How to Turn Your Coat Closet into a Storage/Utility Closet

Create a utility closet

Do you have a closet that isn't living up to its fullest potential? Could you use some practical storage space? Try this little idea.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A need for organized storage space.
• Tape measure
• Screw driver
• Wire shelving
• Wire cutters or a hand saw
• A plan for your closet

1. Devise a plan

   To begin, devise a plan on paper as to how you wish to utilize your storage space. You will undoubtedly want shelving but how much? Will you need hooks to hang mops and brooms on, etc?

2. Purchase wiring shelving and hooks to hold mops and such.

   Once you have your plan, take a trip to your local hardware store, Home Depot, or Lowes to purchase your supplies.

3. Carefully cut down your shelves.

   Empty your closet. Give it a fresh coat of paint if you wish. Now begin your project by making pencil markings on the wall where you want your shelving. Take a measurement of the wall and then measure how long or short you will need your shelves to be and then using the wire cutters or a hand saw begin cutting the shelves down to size. (Be sure to have someone help you to hold the shelf as you cut. Place the shelf on a counter top or a table with a towel underneath so as not to damage your surfaces).

4. Shelving and hooks

   After you have cut your shelves to the correct size it's time to screw in the hooks that will hold your shelves up. If you purchase Closetmaid shelving, there will be hooks to screw onto the wall. Find your pencil marking and align the bottom of your hook with lines. For durability, I recommend that you use six hooks for each shelf, two on the back wall and two on each side of your shelf.

5. Don't forget a place for your mops and brooms

   Now that your shelves are hung determine where you would like broom holder placed and affix that to wall. If you save plastic shopping bags you can hang a bag holder on an extra broom hook. You can keep your recycle bin and vacuum cleaner in this closet as well.

6. Get a touch light with a timer.

   Closet lighting is not very good. There is usually one overhead light with a pull chain. You can purchase a touch light or a faux pull-chain light and hang it on the side wall of the closet for extra lighting. I purchased a touch light with a timer. When I push the light on I can walk away and not worry if I have left the light on because the timer shuts it off after two minutes. (http://www.directdepot.net/product_info.php?products_id=3539)

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