Building a reach-in closet in a bedroom or spare room adds storage options and resale appeal to your home. This project is not as difficult as it might seem, but it does take some special carpentry skills to master. Building closets requires the use of power equipment. It's an all-day project, so plan to do this one on the weekend or over the course of two afternoons, if possible. A reach-in closet is one that is only 24 to 27 inches deep. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Pull up the carpet in the area where the closet is going. Usually, this is along the wall across from the doorway, inside the room. Utilize a carpet pulling tool to pull the carpet up from the tack strips, if necessary. Remove the foam padding by pulling it straight up off the floor.
2. Trace the outline for your new closet with a pencil and large carpenter's level on the floor. To do this, measure out from the wall 27 inches (this leaves at least 24 inches of interior depth plus another 3½ inches for the wall frames) with a tape measure, in three places, and make a mark with a pencil. Draw a straight line through all the marks until you have outlines the length of your closet.
3. Cut 2-by-4 boards to fit along your traced lines with a power saw. Nail the boards to the floor with 3-inch nails and a hammer. Use the level to make the boards straight before nailing them into the floorboards. Leave a gap for your closet door at least 30 inches wide, or wide enough to accommodate the door you choose for the closet.
4. Draw a line up the walls where they intersect your 2-by-4 boards, using a carpenter's level. Continue the line on the ceiling above the boards on the floor. Cut and install 2-by-4 boards along your lines on the ceiling, using 3-inch nails and a hammer. These boards form the top of the wall frames.
5. Mount the 2-by-4 studs between the boards mounted to the floor and ceiling. Start with one board on each wall, and then install one every 16 inches. Nail the boards into the top and bottom frame boards diagonally with 3-inch nails and a hammer.
6. Measure and then cut the drywall for the interior and exterior of the closet. Score the drywall by running a blade along the top, with a drywall ruler as a guide. Set the drywall against the framed walls on the screw the drywall to each stud with a power screwdriver and drywall screws.
7. Mount a pre-hung door to the doorway. Install the door casing on the frames, level the door with shims and fill any gaps between the frame and door jambs with additional shims or furring strips. Tack the door into place, check to ensure it is level with a carpenter's level, and nail the door jambs to your framing.
Tags: 2-by-4 boards, 3-inch nails, 3-inch nails hammer, carpenter level, nails hammer, your closet
