Install a Shelf in a Clothes Closet
Increase your closet space and organize your world - one shelf at a time. Add a shelf to your clothes closet and it will increase your chances of at least having one space that is orderly. Closet shelving is an inexpensive and uncomplicated way to get the stuff that is currently on the floor or in the way, up and safely stored. Store seldom needed linens, old photographs, and seasonal clothing high in the closet and devote the easy access spots of the closet to the stuff you need every day. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Draw a sketch of the closet. Use a metal tape measure to determine the exact length of each wall of the closet. Measure the height of the ceiling and the height and width of the door. Write all of these measurements on the sketch. Determine the height of a top shelf by measuring 4 inches above the closet pole or at 84 inches from the floor.
2. Cut support wood for the shelving using ¾ inch by 3 ½ inch Melamine covered composition boards. Make support for shelving on three walls. Secure the support wood with adhesive caulking and drywall screws. Use ¾ inch by 12 inch Melamine covered composition boards for shelf material. Cut shelf ½ inch shorter than the back wall measurement. Secure the shelf by running adhesive caulk to the top edge of the shelf supports before placing the shelf.
3. Install wire shelving using the hardware designed for that manufacturers' product. Mark the location of the studs on the walls inside the closet. Determine the height of the wire shelving and mark the walls. Use a level to determine the location of the back wall clips for the wire shelf. Hang the back wall clips. Install the shelf; let it hang on the back wall. Check again that the shelf is level side to side. Swing the shelf to level front to back, and mark the locations of the front brackets. Swing the shelf out of the way by pushing it up and hold it in place. Screw the front brackets in to the walls using drywall screws. Drop the shelf into place.
4. Seeing the back wall of the closet means, you have room to add a shelf or two. Closets with clothes poles at 76 inches from the floor have room to add at least two shelves above. Measure the objects to be stored on your shelves to determine if adding additional shelves will work in your closet. Shoe box storage needs only 6 inches between shelves, blanket storage should be 12 to 15 inches. Add a shelf below the clothes for additional shoe and boot storage.
Tags: back wall, back wall clips, composition boards, covered composition, covered composition boards, Determine height