A walk-in closet is a magnificent solution to undersized storage space.
It seems that no matter how much closet space you have, there is always a need and desire for more. Luckily, it's not necessary to hire a professional construction company to complete the project of building a walk-in closet. With a few tools, modest carpentry skills and a healthy dose of motivation, you can create additional storage space literally out of thin air. To get started, you'll first need to decide where you're going to build and how large that sparkling new closet will be. Does this Spark an idea?
Space
Assuming you're not building a house from scratch just for a walk-in closet, you have three basic options when it comes to locating your new storage area. The first would be to convert a small bedroom into a closet. If this is not a reasonable choice, you can steal space from the master bedroom. In some cases, the design of the house might allow you to expand a regular closet into a walk-in by knocking out some walls, but you should make sure you're not cutting into any load-bearing joists first.
Tools
Once your space is chosen, you'll need to buy or borrow a basic set of carpentry tools and building materials. A partial list would be lumber, tape measure, level, screws, drill, nails, hammer, organizers, lighting, paint, paint brush and roller. If you're creating walls from scratch, such as in the corner of a master bedroom, don't forget 2-by-4 studs and drywall supplies. Before you start building, you should clear everything out of the room, or at least drape it in plastic because sawdust and other debris will almost certainly be involved.
Skills
The skills involved in building a walk-in closet are those associated with basic carpentry. You'll need to be able to measure and cut precisely, use a hammer and drill to build walls, install and use drywall materials and tools, install closet rods and organizers. It might also be necessary in some cases to install flooring like carpet, wood or tiles, plus you will also need to be able to hang a door and install the handle on it.
Considerations
If you're a weekend do-it-yourselfer, completing a walk-in closet should not be too formidable of a task. Your best bet is to draw up a design and materials list first. You'll save time and maybe even be able to complete the project in a single day if you have everything you need on hand at the outset.
Tags: walk-in closet, basic carpentry, building walk-in, building walk-in closet, complete project, from scratch, master bedroom
