Store More Stuff in a Closet with Doors (DIY)
Introduction
Need more closet space? You gain tons of storage space by stealing a few feet from a room and building a new closet, complete with double doors. Finally you'll have room enough for that mound of shoes, the clothes packed on closet rods and the pile of boxes. In this article, we'll show you how to build a closet like this, concentrating on framing simple walls and hanging double doors.Closet planning and prep work
This built in closet isn’t complex. It’s basically the same concept as how to frame a wall with a door. An energetic beginner could complete it successfully in about four weekends. You probably don’t need a building permit for the closet, but if you add closet lighting you’ll need an electrical permit. Contact your local building department to be sure.
In addition to basic carpentry and drywall tools, you’ll need a circular saw to cut the framing lumber, a drill to drive screws and a power miter box to cut new trim. You could install the doors and trim with hand tools, but a pneumatic nail gun and power miter box will make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable. You can rent a nail gun and compressor and a power miter box.
Find a good closet location. You can easily modify our plan to build closets wherever they’ll fit. Reduce the door width to fit narrower rooms, or build a closet with one set of doors. If you’ll be hanging clothes, make sure the closet interior is at least 26 in. deep. Adjust the closet dimensions to avoid conflicts with electrical boxes, heat ducts and windows.
We chose hinged double doors for our closet because they’re sturdier and less troublesome than bifold doors. Order your two sets of doors prehung from a full-service lumberyard or home center. For 2×4 walls with 1/2-in. drywall on each side, order doors with 4-9/16 in. wide jambs. Request roller catches at the top of the doors to hold them shut. Remember, though—hinged doors need space to swing open. If floor space is limited in front of the closets, consider bifold doors instead. Ask for rough-opening dimensions when you order the doors
Then get started with the prep work. If your room is carpeted, roll the carpet back out of the way and pry up the tackless strips (wear leather gloves—the barbs on tackless strips are wickedly sharp). Protect hardwood, tile and vinyl floors by taping down two layers of heavy kraft paper plus a layer of thin plywood or hardboard. Carefully pry off the baseboard with a flat pry bar. If you plan to reuse it, pull the nails through the backside. Plus: Check out these other cheap closet updates you can DIY.
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