How to Make Small Closet Built-Ins

Small closet organization can be a pain. Most often a small closet has one wire shelf and… well that’s it. Which is a waste of valuable storage space!
I've been thinking of small closet organization and built-ins ideas for a while and I’ve come up with a design that I feel really maximizes the typically wasted vertical space in a closet by adding 8 drawers at the bottom sides of the closet. However, the storage options remain really flexible due to adjustable shelves so you can customize them to store things however you see fit.
In this video I’ll show you step by step how I made the built-ins so that you can recreate them for yourself and upgrade your small closet!
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FREE Supplemental Project Plans:
projectbilld.com/blog/small-c...
Materials I used:
(most products will be available at your local home improvement store)
1/2" Plywood
1/4" Plywood
3/4" Plywood
Wood Glue: amzn.to/386X1z5
13/16" Birch Edge Banding: amzn.to/3qJzRXI
Wood Shims
Pocket Hole Screws (1", 1 1/4"): amzn.to/3pPwBsj
Cabinet Screws (2 3/4")
Construction Screws (2")
3/8" Wood Dowel
Wood Filler
12" Drawer Slides: amzn.to/3soMtn8
1/8" Tile Spacers
1/2" Maple Plywood
5/8" Maple Edge Banding: amzn.to/38VnTTZ
1/4" Maple Plywood
#8 Flat Washers: amzn.to/37IziG2
Double Sided Tape: amzn.to/3nKDURm
1" x 8' Clear Pine
Primer: homedepot.sjv.io/3P79xM
Semi-Gloss White Paint: homedepot.sjv.io/LPDxqM
Wood Screws (1 1/4", 1")
White Latex Caulk: homedepot.sjv.io/n1nRxA
Closet Shelf Bracket: www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-12...
#10 Stainless Steel Screws (1 1/2", 3/4")
96" Closet Rod: www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-96...
Closet Rod Brackets: www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-2-...
5mm Shelf Pins: amzn.to/3qQ1Vs5
Tools I used:
Measuring Tape: amzn.to/36ubHbv
Laser Level: amzn.to/3m33DmZ
Oscillating Multitool: amzn.to/3oz1L6I
Utility Knife: amzn.to/33ZcT56
Molding Bar: amzn.to/3aU7Irn
Painters Tool: amzn.to/2NRN55U
Table Saw: amzn.to/3qKvrjp
Miter Saw: amzn.to/340NmbO
Wood Glue Brush: amzn.to/2IF0RGQ
Brad Nailer: amzn.to/3j54wLK
Jigsaw: amzn.to/37LkQwV
Quick Grip Bar Clamps: amzn.to/3gBjPKM
Iron: amzn.to/2M546c0
Edge Banding Trimmer: amzn.to/374YFBZ
Portable Drill: amzn.to/3qxstxH
Pocket Hole Jig: amzn.to/340WOfu
Speed Square: amzn.to/2WeReC1
Torpedo Level: amzn.to/3dERDYc
Finish Nailer: amzn.to/2NzVefw
Impact Driver: amzn.to/3cp72LD
Stud Finder: amzn.to/2Nu6kCS
24" F Clamps: amzn.to/3n5oOG5
Countersinking Drill Bits: amzn.to/3n8N2iL
Putty Knife: amzn.to/3aprSbf
Random Orbital Sander: amzn.to/35Uluam
Shelf Pin Jig: amzn.to/3snhgRl
Spring Loaded Centerpunch: amzn.to/3gBNBPM
Hex Drill Bits: amzn.to/3buNl2U
Drawer Slide Jig: amzn.to/2LrwC7h
Magnetic Featherboard: amzn.to/376uY3j
Circular Saw: amzn.to/2NNRuGR
Soft Hammer: amzn.to/3qR7erq
Ratcheting Screwdriver: amzn.to/3pPGGFF
Flush Trim Router Bit: amzn.to/3bxJ2UB
Router Table: amzn.to/3r9Ilqu
Handheld Router: amzn.to/3sEjgpm
Router 1/16" Round Over Bit: amzn.to/3uqRlKp
Caulk Gun: amzn.to/3umKBNA
Right Angle Adapter: amzn.to/3utrZvu
Angle Grinder: amzn.to/3usn2mt
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Music:
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Pre Build Info
1:19 Making the Drawer Cabinet
5:39 Making the Shelf Cabinet
8:41 Installing Drawer Slides
10:09 Making Shelves
10:54 Making Drawers
13:08 Making Drawer Faces
14:34 Trim, Painting, and Caulk
17:06 Installing the Closet Hardware
19:58 Ooh Pretty
20:18 See Ya

[@ProjectBilld]

Want to make these built-ins yourself? Be sure to download the free supplemental project plans which you can find here: projectbilld.com/blog/small-closet-built-ins

[@rafiafazalsayyed1561]

Thank you🌹

[@Lutzboater]

I like how you dealt with the difference widths of the closet and made the necessary adjustments. It turned out very nice and has a clean simple look but is perfect for y'alls needs.

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks! I'm super happy with how it turned out too

[@rafiafazalsayyed1561]

Hi, Amazing video. I was looking for some closet ideas and this opened a new line of possibilities for my new home. Really love this video. It's very helpful. Thank you. Bless you.

[@polgara28]

Excellent use of space, looks terrific!♥

[@SOfilmable]

So clean !!!

[@jtrawls1]

That's a cool way to drill holes for the shelving supports! I didn't know such a jig existed! Thank you!

[@ProjectBilld]

Glad the video was helpful!

[@jeffkalmar7871]

Easy to follow and good end result. Nice work!

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@GaryWilsonDigital]

You do a great job of woodworking and making videos. Keep going!

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words

[@amb7412]

It looks terrific!

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@Murpie2u]

Wow!! You are amazing!!

[@ProjectBilld]

Thank you!

[@baja1980s]

Great idea utilizing space wow. Great job

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@baja1980s]

@@ProjectBilld yes, love the way you explain and very detailed and don’t skip like other content creators..

[@Cuiaba50]

Great video! Congrats

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@NotsoplainJane]

Awesome! About to move into a new house & this is just what we need. Feels a bit daunting…I need to acquire more tools (only have the brad nailer, bandsaw & hand sanders) but definitely something I’ll try. New subscriber!

[@ProjectBilld]

Glad the video could help! If you have any questions when you get to making yours be sure to reach out and I'll be happy to assist. Congrats on your new house!

[@pennyandersen8254]

Nice job!👍

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@davebeavers2112]

Nice work. Very inspiring. I definitely have tool-envy... you've got a nice collection of equipment.

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks Dave! Just gotta build that tool collection slowly, I started with very little and have just kept adding things as projects call for them

[@ProjectBilld]

Hi Paula, I probably won't do a shop tour for a while since mine is still a mess and there's a lot of want to do to improve it first. However, I am working on a website (at this very moment actually) and one of the features I'm looking to add before long is the different tools I recommend for different levels of skill/experience. And to your point, I try to assume my viewers don't have advanced knowledge/experience because it wasn't that long ago that I didn't and honestly I'm trying and doing things I haven't done before in most of my videos

[@dennistheangrychimp]

excellent vid.

[@ProjectBilld]

Thanks!

[@hmj.seward2015]

I will be creating closets for two bedrooms and want to make close to this concept. I will be returning when it is time to make them. Thank you!

[@ProjectBilld]

You're welcome!

[@capitankak]

Is that a Ryobi finish nailer? Wondering how much you may like over an air tool of the same caliber? Also I don’t have a table saw - looking at the Dewalt popular portable model ($399) but unsure if it’s appropriate. Have a LOT of built ins in my future. Great video!!

[@ProjectBilld]

Yep! Ryobi finish nailer. I love the portability of using battery powered nailers and I don't have to lug a compressor around or worry about a hose. Downside is they're more expensive than air nailers. If you're curious about any other tools I used in the video check out the video description. My first table saw was a portable Dewalt. They're very good saws with a good fence system. 2 things I'd check, can it accept a dado blade if that's something you might care about in the future? And is the rip capacity at least 24" (half the width of a sheet of plywood). If it can do those 2 things, there's not much you couldn't build with it

[@angelm9949]

wow

[@kimberlycabral6937]

I would like to know the dimensions of the closet. I know that it is 24 inch deep but and what about the other walls, what are their dimensions and the dimensions of the doors

[@ProjectBilld]

The closet is roughly 24 in deep, 96 in tall, and 77 in wide. The door opening is about 48 in by 80 in. I made doors for the closet in the next video after this one. You can find detailed dimensions linked in the video description of each video. Let me know if you need anything else!

[@erwin_hardianto]

How size of drawer closet ?

[@ProjectBilld]

The closet is 24 inches deep from front to back. If you want more specific dimensions check out the free plans linked in the video description

[@blahhbee13]

Do you know the dimensions of the closet? I didn't hear it mentioned if you said it

[@ProjectBilld]

Sorry for the late reply, I didn't mention the dimensions of the closet but you could probably infer them from the plans. The closest is roughly 24" deep x 78" wide x 96" tall which seems pretty standard for a bedroom closest.

[@SillyGoose2024]

great. now all I need is hundreds of dollars worth of wood cutting tools.