RTTPYO #3: The Closet Door That Wouldn’t Open (And the Fix That Changed Everything)
- nvilu7
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Updated: May 6
The Problem I Ignored for 12 Years
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About the RTTPYO Series
RTTPYO stands for Removing Things That Piss You Off — the small home problems we tolerate for years before finally fixing them.
In this series, I tackle one everyday annoyance and show how a simple design change can make a space work better.
In this post: a closet door that wouldn’t open.
This RTTPYO didn’t actually piss me off… until it really did.
For 12 years, I couldn’t fully open my coat closet door.
Not because the door was broken—but because my furniture layout blocked it. The door opened halfway. That was it.
And for years, I just… lived with it.
Why It Didn’t Bother Me (At First)
Before moving to Portland, I lived in warm-weather cities. One coat, maybe two. No problem.
Then Portland happened.
Suddenly I had:
Rain jackets
Light jackets
Heavy coats
“Maybe it’ll rain, maybe it won’t” layers
Translation: I needed my entire closet. Regularly.
And yet, every time I needed something in the back, I had to:
Move furniture
Open the door
Dig around
Put everything back
What should take 30 seconds took 10 minutes.
Still, I ignored it.
The Pandemic Broke Me (Like It Did Everything Else)
When I was suddenly home all the time, this became a daily annoyance.
And that’s when it officially qualified as an RTTPYO.
But instead of my usual move—ordering random furniture and hoping for the best—I did something different.
I made a plan.
RTTPYO Rule: Fix the Problem, Don’t Replace It with Something Just as Annoying
Don’t swap one annoyance for another. Solve the root issue. |
Step 1: Measure First (Not After You Shop)
I cleared the space and fully opened the closet door (a magical moment).
I used my faithful tape measure to map out the space.
Available wall footage: 55 inches total (including the sidelight window).
What I needed in that space:
A comfortable guest chair
A functional side table
A lamp
And most importantly… a fully opening closet door
RTTPYO Quick Fix Kit
If you want to solve a layout problem like this in your own home, you only need a few basic tools.
25-ft tape measure —for accurate wall and furniture measurements
Painter’s tape —to map furniture footprints on the floor
Graph paper notebook —helpful for sketching room layouts
These three things make furniture arrangement planning dramatically easier.
Step 2: Understand Positive vs. Negative Space
This corner failed because I ignored a core design principle:
Positive space = furniture and objects
Negative space = breathing room + function
I had too much stuff, not enough function.
Design Callout: Function Is Non-Negotiable
If a door, drawer, or walkway doesn’t work—you don’t have a design. You have a problem.
Step 3: Set Non-Negotiables
In order of importance:
Closet door must open fully
Don’t block natural light
Include a comfortable chair
Include a functional surface (table + lamp + drink)
Everything else was optional.
Step 4: Work Backward from Size Constraints
This is where most people go wrong with small space furniture layouts.
I researched standard sizes:
Armchairs: ~26"–40" wide
Small side tables: ~14" diameter
Then I tested it (old-school):
✔️ Drew a 14” circle
✔️ Put a drink + lamp on it
It worked.
Quick Layout Trick
Painter’s tape works great for mapping furniture footprints on the floor.
This instantly shows whether a piece will block doors, walkways, or windows.
RTTPYO Reality Check
Sometimes the fix isn’t rearranging. It’s replacing.
My existing pieces:
Chair: 31” wide
Bar cart: 24” diameter
Lamp: 14” diameter
Translation:
Everything was too big.
To fix the space, I had to let go of all three.
Mini Guide: Small-Space Furniture
Armchairs
Compact: 22–30” wide
Standard: 30–40” wide
Oversized: 40”+
Side Tables
Small space: 12–16” diameter
Standard: 18–22” diameter
Table Lamps
Shade width should be smaller than the table
Shade height roughly equals the lamp base height
Once I understood my size limits, I stopped browsing randomly and started searching specifically for compact accent chairs and small-footprint tables.
Step 5: Smarter Online Shopping Strategy
Instead of impulse buying, I:
Filtered by size first
Narrowed by style second
Ignored price initially
Then refined by budget
Smart Online Furniture Shopping for Small Spaces
When shopping for furniture online, filter by size first.
Start with the measurements your space allows, then narrow by style and price.
This prevents the most common mistake in small spaces: falling in love with something that physically can’t work.
Many online retailers let you filter by:
width
depth
height
table diameter
Use those filters before you even start browsing.
Step 6: Choose the Anchor Piece First
I started with the chair because:
It dictated everything else
It was the biggest visual + financial investment
What to Look For in a Small-Space Chair:
Look for chairs under 30” wide like compact accent chairs or mid-century lounge chairs designed for small rooms.
Step 7: Build Around It
Once the chair was set:
Side table = smaller, simpler
Lamp = scaled down, single color pulled from chair upholstery
This kept the space balanced instead of cluttered.
The Result
Closet door opens fully (still magical)
Light flows into the room
Seating is actually comfortable
The space feels intentional
And most importantly…
The daily annoyance is gone.
What I Did With the Old Stuff
I donated everything.
No haggling. No Craigslist chaos. No “will you take $5 and deliver it?”
Highly recommend:
Final Takeaway: The Real Problem Wasn’t the Furniture
It was my expectation.
I assumed pieces that worked in past homes would work here.
They didn’t.
And instead of adjusting, I tolerated the problem for 12 years.
RTTPYO Mindset Shift
Let go of what should work.
Fix what actually doesn’t.
Shopping List
Small-Space Furniture That Works in Tight Layouts
Modern or traditional upholstered accent chair (under 30” wide)
Side Tables (14”–16”)
Pair of small-footprint nesting tables
Small modern end tables (Yamazaki Home--super-cute and minimal assembly)
Table Lamps (Small Scale)
Ceramic accent lamp (the crystal base is very cool)
Minimalist metal table lamp
Tools for Planning
Painter’s tape (to map layout on floor)
Notepad or room planning app
If you have a space in your home that quietly drives you insane…get out your tape measure.
That’s how this RTTPYO finally ended.
If you have a space in your home that almost works—but not quite…
that’s your next RTTPYO.
Download The RTTPYO Method to walk through exactly how to measure, rethink, and fix the problem (without wasting time or money on the wrong solution).
Grab the guide and start with the one thing that’s been bothering you for way too long.
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