Closets can be such a waste of space. Sure you have your typical shelf atop a sole clothing rod, but how useful is that setup? Fed up with a lack of storage space, I decided to customize two of my closets – one with some DIY’able MDF shelves and the other with store bought wire shelving. Both options were inexpensive, easy to install, and dramatically increased the usable storage space of each closet. Home Constructed Shelves These shelves were one of the first things I built when I moved into my current apartment. Construction was pretty simple; 2×4′s screwed to the studs on each wall provide support for the 1/2 inch MDF shelves. I used additional 2×4′s screwed to the side supports of each shelf to keep the front of the shelves from bowing (a thin sheet of MDF unsupported over that distance would definitely bow). I’m really happy with how these turned out. They’re sturdy, deep, and hold more junk than you could ever hope to find. As a bonus, they went together exactly as planned… well, almost. You see how the right front corner of each shelf has a small notch cut out of it? Funny story. Apparently you should measure the closet opening and the distance between supports before you try to slide your shelves into your closet. The shelves may

not fit. Oops. Store Bought Closet Organization I couldn’t stand the 12" wide, nasty, sticky, warped shelf and galvanized pipe ‘clothing rod’ that used to span the length of my closet, so I picked up some basic wire shelving components from the home improvement center and put this together one evening. Installation was straightforward. I marked where I wanted to place the shelves, drilled my holes, inserted drywall anchors, and pushed in the metal pegs to secure the supports. The baskets and clothing rods were secured with screws. This system gives me so much more storage than I had before. I have ample room for all my clothes and I can see everything at a glance… no more rummaging through drawers. One thing I didn’t consider is that since the double clothing rods are so close together, longer clothes don’t hang properly. It’s not a major problem, but it bothers me enough that I think I’ll cut about two feet off the bottom rod to accommodate pants, coats, and whatnot. So, what do you think? Have any of you installed your own closet organization systems? If you haven’t, keep these ideas in mind. Who knows when you’ll fall victim to an avalanche of junk cascading from an overstuffed closet.

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How I Maximized My Closet Space