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 Storage Solutions

20 SEPT/OCT 2010

mh005_20.indd 20 8/5/2010 12:01:58 PM

 build an easy,
inexpensive
Linen
Closet
storage system!
Cant shut the door to your
linen closet fast enough? Hope
that guests wont go looking for
their own towels? Then youre
going to love this simple system
for turning overflowing shelves
into clutter-busting cubbies. Its
a beginner-level project that you
can build in a weekend using basic
materials from the home center.
Your finished system will look so
great that you might even want
to take off the closet door!

{ }
Before and After
Like so many linen closets, the target of our
makeover (right) had over time succumbed to
the creep of clutter and misuse. The new closet
storage system (left) gave it an infusion of style
and greatly improved its functionality.

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 Storage Solutions

divided closet storage

helps you get organized!

L
inen closets often turn into
catchall spaces for various home
necessities, in addition to sheets,
towels, and bath products. Its little
wonder that over time, nice linens get
stuffed in and smaller items become
hopelessly buried at the back.
This simple-to-build organizer will
help restore calm to closet chaos. It
features vertical dividers to keep linens
neat, adjustable cubbies to prevent
overcrowding, and has compartments
for two large hampers. Plus, its all
made from easy-to-clean melamine.
Ditch the Door. This organizer
can do more than improve function:
When the closet is left open, it will
add style to your baths decor. If you
decide to get rid of the door like we
did, well show you how to remove the
hinges and make the mortises virtually
disappear (see Photo, page 24).

22 SEPT/OCT 2010

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 planning your new closet space
a] open storage
Removing the door will make
it easier to access everything
stored inside and allow the closet
e
to enhance your baths decor.
You might want to relocate any
hopelessly unattractive items.

b] divided storage
Adding dividers can keep stacks
of towels from toppling and
keep personal care products b
apart from cleaning supplies. By
creating multiple distinct areas,
youll even have places to display d
purely decorative touches.
a
c
c] shelves
This storage system is built from
melamine shelves in standard d
widths, so they only need to get
cut to length. Shelf standards
attached to the vertical dividers
allow each shelfs height to be
adjusted in " increments.

d] depth of storage
Many linen closets are 24" deep,
which often creates a dead zone
at the back of each shelf. The
cubbies in this system manage
that depth. They keep stored
items visible, so nothing gets
we painted the insert on f ] storage boxes & accessories
buried by items stashed in front. this basket to match Youll nd theres a nearly limitless selection
of attractive storage containers available. Its a
our wall color! good idea to pick out hampers, baskets, and
e] storage above bins before laying out your new shelf system,
When youre planning where so you can position the vertical dividers to
to position the top shelf of f accommodate these items.
your new storage system, be
sure to leave enough room
to access this area. Theres
plenty of valuable storage
space located above the top
of the door frame, so you
dont want to block it off.

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 Storage Solutions

simple to build
from home center materials
If your linen closet is a different size
ADJUSTABLE SHELF than ours, dont worry. This system
(" x 15") is easy to modify to fit your closets
TOP SHELF dimensions, and youll find all the
(" x 15")
supplies you need at the home center.
Study Your Storage Needs. Start by
studying the diagram at left, and then
take a good look at your linen closet.
Would you like to create more divided
spaces or more open spaces? Do you
2"
want to include storage containers? If
so, measure them, and also carefully
measure the closets dimensions. Then
cut your pieces to fit, and follow the
Pilaster construction sequence at right.
CENTER Shelf Clip Simple Style. Use calming colors
SHELF
(" x 23") Pilaster Strip
on walls and woodwork, plus simple
UPPER DIVIDER (cut to length) accessories, to ensure your new white
(" x 15" x 36") shelves tie in with the baths decor.

Pocket
Hole

LOWER DIVIDER
(" x 23" x 30")

1" Pocket
Screw

2"

BOTTOM
SHELF
(" x 23") 1" Finish
Nail

BASE
NOTE: Cut all shelves (1" x 3")
to length so they fit the
inside width of your closet
simple metal strips
make adjusting
shelves a snap!
24 SEPT/OCT 2010

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 remove the door ONE: Measure inside width
1 of closet to determine length
For an open closet, start by of base and all fixed shelves
removing the doors hinges
and strike plate. Then attach Closet Door
Opening
" mullion strips the full MULLION
length of the jamb to cover Hinge
STRIP Mortise
the mortises. Caulk any (" x 1")
TWO: Install 2x4
gaps to create a smooth boards on floor
surface for painting. 1" Finish Nail
to create a base

start with a base

2 As you build this system, youll work
from the bottom up. Start by putting THREE: Cut bottom
a pair of 2x4s on the oor to create a FIVE: Install center shelf to fit, and
shelf on top nail onto base
base. Use shims, if needed, to make of lower dividers
sure theyre level. Then cut the bottom
shelf to t, position it on the base, and
FOUR: Cut lower
fasten it with nish nails. dividers to length,
and install using SIX: Cut upper
pocket screws dividers to length,
install dividers & top and install using
pocket screws
3 Next, cut three lower dividers to t 1"
on top of the bottom shelf. Then drill Pocket
Screw
pocket holes near the ends of each
divider using a pocket-hole jig. Attach
the outer dividers to the bottom shelf
with pocket screws. Now center the
middle divider in the door opening, SEVEN: Cut top shelf
and attach it to the bottom shelf using to length, and install
pocket screws. Then attach the center using pocket screws
shelf to the dividers, making sure the
divider in the middle is plumb. EIGHT: Cut pilaster strips
(shelf standards) to length,
and install over pocket holes

add shelving above

4 1"
On the upper level, its easiest to install Pocket Divider
the outer dividers rst, so go ahead and Screw
pocket screw them to the center shelf. Shelf
Then measure to locate the positions
of the other dividers, and attach them
to the center shelf with pocket screws.
Next, add the top shelf. Now you can
cut the shelf standards to length and
install them over the pocket-screw NINE: Cut adjustable shelves to
holes. Finally, cut adjustable shelves to fit, and mount using shelf clips
t, and mount them using shelf clips.

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Sources for Redefined Linen Closet
" x 15" x 8' White Melamine Bullnose Shelf #256651, Lowes.com, 800-445-6937
" x 23" x 97" White Bullnose Redi-Shelf, available at The Home Depot stores
Richards Homewares Inc. Laundry Bins, available at Easy Living Stores
Towels, available at Bed Bath & Beyond stores
Baskets; Soaps, available at T.J.Maxx stores