More shelving space, less bending over? You betcha! This horizontal closet organizer is designed for efficiency and those that love shelving. This is a free project plan with step by step diagrams, custom closet design tool and lots of photos and plan details from Ana-White.com
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Preparation
- 3/4" plywood, ripped into strips 15-1/4" wide
- 3/4" wide edge banding in matching wood veneer
- 1x4 boards
- 1-1/4" pocket hole screws
- closet rod socket holders
- 1-1/4" wood dowels to use as closet rods
- 3" self tapping star bit screws to hang closet to studs in wall
Cut list is produced in the custom carcass configuration app in step 1.
For long term durability and more professional results, I recommend using a pocket hole joinery system for wood joints. Here is a video with tips for using a pocket hole jig:
Instructions
Step 1
Design Your Closet
- Width = Closet Opening width
- Height = About 30" - depends on how tall you want your shelves and the hanging space underneath. Also consider the top is a shelf too.
- Depth = 15-1/4"
- Bays = Adjust so shelf widths does not exceed 36"
Custom Design Tool Embeded Below
Once your design is perfect, download the drawings and cut your pieces according to the cut list. The easiest way is to rip plywood into strips first, then cross cut to get the lengths you'll need. Then edge band the front edges where applicable.
Step 2
Assembling Your Design
Just drill three 3/4" pocket holes on each end of all the shelf boards and attach to the vertical sides/dividers. The top shelf pocket holes should face upward, the bottom shelf and middle shelf pocket holes face downward.
3-1/2" should be left under the bottom shelf to allow for bay supports and hanging the closet rod.
Step 3
Bay Supports
Bay supports add structure and a cleat for hanging. This plan uses 1x4s for the bay supports.
Attach the bay supports from the back with pocket holes to both the vertical dividers and the shelves.
We recommend painting or staining at this step.
Adding Closet Rods
Use rod sockets and wood dowels to add the closet rods to the closet under the bottom shelf.
Step 4
Hanging
To hang the closet, locate studs in the wall inside the closet and mark. Place the closet organizer inside the closet opening and hang with 3" self tapping screws, through the 1x4 bay supports.
Comments
milleall
Thu, 04/19/2018 - 06:27
Closet Height?
Love this plan. I'm curious though, at what height did you hang the entire unit or what hanging length do you have from that bar? Looks like at that height there is enough room to store some short tubs on the ground underneath which is what I need to do.
In reply to Closet Height? by milleall
Ana White
Fri, 10/09/2020 - 18:22
We left about 40" underneath…
We left about 40" underneath. You could go up or down, either use the floor space, or use the above organizer space.
ajgaither
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 12:42
understanding materials list
Fair warning, I am horrible at math and measurements. I was looking over your build list and it says we need 7 15-3/4" melamine shelf boards @ 31.5". What is the 31.5" inches? I am finding 15 3/4 boards but nothing about 31.5" I was thinking everything on your materials list with the "@" meant the cut?!? Sorry if this is dumb question.
ajgaither
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 12:44
I just realized it is the…
I just realized it is the cut - I see the options for the lengths now. Sorry! Everybody fingers crossed for me. LOL
In reply to I just realized it is the… by ajgaither
Ana White
Fri, 10/09/2020 - 18:22
Glad you figured it out!
Glad you figured it out!
jamielcoata
Mon, 12/07/2020 - 10:02
Clarity on Plans
Ana,
Do you have your own plans for the horizontal closet organizer? I have read the Ryobi Nation version, they are not as clear as yours. I am ready to start this project, but looking for clarity before I start drilling.