Closet Door Built-In Storage

7 Materials
$38
2 Hours
Medium

Okay, so I have to admit, I have A LOT of shoes. I'm not the type to put away my summer shoes during winter, because you never know when you need a pair of flip flops or open-toe heels during the colder months (call me crazy but I don't stick with the close-toe heel rule...if there is one).


Because I don't put away my summer shoes, coupled with the fact that I have a ridiculously small closet, it can look like a hot mess with the quickness. My closet is in my son's room, so even if I line my shoes up nicely, he eventually gets in there and messes them up. Hence, my need for a solution!

Here's the finished look!

BEFORE: HOT MESS!!!


I promise all of my clothes are nicely hung and in some what of a style coordination, however, I don't want to ruin my knit cardigans by hanging them on hangers so I just hang them over the middle of my closet rack. If anyone has a solution to this issue, please feel free to share!

As mentioned in my supplies list, I purchased (3) 1x6x8 boards and (2) 1x2x8 boards. I cut my boards to the following lengths using a chop saw:


(2) 1x6 – cut to 6’

(5) 1x6 – cut to 16”

(10) 1x2 – cut to 16”


*If you don't have a chop saw, you can have your boards cut at Home Depot or Lowe's, whichever place you purchase them.


I decided to keep my wood unfinished, however, if you want a finish on your boards, I would suggest finishing them before cutting.


After I cut my boards, I knocked off the splinters and edges with a piece of fine grit sandpaper.

First, I measured every 18" on my 6' boards to mark where my shelves would sit. Rob suggested I do this before assembling anything.


Then, I applied wood glue to the edges of one of my 16" 1x6 pieces and positioned it between the top edges of my 6' pieces.


I nailed the outside of the 6' pieces to the inside edge of the 16" 1x6 piece.


In order to easily mount my storage unit, I glued and nailed a 16" 1x2 piece directly under the 16" 1x6 piece, kind of nested under it.

Once the end was glued and nailed, I attached a clamp to hold everything together until the glued cured.


Repeat these steps for both ends of the storage unit.

Here is the unit all clamped up...now it's time for shelves.


Much like step 2, I assembled my shelves by gluing and nailing the remaining 16" 1x6 pieces of board. Once I put glue on the ends of my 16" pieces, and starting at one end, I placed the top edge of my board on my pencil marks from the first part of step 2. Then, I wiped any glue that bled and stapled the end shelves.

For the double rails of each shelf, I knocked in two pieces of 16" 1x2 boards, one at a time. I used two scrap pieces of 16" 1x2 boards for spacers. I didn't use wood glue for this step, because the rails were so tight.


I simply used a hammer to gently knock them in place and stapled the ends from the outside of the 6' boards.

Finally, I used a counter sink attachment for my drill to pre-drill three holes on the top of my storage unit and three holes on the bottom. Then, I screwed in my screws to make the unit nice and secure.


I'm really happy with how this built-in storage unit came out for my closet door. I still have a few stragglers sitting on the floor but I feel my closet looks so much more organized, given how small it is.


*Because I only had to purchase the lumber for this project, it was less than $40 total for supplies.

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  • Sandra Sandra on Nov 18, 2019

    have you seen the ready-made product by Hingenuity? It is made of finished white wood, has 8 shelves, and attaches to your door's hinges!

  • Mary Mary on Nov 18, 2019
    My concern would be how heavy this would be on the door and would create sagging?
  • Freida DeYoung-Thomas Freida DeYoung-Thomas on Nov 19, 2019

    How would this work with sliding doors? 🤔🤔🤔

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  • Doris Doris on Nov 19, 2019

    For your cardigans/sweaters use a heavy plastic hanger (or one of your choosing), fold your cardigans/sweaters in half with the front left and right sides together. Place the arm pits at the base of the hanger neck, fold the cardigan/sweater arms over one side of the hanger, then fold the cardigan/sweater body over the other side of the hanger. it's a little bulky but you won't have stretched out shoulders or dimples. Hope that helps! I don't remember where I first saw this so I don't want to take credit for this idea when it wasn't my original idea.

  • User User on May 15, 2021

    Hello, I read your content, if you are looking for home decor suggestions like me, you can find information on this site. :) https://gidav.com/hanging-closet-organizer-ikea-2021/

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