Make Your Own Closet Shelf Dividers

organized closet
  • 1-10 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 0-200
What You'll Need
Screws
Electric Drill with screwdriver bits and drill bits
Wooden dowels, wire mesh grids, or light wood
Fasteners: L-shaped or wire brackets
What You'll Need
Screws
Electric Drill with screwdriver bits and drill bits
Wooden dowels, wire mesh grids, or light wood
Fasteners: L-shaped or wire brackets

Having closet shelf dividers is a wonderful way to add organization to existing storage space in a cramped closet. The organizers allow you to maximize the number of items you can fit in the closet, as well as help to keep everything organized and neat.

Step 1 - Measure the Shelves

The size of the shelves will in part determine the type and size of shelf dividers you can use in your closet.

Measure the length of the shelf and the width. Make note of the shelf width so you can take that information to the home improvement store with you. Count the number of dividers you will need.

Step 2 - Decide on Divider Type

The type of divider will determine what brackets and fasteners you will need. You can go with a simple wire grid. These can be improvised from cube kits available for home storage.

A cube kit of six cubes with wire mesh sides costs approximately $15. If the width of your shelves matches the width of the cubes, you can use them as an inexpensive shelf divider.

If those don’t fit, look in the closet organization area of a home improvement center where you will find grids and shelves that could be used as dividers. While there, purchase the wire brackets that fit snugly over the wire and have screws to attach into the wall or shelf. Another simple solution is to buy a piece of wood that can be cut into the proper width and height to serve as a shelf divider.

In the hardware section, purchase L brackets with a side that will fasten to the divider and a side that will fasten to the wall or shelf.

Step 3 - Install the Dividers

Using the measurements you have made, cut the wood to make dividers for the closet shelves. If you chose dowels, cut six to eight in the same length for each divider you wish to make.

Install wire dividers using the wire brackets you purchased at the points you marked on the shelf. If you have a wire shelf, then use the brackets to attach the grid to the wall and cable ties to attach it to the shelf.

The wooden dividers install with the L brackets. Paint or finish the dividers.

For the dowel dividers, drill enough holes into the shelf for the six or eight dowels you have cut for each divider. Secure them in place with glue.