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Here we have a nice size closet just inside the front door of a home that needed some custom storage shelves to maximize space for some household cleaning items. We used all hardwoods and designed the closet to allow space for the some of the taller items like a vacuum and mop handles.

The two pictures below are what we had to work with. As you can see the closet had ample space to get creative with how the shelves could lay out.

Once we had a design, we began by getting our ledger support attached to the studs behind the wall. We then cut each shelf to fit tight and attached our face support that goes all the way down to the floor. We used 3/4″ poplar plywood, but with a span that wide the shelves need support to keep from sagging.

In my opinion using plywood and hardwoods for custom storage shelves is far better than using the usual wire racks and even MDF and particle board. For one, it is far more durable and more importantly, it looks better! You can build an array of different styles and designs with woods as opposed to be limited on creativity using different materials.

Lastly we attached the face frames, which also helps with the support of the shelf. Now the only thing left to do is slap some paint on them. Built-ins like these are real space savers and very efficient. Not to mention they are very fun to build!

If you were to ask me what is my favorite thing in the world to do, I would say build custom shelves like these. Much like the saying if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.