Framing Out a Closet

What homeowner or apartment dweller hasn't complained about having too little closet space? Fortunately, there are almost always ways to find a bit more closet space. You may have to put in some time and effort, but in the long run, it's always easier than buying a new house with bigger closets.

The easiest and most obvious solution is one of the many commercial closet-organizing systems now on the market. Constructing your own version, however, of a commercial closet organizer is far more economical. With a combination of shelves and plywood partitions, you can divide a closet into storage zones. Consider using a single clothes pole on one side for full-length garments; double clothes poles on the other side for half-length garments like jackets, skirts, or slacks; a column of narrow shelves between the two for folded items, handbags, or shoes; and one or more closet-wide shelves on top.

Sometimes, however, taking away from your living space and adding a new closet is the only way to increase closet space. This will involve framing new walls, finishing them with drywall, adding matching trim, and hanging an interior door. The closet's interior should be at least 24 inches deep and, for a bedroom closet, 48 inches wide. Try to locate the closet at a corner so that you have to build only two walls, as shown below. While planning the layout, try to minimize the closet footprint and maximize the closet efficiency by organizing the interior using shelves, storage bins, and multiple clothes poles at full- and half-heights. The best plan is to build (or buy) a closet system with adjustable components to suit changing needs.

1) Establish outline of closet on the floor
Mark the closet outline on the floor. Nail down the 2x4 soleplate every 2 feet. Mark the placement of the door, allowing space for jambs. (Fig. 1)