For a new-build with 3 walk-in closets plus pantry, appreciate learning what you may have elected to use in the form of “do it yourself” versus the marketed closets systems. While these systems do look great, our experience has been the “diy” has been overloaded, thus failed to hold properly. Consequently, planning to use plywood vs. wire, etc. which will help hold costs down yet continue to provide sound support.
I am just not sure how much space to be allotted for hanging vs. shelving & spacing between shelving. More or less…how did you arrive at your configuration?
Also have you found these closet planning sites worth time spent? Truly running out of time to identify my needs to hubby!
Replies
We used EasyClosets.com for our master closet and a mudroom closet and were very pleased. They helped design the closet over the phone and via the web. When the plan was finalized, they shipped all the parts (free shipping) for me to install. (They even rushed a couple parts that were damaged in shipping for Saturday delivery so my assembly wouldn't be delayed.)
Very well built and nice looking, and much less expensive than I had anticipated.
Thanks so much for the lead. Will be checking out this site today.
I used EasyClosets.com as well. I was very happy with the product. The components hang from a rail on the wall leaving the floor free. Critical for me as I did not want to mess with the baseboards. I have plans to do two other closets with them when I redo those rooms.Diane
Easy Closets provided rapid mailing on literature & samples. Products look great but with a new build, we need to reduce expense somewhere & appears this must be our cost cutter since we have 4 closets plus pantry needing shelving. Just cannot afford to go all out at this time.
But have shared literature with friend who will be considering use.
Sadie -
Not entirely sure this is what you are looking for but I built all the shelving and hangers for our walkin-in bedroom closet. One wall has 4 shelves each with 4 compartments about 15" wide a piece. And one top wide top shelf with no dividers. There's room underneath for laundry baskets etc.
Other walls have one or two poles for hangers.
All done with 2 pieces of 3/4" birch plywood, several 1x3s and solid wood edgebanding. A router, circular saw and drill is all you need. Total cost not including tools and time was probably quite a bit less than $150. I think a purchased closet system of equal quality would cost much more.
BTW, I'm no expert woodworker - this was my first project. Just take your time and you can get very good results.
Our configuration was sort of as dense as we could get it. Its nice to have at least one pole with a good 4-5' beneath it for suits and dresses.
My only advice is give some thought to lighting beforehand - that was probably the only part of it I regret.
-Bobs
Thanks - appears this will be the way we are going for 4 closets & pantry (laundry will come later). Planning on shelves beginning @ 20 inches from floor; then 16 inch increments up wall & 24 & 36 dividers. Using birch plywood with edges to be trimmed, then polyurethane with stain for pantry; 3 coats of white paint for the clothes closets. We estimate approximately $150 per closet. Labor & rods, etc. excluded. Just hope I will be able to locate baskets to fit where needed & fit in shoe shelving area! Plus one closet has a window to be dealt with.
Note: Obtained suggested configurations from a few of the Articles on-line via Taunton. Helped a lot in our planning these dimensions.
Lighting will be a ceiling flourescent - 48" rectangle. Hope that will be sufficient as that is what we will have!
One caveat for others: A 60" wide closet with 24" door. Hanging clothing needs at least 21"; appears we are a bit tight here so must make adjustments here.
I have tried several times to use wire rack "closet maid" types and hate it!Very expensive, time consuming and worse of all will not support the weight!
Standard flat stock nailed/screwed across the studs with mdf or plywood shelves is faster, stronger and less cost IMOP. Taunton press has a good book on build ins if you want to get really fancy.
Agree that Closet Maid does not support weight as have 2 closets plus laundry currently in old home which were installed by hubby who seems to go overboard for support areas. Have 3 areas needing add'l support which must be corrected before sell of house. Particularly dislike the shelf over laundry as cleaning supply bottles, etc. tend to tip over and items will fall thru the wire.
Note: For a new-build where supports installed prior to installation, Closet-Maid may very well be an excellent product; however, these were added after sheet-rock, etc. were completed.
The main problem I have found with closet maid are the cheap plastic connectors that spread apart under load and cause the selves to fall. Adding vertical supports every three feet defeats the purpose of the system. The plastic wall connector also tend to deflect away from the wall. I'll stay with pine and mdf till a better system comes along.
checkout 'easy track' closets. i've put a few together, including my own, and it serves the purpose. they're well made, inexpensive, go together quickly, and look great. i've used white only , but i know it also comes in cherry and maple. only the white comes in kits. i did a 7 foot wall in my closet for about $ 80. tough to beat.
try it. good luck