Functional and stylish DIY walk-in closet that’s a totally doable home improvement project that proves you don’t need a massive budget to create a custom space you’ll love.

It’s been over a year since we gutted our master closet to make room for my dream bathroom, and let me tell you—sharing a tiny guest bedroom closet with my husband while the rest of my clothes lived in bins in the basement was less than ideal.

We had planned to tackle the closet last summer, but life happened.

When I finally got a quote from a local custom closet company, I was floored—$9389 for our small 70″ x 80″ space, and that didn’t even include crown moulding!

Just basic white melamine shelves and cabinets.

That sealed the deal—this would be a DIY walk-in closet project for Steph and me.

It wasn’t quick, but we designed something totally doable with basic tools and finished it on our own time.

Now that it’s done? So worth it!

And if building from scratch isn’t for you, don’t worry—I’ve got plenty of simple, budget-friendly ideas you can use to refresh your own closet space.

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Closet Before: The Starting Point

Here’s where we started—basic hanging rods and open shelves.

While there was plenty of hanging space and shelving, I quickly realized how hard it was to keep those open shelves looking neat and organized.

Walk-in master closet before renovation, hanging rods and shelves.

And if you know me at all, you know visual clutter drives me a little crazy.

On top of that, we had taken 17 inches from the closet to make room for the soaker tub in my dream bathroom—so creating a more functional layout in a now smaller space became even more important.

The Plan

Our closet space isn’t huge—just 70” x 80”—so every inch had to count.

From the start, I had a short list of must-haves: drawers for concealed storage, shelves with baskets for seasonal items and accessories, plenty of hanging rods, tilt-out hamper and a dedicated spot for shoes (finally!).

The goal was to design a DIY walk-in closet that felt custom but stayed within a realistic budget.

We started my mapping out the space on graph paper and then kept things simple and stuck to clean lines and basic materials, proving that you don’t need fancy tools or expert skills to make this happen.

Graphed out custom closet plan with measurements.

With some planning, a few weekend work sessions, and just the basic tools most DIYers already own, this project is totally doable—even if you’re a newbie.

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Price Comparison: DIY vs. Custom

When I got the quote from a local custom closet company, I nearly fell over—$9389 for our small 70” x 80” space!

The design included two cabinets with drawers, shelving above, a tilt-out hamper, and a tie valet.

It also came with basic moulding at the bottom, but not the crown moulding I had dreamed of adding to give the closet a finished, built-in look.

That price only included the upgrade of my tilt-out hamper and tie valet.

In contrast, by going the DIY route, I was able to build a fully custom closet for just $1167.80.

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

  • Lumber $734.53
  • Rental van to haul product home $27.82
  • Paint $54.70
  • Tilt-out hamper $191.27
  • Tie valet $25.49 (2)
  • Wallpaper $74.25
  • drawer slides 49.99
  • Misc $9.75

We saved big by shopping sales and doing all the labor ourselves.

The savings are huge—and I got to include all the design details I really wanted.

Materials and Tools Needed

Here’s a list of the materials and tools we used to build our DIY walk-in closet:

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Let us introduce ourselves, we’re Michelle and Steph, a mom and daughter team who love to DIY and decorate our homes.

Not only are we passionate about making our homes warm, comfortable and unique, but it’s our mission to help you create that same feeling in your own home.

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DIY Walk-In Closet Build Process

Once we had our plan in place, it was time to start building!

While our cabinet dimensions were custom-fit for our 70″ x 80″ space, you can easily tweak the width to suit your own layout.

Click here and grab our detailed PDF plans with measured drawings, a cut list, and step-by-step instructions to guide you through the entire process.

(The plans are not quite finished, please check back in a couple of days.)

Cabinet Boxes

We started by building the cabinet boxes.

Woman uses a circular saw with the Kreg rip-cut jig to cut the boards for the custom closet cabinets.
Wood, cut and painted with pocket holes before assembling the custom closet cabinets.
Woman drills pocket holes into wood for the custom closet cabinets.

We kicked things off by cutting down all of our wood using a rip cut jig, which helped keep every cut consistent and uniform.

With 7 sheets of MDF and 2 sheets of plywood to work through, this part of the process took up the better part of the day.

Since we were working in a tight space, I made the decision to prime and paint all the wood before assembly—definitely the right call!

For the next three days, our home turned into a full-blown paint station, with boards laid out just about everywhere.

Assemble Cabinets

To assemble the cabinets, we used pocket hole screws—a method we love for its simplicity and the strong joints.

It’s beginner-friendly and perfect for a DIY project like this one.

And it’s the same method we used to build the closet organizers in each or Steph’s kids closets.

DIY walk in closet cabinet sides are secured together to the back cleat with two pocket hole screws on each side.

To begin assembling each cabinet, we started by connecting the two side panels with a cleat at both the top and bottom.

To help keep everything square and aligned, we temporarily placed one of the shelf boards across the front while securing the cleats to the back of each side panel.

This little trick made a big difference in keeping the cabinet structure straight and sturdy during assembly.

To aid in assembling the custom closet cabinets, corner brackets keep the shelf square and a bar clamp holds the sides together while pocket hole screws are inserted through the shelf into the cabinet sides.
DIY walk in closet cabinet is assembled using corner clamps, bar clamps to hold in place while pocket hole screws are inserted.

We tackled one cabinet at a time and found that using corner clamps to hold each shelf in place made the process much smoother.

A bar clamp also came in handy for keeping the cabinet sides snug while we secured everything with pocket hole screws.

2 walls with DIY walk in closet built in cabinets with hanging storage, drawer storage and a tilt-out hamper space.
Shoe shelf cabinet secured to the wall with hanging storage space.

Building each of the three wall cabinets took a full day of work for each one, but the process is the same for each.

We placed all the pocket hole screws on the underside of the shelves, until they were positioned above eye level.

For the two upper shelves on each cabinet we flipped the pocket hole side facing up to hide the holes.

Later these holes will be filled in with wood plugs.

For the cabinets that would include drawers or the hamper, we left the pocket holes facing up since they wouldn’t be visible once everything was assembled.

After cabinets are built, long screw are inserted through the cleat into the wall studs with a drill.

Once each wall cabinet is assembled, we secure them to the wall studs using 3″ screws through the top and bottom cleats for a sturdy, stable fit.

Trim Moulding

Three DIY custom closet cabinets are installed in a master closet and 1x6 primed pine board is attached to the cabinets, for a custom built in closet.
1 1/2" white primed pine boards are secured to the edges of the DIY closet shoe cabinet with a brad nailer.

With all the cabinets securely mounted to the wall, it was time to give them a custom built-in look.

We began by ripping down a 1×8 board to mount across the top of the cabinets, then install it with 2″ brads, repeating the same process along the base.

The boards are aligned flush with the top and bottom boards of each cabinet.

Next, we add vertical 1×2 trim boards to each cabinet, followed by the horizontal trim.

This step not only enhances the custom built-in appearance of the closet, but it also covers all the unfinished edges of the wood for a clean, professional finish.

Cleats and Drawer Slides

2" wide cleats are secured to the DIY walk in closet cabinets where the drawer slides will be installed.
Drawer slides are attached to the cleats with screws to the DIY walk in closet cabinet.

Next, we need to install cleats inside the cabinets to support the drawer slides.

Since our trim molding extended 3/4″ past the side panels, we added a 3/4″ cleat for each drawer slide to ensure proper clearance.

We carefully marked the locations for each slide, then secured the cleats to the side panels using wood glue and brad nails for a strong hold.

At this point, we were ready to install the side of the drawer slide that attaches to the cabinet.

Each slide is aligned with the top of the cleat and secured with three screws.

To make the process easier, it’s helpful to insert the screw through the oval hole in the slide.

This allows for slight adjustments, ensuring that the drawer fronts are perfectly flush with the cabinet facing trim.

Caulk, Wood Filler and Touch Up Paint

To finish off our DIY walk-in closet, it’s time to focus on the finish work.

You’ll want to caulk all of the seams, place wood filler in the nail holes, sand and touch-up paint.

Looking for tips for using caulk, wood filler and wood putty, click here.

These final steps made a huge difference in giving the closet a professional, custom-built appearance.

Apply wood filler to nail holes to DIY walk in closet built in cabinets.

Drawer Boxes

Building the drawer boxes was the next step in our process.

We stacked the wood into piles according to the drawer size, applied birch banding to the top edge of the drawer pieces with an iron and assembled them with pocket hole screws.

Plywood is cut and stacked to build the drawer boxes for the DIY walk in closet

For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to build the boxes click here for our full tutorial.

The only difference here is for these drawers, the slides are mounted to the sides of the drawer boxes instead of the bottom.

Once the boxes are built, we apply 2 coats of Minwax Wipe On Poly.

And finally attach the drawer slide to the box.

Drawer Fronts

First, each drawer front is primed and painted.

The back of the drawer front is painted solid black and the front has paint just around the edges.

Using a Kreg jig, holes are drilled for the cabinet pulls.
Drawer fronts are attached to drawer boxes with screws. Playing cards are used to keep the spacing even on all sides.
Drawer fronts are secured to the drawer boxes with 4 screws.

Next I want to drill holes for the hardware on the drawer fronts.

First I centered the Kreg cabinet pull jig on each drawer front and used clamps to hold it in place while I drilled the holes for the hardware.

Then I positioned each drawer front in its opening, using playing cards to ensure an even 1/8″ gap on all sides.

Once it was perfectly aligned, I temporarily secured the drawer front to the box with screws through the drilled holes.

After removing the drawer box from the cabinet, I permanently attached the front with four screws from the inside.

Finally, I removed the temporary screws and drilled holes through the drawer box for the pull hardware.

Change of plans!

At the last minute, I decided to add a touch of style to my DIY walk-in closet cabinets with wallpaper.

I’m so in love with the fabric I’d chosen for the curtains in my bathroom that I couldn’t resist bringing that same print into the closet for a cohesive look.

Pretty floral wallpaper id applied to the fronts of the drawers.

So, I ordered 12′ of prepasted wallpaper, cut it to fit and mounted it to each drawer.

With the little bit of remaining wallpaper, I also added wallpaper to the first shelf section of each drawer cabinet.

Completed DIY walk in closet cabinets and hanging rods. Cabinet drawers have pretty floral wallpaper with champagne gold pulls.

The final step is to add the beautiful Winsome drawer pulls.

I was gifted these beautiful pulls and robe hook from Amerock Hardware, I love the classic look and feel of this hardware!

It ‘s like adding a beautiful piece of jewelry to my cabinets!

What We’d Do Differently

The entire build took us about two months, although we had a few interruptions along the way.

We paused for a funeral in Southern Utah one week, and Steph took a week-long vacation to the East Coast while I was on full-time grandma duty—my favorite job, by the way!

So there was a solid week where not much happened.

As with any DIY project, there were a few bumps in the road.

We originally planned to build our drawer boxes with ½” plywood, but had trouble with the pocket hole screws not holding well.

In hindsight, we’d recommend going with ¾” plywood for better durability and easier assembly.

And yes, we mismeasured a few cuts (we’re only human!), but thanks to a good stash of scrap wood, we didn’t have to make extra trips to the store.

All in all, it was a learning experience that made the finished result even more satisfying.

And I forgot to mention that to create that modern cottage look I love, we brought in the same plank flooring from the bathroom and added a shiplap ceiling with crown moulding.

To complete the built-in look, we wrapped base moulding around all the cabinets and along the perimeter of the closet.

Completed DIY walk in closet cabinets, shoe shelves and hanging rods. Cabinet drawers have pretty floral wallpaper with champagne gold pulls.

DIY Not Your Thing? Try These Updates Instead

If a full closet build isn’t in the cards right now, there are plenty of simple and budget-friendly ways to refresh your space.

Start by adding shelf dividers to keep things organized, or use over-the-door organizers to maximize storage.

Bins and baskets can help corral smaller items, while peel-and-stick wallpaper or paint can add a pop of personality without a lot of effort.

A pretty black and white tufted round rug is placed on the floor in the renovated walk in closet.
A pretty semi flush barrel light fixture is mounted in the renovated walk in closet.
Pretty champagne gold pulls on drawer covered with floral wallpaper.

For a DIY touch, consider installing a pre-made closet system, or enhance the space with a cozy rug and a stylish new light fixture.

A slide out tie organizer is mounted to the side of the diy walk in closet cabinet.
Tilt out hamper hardware is installed in the large section of the DIY walk in closet cabinet.
2 necklace organizers are mounted to the side of the shoe cabinet in the custom closet.

Additional touches like a tilt-out hamper, tie valet, necklace display, or a turntable for perfumes and lotions can bring even more functionality and charm.

Finished custom closet with floral wallpaper drawers, shelves with decor and storage baskets, shoe shelves and hanging clothes rods.
Woman places snakeskin boos on the shoe shelf.
Finished custom closet with floral wallpaper drawers, shelves with decor and storage baskets, tilt out hamper, wall hook and hanging clothes rods, looking into the bathroom.

A few artificial plants or decorative accents can also add warmth and character to your closet.

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Final Thoughts

Not only did we save over $8,000 by taking on this DIY walk-in closet project ourselves, but the satisfaction of creating something both functional and beautiful is truly rewarding.

Finished custom closet with floral wallpaper drawers, shelves with decor and storage baskets and hanging clothes rods.
DIY walk in closet cabinet with shelves, styled with black turntable with perfume and lotions, small plant in a milk glass container, hand holds bracelets and rings.
Tilt-out hamper section of the DIY walk in closet cabinet.

Remember, with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can transform your closet into an organized and stylish space—even on a budget.

If you’re feeling inspired, leave a comment below, share this post with friends, and check out more DIY ideas for your home.

You’ve got this!

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Pinterest image, DIY Walk-In Closet with floral wallpaper drawers, champagne gold hardware, shelves and tilt-out hamper,

Thanks for stopping by Sunnyside Home. Empowering you to create a home you love!

Michelle Dickson

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What New . . .

I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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4 Comments

  1. Yay! The project I’ve been waiting for. Well worth the wait. It’s so good and the wallpaper detail on the drawers is so pretty. The two of you do such good work. Did you film it for YouTube? I know that’s a lot of extra work. I can’t believe the price you were quoted. That was insane. Michelle, you must really be enjoying your bathroom and closet. I’d spend a lot of time in there! My guest bath was finished on Tuesday. And the flooring in the rest of the house on Friday last week. Next is the primary bathroom but it’s small. I think 5×8. I’ll send pictures of what’s been done so far. The bathroom isn’t decorated and I need to make the shower curtain but I’ll send what’s done to this point. I didn’t use the same flooring as you did but the color is so similar. I think we picked a timeless choice!

    Reply
    1. Stephanie Hofer says:

      So good to hear from you Cyndi. We are thrilled with the way the closet turned out and my mom’s last minute decision to add wallpaper was spot on. Yes we are currently working on the YouTube video for the closet. Actually we have a whole new lineup we’re working on and anxious to share them with you! Congratulations on completing your guest bath. We are excited to see it. And good luck on the primary bath too, I’m sure it will be beautiful! Watch for our upcoming YouTube videos, we’re excited for what’s ahead! Have a fabulous weekend.

      Reply
  2. Donna Marie says:

    I love the fact that you two made this area into a walk-in closet. It is so beautiful!!!

    Reply
    1. Stephanie Hofer says:

      Thank you Donna Marie for your kindness. It was definitely a labor of love. And we are thrilled with the way it turned out. Have a beautiful day and thanks for following along!

      Reply

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