the linen closet had only three unfinished wood shelves, with extra wood boards sitting on the floor (not pictured), as if the project had been left half done. MEASURING + PLANNING We measured the space and rethought the shelf spacing so the closet could actually function better. The existing shelves were 2 feet apart, so I decided to add three additional shelves so there would be six shelves, 1 foot apart. INSTALLING SHELF BRACKETS Using the same style of wood shelf support brackets already in the closet, we installed new brackets for the three additional shelves along the sides and back walls using a brad nailer. We painted these white before installing them. Here’s what the closet looked like after all shelf support brackets are installed. FILLING NAIL HOLES, PAINTING, + SANDING Once all the brackets were in, we filled the nail holes and prepped the shelves for painting. Then we painted the shelves and wall brackets. This took around a week with letting multiple coats of paint dry and sanding the shelves in between coats for a smooth finish. AFTER After painting and installing the shelves, the closet finally felt finished and far more usable! What was once an awkward, half-finished closet is now organized and functioning in a useful way. Bath towels, sheets, bedding, and beach towels finally have a place that makes sense. Why this small project made everyday life better Now that the shelves are finished, the linen closet actually works the way it should. Everything has a place, nothing is stacked too high or shoved in, and getting things in and out of the closet is noticeably easier. This wasn’t a dramatic renovation, but it made everyday life better. For me, this kind of update is part of living my ideal coastal lifestyle. A relaxed coastal home isn’t just about how it looks, it’s also about how it functions. When storage is thoughtful and clutter is reduced, everyday routines feel easier and less stressful, supporting a slower, more relaxed coastal way of living. If you’re updating your home too, this is a good reminder that small, practical projects can have just as much impact as bigger design changes. Looking for more simple home projects that make everyday life feel better? You can find all of my easy DIY home updates here.I’m sharing my small home updates and DIY projects as we slowly make this house feel like home. If you’re also looking for coastal home decor inspiration, I share modern coastal finds, furniture, and decor ideas. Save this DIY linen closet shelving project for later Pin this graphic on Pinterest so you can refer back to this DIY built-in style linen closet project if you’re interested in adding linen closet shelving, improving your linen closet organization, need more linen closet storage, or are looking for linen closet ideas. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal home and beach lifestyle inspiration. What’s one small home update that’s made everyday life feel easier for you? Share it in the comments.

A simple lighting change that softened my home without giving up energy efficiency. When we moved into our home, many of the light fixtures already had cool LED bulbs installed. Nothing was technically wrong, but the house always felt a little harsh, especially in the evenings. The lighting just did not match the calm, relaxed feeling I wanted at home. This small project became the first in my Coastal Home Project series, where I share realistic DIY updates that make my home and everyday living feel better. These aren’t major renovations, just simple changes that have a noticeable impact. Below, I’m sharing the exact warm white LED bulbs I use in my home, along with a simple visual comparison so you can see the difference for yourself. Why I switched from cool to warm white LEDs I wanted to keep the energy savings and long lifespan of LED bulbs, but with the softer glow of traditional incandescent lighting. Warm white LED bulbs, often labeled as soft white, felt like the right balance. For a long time, it felt like you had to choose between cozy incandescent light or lower energy bills with harsh LEDs. That’s not true anymore. You can get LED bulbs that give the same warm glow as traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, LEDs can last many years longer than a traditional bulb. What warm white lighting changes After swapping out the bulbs, the difference was immediate. The house now feels cozier and more inviting at night. The lighting no longer feels stark or clinical, especially in living spaces and bedrooms. The bulbs I use After researching different Kelvin temperatures of light bulbs, I chose soft white LED bulbs that give off a warm, cozy glow without looking too yellow or dim. These are the same bulbs used throughout my home, including in my table lamps: Switching to warm white lighting was one of the easiest home updates I’ve made, and it completely changed how my home feels in the evenings. It’s a small detail, but one that affects how you experience your home every single day. If your home lighting feels a little too harsh at night, or you want to make the swap from traditional light bulbs to LEDs for energy efficiency and longevity, this is an easy place to start. Save These Light Bulbs Pin this graphic on Pinterest so you can continue to refer back to the light bulbs I use for cozy, warm light in my home. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more more coastal lifestyle, DIY projects, and beach house inspiration. Why Switching To Warm White LED Bulbs Made My Home Feel Instantly Cozier Have you made the switch from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs? I’d love to hear why or why not.