My sons’ shared closet is finished and I have never been so excited about a closet before!
The closets in our house aren’t anything to write home about; all of our bedroom closets are standard double closets with sliding doors.
When I started planning how to make this room work as a shared bedroom for both of my sons, I knew there needed to be way more usable storage in the closet to hold all of their stuff.
So I designed and built custom DIY closet shelves, gave everything a fresh coat of paint, and now it is perfect!
For those who are new here, I am in the middle of a complete redo of my sons’ bedroom. I am transforming my 4 year old’s bedroom into a room for him to share with his two year old brother. (Baby boy #3 is coming this summer so we’re on a bit of a deadline.!)
This is how the closet looked before.
One bar for hanging clothes and one high shelf. Plus a small bookcase I stuck in there to add a bit more storage. Not a great closet for anyone, but considering how few hanging clothes my son has, it was basically just one huge waste of space!
I knew I wanted to create my own custom closet system. That way I could configure it exactly how I want – plus it would be way cheaper!
When I started figuring out the design, I tried to keep several things in mind. It needed to have lots of shelf space for storing toys, shoes, clothes, etc. and my two and four year olds needed to be able to reach as many of the shelves as possible. (I definitely want to encourage them getting out and putting away their own clothing!)
On the other hand, I also wanted it to continue to function several years down the road when they are a bit older so the area for hanging clothes had to big enough to fit full grown man clothing.
Also, since this is a closet with sliding doors, you can only access one half of the closet at a time. So whatever built-ins I created needed to make sense with only one door open at a time.
I came up with a few ideas and then used painters tape to see how they would actually work in the closet.
In the end I decided the design on the far right above was the winner. There were plenty of low shelves/cubbies for storing all kinds of stuff, a long hanging bar, and a high shelf above it to put absolutely all of the vertical space to good use.
The boys won’t be able to reach the clothes that are hanging on the bar for quite some time, but almost none of their everyday clothing needs to be hung up, so that wasn’t a deal breaker.
Once the design was decided, I got to work on my DIY closet shelves!
First step, remove everything that was already in the closet including the closet rod, shelf, and shelf supports that were there before. I patched up the nail holes with spackle and then gave the whole closet including trim a fresh coat of white paint.
To keep things simple, I reinstalled the same shelf and curtain rod that were there previously higher in the closet.
I built the rest of the shelves using MDF. This was actually my first time using MDF instead of plywood and it was perfect. I chose it because it was quite a bit cheaper, but I also love that it is easy to cut and the surface is incredibly smooth.
This post contains affiliate links; see my full disclosure here.
Supplies for DIY closet shelves
A sheet of MDF cut into 14” strips (My cubbies are 14” deep but you can use whatever measurement works best for you based on your closet size)
1″x2″ pine boards to create the side shelf supports (two 14” pieces for each shelf)
1″x2″ poplar boards to create a nice thick facing for each shelf (amount depends on size of your closet and shelves)
nail gun or hammer and finishing nails
screws
wood filler and caulk
Spackle
Paint
How to Build Closet Shelves
My closet plan involves building square cubbies, but the first step is to build three simple shelves spanning the closet.
I prefer to paint all of the pieces of a project like this before installing them. You will still need to do a quick paint touch up at the end, but painting each piece is so much faster than trying to maneuver in all of those tight corners.
Attaching the shelves to the wall is easy. All you need are some inexpensive 1″x2″ boards.
Screw each support into the studs on each side wall of the closet and then set the shelf boards in place. (Be sure to use a level when hanging your shelves!)
If you are building straightforward shelves, you also need to add wood supports along the back wall of the closet. Simply cut another 1’x2′ board the length of your shelf minus 3 inches (to accommodate the side supports) and screw it to the studs along the back wall of the closet. (Again, don’t forget the level!)
But because I am building cubbies in this closet, that wasn’t necessary. The vertical pieces separating each cubby will provide plenty of support.
To create the cubby dividers, cut more MDF to the size you need. (I used 14”x14” for the bottom two rows because my shelves are 14″ deep and 14″ high. The top row supports are 9″x14″ because the shelves are 14″ deep and 9″ high.)
To install them, I started on the bottom and nailed a few nails into each divider through the shelf above to secure it in place. Then I added the middle row of cubby dividers and the top row the same way.
Finally, I added the poplar facing. This is completely optional but gives the whole thing such a great, finished look.
The process was pretty simple. I added long strips of poplar to the front of each horizontal shelf and then smaller pieces to each cubby divider. All you need are a few finishing nails to hold each board in place.
Seriously, that small detail makes such a difference!
The final step is filling all of the nail holes with wood filler and caulking all of the seams. I am always amazed at how beautifully caulk and wood filler fix up any imperfections. (If you aren’t sure of the difference between caulk and wood filler, I have a whole post on when to use wood filler and when to use caulk.)
And then I added the DIY fabric storage cubes I shared last week as well as a few white plastic baskets I picked up at Target.
I am completely in love with these fabric bins. Can you believe that fabric is regular old cotton fabric from the quilting section of Joann Fabrics! I couldn’t believe how much variation there was in this one off-the-shelf fabric. It totally looks hand-dyed! (You can find the same fabric online at Fabric.com as well)
And finally, I filled up the closet with all of the boys’ things. There are clothes in all of the fabric bins, shoes and accessories in the plastic bins, a large basket to toss clothes in as they outgrow them (on the left), a basket full of puzzles (on the right), and extra storage on the high shelf.
And now for the best part of any DIY post – the before and after photos:
What a change! There is so much less wasted space now, plus it is gorgeous!
I was planning to do something to update the blah sliding doors, but now I’m considering the possibility of simply leaving the doors off altogether. It would make it easier for the boys to access their own stuff and the closet looks so cute now!
In any case, I am thrilled to mark the closet off the to-do list!
Update: Since sharing these DIY closet shelves, I’ve upgraded my fabric storage cubes to DIY wooden storage cubes made from gorgeous cedar planks. As great as the fabric bins were, these are so much better!
How to Build DIY Closet Shelves
These DIY closet shelves are cheap and inexpensive to make even if you aren't an experienced DIYer. You can easily adapt the instructions and measurements to create custom shelves no matter what your closet size.
Materials
- Spackle
- Paint
- Sheet of MDF cut into 14" strips
- 1"x2" pine board to create the side supports (two 14" pieces for each shelf)
- 1"x2" poplar boards to create an attractive facing for each shelf (amount depends on the size of your shelves and closet)
- Screws
- Wood Filler
- 220 grit sandpaper
- Caulk
Tools
- Small paint roller and paint brush
- Tape Measure
- Saw
- Level
- Nail Gun or
- Hammer and Finishing Nails
Instructions
- Remove everything from the closet including old shelves you will no longer be using. Patch any holes in the walls with spackle and give the interior of the closet a fresh coat of paint if needed.
- Cut the strips of MDF to the correct length for your shelves. (If you don't have a power saw, you can have all of the cuts done at the store when you purchase your supplies.)
- It is easiest to paint all of the pieces of wood for your closet shelves before installing them.
- Cut two side supports for each shelf from 1"x2" pine boards. These should be 14" long or the depth of your shelves if you are using different measurements.
- Make sure that each shelf support is level. Attach each side support to the side walls of the closet at the appropriate height by screwing them into the studs.
- If you are building simple shelves rather than cubbies, you also need to add a long shelf support along the back wall of the closet. Simply cut another 1"x2" board to the length of your shelves minus three inches. Make sure it is level and then screw this support to the studs along the back wall.
- To create the cubby dividers, cut more MDF to size. Each cubby divider should be the height of your shelves x the depth of your shelves. (Mine were 14"x14".)
- Hold the bottom cubby dividers in place and use a level to ensure they are straight. Nail a few nails into the top of each divider through the shelf above to secure it in place. Repeat for the middle row and top row of shelves.
- To finish off the closet shelves, add strips of 1"x2" poplar to the front of each shelf and cubby divider. Use a few finishing nails to hold each piece in place.
- Fill any nail holes with wood filler. Once it is dry, sand it smooth.
- Caulk all of the seams and then touch up the paint as needed.
Shared Boys’ Room Makeover
In case you missed anything, here are all the rest of the posts about my boys’ shared room makeover along with the big reveal!
The Big Room Reveal! Boys’ Shared Modern Farmhouse Bedroom
How to Make Fabric Storage Bins
Inexpensive DIY Closet Shelves (you are here)
Painting Furniture White: Secrets to the Perfect Finish
How to Make a Bed Skirt from a Flat Sheet
How to Make Gorgeous Farmhouse Window Awnings
Cassie Bustamante says
it is looking so good! love those cubbies!
Carrie says
Thanks Cassie!
Susie says
Looks great, Carrie. Love those cubbies! Looking forward to seeing more. Susie from The Chelsea Project
Carrie says
Thank you Susie! I am so excited about how everything is coming together!
[email protected] says
holy crap, it looks incredible!! Seriously, all the love for that fabric too.
Carrie says
Thanks Ashley! That fabric really is awesome, especially for the price!
Nick says
Looks amazing!
Could you go into more detail on how you created the thick shelf look? I see you used poplar but I understand you made it look thick and carried that through to the back wall.
Thanks!
Carrie says
Yes, I can see how that part is confusing! I should probably take a few more close up pictures. The thicker facing is only on the front of the shelves – it doesn’t go all the way to the back wall. I used 1×2 boards and attached them across the front of each long shelf. The top of the boards are lined up with the top of the shelf but hang down a bit past where the actual shelf board is. Then I attached more 1x2s to the fronts of the smaller cubby dividers. So the whole front facing of everything is thicker but the wood behind is as it appears in the previous pics. When looking at the closet, you can’t tell the actual shelves aren’t as thick as they appear unless you look very, very closely.
Nick says
Very smart. Thanks for the details! I thought about doubling up all the wood to increase thickness but this is much cheaper.
Cedric Merone says
The exterior cubbies look like they would be a bit difficult to come out all the way or even a bit slightly out. is that true or is the picture not showing it properly?
Carrie says
Cedric, You are right – the far cubbies don’t slide out the whole way. They each slide out about 8 inches which is plenty to put in and remove clothes, but could be a problem for something larger like big toys. Most fabric cubbies you can buy are collapsible and I made these outer cubbies to be collapsible as well so installing and removing them isn’t a problem.
Diana says
Could you give a cost estimate? I’m looking at something for my son’s small room but can’t spend a lot at the moment.
Carrie says
Hi Diana, It has been about a year since I built these so I don’t remember the exact cost but I believe it was around fifty dollars, maybe a little bit more. I hope that helps!
Jimmy says
Nice job just wondering are the bottom vertical supports only resting on the floor. Wondering how stable they are or does the rest of the cubby provide enough weight to stop them from moving . Thanks
Carrie says
Hi Jimmy, Great question. I nailed a couple of small nails into the vertical supports from the shelf above and that has been plenty to keep them in place. They were a pretty secure fit even without that, but I wanted to be thorough, especially since these are in a kid’s room. I haven’t had any trouble with them since I built them a year and a half ago.
pang Vue says
Do you have a video..I”m kind of confused on how you completed the sqaure for the cubies…Thank you
This is exactly what I was looking for!
Carrie says
I’m sorry, I don’t have a video. I wish I did but it is hard to make a video as you are in the middle of completing projects. Once the horizontal shelves were in place, I cut the wood to divide them into squares – this wood simply slides into place between the horizontal supports. I added the three supports in the bottom row first. Then I held them in place as I nailed a few nails through the first shelf into those supports. Then I did the same thing for the next levels. I hope that helps. It may be hard to picture but I think it will be clear once you begin the process and have the actual materials on hand.
Linda says
Hi! I was wondering how much the poplar affected the size of your storage baskets? I want to build it where it will fit standard 13×13 (which I know is the size you have), but when I do my measurements/math with the 1×2 poplar overhang it seems like 14×14 cubbies won’t be big enough?
Carrie says
Great question. 1×2 polar is actually 3/4″x1.5″ in size. (Lumber sizing makes no sense!) The MDF or plywood used for the bare shelves is 3/4″ thick. So adding the poplar facing the the cubby sides means they extend less than 1/2″ into the cubby on each side. From the top, the overhand is 3/4″ into the top of the cubby. So once the poplar is added, a 14″x14″ cubby becomes 13″x13.25″. So 14×14 would be a tight fit. Depending on the space you are working with and how much margin you want to allow around each bin, 14.5″ or 15″ cubbies would probably work better. (This is if you are talking about the measurement of the inside of the cubby, taking the 3/4″ thickness of the plywood into account already.) I hope that makes sense – it’s hard to describe without visuals.
Erin says
Looks wonderful! What size and type of screws did you use? Thanks!
Carrie says
1.5 inch wood screws should work well!