Store towels and sheets in a linen closet.
It is an organizing "must" to have a dedicated closet just for linens. The need to store bulky comforters, towels and sheets can really eat away at valuable multipurpose closet space. A linen closet with shelves makes it easy to sort towels and sheets. It also provides easy access when you need fresh linens, and it does not have to take up a lot of space. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Frame the Linen Closet
1. Measure the length and width of your linen closet area. Cut 2-by-4-inch wood pieces to make the base plate of your linen closet's outline, and then cut another set of the same pieces for the closet's top plate, which will be installed on the ceiling. Line them up on the floor, and leave a gap for the closet door.
2. Pre-drill holes through the 2-by-4-inch wood base plates and screw them into the floor at the ends and in a few places in the middle of the wood pieces.
3. Screw the top plate to the ceiling, following the exact outline on the floor.
4. Measure the height between the top and base plates for the wall studs. Cut enough 2-by-4-inch wood studs to fill in the linen closet's walls when spaced 12 inches apart. Reinforce the ends and corners with an additional stud connected to the end studs.
Sheetrock the Walls
5. Measure the walls and transfer these measurements to the sheetrock. Draw the lines using a straightedge and score them with a utility knife. Bend the sheetrock at the line to snap the piece apart. Cut through the sheetrock backing to separate the cut piece.
6. Sheetrock the inside walls first, since a linen closet is a small and tight space. Position the sheetrock against the wood framing and line up the ends to fall on a wood stud. Screw drywall screws through the sheetrock and into the wood studs to enclose the linen closet walls.
7. Insulate the walls or just close the walls in with the sheetrock on the other side of the closet's walls. Install the sheetrock to the outside walls in the same manner as you did on the inside walls.
8. Apply joint compound over the screw holes and over each sheetrock seam with a putty knife. Apply pieces of joint compound or paper tape over the seams and smooth another layer of joint compound over it. Feather the compound to a smooth finish.
Install the Door and Shelves
9. Nail or screw the door framing along the two sides and top of the door opening.
10. Position the door hinges onto the frame, trace them and then notch them out, using a chisel or router, with a door hinge attachment. Screw one side of the hinge plates to the door, and screw the other side to the door framing.
11. Install the door knob onto the closet door. Bore a hole for the door latch and screw the strike plate over the hole.
12. Cut four to six pieces of 1-inch-by-12-inch wood to the width measurement of your linen closet. Cut eight to 12 pieces of 1-by-2-inch or 1-by-4-inch wood strips, 12 inches long, to make the side supports of your linen closet shelves.
13. Cut another four to six pieces of the same wood to the length of your shelves. For each shelf, nail or screw two 12-inch pieces to the side walls, and one of the long pieces to the back wall.
The Finishes
14. Place the shelf boards on top of the shelf supports.
15. Space your shelves according to your closet's dimensions.
16. Finish your linen closet with a layer or two of paint.
Tags: linen closet, your linen, your linen closet, 2-by-4-inch wood, closet walls, joint compound, linen closet