26 Unique Small Closet Shelving Ideas Anyone Can DIY

Do you want to make the most of your closet space? Custom shelving does not have to be expensive or hard. Find your next DIY closet organization project on this list (we love number 11)!

5 different small closet shelving ideas.

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Unique Storage Ideas

Sometimes you want to completely organize the closet and other times you can completely redo the space to be whatever you want. Closets are awesome small spaces to start to think outside of the box (literally) to meet your individual needs.

Paint the walls
Redo the shelves
Add wooden shelves
Use brackets to add shelving of your choice
Use patterned wallpaper
Get matching storage containers
Buy a variety of containers (stackable clear containers are always great)
Add a tension-hanging closet rod in unexpected ways (see the shoe image below)
Create a French cleat system
Take the closet doors off and create an open space
Buy a kit to add to your closet
Build shelving in the dead space (side of the closet)
Use PVC pipe to store shoes, toys or other household items
Cover wire shelving with plywood to create wood shelves
Create DIY drawers and pull-outs
Don’t even use it as a closet, but create something new!
Create easy labels and dividers to let your family know exactly where things belong

DIY Closet Ideas With Photos

wood shelves on brackets for closet idea storing crafts

Craft Closet With Simple Wood Shelves and Brackets

Removing the doors is an easy way to increase storage and help a messy closet. Our children have easy access to their art supplies but also have to organize the open shelving before leaving the space. No more just closing the doors!

You can create simple wood shelves using farmhouse brackets to turn an unused basement closet into an amazing craft supply storage area. Add your own storage bins or recycle plastic containers like we did. We can just see the creativity coming out of this kid's craft room.

practicalperfectionut.com

Bedroom Closet Idea With Storage Bins

This kid's closet is what all parents hope for. We love the labeled fabric bins in this shelving unit. Your child will never be able to say they don't know where something goes.

The top shelf is the perfect place to store seasonal items and off-season clothes. This organized closet really used all the valuable real estate.

www.dabblinganddecorating.com

Add 2 Hanging Rods

This small closet used all available space by adding two wooden hanging rods and adding storage space on the sides of the closet. This tiny bedroom closet design gives you easy access to everything you would need. We also love the added mirror on the back of the door.

empty closet before with after image showing gray painted closet and DIY white wooden shelves.

Build Easy DIY Wooden Small Closet Shelves

Sick of those old wire shelving units and need a more custom shelving option? Creating your own easy, custom wood shelves is an awesome shelving idea. We also love the contrasting gray painted walls with white shelves to add a little pop to this space.

www.lovelyetc.com

How to Build a Simple Inexpensive DIY Closet Organizer

No need to buy a cheap closet kit when you can make your own DIY closet system that will be sturdier.

smallstuffcounts.com

Use An Over-The-Door Organizer

Using an over-the-door organizer is one of those storage solutions you should consider in your small space. This organizer really lets you utilize all of the vertical space in your hall closet.

white painted wood closet cubby and after green painted wood closet cubby.

Turn A Closet Into Open Storage

Turn that unused closet into an entryway storage cubby in your home. Add beadboard, hooks and shelves to store everyday items. We also love that we were able to paint the closet a fun color. Again, maybe taking the doors off the closet will force you to keep it more organized.

www.harbourbreezehome.com

Use A Small Dresser With Wall Shelves

A small short dresser can be the perfect addition to your closet. Adding bracket shelving along the side of the closet was a great way to get a variety of storage in this closet.

cabinlane.com

Create A Fun Hangout

If you don't need a closet, consider changing it into something completely brand new. We love how creative these tweens got to make a cozy space for just them. Getting the whole family involved in DIY projects is a sure way to bond together! We even could see our hexagon-painted wall working here.

realitydaydream.com

Use Plastic Bins For Easy Storage

Adding Dollar Store bins on cup hooks was a great way to give children easy access to whatever they need. You can easily remove the bins, reorganize them for the season and place them back up.

cream colored cabinets in DIY closet build

handmade-haven.com

DIY Built-In Closet Organizer With Tons of Storage

We know that this entire closet isn't exactly small. However, some of the same storage solutions can be applied to even the tiniest closets.

A small walk-in closet can make it hard to use all the space correctly. This closet is a perfect example of how to add shelving, drawer organizers and shelf dividers for these DIY custom built-ins. From the fun chandelier to the circle mirror this closet makeover showcases her personality while providing tons of storage.

plywood closet shelves with craft supplies

amber-oliver.com

Build Closet Craft Shelves

This craft closet organizer is the perfect way to add DIY closet shelving. You will love the step-by-step instructions as well as the 3-d virtual plans provided.

sustainmycrafthabit.com

Use A Pre-made Closet System

If creating a DIY closet out of wood or your own materials, then you could always purchase a closet kit to help you out. Personalize this closet by adding an extra hanging rod or different shelves to meet your needs while keeping your total cost down.

Practical Homeschool Room Closet

We love the use of simple and bright color bins in the same size to keep you organized. Not to mention how smart it is to use the back of the closet door to display school concepts for your little ones.

black labels on white containers in craft closet

todayscreativelife.com

Craft Room Closet Organizer

Create your own organization system for your crafts by making labels and using matching containers.

onemamasdailydrama.com

Build Shelves In The Side Of The Closet

If you have extra space on the side of your closet why not put small shelves there. This is such a perfect way to keep those random games and toys organized.

homemadelovely.com

Making the Closet Pantry Prettier With Paint

Did we mention we love painted designs? This easy wall design added a lot of character to this pantry closet. Simply use painter's tape to get your vertical lines and paint the walls your favorite color.

ottawamommyclub.ca

Create Fun Patterned Closet Walls

If painting isn't your thing you could always try decorative paper to add a little fun to your linen closet. The contrast of the white bins with the fun wall really updates this linen closet.

playdatesparties.com

Simple Linen With Different Containers For Organizing

Mix and match different containers to help you stay organized in your linen closet. Labeling and using motion-sensing lights in your closet can truly help keep your family organized.

www.thehandymansdaughter.com

DIY Custom Closet – Easy French Cleat System

Comparing the before and after closets is mindblowing. No one would even think this is the same closet. Creating a DIY french cleat system in a closet is our genius and one we think our kiddos could actually keep neat.

craftsyhacks.com

DIY Hanging Organizer with Pockets

Create this fun organizer for any closet. We see so many different ways this could be used to help keep your closets organized.

6" PVC pipe used to make DIY PVC pipe shoe rack storing shoes.

DIY PVC Shoe Rack To Give You More Floor Space

Use this step-by-step tutorial to add a shoe rack made from PVC pipes to your closet to help you stack your shoes and keep them organized. The best part about this DIY project is that you can easily customize it for the size of your closet.

curtain room used to hold shoes in closet

repurposeandupcycle.com

Small Closet Shoe Organization with Curtain Rods

Using wall space to help organize your shoes is borderline genius. Not only will this keep shoes off your floor but you will easily be able to find the right pair to match your outfit.

floating wood shelves over toilet and shiplap wall

www.makingmanzanita.com

Build DIY Floating Closet Shelves

Technically these shelves are above a toilet, but you could do that exact same DIY shelf building process in any closet.

smallstuffcounts.com

DIY Closet Shelving | Replacing The Wire Shelf In Our Nursery Closet

Don't be scared of building a closet organizer. We all dream of getting rid of those wire shelves and this proves you do not have to be a master woodworker to try. We love that they decided to just remove the closet doors since kids always just leave them open anyway!

DIY Baby Nursery Closet Ideas

Create easy closet dividers and gain other baby closet ideas from this post. All DIY projects don't have to be expensive or hard.

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These DIY closet organizer ideas are the perfect DIY project to start today. We know we always feel better when we declutter and start to get organized.