Cedar closets don't just smell good, they keep away moths from nesting in your clothes. Since most homes are not built with a cedar closet, one way to add one to your bedroom is to line it with cedar planks. The wood will last for decades and the smell is easy to regenerate simply by lightly sanding the surface every year or two. If you have a few basic tools and can take measurements, this project should be within your expertise. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the square footage of your closet after you have removed all the contents. Measure each wall separately, taking the height and multiplying it by the width. Do not include the area covered by the baseboards unless you plan to remove them. Add up all the walls to get the total square footage. Use this number to purchase the correct amount of cedar planking.
2. Remove the cedar planks from the packaging. Allow the wood to sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours before starting the project. Remove any shelves, rods or hardware from the walls of the closet.
3. Locate the studs behind the closet walls using a stud finder, if necessary. Mark each with a pencil and a straight edge so you know where you can hammer. Use a small thin nail and a hammer to locate the center of the first stud. Measure 16 inches to find the next stud.
4. Position the first plank at the bottom corner with the groove facing the floor. Each additional plank will fit into the previous plank. Nail the plank to the wall at each of the studs, using 1-1/2-inch panel nails. Use a spirit level to make sure the plank is even before you nail. Finish the row, cutting the plank to fit the measurements to the next wall.
5. Add each row of cedar planks to the next, until one wall is completely finished. Start with the rest of the walls and work in the same pattern, until the closet is covered with cedar. In areas where the planks don't reach a stud, use construction adhesive to hold it in place.
6. Trim out the walls with baseboards and trim work to finish off and hide the ends of the planks. Add back the shelving and rods over the cedar planks.
Tags: cedar planks, with cedar, square footage, wall each
