With the help of these outstanding tutorials on DIY shelves from around the web, you can finally find a spot for that Windows ’95 software package that, for some strange reason, you can’t bear to part with.

1. DIY Pipe Fitting Shelves

Photo: thehousehippos.com

Would you call your style Industrial Chic? Then these pipe-fitting DIY shelves from The House Hippos would be the perfect storage solution for your space. All you need to supply are pipes, pipe fittings, and a few slats of wood—ingeniously assembled, of course.

 

2. DIY Ladder Shelf

Photo: dandelionexpress.wordpress.com

Ladder shelves can be vertical or horizontal, wood or aluminum, made from classic ladders or step ladders—but this hanging, wall-mounted version from Dandelion Express stands out from the crowd.

3. DIY Pallet Shelf

Photo: sethandkait.blogspot.com

If you can get your hands on a shipping pallet (or several), the possibilities for DIY shelves are endless. Try rearranging the slats to make these charming shelves, following in the creative footsteps of bloggers Seth and Kait.

4. DIY Shoebox Shelves

Photo: cremedelacraft.com

I’ve heard of making rubber-band guitars out of shoeboxes, but shelves?! This DIY project from Creme de la Craft is a one-of-a-kind DIY success. Just paint and hang!

5. DIY Wine Bottle Shelves

Photo: zero-waste.co.uk

More advanced DIYers will love this wine bottle shelf from Zero Waste Design. Who can say no to a little upcycling?

Sunday Morning Project (if you’re looking for something a little less labor intensive):

DIY Floating Book Shelf

Photo: crunchyfarmbaby.com

Want to tackle a smaller project so that you’re free to spend the whole weekend watching Homeland? Then these “floating” DIY shelves from Crunchy Farm Baby are just what you’re looking for. All you need are a few L-brackets!

For more DIY projects, consider:

5 Things to Do with… Bottle Caps
5 Things to Do with… Wine Bottles
5 Things to Do with… Cinder Blocks

Weekend Projects: 5 Creative Ways to Build Shelves Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: Usona Home

It’s not difficult to add a closet, but doing so will probably be more costly than reorganizing an existing one. So exhaust all other storage options before taking the plunge.

There are several ways to add a closet to your home: purchase a freestanding wardrobe, build in a wardrobe, opt for an open closet, frame out a new closet, or create one from “found” space. The path you take to adding a closet depends upon the amount of space you can afford, the amount of money you wish to spend, and whether or not you need a permanent or temporary solution.

A freestanding wardrobe is a quick and easy way to add a closet; like cabinets, freestanding wardrobes come with the sawing and finishing already done. Small units are only a few feet wide, while multiple units may be used side by side to achieve greater width. Heights range from six to eight feet, but custom units may of course be built taller.

Photo: DNG Interiors

Freestanding wardrobes, typically constructed of plywood or fiberboard, can be real space savers. While a conventionally framed closet devotes four or five inches to studs and drywall on three sides (occupying at least six or seven cubic feet), freestanding units waste almost no space on construction. In addition, they can be positioned either against a wall or several feet into a room—divider fashion—effectively creating a walk-in closet.

Built-in wardrobes are a more permanent solution. They may be carcass built (like one or more large cabinets), frame built, or built behind a wall of sliding doors. Built-in wardrobes tend to make better use of available space than freestanding wardrobes but are more expensive as well. Multiple built-ins can be arranged in rows or at angles. If used at right angles, plan ahead in order to use corner spaces with maximum efficiency.

Photo: Container Store

Open closets are built using closet organizer components, but they are not enclosed by walls or doors. Open closets are commonly used in garages, sewing and craft centers, playrooms, media centers, home offices and bathrooms. Organizing systems for making an open closet come in many styles, including coated wire, melamine-coated fiberboard, and solid wood. You don’t have to spend a lot—a closet pole hung from hooks, a back-of-door rack, and a clothes tree can all serve as open closets.

It’s also possible to add a closet in “found” spaces. This approach is usually less expensive than others, because the enclosure already exists. Common spots include under staircases, at the end of a kitchen cabinet run, or in a wall that fronts a void (typically an attic or the eaves). Found-space closets need not be small. If you find yourself with a spare room, you can convert it into a walk-in closet and turn it back into a bedroom should you want to sell the house. (Bedrooms typically add more to resale than closets.)

Photo: theorganizerlady.com

Conventionally framed closets are permanent and are designed to look like part of the house. Stud walls are erected from floor to ceiling, skinned with drywall, and painted. The opening is fitted with the doors of your choice, while the trim and door hardware are selected to match the surrounding room. If you want this type of closet, however, you will have to brush up on your framing and drywall taping skills.

For more on storage, consider:

Easy Laundry Room Storage Solutions
20 Clever Ideas for Repurposed Storage
6 Simple & Easy Closet Door Transformations

Adding a Closet Where There Is None Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: dormdesign.tumblr.com

There’s no time like college to get acquainted with beginners’ DIY projects. In most on-campus living scenarios, you’re virtually given a blank slate (in the form of a spare or even bare dorm room). People don’t want to feel as if they’re living in borrowed space, least of all during the ‘glory days’ of college, so here are some ideas on how to make yourself at home.

Make a List
The first step is talking to a resident advisor at your school (failing that, try calling the office in charge of student living). Ask specific questions about what you can and cannot alter in your room. If you break the rules, you’re likely to be charged a fee upon moving out. Find out whether you can put holes in the walls to hang frames, for instance, or whether painting is tolerated. The idea is to determine where your creative energy will be spent most responsibly.

Photo: hgtvremodels.com

Painting
The quickest, least expensive, and (just maybe) the best way to transform a room is with paint. If your dorm allows painting, then you’re well on the way to making the room distinctly yours. Consider painting an accent wall in your bedroom to add interest, or simply coordinate your walls with a favorite color in your bedding. There are lots and lots of possibilities. Just remember you’ll have to live with your choice for eight months!

Photo: rubbermaid.com

Storage Wars
If you’re like most college students, you’ll get to your dorm with too much stuff and too little storage space. Avoid overrunning your shared space by purchasing an under-bed storage box, like the above product from Rubbermaid. Search around—it’s all about finding the perfect container for your room! Small, stacking drawers are great, too; they’re a cheap way to virtually double your room’s storage potential in a hassle-free way. Also, maximize the storage potential of your closet by using its full height. Add a second rod (above or below the existing one) for an additional support on which to hang clothing.

Photo: walmart.com

A Place to Sit
Institutes of higher learning tend to skimp on dorm room furniture. You’ll probably get a bed frame, desk, and desk chair—maybe a dresser if you’re lucky. But having a place to sit and relax is a big deal. Luckily, there are many space-saving options out there for lounging. Folding chairs are a beloved staple, and circular models like the above come in a multitude of fabrics and are easily stored.

Wall Decal from AllPosters.com

Wall Decals
Whether it’s a wall-size map, an evocative beach scene, or a smattering of small flowers, there is surely a stick-on decal to fit your taste and budget. Good places to look for larger-scale wall-transforming decals are IKEA, Target, and online poster retailers (e.g., AllPosters.com).

Photo: ikea.com

Finishing Touches
With so many affordable and attractive lighting options, there’s no reason to suffer office building hallway-type lighting all year. One of my favorite ways to turn a dorm room into a much more welcoming home-away-from-home is indirect lighting. A desk and floor lamp in tandem are much more pleasant than the typical fluorescent overheads found in most dorms.

Whether you’re moving into a brand new building or an older, more worn-in dorm, it may take some work to make the place feel like yours, but you won’t have to break the bank, or your back. Simple ideas like these will have you calling your dorm room “home” in no time!

Related:
How To: Install Floating Shelves
5 DIY Wood Wall Treatment Ideas
5 Things to Do… With Old Wood Shutters

On-Campus Living Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: hiretoinspire.blogspot.com

Listen to BOB VILA ON HANGING SHELVES, or read text below:

“Who doesn’t need more shelf space? Hanging shelves is a great do-it-yourself project that can help you get organized.

Shelf and standard systems are great for supporting heavier loads like large books and canned goods because they have so many points of attachment to the wall studs. Standards are perforated channels that screw into the wall studs to receive shelf brackets. You can adjust them easily when your storage needs change.

If you need to install any shelf where there isn’t a wall stud, it’s important to use wall anchors to attach the supports. Some wall anchors have plastic expanders or toggles, some are metal, and they’re rated to support 30 to 50 pounds each, so check to be sure they’ll support the things you’ll be storing without sagging.  You generally want supports every 20 to 24 inches.

The most important tool to have when you’re hanging shelves is your level. A 4-foot spirit level is best for drawing level lines between standards so you can be sure you have your story straight before installing the shelves.

Get more info at BobVila.com… and right here at home with me, Bob Vila!”

Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day. 

For more on shelving, consider:

How To: Install Floating Shelves
DIY Tower Shelf
Heavy-Duty Metal Shelving and Preparing the Boat for Winter Storage (video)

Bob Vila Radio: Hanging Shelves Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: yoursbydesign.blogspot.com

CM_BVNOTES-1234-2 Dorm Rm Storage

Listen to BOB VILA ON DORM ROOM STORAGE, or read text below:

“Whether it’s back to the dorm or just back to school, making room for kids and their stuff gets harder as they get bigger. Here are some tricks for maxing out your space!

It’s a good idea to do some digging and find out what furniture and closet space will be provided in your new digs before you buy or pack anything.

Buy some bed risers to add just a few more crucial inches of height so boxes and bins fit under the bed before you even have to unpack them. You can attach casters to old dresser drawers for underbed storage that rolls away… or cover cardboard boxes with leftover wallpaper for a piece of home away from home!

Over-door hooks and shoe racks provide more storage without screw and nail holes, but it’s always a good idea to go back to school with a small tool kit from home. A hammer, pliers, screwdriver with interchangeable bits, and utility knife will all come in handy sooner or later, and you won’t be paying campus prices for them.

Get more info at BobVila.com… and right here at home with me, Bob Vila!”

Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day. 

For more on storage solutions, consider:

Remodeling the Empty Nest
How To: Store Your Things
Storage at a Glance

Bob Vila Radio: Dorm Room Storage Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Rotating shoe rack. This rotating shoe rack makes great use of a corner space, and takes advantage of height with its vertical approach to storing shoes.

Slide-out mirror. Tucked in, this full-length mirror takes up only about 6″ of space width-wise. With a 6″ footprint, it can fit in many narrow spaces. Pulled out and rotated 90 degrees, it’s about 12″ across. Its footprint is much smaller than a mirror that always faces outward, since in that situation you can’t put anything in front of the mirror.

Pull-down clothing rod. This pull-down rod is terrific for high-ceilinged spaces. Hold on to the bottom of the rod in the middle and the entire structure rotates down 90 degrees, becoming parallel to the floor. Then you can reach the clothes hanging on the rod.

Automatic drawer lights. When this drawer is pulled out, it automatically lights up with magnetic lights in the drawer’s interior.

These products are available from Rev-A-Shelf through closet organization companies like California Closets and Transform and, in lighter-gauge steel, from home improvement centers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s. Check out BobVilaShop for more storage solutions, too.

For more on closets, consider:

Add a Closet Where There Is None
Reviewing the Layout of Bob’s Walk-in Closet (VIDEO)
Installing Paneling in the Master Bedroom Closet (VIDEO)

Creative Closet Organizers Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

ext.homedepot.com

LISTEN

Listen to BOB VILA ON THE CUSTOM CLOSET, or read text below:

A custom, walk-in closet installation is a great Mother’s Day present, but there are some easy fixes you can do on a smaller budget. 

Start by measuring the amount of rod, shelf and drawer space you need. Double up with top and bottom rods to hang shorter clothes in half the wall space. Add shelving above the rod for boxes and baskets. Fit floor-to-ceiling or hanging shelving units wherever you have a couple of feet of space. You want to keep things off the floor for easier cleaning.

Shoes are the biggest closet challenge. keep the ones you don’t wear often stacked in boxes labeled with their photos. store only your favorites on slanted racks for easy access. You might want to lose those skinny wire hangers and invest in wood or padded hangers, and install a valet hook for hanging what you just ironed. After all, your closet’s main job is to help you keep your clothes in shape and ready to wear.

Get more info at BobVila.com…and right here at home with me, Bob Vila!

For more on the custom closet, consider the following Bob Vila articles:
Closet Workshop
Reviewing the Layout of Bob’s Walk-In Closet
Built-In Closet Storage Installation

Bob Vila Radio: Custom Closet Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Samantha Entryway Collection, $229-$549 at Pottery Barn; save $60 on shipping

Get free or reduced shipping on storage and organizing products ordered online at Pottery Barn. Consider the Samantha Collection (shown above), with its cubbies, bench, shelf compartments and hooks—perfect for a front entry, laundry, or mud room.

Visit the sale section of the Crate & Barrel website to find great organizing tools at discounted prices; plus, most wares are shipping at a flat rate of $4.95.

Gladiator-GarageWorks's Rack Shelving is now 15% off its regular price of $199

Gladiator-GarageWorks is offering 15% off all products purchased online (plus free shipping on orders over $299) with promo code DONOW6495 through 5/17. Among the discounted products is the company’s heavy-duty metal Rack Shelving in Hammered Granite finish.

Bed Bath & Beyond’s Special Purchase section has great, while-supplies-last sales on items like canisters and spice racks, always useful in the kitchen.

The Container Store's elfa Door and Media Rack, now $74.90 (reg. $93.90)

The Container Store is holding its Spring Organization Sale through Sunday, 5/6. Save big on an extensive selection of closet, cabinet, pantry and drawer organizers, plus clothing, shoe and accessory storage products.

Organizeit.com is discounting items up to 75% for a limited time only. Check out the garage rafter storage lift, $192.99 (reg. $219.99); we found it exceptionally clever.

IKEA's HEMNES sofa table, $139 (reg. $179) through Sunday

At IKEA, select HEMNES solid wood living room furniture is 20% off through Sunday, 5/6.

For more on storage and organization, consider the following Bob Vila articles and slideshows:

Quick Tip: Garage Storage
Pegboard Storage: A Classic for All-Time
Easy Laundry Room Storage Solutions

DIY Deals: Storage Solutions Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

If you have a small kitchen, like I do, your backsplash needs to be more than a decorative backdrop. It needs to perform. So rather than clutter up the counter with messy containers and small appliances, I zeroed in on that six-foot run of narrow wall. To my delight, I realized there are a wealth of manufacturers meeting the challenge of backsplash-friendly alternatives. Here are a few that should help you make the most of your backsplash and your kitchen.

Store More

Zero-Gravity Magnetic Spice Rack

This space-efficient Zero Gravity Magnetic Spice Rack by Zevro lives up to its name, as the 1.5 oz. canisters can store spices top and bottom. A locking mechanism on each canister allows you to dispense contents by pouring or sprinkling—great for one-hand use. Choose from the 6- and 12-canister models (each model includes a sheet of self-adhesive spice labels for your convenience).

Wall-Mounted Paper Towel Holder

Hang Tight

This wall-mounted paper towel holder from SimpleHuman can be secured to a cabinet or the wall, in either an upright or horizontal position. A tension spring provides just the right resistance to pull off one towel at a time, while the extra-strong mounting bracket provides superior durability.

A Sharp Idea

Under-Cabinet Swinger Knife Holder

Knives can take up a lot of space, in your drawers or on the counter. This innovative under-cabinet Swinger Knife Block from Wusthof allows you to safely and conveniently store up to eight knives and a sharpening steel. It swivels with a touch of the finger, holding the knives securely in place with magnetic strips.

For more on cabinetry and the kitchen backsplash, consider:

Backsplash Idea: Faux Stone Re-Finish
5 Creative Alternatives to Kitchen Cabinetry
Bob Vila’s Guide to Kitchen Cabinets

The Backsplash: A Kitchen’s Most Underutilized Real Estate Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: DBSchwartz

Our kitchen needs more cabinets—and more counter space. Indeed, who has a kitchen with enough of these precious amenities? The only friends I know with sufficient cabinet space are tall people who can actually reach all those upper cabinets, or house-dwellers with a “great room” floor plan that boasts vast expanses of wall space devoted to cabinets. The rest of us struggle to make do with the space we have.

Combine our lack of space with the fact that we are enthusiastic cooks in our family, and you have the essence of our culinary conundrum. We need our pots and pans readily accessible, because they are subject to heavy use. Having them stacked or stowed in a cupboard is not working. In a curious kitchen corollary to Murphy’s Law, it seems that the specific pan we need is always the one at the very bottom of the stack.

Our solution to this predicament came in the form of a ceiling-mounted pot rack.

Installing the pot rack proved to be a bit more of a challenge than we had anticipated, however. Guided by research and aided by luck, we managed to find a nice, heavy-duty metal rack that complements our anodized aluminum cookware, but the hardware that came with the rack was woefully inadequate and unsuited to the task of hanging our weighty cookware.

Photo: DBSchwartz

A quick trip to the hardware store yielded much more appropriate installation hardware, including four-inch-long stainless steel screw-in wood hooks and two feet of stainless steel chain.

Thus armed, our next task was to locate the ceiling joists. We’d initially assumed that the ceiling joists would be spaced the way wall studs are—every 16 inches, that is. But when we drilled a pilot hole at 16 inches using our narrowest drill bit, all we met was empty space.

Next, we tried 12 inches—alas, more empty space. Scratching our heads, we decided to try using a stud finder, which, although not always 100% accurate, indicated that there was a stud at 11 inches, and bingo, this time our drill bit encountered real wood.

Photo: DBSchwartz

From the initial hole at 11 inches, we measured out 16 inches, double-checked the location with the stud finder and once again bit into wood.

We drilled larger pilot holes at each of the four corners of the pot rack, then wrapped our screw-in hooks with a small piece of Teflon tape before screwing them into the ceiling joists.

Once all four hooks were in place, we measured the “drop” we wanted in the pot rack and cut four equal lengths of chain using bolt cutters. After that, we attached the chain to the hooks and to the rack hardware. Then we hung up the empty rack.

Checking the horizontal axis of the rack with a level, we discovered one corner screw needed a couple of turns more to make everything align.

Once we had the rack hung and level, we loaded it up with our pots and pans and rejoiced at having all of our cookware right at our fingertips, literally. Not only does it make life easier, but it also makes a strong statement about our kitchen: “Real” cooking done here!

For more on kitchens, consider:

Small Kitchen Design
Planning Guide: Kitchen Remodeling
5 Upcycled Pot Racks & Cookware Storage Ideas

Free Your Pots & Pans from Cupboard Captivity: Install a Pot Rack Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com