A few interior mods

Photomom

I have a long list of nearly 20 things I want to do to our T@B and started with a few interior, high value things.

The first was the cabinet spring mod, although it pained me greatly to drill into the beautiful cabinets.


Next I added command hooks for keys above the door, and also came up with a way to mount my Acurite fridge temperature monitor. There is a command product for everything; the picture hanging strips seem ideal for this.


I had noticed that the shower floor seems a little slippery, so I added these safety treads from Bed Bath and Beyond. 


I am still thinking about what to do about the back shelf that new T@Bs are coming with. It is quite heavy but there is usable storage beneath it when the back of the sofa is down. My simple solution was to use a paint stirrer stick, shortened by about an inch. but it would be easy to knock out of place and then the shelf would bang your fingers. I am wondering if the spring mod would work, but I hesitate to drill into the shelf (3/4" plywood) itself unless I'm sure it will work.

jkjenn

Is there anything below the shelf?

Verna

I think the rear shelf will be too heavy for the springs. This would be a good place for either the struts that were shown here in the past couple of weeks (good for those who had to remove them from the upper cabinets), or even better would be two of those toy chest hinges that are used so children won't have the lids fall on them. 

Photomom

It is a nice space, about 54 inches wide, 6.5 inches front to back, and 6 inches deep. There are two wood braces at about 18 inches and 36 inches, so you can't put anything long there but otherwise it is an open space. I would love to know what the designers thought people would use the space for since it is only accessible with the sofa back down. Maybe pajamas?

jkjenn

I would use it for batteries or extra cables.

Photomom

I was thinking it would be nice for hiding expensive lenses and electronics, but it gets quite warm with the Alde on since the heat comes up behind the space. Probably too warm for battery storage with the heat on.

jkjenn

Photomom said:

I was thinking it would be nice for hiding expensive lenses and electronics, but it gets quite warm with the Alde on since the heat comes up behind the space. Probably too warm for battery storage with the heat on.

The T@b towel warmer.

Photomom

Oooh!

Mouseketab

Yeah, I would think it would be for "just in case" stuff. An extra set of sheets, an extra blanket. Stuff you wouldn't get out every trip, but want to bring just in case. Maybe emergency toolkit (ratchets, sockets, pliers, etc.)

Verna

I was looking at my rear space yesterday trying to figure out how to make space there. Yee ole woodworker.....thinking......thinking....have to preserve my scrollwork....thinkng.....

jkjenn

Bed slats?

Verna

jkjenn said:

Bed slats?

Not long enough. I cut the board into four pieces in order to be able to scroll easier with the 20" throat of the scrollsaw; needed the ability to have a shorter turning radius.

I could attach cleats on the underside of the board or just make separate lift tops for separate sections. I like the idea of a T@B towel warmer!

Photomom

No, because of the braces that run from front to back, nothing long will fit. I assume those are functional and shouldn't be removed. Plus it would be a shame to put the rough slats into a nicely finished space. @Verna let me know if you want any detaied measurements or pics. 

Nomad

I put rails on mine and used it for canned and boxed goods. Found I didn't need to carry that much stuff so is empty at the moment.

Verna

Photomom said:

No, because of the braces that run from front to back, nothing long will fit. I assume those are functional and shouldn't be removed. Plus it would be a shame to put the rough slats into a nicely finished space. @Verna let me know if you want any detaied measurements or pics. 

Thanks, Photomom. I would have to build the bottom and sides and dividers. Sort of "play it by ear". I would allow for a slot at the rear for the heat and my scrollwork would allow excess heat to vent from the storage. I like the idea of small stuff storage--I always have little things that need a dedicated place. Cords, pens, pencils, small pads of paper, etc. I need to see if a mirror on the rear wall will allow me to see the glycol level in my reservoir, too. 

Nomad

Remember, anything back there needs to be secured as it's the bounciest place on the inside. My canned goods (generally) stayed in place but the lighter stuff wouldn't without netting or something.

Photomom

So, no beer, then.

Nomad

I wouldn't want to be close when you opened them der beers after being shakin up.

dragonsdofly

Husband suggested using that space as the T@b slow cooker if the alde is on. So many possibilities! Each compartment for a different dish.

Verna

PXLated said:

Remember, anything back there needs to be secured as it's the bounciest place on the inside. My canned goods (generally) stayed in place but the lighter stuff wouldn't without netting or something.

Rare earth magnets--a wonderful thing to have on hand

Nomad

I suppose they'd hold the canned goods in place. :-)

Verna

PXLated said:

I suppose they'd hold the canned goods in place. :-)

Oh yes, but not for aluminum cans

Slange

Very nice mods Photomom!  When we bought our CS, we thought our dog would love to sleep on the cushion on top of the front cabinet.  But, after our first trip we found that he insisted on sleeping in the bed with us!  Using that cabinet for clothes didn't work too well.  So, we were looking for something better.  We found these at Ikea.  They are the Nordli 2-drawer cabinets.  The base and top can be for a single or double unit.  In hindsight, the double top would have made a better fit, but we originally planned to have them on both sides with a space in the middle.  Only change was to screw the original cabinet lids down and then bolt the Ikea cabinets to the lids.  Even after bouncing down I-75 in Ohio this weekend, nothing was out of place and always easily accessible!

Wanderoo

Nice!  Very clean looking and efficient.  :)

NomadPilgrim

@Slange nice! What is the monitor next to the shower door?

TerryV6

This is my version of the area behind the back seat.  I covered it with thin plywood, two pieces, with access holes for easy lifting.  As you can see, the back cushion folds flat...

TerryV6

I got these at the dollar store.  They clip on the frame above the window and you can then hang your lantern on them.  Works well.   Still have to figure out a interior screen add on to help keep the bugs at bay that are attracted to the lights...

Photomom

TerryV6 said:

I got these at the dollar store.  They clip on the frame above the window and you can then hang your lantern on them.  Works well.   Still have to figure out a interior screen add on to help keep the bugs at bay that are attracted to the lights...

Cool. Where would I find something like that - have only been in dollar stores a couple times and found them very confusing.

RZRBUG

Most dollar stores have a section of laundry items, mops, racks, etc. at the end of the aisle that has laundry detergent.  If you can navigate the clutter, they often have cheap, useful items.  I have also found similar items in the hardware section at Wal-Mart, even some metal ones if that is to your liking.

The multiple-hooked hanger on the left in this photo is a modified tie rack I found at a dollar store, and the magazine/book rack on the right is a modified basket I found at Wal-Mart.

Slange

NomadPilgrim The monitor is a temperature/humidity gage from RadioShack.  I bought the T@B tank monitor system but have yet to install.

leroybort

Hey!  We're in West Chester too!  Thought I'd reach ot and say Hey!  lol