Claim two extra square feet in your closet with this amazing easy plan!
It's taken me weeks to get the courage to share the closet of a three year old with the world, but it's taken me months to take what was just a clever idea and turn it into . . .
Here's the bottom. You can see how I simply built bookshelves, attached them to the inside of existing closet doors, put the doors on hinges, and added a couple extra square feet of storage to a tiny closet. Oh, those hooks are Command hooks from 3M - So easy to use, I love them!
When open, the doors opens completely flush, giving you the most room to access the inside of the closet (as long as there is not a wall or something in the way). No those are not my bookcases (the saggy white ones), they are the last of the flat pack particle board furniture that I have in my home.
When closed, the bookshelves sit in the door frame, taking up what used to be completely wasted space. And in a house the size of mine, with exactly three closets, every square inch of a closet is prime real estate.
These are super easy to install. Simply remove the bifold door hardware and attach the bifold doors with standard hinges as shown in the photo
The weight of the doors rests on wheels, so you can load the doors up. In one closet door, I was able to store ALL of Grace's books.
Think of the possibilities - pantry items, toiletries, towels, accessories, and did anyone mention shoes?
And best of all? I can close the doors live my dream of a simple, bare home, free of clutter. No one (besides you, my friends) would ever know what's behind my closet doors. All for around twenty bucks a door!

So wanna make your own? Here's how I did. You will need to alter your shelves to your own closet specifications. So get your measuring tape out!
Preparation
1x6 Boards
Heavy duty hinges
four caster wheels
1x2 Boards
Anchoring bolts for hollow core doors
Screws
Cut your boards to fit your closet and closet doors.
The success of this project greatly depends on building square, and installing level and square with a square closet opening.
Instructions
Step 1
First, measure your closet doors. If they are a standard 24″ wide, you will need to subtract 5 1/2″ to get a total door shelf of 18 1/2″ wide. That means all of the shelves will need to be cut at 17″ wide.
Measure the overall height of the doors and subtract two inches. Cut two 1x6s to this length. You will also need to cut as many shelves as desired to the shelf width (in my example, 17″ wide). Also cut 1×2 shelf trim to the shelf width, one more than the number you cut for shelves.
Step 2
Step 3
Then you attach the 1x2s as shelf trim and supports. I used my Kreg Jig™ to build Grace’s closet doors, but you could also simply use 2″ wood screws countersunk. Don’t forget the glue.
Comments
amycornwell (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 02:56
I love this and have already
I love this and have already sent it to my hubby for his weekend project :) We'll see if my hint works. Great post. Thank you!
Jeff Branch (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:00
I'm a big fan of pocket screw
I'm a big fan of pocket screw joinery. Nice work.
LoriD (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:08
Amazing! I've been planning
Amazing! I've been planning a renovation to my closet at the front entrance and this just might be the thing! There's only 1 bifold door there and I was thinking of removing the hinge hardware in the middle to make two narrow, hinged doors.
KariBou (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:10
I'm in love! This is
I'm in love! This is ingenious! Thank you for sharing the plans, too!
Suzanne (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:10
I love it, I have to do this
I love it, I have to do this to ours, it would be fabulous for a craft/sewing room also, just think of the possibilities.
babeigotanidea.com
Kim (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:12
Can you hear me squealing
Can you hear me squealing with delight all the way from Indiana. I love this. I hate the bi-fold doors. This is so awesome! I love you, I love you, I love you!!
Amanda@The Han… (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:15
This is amazing, Anna! What a
This is amazing, Anna! What a great idea -- and I LOOOOOOVE all that pink! :) What a gorgeous closet Grace has!
Ty & Andi (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:23
ok, I realize I may be really
ok, I realize I may be really slow, but how do you open the doors, do you stick your hand in the crack to pull them open? do they need any hardware?
I really love this idea. My son has the exact same type of closet!
Michelle (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:24
Now if you could help me
Now if you could help me remedy the situation of floor to ceiling height sliding doors (which I despise), I could do something awesome like this. I desperately need better organized storage spaces like this with 2 kids and way too many toys and books.
Tricia (not verified)
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 03:31
I don't even know what to
I don't even know what to say. This is life-changing!! Seriously. Does it hurt, Ana? Having all of this genius inside your head? ;) I can't imagine that it doesn't. Um, double negative. You know what I mean. lol!