what materials do i need to build a closet

• Solid Wood. Unless you're putting extremely heavy things on your closet shelves, solid wood should be adequate for the task.
• Plywood. Plywood is a very strong material that is resistant to both sagging and warping. ...
• MDF. MDF stands for medium density fiberboard, which is a sheet product, usually sold in sheets that are 4x8 feet in size, that is made up of reprocessed paper waste.

Full Answer

What are the required materials for this DIY closet system project?

Required Materials for this DIY Closet System Project 1 Closet system 2 Screw-in wall anchors 3 Spackle 4 Wood putty More ...

How do I build a closet?

Lay out the walls and doors. Whether it is a wall or walk-in closet will depend on the amount of room available to you. Remove any base or ceiling trim and carpet from the area you have laid out for construction. Be careful not to break the trim, since you will want to reuse it. Install the framing, beginning with the base and top plate.

What are the best types of closets for your home?

First on the list is the Wire Closets option, which is the least expensive and most lightweight. The materials are widely available and easiest to install, even for the beginner DIYers. Most homes come with this option commonly found in kitchen pantries, walk-in closets, and kid's closets.

What can you put in a walk-in closet?

They’re great for all types of closets, not just the one in your bedroom. Make shelves for your soaps and dryer balls in the laundry closet, or towels and bedding in your linen closet. If you’re lucky enough to have your very own walk-in closet, we’re envious.

What are the steps to build a closet?

0:506:43How to Build a Simple Closet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo prevent drilling too deeply we'll wrap a piece of black tape around the drill bit when the bottomMoreTo prevent drilling too deeply we'll wrap a piece of black tape around the drill bit when the bottom edge of this tape reaches the concrete. You'll know it's time to stop grilling.

What wood do I need to build a closet?

Whether you are replacing old cabinet drawers or are starting a project from scratch, one of the most versatile and dependable closet shelving materials you can use is plywood. This type of wood is a terrific choice for closet shelves because it's very strong and resistant to sagging and warping.

How much should it cost to build a closet?

On average, homeowners pay between $1,080 and $2,960 to add a new closet to their home, though the top end of that range can rise as high as $6,000 for those opting for higher-end materials or dealing with more complex architectural practicalities.

How do you make a custom closet from scratch?

3:0020:18How to Build Custom Walk In Closet Built Ins - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse of plywood as far as the dimensions. Go i kind of accounted. For that inefficiency. In trying toMoreUse of plywood as far as the dimensions. Go i kind of accounted. For that inefficiency. In trying to find places to use those like leftover pieces elsewhere in the build.

Is MDF good for closets?

MDF may sometimes sag, so make sure you don't use this material for your closet shelves. If you must, then don't put anything heavy on MDF shelves. Plywood, although stronger than MDF, may require reinforcements, especially when used for closet shelving.

Is it cheaper to build your own closet?

The cost to build a closet is between $17 and $30 per square foot. More customized projects (think, a Kim Kardashian-worthy walk-in) will cost more, while simple custom closets built into an existing space will cost less.

How long does it take to build a closet?

So while a reach-in closet can be as fast as a half a day to a full day, a walk-in closet typically takes a day or two, and a room-size boutique closet can take three to four days to complete.

How do you frame a closet?

1:0414:55How to Frame a Closet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can frame a wall to either 24 on center or 16s because the sheets. Are four feet wide orMoreAnd you can frame a wall to either 24 on center or 16s because the sheets. Are four feet wide or eight feet so those work on 16 or 24 inch increments. But just for the sake of this closet.

What is the best DIY closet system?

Best Overall: Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet The Elfa Classic Reach-In Clothes Closet is our top closet kit pick because it offers a ton of storage, is customizable, and is easy to install. This is the best option for anyone looking for a practical solution to get organized quickly.

Can I build my own closet system?

This wood DIY closet organizer is simple to make using inexpensive wood and basic tools and can be made to fit your specific closet exactly. No complicated closet systems needed!

How deep should closet be?

24 inches deepA clothes closet should have a minimum depth of at least 24 inches deep, so the clothes can clear the back wall. Shelves for women's shoes should be spaced about 6 to 7 inches apart. Shelves for folded clothes should be placed around 12 inches apart.

What is the best wood to use for shelving?

If the cost of the materials is not a concern, woods like mahogany, African padauk, and koa are considered the best woods for bookshelves, thanks to their durability, strength, and longevity.

What kind of wood is used for built in shelves?

Choose the Wood Type Pine, birch and oak are three common woods used for building homemade bookshelves. Pine plywood is a lightweight softwood that is inexpensive. However, it is prone to knots and splitting.

Where to find a closet?

The most logical place would be an alcove, the end of a hallway or on a wall without windows or doors to work around.

How to see how a closet fits together?

A good way to see how the space for the closet and the room fit together is to chalk out the closet walls, then place any needed furniture to see if it works.

How to hang sheetrock on a wall?

Both sides of the framing use sheetrock screws. Cut sheetrock to size using a utility knife and a straight edge as a guide. Run the edge of sheathing to the roughed-in door openings.

How do I use a bifold door?

The use of a bi-fold door requires that you first trim out the door opening. Use trim similar to the floor trim you salvaged or that matches the trim in the room. Hang the door in place and adjust to fit, following manufacturer's instructions. Install the accessories, however elaborate or simple, that fit your needs.

How wide should studs be?

Studs traditionally are on 16 inches (40.8 cm) spacing. Just use the spacing you have if width of your wall is greater than 16 inches (40.8 cm) but less than 24 inches (61.2 cm). Split the difference for better support of the sheathing if the width is greater than 24 inches (61.2 cm). Rough in the door framing.

Is a closet a valuable asset?

A closet is often the most under appreciated room in a house - until you need one. Then the storage space it represents becomes a valuable asset. It does not take a professional to build a closet only a willingness to set aside some time and have access to both hand tools and basic power tools.

What is the most expensive item to build an extra closet?

Some of them may already be stashed in your garage or basement. The most expensive item is usually the door (s) and/or wire shelving kits . Just about all the materials are user friendly. The toughest material item to work will be the door (s). If you haven't been trained in how to hang a door, be prepared for some frustration. Be sure to paint the top and bottom edge of the door (s) to prevent warping and twisting of the door (s).

How many walls do I need for a walk in closet?

Option number two that I offer to you is no more than a larger walk in closet with a standard door. Depending upon where you place it, you may only need to build two walls or possibly three if the closet is centered on a wall. If you center the closet on a longer wall, remember that you can create nice alcoves on either side or perhaps a window type seat with storage below the seat.

How long is a closet in a corner?

In this example, an existing room corner is shown. Those walls are not filled in. The closet walls have been shaded. The interior of the finished closet is two feet. The overall length of the outside of the closet is seven feet.

Is bifold door shaded?

The portion of the wall taken up by the bi-fold doors is not shaded but you know that there is a bulkhead wall above the doors that fills in between the top of the doors and the existing ceiling, right? If you are stumped by this, you better call in a remodeler!

What to consider when designing a closet?

Creating your own Custom Closet Design can be an arduous task. There are many things to consider such as cost, difficulty level, durability of materials, maintenance and design. Depending on your workflow and type of items you're storing, your ideal closet may differ drastically from the "cookie-cutter" options from your local home improvement stores. So here are some of the top closet material options to fit your needs.

What is the least expensive closet?

First on the list is the Wire Closets option, which is the least expensive and most lightweight. The materials are widely available and easiest to install, even for the beginner DIYers. Most homes come with this option commonly found in kitchen pantries, walk-in closets, and kid's closets.#N#Although there are many benefits for this option, they do come with some limitations. Wire Closets are very difficult to customize and are not built for heavy loads, as overloading the wired shelves may result in unsightly holes in the wall as they fall. Despite the lower aesthetics and design aspect, this is still a great option if you're on a tight budget.

Create the ideal custom storage solution for any room without spending a fortune

Few of us ever seem to have enough storage. Freestanding wardrobes are often expensive, never seem to be arranged how we would like, and seldom match the decor.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Careful planning is key. There’s an old carpenter’s adage that you should measure twice and cut once. That is equally true when thinking about how to build a closet. Measure and check everything.

STEP 1: Mark out the closet, and fit the wall plates

Remove existing tile, flooring, or carpet from the closet area. Mark out the position of the bottom, then the sides, and then the top. Take great care. Any errors here tend to become magnified as construction progresses. Double check every layout line and measurement.

STEP 2: Frame the walls and headers

Cut full-height studs for the end walls, and either screw to joists or use drywall anchors. For corner pieces or central dividers, screw together two 2x4s with scrap blocks between them to provide a wider stud. Toe-screw (meaning to drive a nail at a roughly 45-degree angle) from both sides near the ends into the floor and top plates.

STEP 3: Install drywall, corner bead if necessary, and then tape and fill

Once the frame is in place, it’s time to add the drywall. Some people use a handsaw to cut drywall, and if cutouts are needed it’s a good method. However, for straight lines there is a quicker and more accurate method used by pros: Score a line through the back side with a utility knife, deep enough to cut partway into the core.

STEP 4: Fit the doors and trim

There are three distinct types of closet door: standard, bifold, and sliding. Each needs different considerations when fitting, which is why we recommend choosing the ones you prefer in the planning stage.

STEP 5: Finish with rods, shelves, and storage accessories

Those with the appropriate DIY skills may wish to create their own closet organizers to fit within the closet interior, though a range of storage accessories like this highly rated Rubbermaid Kit available at Amazon are affordable and versatile.

How much does it cost to install a closet?

An average pro-installed closet costs about $350 to $1200 or more for materials and installation. The total cost really depends on the size of your closet and the type of accessories you add. But if you are inclined to build DIY projects with your hands, you could save a lot of money by building it yourself. This project cost me about $150 for the material.

How deep should a closet be?

When building a closet, it is important to follow your local building code requirements. The standard minimum depth for a reach-in closet is 24”, but a closet intended to store coats or other bulky hanging items may need to be as deep as 28”. So keep that in mind when determining the size of your closet.

How to apply texture to drywall?

Before applying texture run through the drywall lightly with a sanding block. Then use a Homax Wall Texture spray and apply the texture on the drywall. The sprayer has an option to select heavy or light patterns. I usually apply a heavy pattern.

What to cover floor with before compound mud?

Cover the floor with plastic sheeting before using all purpose compound mud.

Is a room without a closet considered a bedroom?

Besides the storage space, in many locations, a room without a closet is not considered a bedroom. Our house had one room without a closet, so to make it officially a bedroom; I decided to add a closet.

Can sliding doors be used in a closet?

Sliding doors do not require clearance to swing open like traditional swinging doors, so installing sliding doors is a better option for a closet like this.

How to make a laminate closet look built in?

To achieve a ‘built-in’ look with laminate, notch the bottom of the base tower panel sections so the tower hugs the closet wall. This will also stabilize the entire system.

How much does a built in closet cost?

x 24-in.-deep closet. The built in closet systems range in price from $200 to $500 and use laminate or fixed wire or a combination of the two. Each has the same basic components: a “tower” composed of drawers and shelves that provides the sturdy center of the system; a single closet rod on one side for long clothes; and stacked closet rods on the other side to hang shirts and folded pants. Ready-made systems usually come with easy-to-follow instructions. To make organizing a beautiful closet on a budget a breeze, we’ll focus on design and installation tips that you won’t find in the manufacturer’s instructions.

How wide is a closet rod tower?

Tower components and panel sections are available in standard lengths and widths. Tower components are either 16 or 25 in. wide and 12 to 18 in. deep. If you want more closet rod hanging space, choose the narrower tower. But it makes sense to get the deepest tower possible. Empty space in front is just wasted.

What type of shelves have continuous hanging rods?

Choose wire shelves that have continuous hanging rods. They allow hangers to slide uninterrupted along the entire rod.

Why hang folded pants above shirts?

It may feel topsy-turvy, but hanging folded pants above shirts and coats makes everything easier to see.

Do you need a bolt cutter for wire shelving?

You may also need a bolt cutter for making clean cuts in wire shelving.

Do wire shelves work in a closet?

Wire shelves provide sturdy support for heavy items. Some built in closet systems will only work with components from the same system. When you’re buying pieces from different systems, make sure the shelf and drawer depths, as well as the colors, will work together. Low cost.

Understanding Closet Construction

It's almost impossible to estimate the materials you need without understanding the construction process. First, each wall frame is made of two types of boards -- the wall plates at top and bottom and the studs running vertically between them. All made of the same dimension of wood, the plates are cut to the length of each wall.

Material Choices

The main thing you need to build a closet is lumber, typically two-by-four. Choose standard, untreated pine (unless the board will come in contact with concrete, in which case the lumber should be pressure-treated) that's straight and true.

Designing the Layout

Sketch a drawing of the closet -- a box that shows the walls -- to make estimations and calculations simpler. Alternatively, measure and mark the floor with masking tape or chalk lines to create installation guides at the same time as you determine the material amounts needed. Leave a gap in one wall to correspond to the exact door opening width.

Estimating the Lumber

Two-by-fours commonly come in 8-foot lengths, although boards up to 20 feet long are available. Remember to include both a top and bottom plate for each wall. Then, estimate one two-by-four stud for every 16 inches of plate length. Add two additional studs for the ends, regardless of the spacing to the next stud.

Other Materials

The door unit determines the size of the framed door opening, so plan to purchase a prehung interior door before starting construction. Other materials are also necessary. For nails, choose a pound of 16d nails, or you can substitute with 3- or 3 1/2-inch screws if nailing may be too jarring to nearby elements.

How deep should a closet be?

Reduce the door width to fit narrower rooms, or build a closet with one set of doors. If you’ll be hanging clothes, make sure the closet interior is at least 26 in. deep. Adjust the closet dimensions to avoid conflicts with electrical boxes, heat ducts and windows.

Do you need a permit to build a closet?

An energetic beginner could complete it successfully in about four weekends. You probably don’t need a building permit for the closet, but if you add closet lighting you’ll need an electrical permit. Contact your local building department to be sure.

What to do with unused closet space?

Closets sitting unused are a waste of space. This can be an issue in spare rooms or kids' rooms with multiple closet spaces. This cute DIY aims to fix that wasted space problem by transforming an unused closet into a kids play area. Remove the doors and add shelves along with your kids’ favorite toys, and they’ll be playing in no time.

Why do kids have closets?

It’s stylish and practical, acting as a fun way to show off cute kids clothes and accessories. Because it’s organized, this closet lays out all clothes in an easy-to-find manner and allows you to pick out outfits for your kiddo quickly.

What is a floating closet organizer?

Closet organization is a must, especially for those with large wardrobes and small closets. This DIY floating closet organizer will help you tidy up and keep all items in their place. Follow these detailed instructions to draw up your plans and get building.

What is an open wardrobe?

An open wardrobe is perfect for someone with a large (ish) bedroom and little to no closet space. Plus, they allow you to admire your stylish clothes all day long. Add a curtain in case you want to cover up your clothes when a guest visits.

How much does it cost to hack a closet?

If you’re looking to get your dream closet on a budget, consider this DIY. For under $100, you can hack a closet from IKEA to create an exceptionally organized closet. With everything in its place, missing socks will be a thing of the past.

What to wear when doing woodworking?

As always with DIYs, make sure you’re following safety precautions. Wear gloves when dealing with chemicals and goggles when you’re woodworking. If you deal with paint, make sure to wear old, dingy clothes that you don’t mind ruining in case you get any paint on you and make sure your kids and pets stay away while you’re working.

Is a built in closet cute?

A Beautiful Mess. Built-in closets are not only cute, but they’re also so functional. If you love the look but don’t have any built-in shelves in your closet space, follow this step-by-step guide. These bloggers will show you how to DIY a built-in that will give your space a whole new feel.