How To Install Closet Wire Shelves

One of the tasks that I needed to do for the new baby’s room was to install some closet shelving. I like using Closetmaid shelving. There are many other products out there but Closetmaid stuff works great, it’s really strong, and they have tons of options to customize your project.

The first step in any closet shelving project is to come up with a design and/or layout that meets your needs. Many closet shelving manufacturers even have online design tools to help you layout and design your closet. In this case we already had a design that we used for our son’s closet and we decided to replicate that layout.

There are a couple of ways to buy this stuff. You can buy pre-packaged kits or you can buy individual pieces. For this closet I decided to buy a pre-packaged kit because it was slightly cheaper and it had a couple of extra pieces. I ended up buying a Closetmaid kit for 6′ to 8′ closets. It had most of what we needed to replicate the other closet. The kit costs $116.00 versus about $140 if I had purchased all the pieces individually.

The next step is attaching the support tracks to the wall. Closetmaid shelving has two options. One you can attach a horizontal rail that supports the vertical support tracks. The other option (which i prefer) is to attach the vertical support tracks directly to the wall. To do this you need to locate the studs in the wall. You can do this with any type of stud finder or if you’re real good you can knock on the wall and locate them. Once you’ve located the studs you can screw the first support to the wall using some 2-1/2″ screws. Make sure the bracket is plumb as you install the screws.

Once you’ve installed the first support bracket you need to install the remaining brackets. The easiest way to ensure that they are all installed at the same height, and therefore level, is to attach a bracket to the support and sit a level on it while you screw it to the wall. Finish securing each of the support brackets to the wall using screws.

Once the brackets are attached to the wall all you have to do is lay out your brackets and shelves. As you can see in the photo the clothes hanger rod is supported from the wire shelves. Closetmaid makes all kinds of shoe racks, belt hangers, splicing brackets and much more.

All that is left is to fill up the closet. This is a really easy home improvement project and one that only requires a few tools (drill, level, tape measure and hack saw). This closet took me about 45 minutes to install and cost just over $120.