Right this moment wraps up week one in every of my closet construct. Technically, I began over per week in the past after I constructed the cupboard for my washer, however I did that whereas I used to be ready for my plywood and provides for the remainder of the closet to be delivered. So I take into account the official starting of this mission to be the day that the provides had been delivered, and I may really get began with none roadblocks. So how a lot did I get carried out?
I acquired six of the eight huge bins constructed. I made a decision to go forward and construct out the left aspect of the closet earlier than attending to the enjoyable stuff. Most of y’all steered that I do it this fashion as a result of I have already got my system down. I can construct the bins fairly shortly, and I have already got the required instruments out and useful. And I used to be constructive that I may get the remainder of this constructed by the top of the day at the moment, in order that simply delay the enjoyable stuff for a few days after which I might be utterly completed with this step and transfer full steam forward with the gorgeous stuff.
I really thought I would be capable of get all eight bins constructed yesterday, however I sort of sabotaged myself. The primary one took me some time as a result of I videoed that entire course of. However as soon as that was carried out, I assumed I may simply plough by means of the opposite three and get them carried out earlier than I went to mattress. Sadly, that didn’t occur, and I’ll present you why.
I did get one of many huge bins completed…
After which I acquired the second 30-inch field completed. However I ran out of room to place these (I had instruments and 1/4-inch plywood standing in the best way on the left aspect of the room), so I needed to stack it sort of inside one of many huge bins on the fitting aspect of the room for now.
After which I went to construct the second huge field for the left aspect of the room, and I observed this on one of many brief items for that field…
Ugh. I didn’t need to scrap that piece, although. So I stuffed that crack with wooden glue and clamped it collectively in an effort to salvage it. I feel it’ll be advantageous, however there was no method all of that glue would dry in time for me to make use of that piece yesterday.
No downside. I had two extra brief items, proper? Not less than, I ought to have had two extra brief items! However I appeared in every single place, and so they had been nowhere to be discovered. So I had miscounted when reducing the brief items and wound up two items brief. Sadly, by the point I observed, it was about 7:45pm, and I don’t like utilizing my instruments exterior after 8:00. If that they had simply wanted to be reduce, I may have simply carried out that by 8:00. However in addition they would have required wooden filling and sanding, and I didn’t need to be exterior doing all of that after 8:00.
So I used to be compelled to cease constructing cupboard bins two hours sooner than I had deliberate final evening, all due to my very own oversight. Oh nicely. It occurs. However I can undoubtedly get these final two bins constructed at the moment, together with the dryer cupboard, after which be on to the enjoyable stuff tomorrow! And since I had further time on my arms with nothing to construct, I acquired the left aspect of the room cleaned up in order that I can go forward and get the entire bins in place as quickly as they’re constructed.
I’m fairly happy with my week one progress! Once I began this closet, I had no concept how lengthy this entire mission would take. I nonetheless don’t have any concept, particularly as a result of that is really the quick half. As soon as I get to the entire ending steps (the wooden filling, sanding, caulking, priming, and portray), that’s the half that appears to pull on perpetually. So it’ll be fascinating to see how lengthy it takes me to utterly end this room.
Let’s transfer on to a few Q&A’s:
Why didn’t I construct 2×4 bases for the cupboards as an alternative of utilizing toes?
The easy reply is as a result of constructing huge 2×4 bases isn’t any simpler than attaching small toes, and it requires extra lumber to construct the bases. I already had sufficient 2x4s readily available to chop toes (it took about 1.5 8-foot 2x4s for all of the toes), and I didn’t need to have to purchase extra to construct huge bases, which might have required far more than 1.5 2×4’s.
However one more reason is that I just like the management I’ve with small toes over 2×4 bases. 2×4 lumber could be very tough lumber, and discovering completely straight 2x4s is usually a actual problem. Most of them aren’t completely straight, and so if you go to construct a protracted base with them (just like the 138-inch size I’d want for every lengthy wall), if it’s even barely bowed, or if it stands out too far as a result of the wall isn’t completely straight alongside that entire 138-inch size, then that impacts the position of the trim and molding alongside the underside.
In contrast, since I solely have three little toes alongside the entrance of every cupboard, I can faucet these into place very simply and ensure they’re completely flush alongside the entrance of every cupboard, guaranteeing that my trim and molding alongside the underside shall be completely flush with the face of the cupboard when it’s completed.
I’ve carried out it each methods — toes and a pair of×4 bases. My expertise is that the toes are simpler, cheaper, and require much less work. It takes me about 5 minutes to attach and nail the toes in place on every cupboard. After which shimming and screwing the cupboards collectively takes only a few minutes extra. The rationale I had such a tough time on that first one is as a result of the aspect plywood items of the primary cupboard had been warped, so I knew it will take a bit extra effort to get these cupboards to line up. I might have had that very same problem getting these two lined up even when I had used 2×4 bases as a result of the problem didn’t have something to do with the bottom/toes. It was all about that warped plywood.
Why did I exploit a full cupboard in the course of the fitting wall when your entire high was going to be wallpaper, mirror, and sconces?
One phrase. Symmetry. 
I may have left that part open, which might have required much less plywood. That’s undoubtedly an choice, but it surely was only a design resolution I made as a result of I need the left and proper sides of the closet to be completely symmetrical. Had I left that part open on the high, the crown molding would have needed to wrap across the sides of the primary and third cupboards, and again to the wall in that open part, and that will have thrown off the symmetry on that wall. And y’all know the way obsessive I’m about symmetry.
Why did I exploit backerboards on the entire cupboards when most ready-to-install closet programs don’t have backerboards in all sections? Couldn’t I’ve saved cash with out them?
I spent fairly a little bit of time considering by means of the small print of how I might construct this closet, and I checked out most likely 200 photos of walk-in closets (if no more) earlier than making my resolution. One factor I observed is that there are most likely 20 other ways to construct closet cupboards.
It’s true that almost all prefabricated closet programs (apart from PAX) don’t have something however wall on the backs of most sections, and particularly the backs of the hanging sections. It’s additionally true that almost all prefabricated closet programs solely have one layer of plywood (or reasonably, MDF or pressed board with melamine or veneer) between every part.
These closet programs are nice, however in all the things I do, I’ve to assume by means of how I’m going to construct issues alone. Since I work on my own, I’ve to give you processes that make constructing issues on my own the best, easiest, and most easy method. So for a system just like the one photos above, I attempted to think about myself holding one piece of plywood in opposition to the wall and making an attempt to safe it into place whereas it’s sq. and plumb. Pondering by means of that course of didn’t appear simple, easy, or easy to me, particularly after I’m working on my own.
So I lastly realized that absolutely the best course of could be to construct separate cupboard bins individually on the ground, be sure every field was sq. after I constructed it, after which transfer each into place one after the other after it was totally constructed. However cupboard bins want one thing on the again to maintain them sq.. The 2 choices are (1) utilizing stretchers on the again (normally 1×3’s or 1×4’s), or (2) protecting the again totally with plywood.
I did think about using the stretcher choice, since it will have been cheaper, however after taking a look at so many photos of closets that used stretchers, I merely didn’t want the best way it appeared.
There’s completely nothing unsuitable with that methodology. That’s a wonderfully stunning closet. And utilizing stretchers to construct cupboards and maintain them sq. might be the commonest methodology of constructing cupboards. However since I had a selection, and will do both method, I made a decision that I just like the clear look of a strong backer on my cupboards a lot better.
So the entire function of utilizing the backers is to maintain my cupboards sq.. That method I can construct the cupboards on the ground, guarantee that the entire corners are completely sq., after which nail the backers in place to maintain them sq.. After which I do know that after I stand the cupboards upright and transfer them round and into place, these corners will nonetheless be sq. as soon as they’re in place. And I selected full backerboards as an alternative of stretchers for this function as a result of I want the clear look of the complete backerboards over the stretchers. The stretchers would have price much less, however I assumed it was price it to pay a bit extra ($26 per sheet for eight items) to have the look I wished.
If y’all have extra questions, I’m comfortable to reply them! Simply let me know!
The A2D Each day:
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and enhance the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You’ll be able to study extra about me right here.
