Make Your Own Closet Shelves & Organizer!
My poor closet was a MESS, and way too small for two people. My husband, with minimal tools, designed and built in shelving and cubby holes. It more than doubled our space... for less than $130! OUR SITE HAS ANOTHER POST WITH THE COMPLETELY ORGANIZED CLOSET! CLICK ON LINKS WITHIN THIS ARTICLE TO GET TO IT
This is the BEFORE photo. When we moved in there wasn't even a shelf and rod. It's just not big enough for two adults! My husband used the free software Google Sketchup to design the closet shelves. DOWNLOAD OUR SKETCHUP DESIGN FILE HERE or on our actual site post link at the bottom.
He purchased the materials needed then tore back the carpet in the closet so he could start the base. The base was made by creating a simple framework with 1″x2″ lumber. This is not glued to the floor, but it is important that it reaches the full width of the closet to the walls.
A common jigsaw was used to begin cutting the MDF to the shelf dimensions.
Careful measurements were made to put pencil lines in the exact positions where the upright boards would be placed.
Glue was not used to attach the shelves. Just properly lengthed screws. The first 1″x 2″ boards were screwed into place in the wall to allow for proper placement of the first upright.
Notice the angled cuts of the uprights at the bottom of the shelving unit. This was to allow the uprights to be deep enough to hold clothes, yet taper in to meet the base at the bottom.
Closet dowels were attached into their holders.
Cubby shelves were added on each side then it was painted. This gave us more than double the space!
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Doris on May 20, 2020
Love your closet makeover! What are the dimensions of your closet? Thanks!!!
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Nancy at Craft Your Happiness on May 21, 2020
Hi Doris!
Our closet dimensions were 40" Deep x 81" Wide. Normal 8' ceiling. The height of the shelving unit itself was also 81" tall.
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Ida Burrows on May 20, 2020
It would be lovely to see a photo of the closet with all your clothes back in. Did you put doors on?
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Nancy at Craft Your Happiness on May 21, 2020
We absolutely have a post on that Ida! We did a full photo shoot on it. Here is the link on our official website. It turned out SO great! : https://craftyourhappiness.com/2018/06/05/unique-closet-organizer-ideas-on-a-budget/
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
How did you hold up the shelves, what did you put under the shelves? I started to built my own wardrobe but I don't really know how to do this as elegant as yours
Oh ! Do I have a question ! Can you come and do this to my closets????? Amazing transformation.....well done !!
Where do you hang long skirts and dresses? Mine wouldn't fit in those sections. I would like to see it with everything back in there.