A cluttered closet can really cramp your style.
Closets can be one of the most cluttered and disorganized places in the home. Since it is an area usually off-limits to guests, it is tempting to just open the door and keep stuffing things in. After a while, it becomes difficult to navigate through the mess and the entire space becomes one big disaster. Adding shelves is an easy way to reorganize and reclaim your closet. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Preparing the Closet
1. Remove all items from the closet so that you have a safe and tidy work space. Decide how many shelves you want and determine what sort of items you will store on them so that you know how far apart to space the shelves.
2. Locate and mark the studs behind the wall. Studs are the vertical supports behind the surface off the wall. They are usually 2 x 4 inches, with the 4-inch side creating the space between the walls. This job is easy with a stud finder, a tool that will alert you as it detects a change in density in the area behind it. Slowly move the stud finder horizontally across the wall until the stud finder signals you with either a beep or a different colored light. Use a pencil to mark that spot.
3. Measure out 16 inches horizontally from the first located stud. Test this area with the stud finder. If you do not receive the signal that the stud is present, measure out an additional 6 inches. According to the American Wood Council, standard framing construction calls for 16- or 24-inch spacing between each stud. Locate and mark all the studs using the aforementioned method.
4. Measure and record the length of the closet. To measure the length of the closet, start from the back left corner and stretch the tape measure across the back wall ending at the back right corner. Be sure the tape is taut and record the number. This number will also be the length of your closet shelf.
5. Measure the depth of the closet by starting from one of the back corners and stretching the tape measure along the wall to the front of the closet. Be sure the tape is taut and record the number. This number is the depth of your closet. The depth of your shelf can be as deep as your closet, but does not have to be. It can be any depth you desire, so consider the kinds of items you will store on the shelves.
Preparing the Materials
6. Measure one of the 1 x 4 inch pieces of wood for the length of the closet. Using the tape measure, start at one end of the 1 x 4 and pull the tape taut to the same number as your closet length. Mark this length with a pencil.
7. Cut the wood to the length in step 1, using a saw. This will be used as the back cleat (support for the shelf).
8. Cut two more cleats from the 1 x 4 inch piece of wood 1 inch shorter than the desired depth of the shelf. For example, if your shelf is 1 foot deep, cut your side cleats to an 11-inch length.
9. Measure and mark the plywood lumber for the length of the shelf. Start from one corner of the plywood and pull the tape measure taut along the edge. This is also the same number as the length of your closet and the length of the back cleat.
10. Keep the tape measure oriented in the same direction but move it along the edge a few inches. Measure and mark the length again. Repeat this step every few inches until you have created a dotted line.
11. Measure and mark the plywood lumber for the depth of your shelf. Using the same corner from step 4 in this section, pull the tape measure taut along the perpendicular edge of the plywood. This will be the depth you selected for your shelf. Remember, this number may be less than the actual closet depth. Also, it will be 1 inch greater than the side cleats in step 3 in this section.
12. Keep the tape measure oriented in the same direction but move it along the edge a few inches. Measure and mark the depth again. Repeat this step every few inches until you have created a second dotted line.
13. Use the carpenter's square to make sure all corners are square and use the saw to cut along the two dotted lines.
14. Sand all the cut edges with sand paper for a smoother finish.
15. Prime and paint cleats and shelves. Allow to dry between and after coats.
Constructing the Shelves
16. Select the desired shelf height. If your shelf height is out of your reach, use a ladder or step stool. Place a level across the back of the closet wall at the desired shelf height. If you are using a laser leveler, the leveler will shoot a horizontal beam across the length of the wall. If you are using a traditional leveler, adjust the sides of the level until the "bubble" is centered. Mark a level line with a pencil.
17.Use nails to attach the back cleat to the wall. Drive a nail through the cleat into an area where you have located a stud about one inch from the bottom of the cleat. Drive a second nail just above the first nail about one inch from the top of the cleat. Do this for each area that you have located a stud.
18. Attach the side cleats in the same fashion, making sure all three cleats are level and even.
19. Place the plywood so that it rests on top of the cleats. This is your shelf and it will be braced by the back cleat and the two side cleats.
20. Screw the shelf in place by using 1 ½-inch screws. Remember that the cleat you are attaching to is only 1 inch in width, so make sure your screws are near the edge of the plywood shelf. Install screws along the back and side cleats spacing them about every 12 inches.
21. Repeat process for additional shelves.
Tags: tape measure, your closet, your shelf, side cleats, back cleat, Measure mark