Maximizing Small Bedroom Storage With Custom Closets

If you're looking to build closet storage in a small bedroom, there are several DIY options to help you maximise your space. From adjustable closet systems and built-in shelving to wall hooks and drawers, there are plenty of ways to get creative and make the most of your small square footage.

Before you begin, it's important to have a clear idea of the space you're working with and what you want to store. Decluttering, finding appropriate storage spaces and giving your closet a thorough clean are all recommended first steps.

Use an open closet system

Open closets are a great storage option for any bedroom, regardless of size. They can be customised to fit your space and scaled to fit the size of your room. Here are some tips for using an open closet system in a small bedroom:

Choose Your Materials

The materials you choose for your open closet system can complement the aesthetic of your bedroom. Natural wood is a popular option, offering a relaxed, open and casual look. Varnished, stained or painted wood can be tailored to your taste. Wood laminate is a more affordable option, giving the look of natural wood. Metal and painted rolling clothes racks are also an option, with colours like black, white and silver to either blend in or make a statement.

Choose Your Configuration

Open closet systems can be customised to include a variety of storage options. You can opt for a whole closet system, which provides hanging storage, drawers and shelves. Alternatively, you can mix and match various storage options. Add shelving to create space for folded clothes and decorative storage bins and baskets to keep smaller items like socks and underwear organised. Stackable or freestanding closet drawers are another great option, especially for small spaces.

Add a Shoe Rack

Shoe racks are a must-have for any closet system. Stackable shoe racks are perfect for small bedrooms, helping you save space. You can find a variety of shoe rack styles, from open racks to cabinets and closed storage. Benches with storage below are another option, giving you a place to sit while you put your shoes on.

Mix Open and Closed Storage

Combining open and closed storage solutions ensures that all your items have a place. Open storage options include shelves and racks, while closed storage includes drawers and cabinets. Choose matching or complementary finishes for a cohesive look, or mix and match colours, patterns and materials for an eclectic aesthetic.

Conserve Space with Drawers

When dealing with a small bedroom, taking your closet storage vertical is a great way to conserve floor space. Stackable storage boxes and freestanding closet drawers with multiple drawers are perfect for small spaces.

Use Specialised Storage for Shoes

Shoes can quickly take up a lot of space, so giving them their own specialised storage area is a great idea. In addition to racks and cabinets, you can use hanging shoe organisers, under-bed storage or shoe boxes to keep your shoes organised and dust-free.

Add a Rolling Clothes Rack

Metal rolling clothes racks are a versatile option, providing hanging space and often additional storage like shelves or baskets. They are mobile, so you can easily move them around your room as needed. Some designs even offer extendable options or multiple hanging rods for extra storage.

Use Garment Racks for Bulky or Wrinkle-Prone Items

Certain clothing items, like bulky coats and jackets or lightweight, wrinkle-prone fabrics, are best stored on garment racks. Freestanding garment racks with hanging rods and additional storage options like shelves, baskets and bins are perfect for these types of clothing.

Complete Your Space with Storage Furniture

If your bedroom has the space, consider adding storage furniture like nightstands, chests of drawers, dressers, armoires or wardrobes. These pieces can add functionality and extra storage while complementing the decor of your room.

Portable Closets for Small Spaces

For very small spaces, portable closets are a great solution. Typically made of a metal frame with a fabric cover, they are lightweight and may have wheels for mobility. They usually feature hanging rods and sometimes include shelves, providing an easy way to relocate your clothing as needed.

Decorative Touches

Add some decorative touches to your open closet to make it an asset to your bedroom's decor. Hang a curtain or shower curtain in front of your closet to conceal it, add a decorative mirror for a dressing room feel, or use vinyl decals or wallpaper to add some personality.

Install adjustable shelving

Installing adjustable shelving in a small bedroom closet is a great way to maximise storage space. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Planning:

Firstly, you need to assess the space you have and decide on the best layout for your needs. Consider what you plan to store in the closet and how you want to organise it. For example, you may want a shelf for linens and another for shoes. Use a measuring tape to measure the width, depth, and height of your closet.

Finding Studs:

Locate the studs in your wall and mark their positions with painter's tape. This is important as you will need to screw into the studs to ensure your shelving is strong and secure. If there are no studs in certain areas, you will need to use drywall anchors to hold the shelves in place.

Cutting Boards:

Cut your chosen boards to size. You can use a table saw or a circular saw for this step. Radiata pine plywood is a good option as it is affordable and high-quality.

Building the Shelves:

You can build your shelves in a simple standalone style or go for an adjustable bookcase-style. For standalone shelves, create a frame around the sides of the plywood using wood glue and screws. The frame will provide strength and an area to attach the shelf to the wall. Cut strips of wood to cover the front and sides of the plywood, with the front strip being wider.

Building Supports:

Use 1x4 boards to create supports for any upper shelves. Attach these boards to the studs in the wall, and then place the upper shelves on top.

Finishing:

Stain or paint your shelves with your chosen finish. Water-based stains and sealers are a good option as they dry quickly and have minimal odour.

Installation:

Pre-drill holes in the lower frame of each shelf and then screw the shelves into the wall, ensuring they are attached to the studs. Use a level to ensure the shelves are straight. You can adjust the height between each shelf to suit your needs, with 16 inches being a good average.

Now you're ready to start using your new adjustable shelving and enjoy the benefits of a more organised, spacious small bedroom closet!

Create a closet in a nook or alcove

Creating a closet in a nook or alcove is a great way to maximize space in a small bedroom. Here's a step-by-step guide to building your own custom closet:

Planning:

Before you begin, carefully plan your closet design and measurements. Consider the size and location of the nook or alcove, and decide on the type of closet doors and internal storage system you want to use. It's important to choose these elements beforehand to ensure they fit well within the space.

Marking and Framing:

Start by removing any existing flooring or carpet from the closet area. Mark out the position of the bottom, sides, and top of the closet, being extremely careful with your measurements. Cut 2x4s to length for the top and bottom wall plates, which provide horizontal load-bearing support. Screw the bottom plate to the floor and mark where the doors will go. Cut and screw in the top plate as well.

Framing Continued:

For the end walls, cut full-height studs and screw them into the floor and top plates. For corner pieces or central dividers, you can screw two 2x4s together with scrap blocks in between for added width. Fit additional studs as needed to support doorframes or drywall, ensuring they are no more than 16 inches apart.

Measure the height needed for the doors and cut trimmers to fit the upright studs, supporting the door headers. Cut and screw the headers into place, then add "cripple studs" between the top plate and door header for extra support.

Doorways and Drywall:

Once the structure is secure, cut through the bottom plates to create the doorway openings. Install drywall to cover the frame, using a handsaw or a utility knife for cutouts. Screw the drywall into the studs, placing screws about 12 inches apart. If your closet has an outside corner, reinforce it with corner bead, taping and finishing it afterward.

Doors and Trim:

Choose between standard, bifold, or sliding closet doors. Sliding doors are the easiest to install, requiring top runners to hang from, but they take up space when open. Bifold doors are a popular alternative, often functioning similarly. Standard single or double doors can be more challenging to install, especially the hinges, so prehung doors are recommended.

Finishing Touches:

Install your chosen internal storage system, such as rods, shelves, and other accessories. When mounting these elements, screw into existing studs behind the drywall if possible, or use hollow drywall anchors for a secure hold.

By following these steps and adapting them to your specific space, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing closet in a nook or alcove, maximizing storage in your small bedroom.

Utilise door storage

When working with a small bedroom, every inch of space counts. A great way to create more storage is to utilise the space on the back of your closet door. This can be done by hanging an over-the-door shoe organiser, which can be used to store loose supplies such as markers, paintbrushes, and scissors. You can also use clear stick-on organisers to keep your favourite cosmetics accessible and divided.

Another option is to install a hanging rod on the inside of your closet door, which can be used to hang complete outfits or accessories. You can also use hooks to hang items like hats and scarves, or even suitcases above the door.

If you're looking for a more substantial storage solution, consider installing a modular system on the back of your door. This can include items such as a hanging bar with hooks of various sizes for shoes, or a small hanging bucket for grab-and-go accessories.

When adding door storage, be sure to measure the clearance on the door's closure, the top doorjamb, and between the door and the floor to ensure that your storage solution fits properly.

Add drawers to your closet

Adding drawers to your closet is a great way to increase storage and functionality. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Planning and Materials

Before you start, it's important to carefully plan and measure the space you have available in your closet. Consider the width, depth, and height of the drawers you want to add, ensuring they will fit comfortably within your closet. Think about the number of drawers you need and the desired width and depth. Standard drawer slides require specific clearances for installation, usually 1/2" per slide, or 1" overall.

For the materials, you will need a combination of wood, drawer slides, screws, and tools such as a drill, saw, and Kreg Jig (optional). You can also add a handle or knob to each drawer for easier access.

Building the Drawer Boxes

Cut the wood to the desired dimensions for the sides, front, and back of the drawer boxes. The width of the drawer should be 1-2 inches less than the width of the available space in your closet to allow for installation of the drawer slides. The depth of the drawer should be determined by the depth of your closet and the type of drawer slides you choose.

Drill pocket holes in the front and back pieces of the drawer boxes using a Kreg Jig. Place these pieces on the outside, covering the pocket holes, and attach them to the sides using pocket hole screws.

Installing the Drawer Slides

There are different types of drawer slides available, such as rear mount sockets or bottom corner mount drawer slides. Choose the type that best suits your needs and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Tape the slides in the desired position before attaching them to the drawer boxes and the closet structure.

Finalizing the Drawers

Once the drawer slides are installed, you can attach the drawer faces or fronts. These should be slightly larger than the drawer boxes to ensure a seamless look and allow for easy opening and closing. Screw the drawer faces over the drawer boxes, leaving a small gap (about 1/8" around the sides for a precise fit.

You can add a handle or knob to each drawer face for easier access. Consider the style and finish of the handle or knob to match the overall aesthetic of your closet.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• When planning your drawer dimensions, consider the type of items you will be storing to ensure they fit comfortably within the drawers.
• You can customize your drawers further by painting or staining the wood to match your closet's décor.
• Always double-check your measurements and test the drawer slides before finalizing the installation to ensure smooth and effortless operation.

Frequently asked questions