How to Build Closet Shelving Without Wall Studs

Shelves expand your storage in a closet.

Closets are a good way to store clothing and other personal items like purses and shoes. But to get the most out of a closet, you need shelves to facilitate storage of items like hats, purses or sporting equipment like skates. Putting shelves up in a closet that has wall studs is easy, because you just secure the shelves to the studs. Attaching shelves to a studless wall is a bit more challenging, but can be done.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Hacksaw
• Wire shelving
• Level
• Wall clips
• Rubber mallet
• Screw
• Drill with Phillips bit
• 1/4-inch drill bit

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the closet for a full-width shelf. Subtract 1 1/2 inches from the measurement. Cut the wire shelf to this length with the hacksaw.

2. Determine how high you want the shelves and measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the shelf. Put a mark on the side wall on both sides and at several places along the back wall at this height. Check it with a level and then make a guideline. It's more important that the wall is level with gravity than that it's even from the floor.

3. Position two clips on each side wall, one 2 1/2 inches from the back and one 1 inch from the front. Use the clips to locate the position of the screws and drill 1/4-inch holes.

4. Pound the clips into the hole with a rubber mallet. Insert the screws that came with the clips.

5. Insert more clips, spacing them a foot apart, along the back wall.

6. Lift the shelf into position above the clips. Have an assistant press the wire into each clip individually.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wood screws to insert the clips if the sides of the closet are plywood, first cutting off the part of the clip that fits in the wall hole.

• Before using power tools, constrain any loose clothing or hair.

References

• Lowe's: Install Wire Shelving
• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations