If your home is like mine, you have standard closets in most rooms. You pack in as many clothes on hangers on one rod and can’t the half of it that’s tucked on the sides. This was certainly the case with my my daughter’s room.

As my daughter’s clothing and toy collection was growing, I set out to figure out how I could maximize the space. My deadline was the approaching Christmas holiday during which more toys would be coming.

I wanted to be able to step into the space and see everything that was on hangers, plus introduce some shelves for shoes and toys. This would be first DIY project in our new home, now 7 months ago.

Planning

Although I could envision what I wanted to do for this (and other spaces in my home), my hesitance came from not really knowing where to start. I didn’t have power tools. I had never shopped for lumber. That part of the hardware store I’d never explored before could seem kind of daunting…it seemed exclusive to contractors and people who knew what they were doing.

After removing the existing rod and some wire metal shelves (again, half of which I couldn’t see) and measuring the full length and depth of the closet, I dragged my husband with me to Home Depot for moral support one day and explored the lumber section. It didn’t seem so scary in reality. Boards, panels, trim, oh my! And immediately there’s folks to offer to help point you to what you need. A half a year later and more projects under my belt, it makes me feel confident walking straight to this section upon each visit and knowing exactly what need.

I still didn’t have tools to cut wood at the time. Don’t let that stop you. You can seek someone out in the Home Depot lumber section and they’ll cut down any size of wood for you. In this case, purchased a 2×4 ft sheet of plywood and asked them to cut it into 4 1×4 shelves, which would fit the side pocket space of the closet. I also purchased 8′ trim board and had it cut into 8ths–two of these would serve as the base for each shelf.

I already had wood screws and paint but otherwise you’ll need to add these to your shopping list–I’ve added links to similar materials below. You’ll also need closet rod pole sockets as you’ll be cutting the rod into more pieces.

Shopping List

• Plywood cut to shelf size
• Strip board cut to at least 3/4 of shelf depth
• Closet rod pole socket
• Wood screws
• Closet rod (use your existing one if possible or can elevate it to a steel rod)
• Paint
  
  Optional:
  
• Peel & stick wallpaper
• Hanging mirror
• Jewelry organizer
• Storage bins
• Velvet hangers

How To

WATCH OVERVIEW VIDEO ON INSTAGRAM

1. Cut Shelves
   
   Measure and cut shelves. See above for my approach or if you have a circular or table saw, you can easily tackle that on your own. Home Depot also sells MDF shelving in the closet section that you (or again, ask Home Depot to) can cut down to your preferred width. You’ll want to give 1/8″ or a slight gap compared to the true width so the shelf doesn’t get jammed when trying to lay flat.
   
2. Paint Shelves
   
   Paint shelves, trim support boards and closet rod sockets to match closet space. I painted my Simply White by Benjamin Moore to match the walls and a shelf on top that I was leaving in place. Leave overnight to dry. 
   
3. Install Shelves
   
   Plan your shelf layout to determine height between shelves. I wanted to allow for a combination of shoes and some taller toy boxes),
   
   If you start with your bottom shelf, you can screw the shelf into the baseboard and can skip the support boards. Otherwise for this and the other shelves, first screw in the two support trim at the same height on each side of your closet pocket. Next place your shelf on top and add screws to attach to the support trim.
   
4. Install Rods
   
   Taking your existing rod, cut it down into the number and widths you can fit on both sides of the closet.
   
   On the left side I planned for 2 rods (shirts on top and pants and and shorts on bottom). On the right, I planned for just 1 rod as there will be longer dresses with the shelves to be on the bottom. See images below.
   
   Screw closet rod pole sockets into the wall finding a stud or into the sides of the shelf trim supports. Just remember to factor in the closet rod pole sockets (and trim pieces if you go that route) for each side.
   
5. Personalize the Space
   
   These next steps aren’t required but added some additional organization and personality to the space.
   • Install wallpaper on back wall.
   • Hang a full length mirror…my daughter wanted to be able to see what she looked like getting dressed and previously had to climb atop her bed to look in the mirror above her dresser.
   • Add jewelry organization. I’ve also thought of adding wire or acrylic storage baskets below for additional space to tuck away additional small items.
   • Decorate storage buckets and a laundry basket either on the floor of the clear side or on top of a shelf.
   • I also upgraded to velvet hangers to maximize the rod space.

And you’re done! My daughter is old enough now to dress herself and each day she can take a step into the closet and see what is available to her on both sides, making the morning routine much more efficient.