Sketch Out a Master Plan

Start by carefully measuring the closet’s width, depth and height. Use graph paper to make scaled drawings of the floor plan and each wall you plan to put shelves on. Include the width and position of the door on your plan. Let each square equal 6 in. This allows you to sketch in and try out different storage unit options.

The knock-down storage units are available in standard widths, with 12, 18 and 24 in. being the most common. Depths range from 12 to 18 in. depending on the manufacturer. Some units rest on the floor and reach a height of about 84 in.; others, like the ones we chose, hang from a cleat or rail mounted to the wall.

Each storage unit consists of two side panels drilled for shelf pins and connecting bolts, one or two hanging cleats and some fixed shelves. The parts are connected with ingenious two-part knock-down fasteners consisting of a connecting bolt that screws into the side panels and a cam mechanism mounted in each fixed shelf and cleat. To assemble, just screw the connecting bolts in the right holes, slide the parts together, and turn the cam clockwise to lock the parts together. There are systems available at home centers and discount stores that simply screw together, but they’re harder to assemble and not nearly as sturdy.

The basic units are essentially boxes with a lot of holes drilled in the sides. Complete the system by adding adjustable shelves, drawers and closet rods. All the components are designed to fit into or attach to the predrilled holes, so very little additional drilling is required.

The biggest difference among brands is in the quality of the drawer slides, closet poles and mounting system and in the range of unit sizes and available options. Better-quality units also have a more durable surface.

Check the Yellow Pages under “Closet Accessories” and make a few calls to see who sells modular closet systems in your area. Some closet specialists insist on installing the systems, while others will help with the design and provide the storage units, hardware and instructions you need to do your own installation. Take your sketch along and get estimates on a couple of different systems.

The closet system we show in this article costed $550. We could have saved about $150 by using standard-sized, floor- standing, modular storage units, but that would have required settling for a less efficient plan and doing more assembly work. Also, hanging the units on the wall avoids the extra work of cutting around or removing baseboards or dealing with uneven floors and has the advantage of keeping your floor clear for cleaning.

Although Melamine-coated shelving is a great product for an affordable, prefinished storage unit, it does have some limitations. The particleboard core will not stand up to moisture. Wire shelving may be a better choice in damp places. The Melamine coating is more durable than paint but not as tough as the plastic laminate used on countertops, so don’t expect this stuff to tolerate the same abuse you give your kitchen counters. Storing books or heavy objects may cause the particleboard to sag over time. Consider a stronger material like plywood or metal shelves.