Home updates are a fun, exciting activity. Anytime you’re sprucing up an area of your home, it creates a renewed sense of pride in your space. Adding shelving to your closet can be a fun DIY project, although you should really get an experienced professional to install them for you.
Whether you’re planning on building the shelves yourself or you’re using premade shelving, the process of installing them can be tricky. A professional can make sure they’re installed securely and safely.
However, if you’re determined to do it yourself, then you’re going to need instructions! We’ve created a step-by-step guide to help you add shelving to your closet with zero stress. Make sure you have your notebook handy because we’re going to dive right in.
Before you begin installing your shelves, you want to make sure you have all your supplies organized and ready. For this project, you’ll obviously need the shelving you plan on installing. Custom wire shelving makes a great choice for closet storage, as it holds up to 80lbs and is super easy to keep clean.
In addition to the shelving you plan on installing, you’ll need ledgers, which are 1×2 strips of wood used to hold up shelving. You’ll also need screws, anchors, a power drill, a level, and a pencil.
Before you start drilling holes in your walls, you’ll want to make sure everything is ready. A good way to do this is by using your level to draw lines along the walls of your closet where you plan on installing the shelves.
This will help make sure your shelves are evenly spaced and level. You should also make sure you thoroughly read these instructions before you begin, so you’re not floundering mid-step.
This is where the fun begins! The first thing you’ll want to do is take those ledgers and place them along your closet walls. If you’re able to drill screws through them directly into studs- great! If not, then you’ll need to use anchors.
Use your level to make sure the ledgers are aligned properly. Do the back support ledgers first and, once those are in place, attach the side ledgers as well.
This is the moment of satisfaction you’ve been waiting for. Whether you have some custom wire shelving or a simple slab of plywood, it’s time to slide those shelves onto the ledgers.
You can take a screw and drill it up through the bottom of the ledgers and through the shelves for enhanced stability if you wish. It also depends on what type of shelving you’ve decided to go with. Wire shelving can be a bit more tricky, so you might want to schedule professional installation in that instance.
The final step is to do some detail work. You can cover the screws with wood filler to help them blend in with the shelves. This would also be a good time to paint over the ledgers and touch up the paint on the shelves and walls of your closet if necessary.
You don’t have to do this step, but it will help the shelves feel more cohesive and blended into the space.
We have a plethora of great closet ideas here at Harkraft. If you need help making the most out of your space, or would like a professional to install your closet shelves for you, then we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can make your closet shelving dreams come true!
