Closets are a precious space in any house. That’s why you’ve probably heard, “I don’t have enough closet space,” or “My closets are just too small!” more times than you can count.
Seeking solutions to maximize closet space without sacrificing tidiness, I turned to professional home organizer Rachel Winter from Happy Home Organizers. She gave this striking advice: “Don’t put anything but a clothes hamper for laundry on the floor of your closet.” This made sense: a clutter-free floor instantly makes a closet look neater and more spacious – but who can afford to lose out on all that floor space?
This insight sparked an idea – what if we could create a customized closet organizer that accommodated a laundry hamper, fabric storage bins, and shoes, all while giving the illusion of a clutter-free floor? Here, I’ll share my design and step-by-step instructions to help you create your own, which you can easily adapt to your specific storage needs.
The concept is simple: Let’s build an organizer that maximizes the space inside your closet. Everything in its place and a place for everything is the perfect motto for this project.
Before you begin
- Pre-paint all the wood to make touch-ups easier. If you can purchase primmed 1x2s, that will also make your process simpler and faster.
- Purchase the laundry hamper and fabric storage bins before starting the building process to get their dimensions. The size of these accessories will determine the height, length, and depth of your project. Allow additional space in your design for ease of access. Our accessories measured:
- Laundry Hamper: 24″w x 25″h x 14″d
- Fabric Storage Bins: 12-3/4″w x 12-3/4″h x 14-3/4″d
Project Overview
Cutting List
| KEY | QTY. | PART | DIMENSIONS |
| A | 4 | Long frame piece | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 65″ |
| B | 4 | Side frame piece | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 15″ |
| C | 6 | Legs | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 23-1/2″ |
| D | 1 | Hamper bottom | 3/4″ x 15″ x 24-3/4″ |
| E | 1 | Bottom shelf | 3/4″ x 15″ x 38″ |
| F | 1 | Bottom shelf divider | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 15″ |
| G | 3 | Shelf supports | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 15″ |
| H | 1 | Middle shelf | 3/4″ x 15″ x 39-1/2″ |
| J | 2 | Middle shelf trim | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 36-1/2″ |
| K | 1 | Top shelf | 3/4″ x 15″ x 38-3/4″ |
Build the top and bottom frames
Cut the pieces for the long sides (A) along with the sides (B) for the outer frames of your closet organizer. Join the pieces using wood glue, 18ga. brad nails and screws to create two frames, one for the top and one for the bottom of your completed unit.
Divide the base
To make two compartments, install the bottom shelf divider (F) between the long frame pieces (A) of the bottom frame. Install it so the hamper side is 24-3/4 inches wide and the other side is 38-inches wide. This side will serve as the bottom shelf. Please adjust this dimension if you intend to use a hamper with different dimensions.
Install legs in the corners
Using wood glue and two-inch screws, join the top and bottom frames with four legs (C), installing one in each corner.
Install the bottom plywood
Install the hamper bottom plywood (D) and bottom shelf plywood (E) in the openings on either side of the bottom shelf divider (F) installed at the bottom of the unit. Use nails, wood glue and screws to secure it in place flush to the bottom edge of the long (A) and side (B) frame pieces.
Install the middle legs
Install the last two legs (C) between the long frame pieces (A) on the front and back of the organizer so they are aligned with the hamper-side edge of the bottom shelf divider (F). Use a level to ensure they are plumb.
Install support for shelves
Determine the shelf height at which the fabric storage bins will fit. The shelf supports (G) should be installed 3/4-inch lower than this to allow space for the plywood shelf (H) to be installed. They should be glued, nailed and screwed in place level between the legs (C) on the left of the unit and the legs (C) aligned with the bottom shelf divider (F) near the center of the organizer. The top of our closet organizer’s supports (G) were installed 13-3/4-inches below the bottom edge of the long frame pieces (A) on top of the unit.
Install the middle shelf
Lay the middle shelf (H) onto the shelf supports (G) and install it flush to the outside edges of the supports (G). Use a small level to ensure the shelf is level and nails and wood glue to lock it in place.
Install trim on front and back of shelf
To cover the raw edges of the plywood middle shelf (H) on the front and back of the closet organizer, install the middle shelf trim piece (J) flush to the top of the shelf (H) and in between the legs (C).
Install top
Install the plywood top shelf (K) flush with the top of the unit above the middle shelf (H) where the storage bins will be located. You may find it easier to install this piece by turning the entire unit upside down. Use wood glue, brad nails, and screws to secure the top through the long (A) and side (B) frame pieces at the top of the organizer.
Fill holes with putty, caulk seams, sand and touch up with paint
After the entire unit has been assembled, fill all nail and screw holes with wood filler and caulk all visible seams with painter’s caulk. After the filler and caulk have dried, sand back the filler to create an even and level surface. Then, retouch the paint for a smooth and even finish.
FAQ
Where does one start with closet organization?
You can’t organize a closet until you know what is already in it and what you want to put in it. Start with an inventory of what is in your closet. Throw away anything broken, ripped or no longer useful. Donate anything someone else may get use from. Now there’s more room to sort the things you want to keep.
What if my closet is too small for everything I want to store in it?
Consider sorting your clothes or accessories by season. Hang the items you want for the season on the closet rod, and store the stuff you won’t be using. Trade them out with the change of seasons.
The post Maximize Space, Minimize Mess: How to Build a Closet Organizer That Works appeared first on Family Handyman.
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