Building a stud wall closet takes several days.
Older homes often didn't have built-in closets when they were constructed as people used armoires and chests and generally had fewer clothes than we do now. While this type of furniture is attractive, they are not as efficient as a closet, especially for hanging long dresses, storing winter coats or tucking away sports equipment. You can construct a basic closet in a weekend. Constructing a corner closet is faster and easier than installing one in the middle of a wall. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Framing the Closet
1. Remove the molding at the floor and set it aside. You will reinstall it after the closet is in place. Place the end of a pry bar under the molding and lever the molding up and away from the wall.
2. Measure the distance from the ceiling to the floor. Subtract 3 inches from this measurement and cut four 2-by-4-inch studs to this length.
3. Cut two 2-by-4 inch studs to 48 inches in length. These will serve as your header and footer.
4. Position two of the long studs between the header and footer to form a rectangle. All of the studs should be on edge so the narrow edge is on the ground.
5. Insert two nails through the header and footer into the studs, using a total of eight nails on the initial rectangle.
6. Position the final two long studs on the thin edge inside the rectangle, spaced evenly apart and nail the studs in place.
7. Locate a stud in the wall with a stud finder. Mark the stud with a pencil. Raise the stud wall you just nailed together and position it against the stud. If the wall is a tight fit, tap it into place gently with the hammer.
8. Check that the stud frame is at a right angle to the wall and vertical with a right angle and a level. Nail the stud wall to the room wall with 4-inch nails. Nail the stud wall to the ceiling and floor as well.
9. Cut drywall sheets to fit the side of the stud wall with a drywall knife. Attach the drywall to the studs with drywall nails every 18 inches down each stud. Repeat to add drywall to the inner wall of the closet.
10. Caulk the corners where the new wall joins the existing wall and allow it to dry overnight.
11. Sand any rough edges and wipe the sanding dust away. Prime all sides of the wall and allow it to dry.
12. Paint the walls with a roller on the large surface areas and use a brush on the corners and edges. Some paints will require a second coat. Wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying another one.
Closet Rod
13. Measure the distance from one wall to the other inside the closet. Cut a 1 1/2-inch dowel 1/4-inch shorter than this length.
14. Install the closet rod support plates 1 foot from the back of the closet. Determine how high you want the bar to be based on the clothing you intend to hang and your height. The normal height is 5 to 5-1/2 feet from the floor.
15. Use the support plates, as a template, to mark the locations for the screws. Insert the drywall anchors into the wall and screw the plates into place. Place the clothes rod in position.
Closet Drape
16. Install a curtain rod across the front of your new closet. You may be able to use a spring-loaded pressure rod if your closet isn't wide.
17.Insert curtain hangers into the curtain. If you are using pocket curtains, skip the rings and slide the pockets directly over the rods.
18. Hang the curtain on the curtain rod.
Tags: stud wall, header footer, wall with, ceiling floor, distance from, from wall, into place