DIY Budget Weekend Closet Makeover in 10 Easy Steps!: Before and After Pictures and Final Closet Budget!

In closet makeovers, there's always the trade off between hanging space and shelf space. The trick is to optimize each of them.

In this case, we significantly increased BOTH the hanging space and the shelf space, which is just pure magic.

We increased the hanging space from 11.33 feet to 19.33 feet! That's 70%!

We increased the shelf space from 13.25 feet to 32.5 feet! That's 145%!

The total cost of materials was $278.47!

If you consider that the average California Closets job is $5,000, I think it's fair to say we came in at an amazing price point. The labor was semi-free, as we were paid in cookies, donuts and one amazing Beef Stew Dinner.

My mom wouldn't allow us to feature a real picture of her "Before" closet, with all the clothes still packed in there, but this is what the layout looked like. That awesome home builder in 1977 just put one rack all the way around at eye-level. It was hideous. Demolishing it was strangely soothing.


Before!

The after version meets all of her goals of creating symmetry, adding shelving and double hanging rods. The layout feels bigger and makes so much more sense, with the most commonly used items within easiest reach. One weekend and just under $300 really paid off! I hope this closet lasts another 40+ years!