Closet Makeover: Maximizing a Small Master Closet

Small or older homes often have limited closet space. Instead of living with builder’s grade wire shelving, I’m sharing how we gave our small master closet a makeover by maximizing every inch! Instead of 2 shelves with clothes hung from each, we now have 6 deep drawers, 3 central shelves with baskets for hats and shoes, a pull-out tray for jewelry and watches, 4 clothing rods, and two high shelves with baskets.

I’ve been wanting to give our closet a makeover ever since I redid our boys’ closet a few years ago. Both closets are the same size and ours remained a poor use of space until recently. Because I don’t have the time to build like I used to, I decided this time around to utilize Ikea’s PAX Closet system to get what I wanted.

Here is what it looked like before:

The Plan

I used the PAX digital planner to render what my goal for the space was (more or less). After putting in the exact measurements for my closet, I realized if I used 3 of their frames, I would lose about 6 inches in closet space (cumulative on either side), so I instead opted for the deepest frame they offered, the lowest height (so I could store stuff on top), and then I would install my own rods on either side of the frame.

Pictured below is exactly what I bought. Including $50 delivery fee, I paid about $400 before tax. The frame is 22 7/8 in deep, 29 1/2 in wide, and 6 feet 7 1/2 in tall. I got 6 drawers, 1 pull out tray, and 3 shelves.

The Center Frame

I assembled the frame, slid it into the closet and then attached it to the wall. I did have to remove the closest door metal tracks on the top to slide the frame in, which was annoying, but it went pretty fast and I was glad I didn’t try to force it in and risk damaging the tracks. The drawers were super easy to assemble and they are all soft-close.

I have been wanting to get rid of the dresser in our room that takes up too much space, and these drawers make it possible! They hold all our clothes that don’t need to be hung up. We also went through and got rid of a few things and kept only what we love and wear all the time.

Customizing the Sides

On either side of the center frame, I installed 2 clothing rods from Home Depot. They are adjustable from 18″-30″ and cost about $8 each. I installed them using 2- 75 lb wall anchors since they didn’t line up with a stud.

At the top of the frame, I installed a shelf on either side that is about 11 inches deep. I had this leftover from my linen closet makeover last year.

I was important for us to not lose the storage space above the Ikea frame, and above the rods, so these shelves on either side are flush with the top and allow us to put baskets, bags, or other things we want out of easy reach. I nailed scrap wood cleats on either side the shelf for it to rest on, and then nailed the shelf down into the cleats.

To finish off the closet, I installed some 1×4 boards as baseboard, caulked everything, and painted it 2 fresh coats of white paint.

Organizing Baskets

The baskets I found for the center shelves, were ordered from Target. They are 6″ high, 12″ wide, and 17″ deep and were $15 each. The depth is what sold me on them, as the shelves are pretty deep and I wanted to have a basket that utilized as much space as possible, but also would hide items like shoes or ball caps. You can see there is a few inches of space behind the basket.

For the white woven baskets you can see in the top shelves on the sides, I found them at Aldi actually! Target sells similar ones as well.

Fixing a Scratch on Ikea Drawers

When I was putting it all together, I accidentally scratched one of the Ikea drawers. The drawers are made from a composite wood that is coated with a type of white plastic/paper, so I couldn’t just rub or magic eraser the scratch away. It was actually marred. 🙁 However, I took some white paint, painted over the scratch lightly so that the white paint soaked into the brown composite wood showing through. Then when it was dry to the touch after several minutes, I carefully rubbed off the paint from the finished part of the drawer face. So now the paint only remained in the scratch part. You can see if if you look closely, but it is barely noticeable from a distance now!

I didn’t get the fancy felt hangers yet, but instead stuck with what we already owned, and that was white hangers. Still looks consistent and nice!

Cost Breakdown

For about $550, we customized and maximized space for our small master closet. I know this closet is pretty lackluster compared to most master closets, but when you live in a small home, you really learn to appreciate every square inch! I love how this spot has room for everything we need and nothing we don’t. Some affiliate links are used below.

Ikea PAX wardrobe frame (22 7/8″ deep)- $90

Komplement Drawers- $35 each x 6 – $210

Komplement Pull-Out tray- $25

Komplement Shelf- $15 x 3 – $45

IKEA delivery fee- $50

Closet Rods– $8 x 4 – $32

Seagrass Baskets– $15 x 4 – $60

White woven baskets- $5 x 4 – $20 at Aldi

Melamine coated shelves (abt 24″ on either side) – Already had ($25 if you buy new from HD)

White primed 1×4 for shelf cleats and baseboard – Already had ($6.50 for 8′ if you buy new from HD)

Paint- Already had ($20 for quart of BEHR Marquee Cameo White in Satin if you buy new)

To see the rest of our master bedroom, check out my post here on the bedding I recently got.

Isn’t this a great before and after?

I hope you enjoyed seeing this small master closet makeover that I was able to complete by myself in just 1 weekend! I highly recommend a closet makeover– they are quick and impactful!