Closet shelves hold items you normally do not hang on a hanger, such as boxes of tools, photo albums or camping gear. An efficient way to free up floor space in your closet, shelves are also a great DIY project. If you know handle a tape measure and power drill, you will accomplish this project in just under two hours. It is a straightforward way to add space and storage options to any closet, big or small. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the inside width of the closet from wall to wall with a tape measure. Decide how many shelves to install. Typically, shelves go into a closet with 8 to 12 inches between shelves, or 18 inches for larger box storage.
2. Draw a line along the side and back walls of the closet with a pencil and carpenter level. Look at the level bead and make sure it is centered, to ensure the line is straight. Repeat this for every shelf you plan to install.
3. Run a stud finder along the lines and make another mark to indicate the location of studs in the walls. The stud finder beeps when a stud is present. You may also tap on the wall to find the studs. Studs are located where the sound is flat, not hollow.
4. Screw two shelf brackets into the wall, using your stud marks as a guide, with wood screws and a power screwdriver. Or cut 2-inch-wide boards to the lengths of the walls with a table saw, and nail them into the studs along the line you drew. This is called a cleat and it supports the shelving.
5. Cut shelving board, available at home improvement stores, to the width of the closet and place it on the brackets or cleats. Glue or screw the shelving board to the cleats or mount them to the brackets by screwing a small, 1 1/4-inch screw up through the bracket and into the shelving.
Tags: closet with, shelving board, stud finder, tape measure, width closet