Phase 1:

Planning & Design

1. Empty and Assess:
Begin by completely emptying your closet. This gives you a blank canvas and allows you to sort your belongings into categories (e.g., long hanging, short hanging, folded items, shoes, accessories). Measure the closet’s width, height, and depth meticulously, noting the location of doors, light fixtures, vents, and baseboards.

2. Define Your Needs & Zones:
Design your system around your inventory. Common zones include:
* Hanging Zones: Allocate space for long items (dresses, coats) and short items (shirts, pants).
* Shelf Zones: For folded sweaters, jeans, or storage bins.
* Drawer Zones: For smaller items, socks, and underwear.
* Shoe Storage: Racks, cubbies, or slanted shelves.
* Accessory Areas: Hooks for belts/bags, valet rods, or jewelry trays.

3. Choose Your System Type:
* Modular/Kits: Pre-designed systems (like Elfa, ClosetMaid) offer great flexibility and are relatively easy to install. Ideal for beginners.
* Custom Built-In: Constructed from plywood or melamine, this offers a seamless, high-end look. Requires more advanced woodworking skills.
* Hybrid Approach: Use a combination of ready-made components and custom-built elements for a tailored fit.

4. Sketch Your Design:
Create a simple sketch or use free online design tools from home improvement stores. Plan the placement of each vertical support, shelf, and rod. The golden rule: place the most frequently used items at eye level.

Phase 2:

Materials & Tools

Essential Materials:
* Vertical Supports: 1×3 or 1×4 pine boards, or metal standards for track systems.
* Shelving: 3/4″ plywood, melamine-coated particle board, or solid pine. Pre-cut shelves are available.
* Closet Rods: Wooden dowels, metal pipes, or pre-cut rods with supports.
* Hardware: Shelf brackets, rod sockets, screws, wall anchors, drawer slides (if applicable).
* Finishing Supplies: Primer, paint, stain, or edge banding for plywood.

Essential Tools:
* Measuring tape, level, stud finder
* Pencil
* Power drill/driver
* Circular saw or handsaw (if cutting boards)
* Sandpaper
* Safety glasses

Phase 3:

Installation Walkthrough

Step 1: Locate and Mark Studs.
Use a stud finder to locate the wooden wall studs. Mark their centers vertically with a pencil. Anchoring your vertical supports into studs is crucial for strength and safety.

Step 2: Install Vertical Supports.
For a custom system, cut your 1×3 or 1×4 boards to height. Hold the first board against the wall, ensuring it is perfectly plumb (vertically level) using your level. Secure it to the wall studs with 2.5-inch screws. Repeat for all vertical supports, typically at the corners and every 24-32 inches apart.

Step 3: Install Shelf Standards (if using a track system).
If using a metal track system, install the vertical metal standards first, again ensuring they are plumb and anchored into studs.

Step 4: Cut and Install Shelves.
Measure and cut your shelving material to the desired depth and width. Sand all edges smooth. For custom supports, install ledger boards (small support strips) to the vertical supports, then place the shelf on top and secure from underneath. For bracket systems, insert the brackets into the standards and lay the shelf on top.

Step 5: Install Hanging Rods.
Measure and cut your rod material. Install the rod sockets or supports at your predetermined heights (typically 40-44″ for double hang, 66-72″ for single hang). Ensure they are level before securing. Place the rod into the sockets.

Step 6: Add Specialized Components.
Install any shoe racks, drawers, tie/belt racks, or baskets according to their manufacturer’s instructions or your custom design.

Phase 4:

Finishing & Organization

1. Finish the Wood:
If using raw wood, apply primer and paint, or a stain and polyurethane for protection and a polished look. Edge banding can give plywood shelves a clean, finished appearance.

2. Implement Your Organization System:
Return your sorted items to their new zones. Use uniform bins, baskets, and hangers to maintain a cohesive look. Label shelves or bins for family members or categories.

3. Lighting (Optional Upgrade):
Consider adding battery-operated LED puck lights or a motion-sensor light bar to illuminate the interior.

Pro Tips & Considerations

* Accessibility: Design for the primary user. Lower rods and shelves for children.
* Adjustability: Leave room for future changes. Track systems are inherently adjustable.
* Ventilation: Don’t block HVAC returns or vents in the closet.
* Weight Capacity: Use appropriate materials and secure into studs to handle the load of clothing.

Conclusion

Building your own DIY closet organizer is a project that pays daily dividends in saved time and reduced stress. By investing in thoughtful planning and precise execution, you create not just storage, but a highly functional system tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you opt for a simple shelf-and-rod combo or a sophisticated built-in, the satisfaction of a well-organized closet—built with your own hands—is unmatched. Grab your tools, follow this walkthrough, and unlock the potential of your space.

Did you know that loose pipes might be responsible for the hammering sounds in your plumbing? If this interests you, you might wish to check out all of the other great information in this article. Take a few minutes and learn all you can learn about plumbing today.

Keep an eye on the grout between tiles in your bathroom. Watch for cracks and areas where the grout seems to be falling out, and repair them immediately. Small grout crack issues can be easily repaired by pulling out the bad and putting in new grout. Allow any new grout to dry completely before exposing it to water.

Repair a leaky faucet as quickly as possible. Most leaky faucets are caused by a worn or damaged seal, which can easily be replaced, but you need to attend to it quickly. A slow leak can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day, costing a lot of money in the long run. If the faucet is really old, sometimes it’s worth replacing the entire fixture.

When the temperature drops below freezing, protect exposed pipes from the weather by adding a source of heat near the pipes. Ranging from electrical tape applied directly to the pipes to small space heaters placed near exposed pipes, keeping the temperature above freezing can prevent costly repairs caused by frozen pipes.

During the winter months, your water heater works the hardest. To keep it in optimum condition, flush it out before winter arrives. Flushing the system helps remove the sediment buildup, which causes internal corrosion of your water heater, shortens its lifespan, and reduces heating efficiency. Connect a hose to the faucet near the bottom of the tank and drain several gallons by directing the water into a nearby drain.

Tub drains can get clogged by hair and debris easily, but may be hard to access. Make use of an afghan hook to reach in and snag clogging materials. These hooks are available at most craft stores. Use slow, measured movements to avoid breaking the hair as you are pulling it out.

Insulate your pipes well to avoid winter freezing in your pipes. When your pipes are frozen, you have no water, so you want to do all you can to prevent this from happening. If you have any pipes that aren’t insulated, you can find various household items, such as newspaper and foam to be effective in insulating the pipes to protect from freezing.

Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.

In conclusion, there could be simple or difficult reasons for problems with your plumbing. Those scary noises from your basement might just be from something as simple as loose pipes. Use the great advice provided here so that you can identify and resolve all of your plumbing issues.

You need to have some knowledge of what to look for and expect from doing your own plumbing. You need to know what resources are available to you and who can provide you answers as to what you need for your future plumbing jobs. The tips below can help you with how to start.

If water backs up from one sink to another, it is because the lines are connected. The part of the branch line for one device might be higher than another, but most likely there is also a blockage in the branch line connecting the two devices as well. This blockage must be cleaned.

To prevent pipe banging when you turn on the water, think about rubber blankets or straps. Instead of assuming the pipes need replaced, consider anchoring them or buffering them. If your pipes are plastic, leave them some room for expansion and contraction. If pipes do not leak but just make noise, eliminate the noise.

To avoid wasting water and having a potentially high water bill, check your home for leaky faucets periodically. Fix any leaks that you find right away. You may be able to do the repair yourself, but if not, you may have to seek the services of a plumber to make the repairs.

Never pour grease down the kitchen-sink drain. This will help you avoid clogs in your kitchen sink. Place grease in a can or other receptacles and dispose of in the trash. Grease that has congealed on pots, and pans can be wiped off with paper towels that can be thrown in the trash.

To prepare for the cold weather, properly drain all outside faucet bibs and turn off the water supply to those faucets. A piece of foam taped to the outside bib can provide excellent insulation to prevent any remaining water from freezing or splurge for a specialty cover that comes complete with velcro closures.

You can save money on a plumber by using a power auger yourself to clear a clogged toilet line. Check with local home improvement stores or other venues where you can rent power tools. You may be able to rent an auger yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a plumber, although you will have to be able to remove and reset your toilet yourself if you do not have a main line cleanout.

If water is flooding your home, immediately switch off the main electrical power. If water comes into contact with any electrical components, it can become a fatal situation. Once the power is off, then deal with the flood water. Put your own and your family’s personal safety first, and show each member of the family how to shut off the power.

As you have seen in the above tips, there is a lot of knowledge you can acquire before starting to do your own plumbing and it’s this knowledge that can help you with your future plumbing jobs. Do everything you must to find out what you need to get started.

Deciding to become a plumber is a solid career choice. You can work in a variety of settings, including residential and business construction, industrial and residential maintenance and repair and water treatment plants. Here are some tips to help you along.

Before your plumber begins work in your home, make sure you receive a detailed estimate detailing the work to be done, parts needed, a time line and projected completion date. Having all of this information beforehand will give you an idea of what the costs are going to be and how long everything should take.

Many people wonder where the fruit flies are coming from. Each plumbing fixture has a self-sealed reserve that holds about two cups of water. If those pipes are broken or do not seal off, then odors and residue can cause fruit flies. It is recommended before anything to clean your pipes using bleach. If the flies come back, contact a professional.

Regular maintenance of your plumbing lines is a great idea. Your options are getting your lines snaked or jetted. Jetted is a technology that is proven more effective than snaking is. It gets deeper and cleans harder. So jetting is a good idea next time you are having maintenance performed on your lines.

In order to keep your shower and bath tub drains in proper working order, try pouring a potful of boiling water into the drain at least every other week. Using this approach will clear out the constant hair and soapscum build-up that may occur even if you have installed a drain screen.

When the temperature drops below freezing, protect exposed pipes from the weather by adding a source of heat near the pipes. Ranging from electrical tape applied directly to the pipes to small space heaters placed near exposed pipes, keeping the temperature above freezing can prevent costly repairs caused by frozen pipes.

It’s important not to dump harsh chemicals into your septic system like drain cleaners, but are you also considering the other chemicals you use to clean? Toilet cleaners, dishwasher soap, and even laundry detergent can kill off the healthy bacteria which is taking care of your waste. Try to use natural products for all cleaning jobs in your house to keep your septic system in good shape.

Avoid the bursting of pipes due to the change in the temperature. You need to allow the flow of heat to reach under the sinks and into the pipes, you have to keep the cabinet doors of the bathrooms and kitchens open. It is important to keep water running at both hot and cold faucets along with vanities that are in close proximity to exterior walls.

Plumbing is a fascinating and exciting world that is only limited by the extent of a person’s knowledge. There are many possibilities, products, types of equipment, and techniques. Start experimenting to find something new for your jobs or to learn something new that you can better for your own usage. Become inspired by these tips!

This is the best place for plumbing tips. You could look far and wide but you will not find tips as well written and clear as what you will find here. Use this article today if you want to know all that you should know about plumbing and your home.

To prevent exposed pipes under your home from freezing during the winter, use foam pipe insulation or electric heat tape to cover your pipes according to the manufacturer’s directions. A burst pipe can cause damage and high water bills, so preventing freezing and bursting is essential during the coldest months of the year.

Don’t use drain cleaners on your plumbing as they’re very corrosive and can actually damage your pipes. Anything that says it’s harmful if applied to the skin can be harmful to whatever it touches! If you have a septic system then this is even MORE important as it will kill the bacteria which is digesting your waste.

If you are not able to shut off a main valve to your home before you leave for vacation, shut off the individual valves under the sinks and behind the toilets. Be sure that the valves are in good working order before you make the mistake of turning one that is ready to be broken at any time.

Check for leaks on your water heater and softener before you leave for vacation. You can also turn off their individual shut-off valves to ensure that they don’t cause any water damage while you’re away. It’s good to check them a few weeks before you leave just in case you need any repairs.

Ask before the plumber comes out if they charge for the consultation. In order to quote a project, the plumber has to come out to inspect your particular issue. It is standard to charge for the consultation appointment but the prices can vary wildly. Ask upfront so that you aren’t surprised by the total.

Check for standing water in your yard which can be a direct result of leaking pipes. Standing water can cause an increased level of damage to your lawn and will attract bacteria and insects. Reduce your level of standing water to put your family and home in the most secure position.

If your plumbing is making strange noises you may have lost something called your “air cushion”. To turn this back on, you’re going to need to turn off your main water supply. Run all faucets in your house and then turn back on your main water supply. This should make everything sound better again.

If you have hard water, check intake hoses for washing machines and ice makers often to prevent them from splitting open from buildup. Lime scale remover can be used to remove buildup, but replacing hoses is an economical method as well to take care of the issue. Change out hoses when you change the batteries in your smoke alarms to stop unexpected floods.

In conclusion, plumbing is a skill that you should know about – plain and simple. It is something that you will always be able to use and you may be able to save yourself a lot of money and frustration in the future. Hopefully this article was beneficial to you.

Deciding to become a plumber is a solid career choice. You can work in a variety of settings, including residential and business construction, industrial and residential maintenance and repair and water treatment plants. Here are some tips to help you along.

To prepare for the cold weather, properly drain all outside faucet bibs and turn off the water supply to those faucets. A piece of foam taped to the outside bib can provide excellent insulation to prevent any remaining water from freezing or splurge for a specialty cover that comes complete with velcro closures.

When looking for a plumber, you have quite a few options. Ask friends for recommendations of who they use. Check online for plumbers with good reviews and references. Use your yellow pages and look under “Plumbing Contractors” or “Plumbing, Drain and Sewer Cleaning”. Make sure that you contact more than one plumber before making a choice.

If you need to install a valve, find instructions on the type of valve you have. Some valves such as stop valves need to be installed in a certain direction to work properly. Make sure you understand how a valve works before you install it so you do not commit any mistakes.

Look at your hot water heater and make sure that the temperature is not higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is, it could cause you to get burned or it could reduce the unit’s energy consumption. If you determine that the temperature is too high, adjust immediately to avoid any of these things from happening.

A plumbing snake is an essential tool in any homeowner’s tool box. Snakes can be used to unclog kitchen and bathrooms drains and toilets when clogged with hardened debris. They are useful as well for grabbing hold of items dropped down sink drains. Snakes come in a variety of sizes for home use and heavier-duty models can often be rented for bigger jobs.

Make a list of all the water valves you turn off when you leave for vacation so you don’t end up forgetting to turn them back on when you return. In fact, make a hard copy of your list so you will have it handy whenever you go away for an extended period of time.

A great time to check your plumbing shut-off valves on sinks and toilets is when you turn off the main valve before leaving your home for an extended period of time. You can check to make sure they’re all functioning well and none of them are leaking, saving you from problems when you return.

Make sure you allow a slow drip over the night when you experience the coldest of winter weather. A general rule to follow is, if there is snow on the ground, leave the water dripping. This keeps a constant flow and reduces your risk of waking up to frozen pipes that can cause a great deal of damage.

Plumbing is a fascinating and exciting world that is only limited by the extent of a person’s knowledge. There are many possibilities, products, types of equipment, and techniques. Start experimenting to find something new for your jobs or to learn something new that you can better for your own usage. Become inspired by these tips!

Nearly everyone has at least one thing that they would like to see changed about their home. Fortunately, many home improvements are projects that even a novice homeowner can tackle. You can, with a little planning, easily accomplish projects like cabinet refacing, adding decorative molding to walls, windows, doors, or outdoor projects like improving your gutter system. Some things, however, are best left to the pros, especially if they involve electricity or plumbing. This article will help you decide if your home improvement project can be done by yourself, or if you need to call in expert help.

When caulking the area where your bathtub meets the wall, fill your bathtub with water before you begin. This applies plenty of weight to the tub and ensures that the gap is at its widest point. Without the added weight, your caulking job could crack and fail the first time someone stands in the tub.

Use carpet samples to carpet a whole room! Retail stores often throw away their samples. Cut each sample up into smaller pieces and tack or glue them into place for free floor covering. Cut them in identically sized pieces for a tile effect or cut them in irregular geometric shapes for an abstract look.

If one does not have any trees on their property they should strongly consider planting one for home improvement. Not only will it have many different uses for the house and it’s members but it will also look attractive for ones landscape. A tree can grow and outlast the house making it a worthy home improvement job.

One of the best home improvements for your house is a wood deck addition. Not only is it a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors, it also offer a great return on your investment when you re-sell your home. Most homeowners recoup 81 percent of the money that they spent on this home improvement. Just remember to do proper maintenance each year to the deck to optimize it’s return potential.

Clean kitchen counters can help to sell a house. Remove everything except your coffee pot, a nice set of knives, and perhaps a bowl of fruit. The cleaner your counter tops are, the more organized your kitchen will appear. Your kitchen will also feel larger and more user friendly.

Putting a hand grip or rail in ones shower may seem like is a simple home improvement job that could save you a trip to the hospital from falling in the shower. Having a rail to steady oneself while getting in and out can also make showering more comfortable.

As you have read in this article, with just a little planning and some investigation, you can take on basic home improvement projects and make your home a happy, healthy place for your family. By knowing what projects you can do and what projects you should leave to the experts, you can even save a significant amount of money. So pick up that hammer and those nails, and have fun with your next home improvement project!

For anyone that has ever owned a house, home improvement projects are a weekend staple. Many of us are unfamiliar with the construction trade, but that doesn’t mean we cant take on even some of the most difficult home improvement projects. This article is meant to give you tips for your next home improvement project.

To improve the value of your home, you should think about remodeling it. A home that looks new can be sold for more. Adding new rooms or an outside patio can increase its value. Consider remodeling as a form of investment and make sure you know what most people want, before you start.

Installing new countertops is a great place to start with a home improvement project. There are many things to consider, though. Your kitchen layout and how you use your counter space. Do you need something professional and durable or would you prefer something that is more appealing to the eye?

If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you get estimates from multiple contractors before making a choice on a company. It’s tempting to go with the company that comes in thousands of dollars lower than their competitor, but often you’ll end up paying for shoddy work that could have been prevented by going with the more reasonably priced company.

Consider starting a compost bin for your leftover produce scraps. There are several simple methods available and you will be helping the environment. At the same time, you are creating fabulous nutrient rich fertilizer. Compost fertilizer can be used for your flowers and shrubs in addition to being the perfect choice for your new fruits and vegetables.

Use old toothbrushes for cleaning. Whether you are cleaning around the faucet on the kitchen sink or bathroom lavatory or cleaning up engine parts, old toothbrushes work great. Even better, they are free! Why buy a new brush and throw away something that still has a lot of usable life left in it. Save that money for something else.

Before you begin painting a room it is important to lay down drop clothes or old sheets on the floor. When painting a room it is very possible to have paint drip or spill on the floor. Regardless of what type of floor you have it can be very difficult to get paint up once it is on a surface.

For a home improvement that offers an outstanding return, replace your outdated entry door with a steel front door. According to a recent study, homeowners who invested in a steel entry door, recouped nearly 129% of the project’s cost when their house was sold. A new steel door can boost your home’s curb appeal, and it makes a home more energy efficient.

Every time you decide to do a home improvement project, you are furthering your ability to take on future projects, as well. Success is very much dependent on the information you have, and if you apply the advice and tips from this article, you will drastically improve your chances for success.

Did you know that faulty air chambers might be why you are hearing a hammering sound in your pipes? The noise is known as water hammer and it may mean that water has entered your air chamber. Here are some tips to help you fix your problem.

During the summer, purchase a timer that will restrict the amount of water that your sprinklers give off. Using excess water on your lawn can lead to an increase in your water bill and create plumbing issues down the road. Also, this will help to automate a manual process, saving you time and effort.

When facing temperatures below freezing in the winter it is important to leave the hot water dripping. This makes sure that the pipes don’t freeze over and saves you the expensive repair of fixing and or entirely replacing a broken pipe. The slight cost of dripping hot water is well worth saving you from that large expense of replacing a broken pipe.

Find a better way to discard of cooking oil instead of pouring it down the drain where it can easily clog your pipes. Keep a coffee can or other metal container handy to pour grease into after cooking. Place the can in the freezer to harden the grease and when it’s full, discard it with the trash.

Use a hair trap on your bathroom drain to make sure it doesn’t end up clogging your plumbing. A simple grate can be placed over the drain and hair can be pulled off each time you shower. If your pipes do end up plugging you can buy a snaking tool which will go down and grab all the hair for you.

Use strainers in all drains to catch hair and other objects. This will prevent all the material from going down the drain and causing a clog, which can cause a bigger problem down the line. Clean out the strainers daily so that you don’t start getting backup of water in your sink or tub.

Periodically check your pipes for leaks and cracks. These can be forgotten, since pipes are usually hidden away, but checking for leaks and cracks can help you identify a small problem before a big problem occurs. You may have to enlist the help of a family member to turn on and off the water stream as you are checking.

When it comes to plumbing a great choice is to invest in brass fittings. Sure, they may be more expensive upfront, however their longevity is amazing compared to the alternatives, so you end up saving money. As an added bonus, the brass fittings look so much better than the other alternatives.

You know what can cause that hammering noise, plus a lot more plumbing information. You just saved yourself a lot of money if any of those issues became unbearable or resulted in broken parts. Take time to read back over this article periodically to make sure that you are on top of your plumbing skills.

Every year thousands of home owners do major renovations on their house in order to improve the value as well as enjoy their improvements. Some home improvements are very costly and many do not have a good return for the money spent. If you want to improve your home and up the value at the same time there are 3 areas you can focus on that make the most difference.
These projects can add value to your home, make it more enjoyable and don’t cost a lot of money either!
One key area in your home is the entrance. It’s the first thing that people see when they enter and the first place you step into when you come home. Spicing up your entrance goes for the outside as well as the inside. If you have a porch, add a nice planter and some lush vibrant plants. How about a nice wicker chair and table? You can search second hand stores for interesting items to add to your porch for a bargain.
If you really want a change try putting a coat of bright paint on the front door. Paint is cheap and can make a big difference in the way your whole house looks. While you have the paint brush out, why not try a different color on the inside foyer as well?
The kitchen is another key area in your home and making improvements in this room will add value to your house if you plan on selling it. The biggest thing in your kitchen is the cabinets and after years of use they can get dingy and dull. One thing you can do is give them a good cleaning. This one step alone can make a difference. You would be surprised the amount of dust and grease that can accumulate on cabinets. Depending on the material that your cabinets are made of, simply removing the cabinets from their hinges and wiping them down with the damp cloth is sufficient. There are chemicals on the market, but you need to make sure that the chemicals are made for your cabinet material.
Aside from cleaning the cabinets, you can give your kitchen a whole new look by replacing the cabinet knobs and hinges. Painting your kitchen can really change the way it looks and a nice tile backsplash can be inexpensive but have big impact.
The third area that makes a big difference in the house is the bathroom. Your guest bathroom is typically the smallest one in the house but you can make it have a big impact for you and your guests. You undoubtedly have a nice set of guest towels and matching accessories. Think about adding wallpaper trim, artwork, and color to the room.
There are numerous styles of wallpaper trim that you can choose a new look for your bathroom. You can go as conservative and as creative as you want. To complement the wallpaper trim, you can add artwork. You don’t have to go out and purchase expensive artwork. You can use your imagination to come up with some ideas. For example, a few seashells, colorful fabric, and an empty picture frame are all you need to become your own favorite artist.
Just like the other room, paint is an inexpensive way to totally change the look of your bathroom. And don’t forget to hit the second hand stores for interesting accessories to add to your bathroom.