Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
The walk-in closet’s basic cabinet build was finished on March 27, 2025, but the room was not complete. In her March 28 update, Kristi Linauer described a built-in layout for clothes, shoes, bags, laundry appliances, and a central display area, while noting that surface preparation, trim, molding, and some jewelry-storage decisions were still ahead. The milestone was cabinet construction—not a finished, painted closet.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What did “the basic build is finished” mean?
Linauer reported that she had finished the basic build the previous night. That meant the main built-in cabinet structures were in place; it did not mean every surface had been finished or every design detail resolved. Her March 28 project update shows a room moving from construction into the more detailed work of filling, sanding, caulking, and adding trim and molding.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11That distinction matters when reading the progress photos and planning a similar project. Cabinet boxes can be assembled and positioned before joints, fastener holes, edges, and transitions are ready for their final finish. At this point in Linauer’s project, those finishing tasks were still pending; the source does not say that the closet had been painted or that the room was complete.
Popular on Amazon
- Great Value Paint Brush Set: Soucolor 20 acrylic paint brushes come in 10 different sizes, making them ideal for fine detailing, model painting, rock painting, nail art, face painting, DIY crafts, and general art projects. The varied brush sizes give you better control for both delicate lines and broader color coverage, while the soft bristles deliver smooth, consistent results on acrylic, oil, watercolor, canvas, wood, ceramic, and more.
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Perfect for All Painters & Occasions: Suitable for art beginners, hobbyists and professional artists. Great for art class, home creation, travel painting and DIY handmade projects. A practical art gift for students, teachers, family and craft lovers.
In other words, “finished” was relative to one stage of a longer build. The storage structures had reached a usable shape, but preparation and decorative work still stood between construction and a finished room. It is easy to read a milestone headline as a declaration that a project is over, so the date and sequence matter: the basic build was complete the night before the March 28 post, while filling nail and screw holes had only begun.
That stage-by-stage distinction is also useful for anyone documenting a renovation. A cabinet can be built without being ready for its final finish, and a room can have a coherent storage plan even while its center feature or trim treatment remains undecided. Linauer’s update is a progress report, not a final reveal.
How is the closet storage organized?
The built-ins divide the room into zones for different kinds of storage rather than relying on one continuous run of shelves. The plan includes shelving for handbags and folded clothing, dedicated shoe storage, hanging sections for dresses, skirts, pants, shirts, and miscellaneous items, plus closed cabinets and a central display and jewelry area.
The closet is part of a larger walk-in closet and laundry-room project. Linauer intended the washer and dryer to sit in cabinets near a window, combining laundry appliances with the room’s storage rather than treating the closet as a clothes-only space. The arrangement therefore has to serve several uses: hanging and folded garments, shoes and bags, concealed storage, a display area, and laundry.
That mix makes the zone-by-zone approach especially visible. Shelves suit folded clothes and handbags; hanging sections are assigned to several garment categories; shoe storage has its own place; and closed cabinets provide another kind of storage. The central area was intended to be more of a display and jewelry zone than a simple continuation of the perimeter cabinets. The account does not give shelf counts, cabinet dimensions, or a complete inventory of what will go in every compartment, so the plan is best understood by function rather than by exact capacity.
There is no single layout that the update presents as best. A reader planning a similar room can use the same practical questions to compare priorities: does the plan reserve adequate hanging space for the clothes that need it, shelves for folded items and bags, dedicated room for shoes, and an accessible place for smaller jewelry? Does a closed cabinet preserve the look the owner wants without making frequently used things harder to reach? Linauer’s plan balances these categories in one room, but the source does not establish that its proportions would work for every household.
Also popular on Amazon
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
The laundry component adds another planning consideration. Appliances occupy built-in space and have to remain accessible for their intended use; they are not interchangeable with ordinary closet storage. Linauer’s washer-and-dryer placement by a window was part of this specific room plan. The post does not provide appliance clearances or cabinet measurements, so it cannot be used as a dimensional template.
Which design details were still undecided?
The central section had not reached its final design. Linauer was still considering wallpaper, a mirror, sconces, a glass-top drawer for earrings and rings, a necklace bar, and another shelf. She said she was working out the design, so these were plans under consideration, not completed features.
That open center is a useful reminder that a cabinet build can be structurally finished while the visual composition remains unsettled. Choices such as a mirror, lighting, wallpaper, and jewelry storage affect how the center reads and how it functions; the update does not establish which of those ideas ultimately made it into the finished room.
The listed possibilities also show that the undecided work was not one isolated choice. Wallpaper and a mirror would shape the wall’s appearance, sconces would add lighting, and the glass-top drawer, necklace bar, and extra shelf would provide different ways to store or display items. Those features would need to work together in the center section, but Linauer had not yet shared a final arrangement. It would be inaccurate to describe any one option as installed or selected at the March 28 milestone.
For readers working through their own center storage, the useful comparison is between display and access: an area can be planned around visible accessories, smaller enclosed storage, or a combination. Here, Linauer was considering both display-oriented details and dedicated jewelry storage. The source does not report the final dimensions, lighting placement, or outcome, so those decisions remain a snapshot of her planning rather than a prescription.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Why did the step ladder change the cabinet plan?
The ladder did not fit the slot originally planned beside the hampers. Rather than leave the ladder in a space where it would not fit, Linauer changed the two bottom shelves in a cabinet with a door to be shallower, allowing the ladder to stand in front of them.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
The account does not identify the ladder’s make, model, or dimensions, and it gives no cabinet measurements. The practical lesson is specific but broadly useful: check the item against the cabinet’s finished opening and depth before committing to a storage slot. Include the access needed to take the item out and return it, and consider whether storing it in front of shelves would obstruct the contents. In this project, the shallower bottom shelves accommodated the ladder, but the source does not say how much storage capacity changed.
The episode is a small example of a plan meeting a real object. A dedicated slot beside the hampers looked like the intended solution, but the ladder did not fit there. The adjustment moved the ladder to a position in front of two shallower shelves in a cabinet with a door. Those are the actual trade-offs the account records; it does not say that the original slot was removed, how much room the change saved, or whether any particular storage area became less useful.
A careful fit check should account for the final cabinet opening and depth, not just the rough location on a plan. A stored item needs to fit through the opening and into the space, and the owner needs to be able to retrieve it. If it will stand in front of shelves, as Linauer’s ladder did, consider whether those shelves need to remain accessible at the same time. A compact folding step ladder may be a useful search phrase for someone looking for a different fit, but no model was named here; compare the folded dimensions of any candidate with the actual space rather than treating a product listing as a match by default.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →This is not a product comparison or a claim that one ladder style is better. The useful comparison is between storage locations: a dedicated slot may preserve access to neighboring shelves if the item fits, while storing an item in front of shelves may require a change to those shelves or affect access. The right choice depends on the finished opening, the item being stored, and what else needs to be reached. No ladder dimensions or prices were reported in Linauer’s post.
What finishing work came after the cabinet build?
At the March 28 milestone, Linauer had begun filling nail and screw holes and expected to sand and caulk before adding trim and molding. Those steps were still upcoming in that update. In a March 31 follow-up, she described attaching trim and filling joints and fastener holes, marking the next stage of the same project rather than work already complete on March 28.
The follow-up mentions pre-primed lumber, a Dremel Multi-Max, and a rotary sander. These are details from Linauer’s account of her trim work, not product endorsements or evidence that the entire closet had been primed or painted. The chronology is important: filling and sanding were part of preparing the work, while adding trim and filling its joints and fastener holes came in the subsequent update.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【KIDS PAINT BRUSHES SET】Anezus paint brushes for kids come with 10 pcs paint brushes of 5pcs round paintbrushes and 5 flat paint brushes with colorful handles, good for the young artist to explore their creativity in painting and crafting
- 【HIGH QUALITY PAINT BRUSHES FOR KIDS】These toddler paint brushes made of soft hog bristle, bright colored handles and rust proof ferrules. The bristles are firmly fixed in the kids paint brushes and no shedding. Each children paint brush measure 6 1/4 inches (16cm) in length and ferrules 1/2"(1.3cm) diameter, large enough for the little hand to grip and control
- 【WIDE APPLICATIONS】With combination of round and flat craft paint brushes for kids, work great with washable paint, tempera paint and acrylic paint. Great for arts and craft, rock, leather, gesso and ceramic, or body, nail and face art painting.
- 【EASY TO CLEAN 】After using paint brushes for acrylic, oil or watercolor painting, it’s very convenient to clean them with warm soapy water and reshape the paint brush tips. Keep these craft paint brushes clean and they last a long time.
- 【GREAT GIFT IDEA】Perfect for students, teens, kids, children and painters of all levels. Wonderful gift idea for girls, boys and kids who love painting! These all-purpose paint brushes for kids are ideal for kids' school projects, birthday parties, painting parties, art parties, back to school supplies, classroom decoration and more.
For a reader following the project from a painting perspective, the useful checkpoint is that the visible finish depends on more than having the cabinet structures in place. Holes, joints, trim, and the transitions between components were still being addressed. The reports do not specify a paint color, coating, application method, or completed paint result, so none can be inferred from the cabinet milestone.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe next installment, Linauer’s March 31 account of adding trim, provides the next dated checkpoint. It describes attaching trim, then filling joints and fastener holes, with pre-primed lumber, a Dremel Multi-Max, and a rotary sander among the details she mentioned. Keeping those dates separate avoids suggesting that all of the trim work was already done when she announced the basic cabinet build.
The sequence offers a grounded way to think about the remaining work without turning it into a universal construction schedule: at the March 28 point, holes were being filled and sanding, caulking, trim, and molding were expected; by the March 31 follow-up, trim was being attached and its joints and fastener holes filled. The two posts do not give a project budget, labor hours, material quantities, or a full finishing specification. They also do not say that every surface had reached its final state by March 31.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the laundry placement tell us—and what does it not?
The intended washer-and-dryer location was inside cabinets near a window, as part of the room’s built-in plan. A reader asked how the washer would be connected if it sat inside a cabinet. Linauer replied that the hoses were six feet long and that she connected them with the washer and dryer outside the cabinets before pushing the appliances into place.
That is Linauer’s description of this installation, not general appliance-installation guidance. The update does not establish that the same hose length, cabinet arrangement, or connection method will work in another home. Appliance clearances and connection requirements should be checked for the specific machines and installation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The answer resolves the reader’s question about the sequence in this particular room: connect while the appliances are outside the cabinets, then move them into place. It does not say that the cabinet top comes off; the reader asked whether it did, but Linauer’s reply instead describes the six-foot hoses and the outside-then-push-in process. For anyone planning a different laundry cabinet, that distinction matters. The post records one installation detail, not a general rule about hose length, cabinet access, or safe appliance setup.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【162-Piece Bulk Set | Dual Brush System】Maximize versatility with 81 flat brushes (0.59 inch edge for bold strokes) and 81 round brushes (0.39 inch tips for details) – 3X more tools than standard kits! Pre-sorted in labeled compartments for instant access during painting sessions. Ideal for art classrooms, mural projects, and multi-artist households.
- 【Pro-Grade Durability | Zero Shedding Guarantee】 "Engineered with triple-crimped nylon bristles (43% higher resilience vs. standard) and aerospace aluminum ferrules tested for 10,000+ flex cycles. Lab-verified 0.01% shedding rate even with heavy impasto techniques – outperforms flimsy bristles in budget brushes."
- 【Multi-Scenario Readiness | Event & Daily Use】 Optimized for: Thanksgiving/Christmas face designs classroom projects ceramic decorating fabric printing and model painting; Lightweight plastic handles each reduce hand fatigue during prolonged sessions
- 【Effortless Maintenance | Long-Term Durability】 Clean with warm soapy water in 10 seconds; Reshape tips and air-dry vertically to preserve bristle integrity，After use, air-dry brushes thoroughly and store upright in the provided case to preserve bristle shape. The premium nylon filaments naturally regain their original form after each stroke. For cleaning, simply rinse in warm soapy water and gently reshape bristles with fingertips."
- 【Multiple Application】These acrylic paint brushes can be applied for most occasions,such as:watercolor,oil, gouache paint,face paint, acrylic paint, suitable for Thanks Giving Day, Christimas, Halloween face and body painting, canvas painting, fabric, rock, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
What can readers take from this progress report?
- Separate construction from completion. The cabinet build was finished, while preparation, trim, molding, and decorative decisions remained.
- Plan storage around real objects. The intended ladder slot did not work, and the shelving was adjusted to accommodate it.
- Design for the room’s multiple jobs. This layout combines clothing, shoes, bags, closed storage, a central display area, and laundry appliances.
- Keep chronology clear. The later trim work belongs to the March 31 follow-up, not the March 28 milestone.
There are a few practical questions to carry into a similar plan: which categories need hanging space, which need shelves, and which can go behind doors? Will the items intended for a cabinet fit the finished opening, and can they be retrieved without blocking something else? Does the central display area need to serve jewelry storage as well, or are those functions better separated? Linauer’s update supplies examples of those categories and one concrete fit problem, but not a universal set of dimensions or a single answer for every closet.
Likewise, the project does not offer a cost comparison. It names no budget, materials total, labor cost, or price for the ladder or tools. Its value as a progress report is in documenting the layout choices, the ladder adjustment, and the next finishing steps—not in providing a price guide or complete construction specification.
Linauer’s update captures a practical intermediate stage: the built-ins had taken shape, but the room still needed finish work and final decisions. Her own summary was, “The basic build is finished!”—a precise description of the milestone, not a claim that the closet was done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the washer hoses connected in this closet project?
Linauer said the hoses were six feet long and that she connected them while the washer and dryer were outside the cabinets, then pushed the appliances into place. That describes her installation only; appliance instructions and local requirements may differ.
What tools did Kristi Linauer mention for the trim work?
In the March 31 follow-up, Linauer mentioned a Dremel Multi-Max and a rotary sander. She also said she used pre-primed lumber for the trim.
Was the closet painted when the basic build was finished?
The March 28 account describes filling holes as work underway and sanding, caulking, trim, and molding as upcoming. It does not report a completed paint job or specify a paint color or coating.
Did the washer cabinet top come off for the connections?
The reader asked whether the top came off, but Linauer’s reply did not say that it did. She said the hoses were six feet long and that she connected them with the appliances outside the cabinets before pushing them into place.
How did the step ladder fit after the original plan failed?
The ladder did not fit the planned slot beside the hampers. Linauer made the bottom two shelves in a cabinet with a door shallower so the ladder could stand in front of them. Her post does not give the ladder or cabinet dimensions.
Quick Recap
