Do you struggle with adequate closet space in your home? With only one small closet in the master bedroom of our 1960s humble abode, we were desperate for more clothing storage. We figured out a way to triple our clothing storage potential by turning a narrow 12-inch deep niche into a closet.

DIY Narrow Closet With Floor To Ceiling Shelving

Our one and only master bedroom closet had your typical rod running end to end and a single shelf above it. In dire need of more clothing storage, we installed a double rod system a few years ago.

While that helped maximize storage potential, our clothing was still squished in there like sardines. Clearly, we needed another option.

For years our secondary clothing storage was a small wardrobe used for folded sweaters and jeans. But that too was bursting at the seams.

One day I stood there looking at the narrow niche beside our closet (pictured below) realizing it had the potential for narrow floor-to-ceiling shelving.

Looking at it closer Mr. Frugalista and I realized not only was there potential for shelving but adequate space to frame in a narrow closet that looked just like our existing closet when closed.

Once the seed was planted, we couldn't get started fast enough. In fact, this idea was also the motivation for building a narrow pantry in our small kitchen too!

Our only regret about building this second closet is not having come up with the idea years ago! The extra closet space, despite not being a standard closet size, has added resale value to our home as well.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the narrow closet build, I should mention that we are self-taught DIYers and not trained professionals. The instructions below are based on our building knowledge only. However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer like us, you'll find these steps helpful for building a version of our narrow closet.

How To Build A Narrow Floor-To-Ceiling Shelving Closet

You can see the small bedroom armoire cabinet that we were formerly using for folded clothing in the photo below.

Day One - Frame And Drywall Narrow Closet

1. Cut the hardwood floor to accommodate the bottom plate of the closet frame.
2. Rough-in the closet door opening and header to match the existing closet because the same size bi-fold doors will be installed later.
3. The frame is recessed 1/2-inch to accommodate the depth of the drywall.
4. Install drywall, tape the corners, and patch the screw holes with a drywall compound.

Day Two - Prep Drywall For Paint

1. Sand drywall compound smooth with a sanding block.
2. Prime the new drywall with two coats of latex primer.

Day Three - Paint, Install Trim and Bi-fold Doors

1. Paint two coats of Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray HC-146.
2. Install trim around the door frame and the baseboards on both the inside and outside of the closet.
3. The matching bi-fold doors require modifications because having the doors fold open like a traditional bi-fold would mean sacrificing too much of the narrow 12-inch depth to accommodate the hardware.
4. Instead, install four metal brackets along the back of the door to join the doors and hold them stationary (pictured below).
5. The doors are hung like regular doors with hinges on the inside of the frame.

Day Four - Installing Adjustable Shelves

1. Install metal uprights on the wall studs for adjustable shelving.
2. The shelving is made from white 12" x 8" melamine sheets cut to fit the width of the closet and ripped on the table saw10-inches deep.

What We Would Do Differently

You'll notice in the photo above that we didn't move the existing electrical outlet because that would have added to the cost of the project. In hindsight, we regret this decision and should have had it moved on the wall to the right of the closet.

But despite that hiccup, look at all that clothing storage potential! Now the question is how to organize the narrow bedroom closet?

Narrow Shelving Closet Organization

Despite the shelves being only 10-inches deep, a lot of clothing can fit in this small floor-to-ceiling bedroom closet. After careful consideration, the ideas below optimized the clothing storage to its full potential.

1. Fold sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts in thirds so they fit perfectly in the narrow depth.
2. Place shoes not worn daily in plastic totes and stack them three high on the floor space.
3. Use plastic totes for rolled scarves, coiled belts not worn daily, and other small accessories.
4. Line handbags along the top shelf so they are clearly visible.

I could not believe how much room was freed up in our existing closet after moving things over to the new one. And look, there's room for more clothing!

I love how when the doors are closed, one would never know there weren't always two closets in the master bedroom.

After we successfully ticked this item off our bedroom makeover to-do list, we also added a custom built-in window seat with storage and built a gorgeous mantle-style headboard from a repurposed 5-panel vintage door.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this DIY closet addition.

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