Thanks for all the responses. I know I tread on thin ice by posting
about furniture here, but over all this is the most active and
intelligent of the home message boards. I got 12 responses quickly.
So I appreciate that.

Ikea refunded my money, by the way. I had two of the units shatter so
either I'm not competent to put it together or there was an issue with
their materials. The doors and other hardware were great, but the
particle board couldn't handle the weight.

This is a child's bedroom.

Because the room is small, around 12x12, I was hesitant to convert
something that would remove 18" + from one wall. Even without a
closet, these rooms are considered bedrooms in our city. A friend has
an older house down the block and every upstairs room is called a
bedroom- 7 of them!

I had seen a room 30 years ago that had cabinets ringing the ceiling.
It affected the feel of being in the room, but otherwise could work.

I am hesitant to install metal racks or closet organizers and cover
with a curtain. I think that's a recipe for an unattractive room
particularly when I imagine a 9 yr old refusing to pick things up.

I'm not seeing the wide wardrobes at antique stores, so I'm still
looking.

I paid a woodworker a bargain amount to build bookcases a few years ago
and would do it again. I'm around Washington, DC and could work with
someone in NoCarolina who had an online site and delivered.

thanks,

Don