If your closet does not have a shelf system already built in, you can create a DIY project and install a shelf system to take advantage of that unused space above the clothes rod. In many cases, you can have five feet or more of unused space. You can use ornate materials if you have a walk-in closet to add beauty to the walls or you can use utilitarian shelving and focus on function over form. Fortunately, no matter what style of materials you use, you can quickly make your own shelves and hang them. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the distance between the ceiling and the clothes rod with a tape measure. Allow at least 2-feet of space between each shelf. Divide your total height by 2 to determine the maximum number of shelves you can place in your closet above the rod.
2. Measure the length of the clothes rod. This tells you the maximum length of each shelf.
3. Measure the depth of your closet from the center of the clothes rod to the back wall. This tells you the maximum depth of your shelves. Purchase shelving brackets that will allow you to securely mount boards that match this width. In addition, purchase 1/2-inch thick boards that measure this wide or more.
4. Cut your 1/2-inch thick boards to the length obtained in Step 2 and the width obtained in Step 3 with a table saw.
5. Sand the edges of the board with 600-grit sandpaper. If you choose to, you can stain or paint the boards with a wood stain or with semi-gloss latex paint. If you do so, allow at least 24-hours drying time before working with the wood again.
6. Place a level against the back wall with the bottom edge about 1-inch above your clothes rod. Position the level so it rests level on the wall and then scribe a line across the bottom edge. If necessary, extend the line completely across the wall with a straight edge ruler.
7. Place the top edge of one mounting bracket directly on the line you scribed and position it approximately 12-inched away from the wall. Mark all of the mounting holes on the bracket. Duplicate this on the other end of the wall. Place a bracket directly in the middle of the wall with the top edge against the scribed line. Again, mark the mounting holes onto the wall.
8. Drill out all of the mounting holes with a hand drill and drill bit large enough to fit your wall anchors. Drive the anchors into the wall with a hammer.
9. Place the brackets onto the wall and secure them with the machine screws supplied with the wall anchors.
10. Place the board on top of the brackets. Drive screws through the shelf mounting holes on the brackets with a screwdriver.
11. Measure up from the top of the shelf 2 feet and scribe a second line. Use the level to ensure the shelf will rest level on the wall.
12. Mount the brackets for the second shelf and then mount the shelf to the brackets just as you did with the first shelf.
13. Repeat the process for each additional shelf you wish to hang.
Tags: mounting holes, wall with, your closet, 2-inch thick, 2-inch thick boards, back wall, boards that