A closet or alcove without shelves always translates into storage limitations. After all, storage space is already at a premium. Using stand-alone racks inside an alcove or closet may sometimes work at keeping smaller items stored away, but for long-term use, built-in shelves are still more stable and work better at maximizing space. They also save valuable floor space, which standing wire racks tend to take up much of. These shelves also allow for a more permanent place for things, such as for items that are no longer in use but are too expensive or sentimental to throw away. If you wish to install built-in shelves to your closet or alcove, you will need the following tools and materials: an electric drill, an electronic stud finder, a 2” level, circular saw, tape measure, sliding bevel, 1 x 2-inch boards, coarse thread drywall screws, and shelving board or glass.

Step 1. Plan how many shelves you need and how many you can realistically fit into the space. Take note of the thickness of the shelf boards, as this will eat up a considerable amount of space, especially if you want more shelves.

Step 2. Install the shelf cleats, or 1 x 2-inch boards, to the level where you want the shelves to go, starting with the rear of the closet. To install the cleat, hold it against the rear of the closet with the level under it, and draw a pencil over the top edge as a reference mark. Set the wood aside and locate wall studs with your stud finder. Mark the center for the studs on the reference line, and mark that point on the cleat. Drill a pilot hole on the mark, and screw the cleat onto the wall using drywall screws.

Step 3. Cut two side cleats at ½-inch shorter than the length spanning the side wall up to the face of the rear cleat. To make the side cleats look more aesthetically pleasing, you can opt to miter the front edge of both cleats to a 45 degree angle, with the top offering full support for the shelf while the bottom is less visible. Do the same as when you installed the rear cleats, making sure they are level.

Step 4. Before you install the shelves, take note that the interior drywall corners in most homes are hardly ever exact square. As such, you will need to check the corners at the top of the cleats with a sliding bevel. Hopefully, there will be very little difference and you can still cut your shelf out with a right angle on both back corners. In that case, you can just cover up the small gaps with paintable caulk.

Step 5. If the angle of the inside corner is too far from a 90-degree angle, use the sliding bevel to determine the angle and cut the shelf according too that angle. Set the shelf in place. If you want to keep it permanently in place, you can opt to drill pilot holes on each side of the shelf and attach it to the cleats using screws.