An empty closet doesn't have to stay empty for long. There are plenty of unconventional ways to utilize that alcove space, creating a whole new focal point for your room. To turn any closet into a deluxe home entertainment center, all you need are some unfinished audio-video cabinets and Minwax® stains and clear finishes. Before taking on any installation project like this, complete all your staining and finishing first. In this project the cabinets were prepped with a coat of Minwax® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to ensure even stain absorption. They were then stained with Minwax® Water- Based Wood Stain White Oak. However, Minwax® stains are available in a variety of wood tones and custom colors, so :? you can choose the color that best fits in your decor. Once the staining was complete, the pieces were finished with a topcoat of Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish. To complete the project, simply fit the cabinets in the empty closet, and install your video and audio equipment. After that, all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy the show!

Office Efficiency

A great way to make use of an empty closet is to repurpose the space, and turn it into a space-efficient home office. To achieve the look you see here, use unfinished shelves, ready-made drawer cabinets and a desktop all made of unfinished wood. Be certain that the unfinished pieces will fit into your closet. If there room to spare, have your local lumber­yard cut boards to serve as fillers. Before you assemble your new desk, make sure you prep and stain all the pieces first. This project started with an application of Minwax® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to prevent blotchiness. The two-tone stain effect shown here was achieved with Minwax® Water-Based Wood Stain Cocoa and Cinnamon. For your closet creation, choose stain colors that best match your room. Since any desk will get a lot of use, it's going to need some protection. For this project two coats of Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish were used. Lastly, before you install your desk, be sure to cut holes in the back for electrical wires. The result is a smart, efficient way of utilizing empty closet space. So get to work, because your custom- designed home office awaits.