Home Remodeling · Downtown Asheville

How a Tiny Plaster Closet Became a Roomy One That Looks Like It Was Always There

Built partly from the old house's own timbers, so it fits right in.

Mike and his partner rent out this old Asheville cottage, and between tenants they wanted the tiny plaster closet torn out and replaced with a roomy one that would hold a modern wardrobe. So I took it down to the old framing, replaced the rotten floor with new hardwood to match, and rebuilt the closet using wood salvaged from the house, which is why it looks like it's been there all along. While I was there, I got the doors working smoothly, painted the walls and trim, and added a shelf in the old kitchen window that opens to the back porch.

Interior Remodel · Downtown Asheville · 7 days · Closet rebuild, new hardwood, doors, paint

Free in-home estimate · Written, detailed pricing · No obligation

The original closet, with the new outline marked on the wall before demo.

A Closet Built for Another Century

The old closet was a narrow plaster box with a doorway barely wide enough to reach into, which was fine for the few clothes people owned when the house was built, but it couldn't hold much of anything a tenant brings today. Before any demo started, I marked the outline of the new, wider closet right on the wall, so Mike could see exactly how much room he'd be getting.

Old Plaster, Old Timbers and a Few Surprises

Taking out the old plaster and lath was slow, careful work, because the walls in a house this age weren't built to come apart easily, and I didn't want to damage the rooms on either side. Once it was open, it was clear the old timbers weren't the same size as modern lumber, so instead of forcing new boards to fit, I saved some of the original wood to use in the new framing.

The old plaster and lath coming out, with the original framing exposed.

The new closet framed and trimmed, with the subfloor repaired and ready for new hardwood.

A New Floor and a Frame That Matches the House

The closet floor was rotten in one spot, so I cut out the old hardwood across the whole closet, repaired the subfloor underneath, and then laid and finished new hardwood to match the rest of the room. I built out the new framing with the salvaged timbers, and because the ceilings in this cottage are so tall, we kept the closet at 8 feet and put a ceiling on top of it, which gives the tenant a handy storage shelf above.

Room for a Whole Wardrobe, and Doors That Finally Work

The finished closet has bifold doors that open the whole thing up, with a shelf tower in the middle and hanging rods on both sides, so there's room for long coats, shirts and folded clothes without anything getting crammed. Around the rest of the cottage, I replaced the doors that needed it and adjusted the others so they open and close smoothly, then painted the walls and trim so the place looked fresh for the next tenant.

The finished closet, with double hanging rods, shelves, and room for a modern wardrobe.

At a Glance

- Tore out a tiny plaster closet in an old Asheville cottage between tenants

- Salvaged the house's original timbers to frame the new, wider closet

- Replaced the rotten closet floor with new hardwood finished to match

- Kept the closet at 8 feet under the tall ceilings, with a storage shelf on top

- Replaced and adjusted doors so every one opens and closes smoothly

- Painted the walls and trim throughout the cottage

- Adjusted the kitchen shelves and added a shelf in the old window to the back porch

- Done in about 7 days

In Their Own Words:


"The closet turned out great, nice and roomy, and now all the doors work well. The new tenant has plenty of room in her new closet now. Thank you."

Mike W., Asheville

Three Simple Steps

From Your Vision To a New Reality

Getting work done on your home shouldn't be a hassle. Here's how it works.

STEP 01

Tell Me About Your Project

Answer a few quick questions about your home and the job.

  • Takes about 2 minutes

  • Add photos if you have them

  • No cost, no obligation

STEP 02

I Will Meet You Onsite for a Quote

I'll call you to discuss the project, then set a time to see the job in person. You'll be talking with me, not a salesman.

  • A real phone call from me

  • In-home visit at a time that works for you

  • Straight answers, no pressure

STEP 03

You Get a Written Quote

I will provide all the details and specifications, line by line, no surprises. If it looks right, we pick a start date and I get the work done.

  • Firm, detailed written quote

  • Clean up every day

  • Finished on time

Free in-home estimate · Written, detailed pricing · No obligation

FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE

Start Your Project

Fill out the short form and I'll call you to talk through the job. If it's a good fit, I'll come out, look it over, and give you a clear written quote. Prefer to talk first? Call me at (828) 761-6760.

Where I Work

  • Asheville, Arden, Hendersonville, Brevard and Waynesville

  • Nearby areas, just ask

Remodel Asheville · John McMullen · (828) 761-6760

Serving Asheville, Arden, Hendersonville, Brevard and Waynesville
Privacy Policy · Terms
© 2026 Remodel Asheville