You Can DIY These Closet Upgrades Without Spending a Ton | Lifehacker

Making the most out of your closet to get more storage or expand your living space can make your home more functional and comfortable. While upgrading your closet can be a space saver, it can also be expensive. Luckily, there are some closet updates you can do yourself without spending a ton of money.

How to measure your closet

The most important thing to start with is to measure your space. If you have a square-shaped closet space, using a tape measure to plot out your shelving from inside corner to inside corner will work. If you have an odd-shaped closet, use craft paper or packing paper laid out on the floor of the closet, and fold over at the edges to help you capture the shape of the space‚ then cut out that template. You can use your paper template to trace shelves and measure for other parts.

Add some shelving

Adding shelving to your closet can give you more overhead storage—or can be used all the way down, if you don’t need the space for hanging clothing. Closet shelving can be expensive, but there are some affordable ways to add shelves if you install them yourself. A two-pack of 24-inch by 15-inch shelves costs around $40, with brackets for hanging them costing between $3 and $5 each. You’ll need two brackets per shelf, so your total is around $60 for two shelves. You can also use a variety of custom-cut shelves for whatever configuration you prefer, with most options ranging between $20 and $60 per shelf. Wire shelves are a lighter-weight option, but they’re more difficult to trim to fit in a closet that’s not a standard size. They typically cost between $20 and $100. To hang your shelves, you’ll need a drill and screw gun, and a tape measure, pencil, and level to make sure they’re straight.

Convert a closet

Converting a closet into a little extra living space can be as simple as removing the door. If you want to add a desk, dresser, or a seat for a reading nook, some of the best furniture for this type of project is thrifted. Once you’ve measured the inside of your closet space, it’s also crucial to measure the height and width of the closet door opening to make sure any furniture you buy will fit. If you can’t find a good fit by thrifting, you can get a small writing or computer desk for between $35 and $80 online. A shelf hung across a closet at desk height can also substitute for a more expensive option. Think outside the box, like using a nightstand for about $50 and a wall-mounted mirror for between $30 and $40 to create a small dressing area for under $100. You can achieve your closet conversion without spending a lot.

Change up your doors

If you would like your door swing to take up less space or just want to switch up the look of your closet doors, you can save some money by hanging your new doors yourself. A bifold door allows you to open and close your closet door with about half the room needed for a standard door to open. This can be a help if space is tight, and a standard-sized bifold door usually costs between $120 and $200. Another option for alternative doors is sliding doors, which can be installed on an external track above the door frame, allowing you to open your door with no swing space needed. Barn-style sliding doors for closets are simple to DIY with a drill and a level, and the door with the hardware typically costs between $150 and $250. If your budget is tight and you need a cheaper alternative, you can also hang a curtain with an expandable tension rod for around $20 for the rod and between $25 and $50 for a curtain.