Shoe storage for a walk-in closet
When your closet space begins to burst at the seams with clothes, shoes and accessories, it's time to upgrade to a walk-in closet. Construction projects come with a hefty price tag, but with a little creativity and smart shopping, you can construct a custom walk-in closet on a budget of under $100. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Planning and Preparing
1. Measure the desired width and length of your walk-in closet. Lay down rope or draw chalk lines to get a feel for the space inside. Plan where to place the door.
2. Select reclaimed wood studs in excellent condition to frame your closet, or purchase two-by-four wood studs--but select the No. 2 grade pieces with more wood knots instead of the "clean" wood; these are usually less expensive. Use the width and length measurements you took to determine how many wood studs you will need. The studs will be spaced 12 inches apart.
3. Position two-by-four wood studs for the bottom and top plates of your walk-in closet walls. Place the bottom plates on the floor, outlining the closet and leaving a wide enough gap for the door, typically the door width plus an additional 5 1/4 inches for the framing.
Framing the Walk-in Closet
4. Predrill through a concrete floor with a masonry bit, or through a wood floor with a wood bit, and screw the bottom plates to the floor. Screw the top plates to the ceiling using wood screws.
5. Measure the vertical length between the bottom and top plates for the first two-by-four wood stud. Cut the stud to this length, and then position, level and nail the wood stud into the top and bottom plates and into the wall along its length. Space the center of the next stud 12 inches from the center of the first stud and attach this and all the other subsequent studs in the same manner.
6. Reinforce the corners of your walk-in closet by butting the two end studs together and nailing them to each other. Add another stud on the turn and nail it to the other studs, as well as to the top and bottom plates.
7. Frame the door and build the door header above the door using two-by-fours. Cut two 82-inch-long pieces of two-by-four and position them vertically on the two sides of the door opening flush with the wall stud. Nail or screw these into the wall studs.
8. Measure the horizontal width across the top of these 82-inch-long pieces, between their adjoining wood studs. Cut a piece of two-by-four to this measurement, place it on top of the two vertical wood studs and nail it at the two ends. Measure the vertical distance between the door header base and the top plate, cut four pieces of two-by-four using this measurement, insert them above the header base and nail them in place.
Finishing the Closet
9. Cut and install drywall to the outside and inside walls of the closet using drywall screws. Measure the length and width of the wall and transfer these measurements to the drywall sheet using a tape measure, pencil and straight edge. Score the lines with a utility knife and then bend the drywall on this line to snap it in half. Cut through the paper backing with a utility knife to separate the cut pieces.
10. Apply joint compound over each countersunk screwhead and over the seams of two adjoining sheets of drywall. Scoop up a glob of joint compound and smear it onto the wall and press it into the holes or seams. Scrape away the excess compound over the screw holes and feather it to a smooth finish. For the seams, Spread a piece of seam tape over the seam and apply another layer of joint compound over it. Smooth it with a feathering knife to a smooth, seamless finish. Leave the joint compound to dry overnight.
11. Install the door framing. Cut two pieces of one-by-five wood to 81 inches long and nail to the two sides of the doorway. Measure the width of the door across the top of the one-by-fives, cut another piece of one-by-five, insert it and nail it to the top of the door frame.
12. Mark the position of the hinges onto the side of the door, trace the hinge's outline and notch out this area using a chisel and hammer or a router with a door hinge router bit. Hang the closet door by screwing the hinges to the door and then screwing the hinge plate to the door frame. Notch out the hole for the door knob latch into the framing and screw the door plate over this hole.
Shelves and Rods
13. Cut and nail long horizontal pieces of one-by-twos along the walls where the shelves will go, and cut shorter 12-inch pieces of one-by-twos for the two ends of each shelf.
14. Measure the length of each wall and cut one-by-twelve wood pieces for the shelving boards and place them on top of the shelf supports.
15. Cut two 15- to 18-inch pieces of one-by-four for each hanger rod and screw the rod hardware to the center of the bottom edge of these one-by-four pieces. Screw or nail these hanger rod supports to each side wall, cut the hanger rod to length and insert it into the hardware.
16. Paint the interior and exterior of your walk-in closet using the same paint as the rest of the walls in the room. Place painter's tape over the edge of any adjoining surface that is not to be painted. Use a small to medium paintbrush to paint in the corners, around molding and across the top and bottom of the closet unit. Paint the rest of the walls with a paint roller for an even painted finish.
Tags: walk-in closet, bottom plates, wood studs, your walk-in closet, joint compound
