A well-organized nursery closet can make a big difference when managing the wardrobe and supplies of a little one. This guide will walk you through installing a custom closet organizer system, providing ample storage while remaining flexible for future needs. In the video, builder Nathan Gilbert from This Old House transforms a basic nursery closet into a functional storage space, showing that with thoughtful planning, you can achieve both practicality and charm.
Planning Your Nursery Closet Organizer
First, take inventory of the items you need to store in the nursery closet. Think about the following:
- Blankets and bedding
- Current clothing sizes and future growth
- Diapering supplies
- Seasonal items
- Toys and books
Anticipating future needs, such as the arrival of a new baby or changes in season, will help you create a more versatile system.
Measuring Your Closet Space
Accurate measurements are crucial for a successful installation. Note the following measurements:
- The closet width
- The front-to-back depth
- The floor-to-ceiling height
These measurements will serve as your design’s foundation. Be meticulous, as even slight inaccuracies can affect the fitting of shelves and rods.
Pro Tip: According to This Old House Magazine’s closet planning guide, you should sketch a to-scale layout on graph paper, with each wall’s width and height as well as details such as base moldings, chases, and receptacles. Make note of sloped ceilings, knee walls, and other old-house oddities — if facing walls aren’t the same length, at least one angle isn’t square.
Before deciding on shelf and rod placement, sort the items you plan to store into categories based on how much hanging space they need. As Ginny Scott, a designer with California Closets, explains: “You might be able to get away with a rod only a foot or two long” for long items like gowns and overcoats, since most people own few of these. Medium-length items like dresses and trousers hung by the cuff typically need 48 to 56 inches of vertical clearance, so measure your longest items flat on their hangers to determine the rod heights you’ll need.
Choosing a Design
Based on your needs and measurements, decide on a design that works best for your space. Some popular nursery options include the following setups:
- Adjustable shelving for flexibility
- Built-in drawers or cubbies
- Combination of hanging rods and shelves
- Mix of open and closed storage
Choose a design that complements your practical needs. Flexibility is key, allowing you to adapt the space as your child’s wardrobe grows or changes with time.
Real Nursery Solution: When Samantha and Bryan Langdeau of Waterbury, Connecticut, learned they were expecting twins, they discovered there was no way to fit two cribs and have room for the closet door to swing open in their 11-by-12-foot nursery. Bryan, a designer-carpenter, came up with an ingenious solution: rip out the closet entirely and fill the cavity with a storage-packed built-in complete with a changing table and drawers. It’s a reminder that nursery closet design sometimes means rethinking the closet itself.
Materials and Tools for Nursery Closet Shelving
You’ll need the following materials for the project:
- 3/4-inch cabinet-grade plywood
- Adjustable shelving brackets and standards
- Closet rods and mounting hardware
- Primer and paint
- Sandpaper
- Screen stops
- Trim head screws and cabinet screws
- Wood glue
You’ll also need these tools:
- Circular saw or table saw
- Level
- Miter saw
- Paintbrushes and rollers
- Power drill/driver
- Safety gear (goggles, dust mask)
- Staple gun
- Tape measure
Having the right tools is half the battle in any home project. Whether you’re familiar with them or not, read up on best practices and understand how to use them for a safe, sturdy build.
Preparing the Nursery Closet Space
Before installing the new organizer, you’ll need to prepare the closet space. This step involves removing existing fixtures and creating a clean slate for your new system.
Removing Existing Fixtures
Take out any existing shelves, rods, or organizers. Remove cleats or brackets attached to the walls. Fill any holes with spackle and sand smooth once dry. A well-prepared area minimizes obstacles and allows for a more precise installation.
Cleaning and Repairing
Vacuum or sweep the closet thoroughly. Wipe down walls and baseboards, and repair any damaged drywall or paint as needed.
A clean and well-repaired space provides a good surface for paint and a solid base for new fixtures.
Installing the Nursery Closet Organizer
Follow these steps to create a custom, functional nursery closet organizer.
Marking Layout Lines
- Measure the width of the closet and divide it into equal sections.
- Use a level to draw plumb lines for vertical dividers.
- Mark a horizontal line for the top shelf spanning the entire closet.
Laying out your project before you start cutting or fastening anything provides a roadmap for the work ahead. This helps align everything accurately, avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
Installing Cleats and Vertical Supports
- Cut horizontal cleats to fit between vertical shelving boards.
- Attach cleats to wall studs using cabinet screws for extra strength.
- Install vertical support boards, aligning them with your layout lines.
Using wall studs for attaching cleats ensures that they are securely fastened, which is essential for holding up weighty shelves and enclosed spaces.
Adding Fixed Shelving
- Cut shelving boards to size, accounting for the depth of the closet.
- Install fixed shelves between vertical supports using trim head screws.
- Ensure shelves are level and secure.
Properly attaching and supporting these components prevents bowing or collapse over time.
Mounting Closet Rods
- Cut closet rods to the appropriate length.
- Install mounting brackets according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Secure rods in place, ensuring they’re level and sturdy. The rods should sustain the weight of all items without sagging.
To maximize hanging space in a nursery closet, consider mounting two rods — one well above eye level for longer garments and one roughly 3 feet off the ground for shorter items. As closet-design pros consulted by This Old House Magazine advise, position both rods at least 1 foot from the back wall to allow hangers room to hang freely without pressing against the wall surface.
Installing Adjustable Shelving
- Attach adjustable shelving standards to vertical supports.
- Insert shelf clips at desired heights.
- Place adjustable shelves on the clips, ensuring they’re level.
Adjustable shelves allow quick changes to accommodate different clothing sizes or storage boxes.
Pro Tip: When driving screws into shelf standards, rub candle wax onto the screws first — they’ll go in much faster and easier. Make sure each screw is snug but not overtightened; the standard should hang freely straight down so it’s perfectly plumb.
Finishing Touches for a Nursery Closet Organizer
To complete your nursery closet organizer, add these final touches for a polished look and enhanced functionality.
Painting and Finishing
- Fill any visible screw holes with wood filler.
- Sand all surfaces smooth.
- Apply a coat of primer, followed by your chosen paint color.
Adding Accessories
Incorporate these accessories to further organize the space:
- Small baskets or bins for storing smaller items
- Drawer organizers for keeping socks and accessories tidy
- Labeled dividers to separate clothing sizes or seasons
From baskets to dividers, these additions not only enhance form and function but can simplify daily routines.
Organizing the Closet
Once the paint is dry, it’s time to organize the closet. Hang clothing by size or season. Place frequently used items at easily accessible heights. Store less-used items on higher shelves. The more organized the setup, the easier your lifestyle will be while going through your daily routine with a new baby or young children.
