How to Install a Wire-Type Closet Organizing System

This segment of HouseCalls finds Ron traveling through West Bloomfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Here, Ron finds the home of Betsy and Kurt Schneider. The Schneiders have common problem and they would like Ron to help them with it. Their bedroom closet is a mess. They want to make the most or the space they have available. They need better organization so they can find things and put things away more easily.

Ron recommends a closet organizing system by ClosetMaid and he and the Schneiders get right to work on the installation.

Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

1. Empty out the closet:

• Begin by removing everything from your closet. It might not hurt to even throw a few things out!
• Next, remove the existing shelving, the bar that the clothes hang on, etc. You may need a hammer or a pry bar to get all of the existing shelving off.

2. Repair damage:

• In the Schneider's closet, there were ridges on the wall where the paint piled up against the wood that they had removed. If you find this in your closet, you will have to use a paint scraper, which will do a good job of knocking the paint off the wall with its very sharp edge.
• The next step is to patch all the nail holes. Ron recommends an interior spackling compound and a putty knife. Keeping your knife flat, press the spackle into the holes. Then, holding your putty knife at about a 45-degree angle, scrape off the top, so you do not leave any excess on the wall. There should be spackle only in the hole.
• Once the spackle has dried give it a light sanding to remove the high spots.
• Roll on a coat of paint to conceal the wall repairs.

3. Install new closet system:

• The ClosetMaid system that Ron used is a completely adjustable shelving system. With this system you can adjust all the different sections up and down and sideways and it all connects to the hanging strip that attaches where the closet wall meets the ceiling.

• There is a horizontal 2 x 4 running right along the closet wall near the ceiling in most homes. Using a power drill, attach the hanging strip into this 2 x 4. It is sometimes helpful, especially when the wood is very dry, to pre-drill the holes before installing the screws. Attach the screws, one every eight inches, along this strip.
• What makes this particular system so adjustable is the little adapter that clips onto the vertical shelf standard and then hangs right onto the hanging strip installed at the ceiling. The clip can slide back and forth so the shelving standard can be positioned wherever you'd like to meet your own closet organizational needs. The standards can be hung up to 24 inches apart. The shelf bracket attaches into this standard and then the shelves will go on the brackets.

3. Install new closet system:

• To keep the standards from swinging from side to side, secure them to the wall at the bottom with a screw. Make sure that the standard is level, mark the hole and then swing the standard out of the way. Using a power drill, make a ¼" hole, tap in a plastic anchor, and then attach the screw. This bottom screw will not bear any of the weight. The whole closet system is supported by the hanging track above.
  

• The next step is to attach the shelf supports or brackets to the standards. This is the point where you will need to decide how to set up the closet so that it best meets your needs.
• With the shelf supports in place, the shelves can be set on top and locked into position.

3. Install new closet system:

• Use a bolt cutter to adjust the width of the shelves to any size you would like. After you cut any of the shelving, the cut ends are very rough and sharp so you need to add the little plastic tabs that should come with the shelving. These slip right over the cut end to give a nice finished detail.
• For shoe storage, you can add triangular shaped plastic brackets that support upside down shelves. The upturned shelf lip keeps shoes from sliding off.
• Finally, snap in the hanging rods. The Schneiders also chose a sliding basket storage system that just rolls right into the closet.

THE RESULTS:

The Schneiders started with a large closet that was very disorganized. When they were finished, they had so much space left they didn't know what to do with it all! And better yet, they made this terrific closet transformation in just one day!