Over time, closets often become messy and disorganized. Installing your own custom closets is a great way to organize all your stuff. However, this project can be a major headache if you are not adequately prepared. Before you start, it's important to know the reasons behind why you want to build this closet, the amount of time and effort required, and the equipment you will need. Does this Spark an idea?
Getting Started
Before you start building your custom closet, make sure that your design is adequate for your space and meets your desires. Measure each wall of the space where you want your closet to be built. For each wall, write on a piece of paper how you want that space to be utilized. This type of organization will help you decide about shelving space and other measurements, such as length, height, and width of the shelves and the entire closet space itself. Next, you need to decide if you want to install wire rack shelving or build wooden shelving units. Wire rack shelving is great for hanging clothes, while wooden shelving units provide a lot of space for storage.
Equipment
According to the Owners Builder Online website, you will need a level, a cordless drill, a pencil, tape measure, and a screwdriver. You will also need brackets, drywall anchors, paint and painting brushes, a hammer, a stud finder, and shelving materials. If you are using wire rack shelving, then you will need wire cutters to safely trim bad ends and to make shelving adjustments. If you are building wooden shelves, then you will need a saw to cut the correct lengths and possibly for added support.
Building Shelves
If you decide to use wire rack shelving, then you should place your brackets above a stud if you can. This should strengthen your shelves if they are connected to the structure of your home. Use the stud finder to find other studs in the wall and your pencil to mark the position of each one. Next, use your level once you have decided exactly where you want to build your shelf. You want to continue this process, while adhering to the wire rack shelving instructions to finish your closet. For wooden shelving, after you have chosen to use either plywood or laminated shelving, you should put up the channels and the supports. Make sure to paint or stain your shelves before you install them in your closet. In the final steps, you want to hang up the pole where you will put your clothes, and then hang up the brackets. After everything is complete, you are now ready to organize and categorize all of your stuff.
Tags: rack shelving, will need, wire rack, wooden shelving, your closet