How to Build a Closet Under a Staircase

Lay out the size of the closet on the floor. The space will consist of four new walls placed underneath a set of stairs that ascends next to a wall. Use a 2-by-4 and a level to get the front wall even with the inside portion of the outside stair stringer. Allow enough vertical space for a 24-by-80 inch pre-hung closet door.

Construct the side wall at the high end of the closet with 2-by-4's. You will need just one bottom and one top plate. This wall should be put together first and then inserted into place. The bottom plate can be nailed to the floor and while the top can be nailed between the insides of the stair stringers. (This determines the overall width of the wall.)

Construct the low end side wall in the same manner as the high end wall and nail it into place.

Build the rear wall (it will either have a square shape or be cut to fit under the angle of the stairs. Once this wall is in place it can be nailed to the floor, two side walls and inside face of the stringer. Make sure this wall is level before you nail.

Cut and build the ceiling frame exactly to size and slide it into place and then nail it with large nails. Be aware that a slanted ceiling with involve angled cuts, but might look sharp when the closet is done.

Build the front wall piece by piece leaving the manufacturer's recommended opening for the hollow-core door.

Install a light fixture in the center of the ceiling, a switch box near the door and then have an electrician finish the wiring.

Cover the inside and outside of the closet with 1/2 inch sheetrock. Nail the wallboard with 1 3/4 inch sheetrock nails.

Apply sheetrock tape and joint compound to the inside corners and fill all nail holes. You will need three applications of the compound with each coat carefully sanded before the next one is applied.

Add a strip of corner bead to the two outside corners. Carefully nail the bead with sheetrock nails and apply three separate applications of joint compound. Make sure each layer is thoroughly dry and sanded before adding the next.

Install the pre-hung hollow core door. Don't forget to use shims on the hinge side to get the door perfectly level.

Cut and nail 1-by-4 inch baseboard trim with bright finish nails to the inside and outside walls. Set the nail heads and fill with wood putty.

Install a 1-by-10 wood shelf and 1-inch dowel. Each item will need brackets.

Paint the sheetrock with the primer-sealer.

Paint everything except the door with a top coat of paint. Choose a bright color and use a sealer on the wood trim first.

Let the paint dry.