In short, pretty great:
I've made just a few changes from the way I thought I'd use it. Saddle pads ended up not fitting well in the door, so I am using it for my Connor binder, tack cleaning kit, and helmet. One clean Dressage pad and one clean AP pad are now folded neatly on top, while sweaty ones are with the rest of the barn's pads, drying in the sun on the pipe gate.
My other departure is hanging bonnets on the corkboard, which I thought I'd use for pictures and notes. But the pushpins work really well with the (amazing) bonnets (that JenJ made for us):
I keep two types of things in here: what I use on a daily basis for riding, and first aid. Everything I don't need very often, like my little plastic show trunk, shipping boots and blankets, are kept in the loft upstairs. Spare clean pads are kept at home. It's not big, but that means I don't end up with extra stuff in there that I don't really need.
Finally, I am very glad I left the "refrigerator handle" on it, because I've started a habit of going straight to the locker and hanging my keys on that handle when I get to the barn, and haven't lost my keys since! It's also really nice to have something to grab when my hands are full or when I'm wearing bulky gloves in the winter. No regrets.
But as far as the locker vs. trunk debate goes? I'm never going back to a trunk! I can find things so much faster now. If you ever have to make this decision, or have the option to build one yourself, go with a locker!
I'm so jealous of it, so organized and neat! Our trainer requires trunks. :(
ReplyDeleteThey definitely won't work for everyone which is a huge bummer because ORGANIZATION! I understand that not everyone has unlimited loft storage like I do either. I still have a tack trunk too, it's just filled with winter blankets.
DeleteLove it! Glad it's working so well for you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletemy last barn had lockers and i LOVED them. new barn, no lockers, super bummer.
ReplyDeletelove your DIY!
Thanks! I am completely in love with lockers. It would be hard to go back!
DeleteLove this! I'd love to have one to keep at home and a trunk to take to shows :)
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I do! I have a really small wheeled locking rubbermaid tote + my backpack locker for shows, and this for home.
Deletei really need a storage solution and am so tempted to try something like this - i MUCH prefer lockers to trunks and yours is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! It took me forever and I got stuck a few times on details, but it was a great learning experience. I used an old set of kitchen cabinets so that made it way easier, but really, it's just two boxes facing each other and those are pretty easy to make. Do it! :)
DeleteI used a Black & Decker plastic utility cabinet for a locker at my old barn. It was awesome with all the shelves for brush box, plastic bins of boots, first aid, etc. My tack trunk was next to it but I only put saddle pads, coolers, and sheets there. The locker is, like you said, easier to organize and find stuff!
ReplyDeleteI was looking into a Black & Decker cabinet until I tore this kitchen cabinet out of my house. Plastic would be just as good, but lighter!
Deletei need one of these for in my trailer! i have plastic totes with show/spare tack and pads and the rest hung up in my tack room. But this would keep me so much more organized when traveling!!! especially the first aid part of it
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I've never had the opportunity to organize a trailer, but I think I'd go for those hanging wire racks that you can then zip tie bins and organizers too. Makes my organization-loving heart skip a beat just thinking about it!
DeleteMay I ask how heavy it is when it's not full of tack? I'd LOVE to make something like this and one of the woman I ride with has an amazing one but I'm a little concerned about ever having to transport it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not very heavy, I was able to get it into my car by myself, and two small women were able to get it into the barn without issue. Since it's made of a set of kitchen cabinets with no regard to weight at all, I'm sure you could make it lighter than I did too.
DeleteThe biggest thing I did to help with transportation is get a big set of 2" solid rubber wheels on the bottom with brakes. That way, I just roll it everywhere it goes - which, for me, is nowhere. It also serves to get it off the ground and away from possible moisture.
Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI have a large tack locker that's been living at my parent's house because I don't have a place to store it. It looks like that's going to change THIS MONTH though, and I have to admit I'm so insanely excited to have it back in daily use!!
ReplyDelete