how to build a corner closet in an existing room

This will include trimmer studs on each side of the door. This article has been viewed 205,918 times. Then the storage space it represents becomes a valuable asset. Select a logical place for the closet -- such as in an existing corner, wall to wall on one whole side of the room or sharing a wall with a bathroom. Studs traditionally are on 16 inches (40.8 cm) spacing. However, if you know exactly where hanging rods will be going for 1 or 2-tier hanging then you may want a double stud there or blocking in between studs. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 205,918 times. This will normally be centered on 16 inches (40.8 cm). The sheetrock should snap off in one piece if it is scored deep enough. Insert the door into your rough opening if you are using a traditional prehung door (as for a walk-in-closet). Score the sheetrock with a utility knife. Learn more... A closet is often the most under appreciated room in a house - until you need one. Install the trim supplied by the manufacturer around the door. The use of a bi-fold door requires that you first trim out the door opening. Install the accessories, however elaborate or simple, that fit your needs. Measure, mark and cut plates and studs on a chop saw from lengths of 2-by-4 lumber. It takes minimal carpentry, drywall and painting skills to accomplish this project. If not, adjust the chalk lines as needed. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Place short studs (called cripples) between the door header and ceiling plate. Lift the assembled front and any side walls onto the chalk lines. Follow these preliminary steps: Check with your local building department : Even if you don't need a permit, you'll need a licensed electrician if you plan to put a light in the closet. Closet building is a great project for a beginner. Hammer 16d nails for all stud-plate and cripple-header connections, and 10d nails for face-nailing the jack stud to the king stud. Make sure that there are no existing electrical lines or plumbing in the way before installing or drilling into any existing walls. Check to see the width and height requirements for the rough opening for the door you've chosen (when using prehung or bifold doors). However, if you are adding electrical lighting or plugs, you may need an electrical permit which requires a licensed electrician to do the work. Embed corner bead in the corner strips of joint compound. This translates to 14 1/2" actually between studs. These are available at most home improvement stores. You will probably not need a building permit to install a closet. You can construct the frame in one of two ways: Build the walls flat on the floor and then raise them up into position, or build them in place. Mark the outside edges of the wall frames at each end, then snap chalk lines between the marks. Drop a plumb bob to the floor and mark the locations of the bottom plates. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Move the hanging rod up and then install another hanging rod below your clothes hanging on the top rod. Prehung doors are the easiest to install in that they come with all of the hardware installed and with the trim to go around the door. Check your local building codes. Use trim similar to the floor trim you salvaged or that matches the trim in the room. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. A closet you can add in the corner of an existing room. Attach the base with deck screws to the floor and the top plate to the ceiling. Just use the spacing you have if width of your wall is greater than 16 inches (40.8 cm) but less than 24 inches (61.2 cm). By using our site, you agree to our. What's more, if you use quick setting joint compound, you can actually complete a simple closet … References. Set the door in place on the pivots or hinges. If you can carefully measure, mark and cut 2-by-4 lumber, you can build a serviceable closet as your maiden framing project. Planning to Build Closet Walls. It does not take a professional to build a closet only a willingness to set aside some time and have access to both hand tools and basic power tools. After 24 to 48 hours of curing the joint compound and sanding and smoothing a second coat, screw the metal track for a bifold door to the top of the opening and a bottom pivot on the floor adjacent to the opening, or screw hinges to the sides of the opening for a hinged door. Most closet additions require framing only one or two walls because you'll utilize the room's existing walls where possible. Install according to manufacturer's instructions. Those walls are not filled in. An award-winning writer and editor, Rogue Parrish has worked at the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun and at newspapers from England to Alaska. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Plan to build a closet frame from 2 by 4s, allowing an inside depth of at least 27 inches. You can also add shelves a few inches above the hanging rods to accommodate non-hanging items. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Build-a-Closet-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Build-a-Closet-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Build-a-Closet-Step-1.jpg\/aid1181532-v4-728px-Build-a-Closet-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"545","licensing":"