DIY closet ideas when construction isn’t an option
Painting your new closet the same color as the walls will make it look like it was always there. Credit: Dreamstime
Realtors will tell you that it’s a closet that makes a room a bona fide bedroom on a real estate listing. But what do you do if you don’t have a closet? Fortunately, adding a closet can be done in less than a weekend using ready-made storage options.
Whether you’ve moved into an apartment or rental that doesn’t have a closet, or you may simply need more closet space than what you have, there’s always a need for storage. Here are some DIY closet ideas when construction isn’t an option.
Quick closets
If you need storage fast, try a portable closet that’s covered and includes shelves and hanging space. In less than an hour and for less than $50, you can turn an unused room into a guest bedroom with space to store clothes and belongings. Another fast fix is to simply add a wire closet system and mount it directly onto your wall. They’re fast to put up, sturdy, budget-friendly and come in a variety of configurations.
For something more permanent, try the Easy Track closet system, which goes up in a snap and comes in widths ranging from three feet to eight feet. For about $100, you get a look that’s more permanent. Because these units don’t have doors, try adding sliding or track blinds to keep your new closet visually streamlined.
Wardrobe options
Another way to add closet space is to buy it. Wardrobe closets can run from the simplest melamine units costing around $100 to units with interior drawers, rods, sliding doors and lighting. With all its various parts, such a closet might be a weekend project, but it offers tons of storage and looks smart, too. If you’re in a rental or want to take it with you, some units can be moved when you do.
Semi built-in
Closets can also be cobbled together by adding bookshelves and cabinets together in a configuration that fits your wall. This option is more expensive but not as costly or time-consuming as constructing an actual closet. The key to making your closet look built-in is to fit it to an entire end of one wall. Look to combine cabinets with drawers, doors and hanging rods that can be added to a stock cabinet or bookshelf. Screw all cabinets together and to the wall. Finish out seams with molding. To cut, use a simple saw and miter box set. Paint with primer and a coat of latex paint. Painting it the same color as the walls will make your new closet look custom and like it was always there.
