The Easiest DIY Closet System for Kids Closet Storage

When I was redoing my son’s bedroom, one of the most rewarding—and surprisingly simple—projects turned out to be the DIY closet system I created to organize all of his clothes. When designing this tight closet, I needed a solution that was functional, kid-friendly, and budget-conscious, all while making the most of every inch of vertical space.

With a bit of planning and a few affordable materials, this custom DIY closet system ended up fitting all of his clothes and shoes with room to spare. Best of all, it ended up being super affordable, costing only around $100. 

This DIY closet system was part of a kid’s room update, but the same ideas can work in any small closet. If you’re looking to stretch your storage, improve your organization, and do it all on a very low budget, this project proves it’s possible.

Before: A Closet with Untapped Potential

When we decided to convert our guest room into a kid’s room, one of the biggest challenges was optimizing storage. Originally, the closet wasn’t set up for everyday use—it held seasonal wear, bulky filing boxes, and other odds and ends that didn’t need daily access.

But as we prepared the space for our son, I knew I wanted to rely entirely on the closet for all of his clothing storage. That meant no dresser, no extra drawers—just one well-organized closet that could hold everything from shirts and pants to pajamas, shoes, and accessories.

The closet itself is quite small, just 48 inches wide, 22 inches deep, and 94 inches tall, with a narrow 24.5-inch door opening. The narrow door leaves an awkward corner of the closet that’s tough to reach. It also has high ceilings, but that vertical space was mostly going to waste. So the challenge became: how do I maximize every inch of this little closet, including the tricky corner and all that empty air above?

Planning the Closet Makeover

I wanted to keep this makeover simple and budget-friendly. I knew I could get a functional DIY closet system in place using just shelving and clothing rods—no fancy built-ins or expensive closet systems required. My idea was to install two hanging rods: one at a standard height for everyday clothes and one higher up for seasonal items. That way, I could rotate clothing out as needed and store off-season pieces out of the way but still within reach.

Because it was a kids’ closet, it meant I could space the clothes hanging rods closer together than the recommended 42 inches apart that is usually required for adult’s clothing.

Rather than using high shelves that require a stepladder to access, I figured a top rod would be more practical—I could just hook hangers directly onto it without any acrobatics. And since this is a kid’s room, I also decided to leave the closet door off for safety reasons. That meant everything would be within view, so it had to look good too! Decorative baskets became the perfect solution for corralling things like shoes and hats while keeping the closet visually tidy.

Two low shelves added just the right amount of storage without cluttering the floor, making vacuuming easier. I also found that open shelving worked especially well in the hard-to-reach corner of the closet space. Drawers would’ve blocked access, but open shelves made that dead space usable. It ended up being the perfect spot for storing extra quilts and pillows.

The layout ended up being simple: two clothes hanging rods in the top half of the closet, and two open shelves in the bottom half of the closet. Here are the dimensions I ended up going with for the closet design:

Installing the Closet System: Step-by-Step

1. Prep the Closet
2. Add Support for Shelving
3. Cut and Install the Shelves
4. Add Hanging Rods
5. Add Hanging Organizers and Storage Bins
6. Replace Hangers for Functionality

Step 1: Prep the Closet

Before installing anything, I patched up old holes made minor drywall defects using quick-drying spackle*. A fresh coat of paint helped brighten the space and made it feel clean and new. I had already installed baseboards and pot lights in a previous renovation— otherwise, those are two additions I would definitely recommend.

*Some of the links provided may be affiliate links. This means that I might make a small commission from a sale, at no additional cost to you.

The light I used is a single pot light wired to a switch just outside the closet. It really helps brighten up a narrow space like this. If you’re working in a space without hardwiring,  you could easily add battery-operated puck lighting like these wireless LED lights that have a remote that looks just like a wall switch.

Step 2: Add Support for Shelving

To support the shelves, I used 1″x2″ hardwood offcuts from a stair baluster project. You can use any 1×2 scrap wood you have, even pieces of plywood that is 1/2 inch or thicker. Creating your own supports is a much more budget-friendly method than using brackets or buying a closet system.

If you are mounting shelves higher than a few feet off the ground the supports will be visible. It is a good idea to paint or stain these support rails prior to mounting. Once installed, you can conceal the screw holes with screw caps for a cleaner look.

I marked and located the wall studs and affixed horizontal 1x2s on three sides of the closet using a level and 2″ screws. For each shelf, I installed three support rails, up against the back wall and both sides of the closet. This created a solid 3-sided support to rest the shelves on.

For this part, fastening to the studs (or a structural element) is key. While raw plugs and drywall anchors can be used occasionally, too much weight will cause them to fail. For tips on finding a wall stud easily, read ‘How to Find a Stud with a Magnet‘. If you are working with lath and plaster walls, or you have walls made of brick or concrete, ‘The Right Way to Hang Shelves on Plaster Walls,’ discusses secure hanging methods on walls that aren’t stud and drywall.

Step 3: Cut and Install the Shelves

Once the support rails were installed, I measured and cut two pieces of melamine MDF shelving to fit securely on top of the support rails. 

I cut melamine MDF boards to span the full 48-inch width of the closet and made them 15 inches deep — perfect for folded clothes and 12×12 baskets.

The first shelf sits 15 inches above the floor, which leaves enough clearance for a slightly taller basket and easy vacuum access underneath. The second shelf is placed 12 inches above the first, creating a great middle storage zone for everyday items.

These shelves gave me storage space without cluttering the floor, leaving just enough room underneath for baskets or bins.

Step 4: Add Hanging Rods

To make full use of vertical space, I installed two closed clothing rod, one high and one low. I mounted the lower rod 60 inches above the floor, 33 inches above the top shelf. I place the upper rod, 24 inches above that, or 84 inches from the floor.

While 24 inches between rods is not a lot, it is perfect for what I would be hanging— kids’ shirts. Before you decide on your spacing, give some thought to what items you will be hanging there. It’s amazing how space can be maximized when you give careful thought to what you will actually be storing there.

I also opted to hang the top rod as high as I could comfortably reach holding a hanger. This happened to be 84″, which is the highest that is recommended for hanging a clothing rod.

This setup allows for year-round flexibility — everyday wear goes on the lower rod, while seasonal items or taller pieces hang on the top rod. The open design means light from the ceiling still shines through to the lower levels.

Step 5: Add Hanging Organizers and Storage Bins

Now it’s time to shop accessories. One of the most useful items I found for this closet project ended up being this hanging fabric organizer. This organizer is essentially a set of flexible shelves that be divided into two sections.

Each section has a pair of hooks that can be hung directly on a clothing rod. This means that you can move the shelves along the rod exactly where you need them, creating a customizable DIY closet organization system with storage shelves where you need them most. You can assemble the shelves one on top of the other, or one on each rod like I did. Splitting the set created two three-section organizers, or six open compartments — perfect for pants, pajamas, and tees.

The set also came with three 12 x 12 inch insert bins. I took these out and used them as storage bins to hold the clothing items we would need everyday, placing them on the top shelf where they were easily accessible. One of these bins even had divided cubbies, making it perfect for holding socks and underwear.

I placed decorative baskets on the lower shelf for hats and seasonal accessories like mitts and toques. On the floor, I added two larger bins for boots and shoes, tucking it neatly under the bottom shelf. This kept everything off the closet floor except for the shoe bins, making it easy to vacuum and keep clean.

While some of the baskets I owned already, here are some links to product options similar to the baskets I used:

Step 6: Replace Hangers for Functionality

As a final touch, I switched to slim velvet hangers which are great for keeping clothes from slipping off. These take up less space than traditional plastic hangers, while giving the closet a uniform look. It’s an easy upgrade that makes a big difference in a small closet, one I would highly recommend.

Section 4: Closet Reveal

This tiny closet has officially earned its keep. Despite its small size, the closet now has room to spare. The tall rod has been especially useful — right now, it holds just a few t-shirts as we transition into warmer weather, but it’s ready for seasonal swaps at any time.

Even without a door, it looks tidy and intentional. The shelves and organizers keep everything in its place, and it’s safe for kids. It’s actually a joy to put away laundry now, because everything has a designated spot.

There’s still room to grow, and I love the organized layout. The tall upper rod currently holds a few t-shirts as we head into warmer months, and the open design lets light filter through all the way down to the shoe bins.

Having two shelves at 15 inches and 27 inches off the floor not only lifts everything up and off the ground but makes it easy to vacuum or sweep underneath. Everything is visible and easy to reach—even the deeper corner of the closet that used to be wasted space.

This setup turned out to be simple, budget-friendly, and surprisingly spacious. It’s actually made me rethink how we organize other closets in the house.

Final Thoughts & Tips

If you’re looking to organize a small closet, this DIY closet system project proves you don’t need expensive closet organizers or a huge budget for a custom closet solution. Here are a few takeaways I’d recommend for similar spaces:

• Use vertical space strategically. Two rods, one high and one mid-level, give you double the hanging capacity without adding bulk.

• Storage baskets work just as good as drawers. Maybe even better because it keeps the layout flexible! They look great and are usually cheap as chips. Try replacing permanent shelving with hanging fabric shelves for a closet organizer that is easily movable.
  
• Avoid high shelves unless you need them. A high rod is often easier to reach than a shelf, especially if you’re using a hook instead of a ladder.
  
• Leave space under shelves. This makes vacuuming easy and gives flexibility for storing shoes or bins.
  
• Choose open systems in tricky corners. Open shelving can free up dead space, making it more usable than trying to cram in dividers, drawers or doors.
  
• Light makes a big difference. Even a small closet benefits from a ceiling light or battery-operated fixture.
  
• Don’t stress about a door. With a proper organization system and baskets that keep things neat, there’s no need to hide what’s inside. Let the closet be part of the room’s design.
  

This project was a great reminder that thoughtful planning can turn even the smallest, awkward closet into something that just works.

Remember that small details often make the biggest impact. Take your time and experiment with the design—the best DIY closet system is the one that works for you!