DIY Modular Walk in Closet

[zanna5910]

I'm going to start a new project for my wife to expand the amount of storage space in our closet.  Basically I'm going to be building a bunch of modular units to hang on cleats in the closet to increase space.  I've been research around the web and have a bunch of ideas, but they merely ended up giving me a bunch of questions; hopefully you guys with more experience can help shed some light on solving these things.

1. What type of wood should I build this in?  I'd rather do a solid wood than an MDF type product.  Does any pine work with adequate sanding?  Am I overthinking and should just do MDF?
2. Do I need a backboard to give a uniform look since I'm running a cleat or will I not need this?  I realize part of it is aesthetics, but is it standard to use a backboard with a cleat?
3. How do I give a nice finish to the fronts of all the units?  Do I route just the front boards, or do I need to put up like a 1x2 trim board all the cabinets and route the trim?  Everything will be open shelving/poles, so I'm not interfering with any drawers or anything like that.
4. If I'm building all the modules individually, where one module connects to the other will be double-thick.  Should this be trim boarded to hide the seam or is there a better solution here?

Thanks everyone!

[leapinlew]

consider Sandeply (or equivalent furniture grade plywood trimmed out with whatever you want). Sandeply is what it's called at Homedepot but it's basically stain grade plywood.

Consider working in some cedar as an anti-moth measure.

If you want to get real fancy, consider some LED shelfs.

Any reason why you'd do cleats opposed to screwing into studs?

I'd build the whole thing out of ply and then trim it out. Ply is strong. Pine is pretty soft stuff, but I'd use it for the trim.

Lastly, check out some of the pre-built cabinet options. They could definitely give you a good start.

[mattgold]

I just build out our walk-in closet with MDF a few months ago...




Not nearly as cool sounding as modular units... but it worked in the space we had.

Here's the full gallery:
http://imgur.com/a/Estxz

[zanna5910]

consider Sandeply (or equivalent furniture grade plywood trimmed out with whatever you want). Sandeply is what it's called at Homedepot but it's basically stain grade plywood.

Consider working in some cedar as an anti-moth measure.

If you want to get real fancy, consider some LED shelfs.

Any reason why you'd do cleats opposed to screwing into studs?

I'd build the whole thing out of ply and then trim it out. Ply is strong. Pine is pretty soft stuff, but I'd use it for the trim.

Lastly, check out some of the pre-built cabinet options. They could definitely give you a good start.

Good info, the cleat would really serve me as a third hand to hang by myself.  I would probably screw the back in to the studs.  Ply sounds like a winner.  I looked around at the pre-builts all over the place, most aren't trimmed so I was trying to figure out how to "finish" them.  Thanks for the info, I will definitely look around.

[zanna5910]

I just build out our walk-in closet with MDF a few months ago...


Not nearly as cool sounding as modular units... but it worked in the space we had.

Here's the full gallery:
http://imgur.com/a/Estxz

Good Job man.  Is everything built in house directly to the sheet rock or is there a back board?  How did you hold the MDF together, glue and screw?  Any links to the bars and the end caps that you used?  I like that look.

[mattgold]

I just build out our walk-in closet with MDF a few months ago...


Not nearly as cool sounding as modular units... but it worked in the space we had.

Here's the full gallery:
http://imgur.com/a/Estxz

Good Job man.  Is everything built in house directly to the sheet rock or is there a back board?  How did you hold the MDF together, glue and screw?  Any links to the bars and the end caps that you used?  I like that look.

Thanks man.  Everything went into drywall (studs) - no backer board.  There are however either 1" or 3" (depending on shelf) support 'beams' which are screwed to studs.  The shelves are then drilled down into those.

Rod

&

Mounts

[ChanceKJ]

Steve Ramsey to the rescue.

I get the feeling these might be the droids your looking for...

[zanna5910]

Steve Ramsey to the rescue.

I get the feeling these might be the droids your looking for...

The dados are a good idea.  Only problem is by modular, I mean breaking the cabinets down into, say 36" wide by 90" tall units, that way I can get them all into the door.  Then I will cleat hang them together.  Obviously with this type of build and assembly, i have to trim off the joins where 2 cabinets join together, since they will be double thick and have the seam.  I REALLY wish I could build it like this guy, then I wont have to mess with the trim.  I dont know another way, anyone have an idea?