How to Add Shelves to a Closet Without Drilling

Are you looking for a creative way to maximize storage space in your closet without damaging the walls? Forgo drilling and instead opt for shelves that can be easily installed with minimal effort.

How to Add Shelves to a Closet Without Drilling

Adding shelves without drilling is an easy and efficient DIY solution. With some simple materials and time, you can transform your cramped storage into a neat and organized one that serves as extra shelf space and can be used to cover or decorate other items in your home. 

In this blog post, we’ll go over how to add shelves to a closet without drilling. From tension rod rack systems and corner hangers to wall organizers and adhesive shelf caddies–we’ll provide all of the tips, tricks, and products available so you can make the most out of every square inch of your closets!

What Will You Need?

Before you start, make sure to stock up on the necessary supplies. The materials needed for adding shelves without drilling will depend on which approach you take. Generally speaking, here’s a list of items you’ll need:

  1. Adhesive strips or hooks (for adhesive shelf caddies and wall organizers)
  2. Corner hangers
  3. Tension rods and brackets
  4. Shelf boards
  5. Level (for tracking the shelf’s alignment)
  6. Pencils
  7. Tape measure or ruler

Once you have all of the supplies ready, you can begin installing your shelves.

10 Easy Steps on How to Add Shelves to a Closet Without Drilling

Step 1. Adhesive Shelf Caddies:

Start by selecting the adhesive strips that will hold your shelf caddy in place, then use a tape measure or ruler to determine where you want to mount the strip on the wall and mark it with a pencil. Attach the adhesive strip according to the instructions on the package and wait for it to set before attaching the shelf board above it. Use a level while mounting so that the shelf is level when finished.

Using a Tape Measure

Step 2. Wall Organizers:

Find a suitable spot for your wall organizer and mark it with a pencil. Measure the space before cutting or drilling, then use adhesive hooks to adhere it to the wall without causing any damage or creating unsightly holes. Once the hooks have been firmly attached, hang the rack on top of them and test their stability before loading in items.

Step 3. Corner Hangers:

Cut shelf boards to size and attach corner hangers at each end using screws or nails provided with the corner hanger kit. Securely anchor shelf board using either toggle bolts, molly bolts, or plastic anchors, depending on the type of wall material in the closet (drywall, plaster/concrete). Ensure that corner hangers are level for a balanced shelf.

Step 4. Tension Rod Rack Systems:

Mount the tension rod rack brackets on the walls of your closet, and then place the tension rods into the bracket channels. Adjust the height to the desired level, keeping in mind that you will need additional clearance for items placed on a shelf. Insert shelf boards onto tension rods and adjust accordingly until secure and level.

Step 5. Adhesive Hooks:

Measure the area where the adhesive hook is to be placed and mark it with a pencil. Clean the wall, then attach the adhesive hook according to package instructions, ensuring that the hook is level. Once it has been firmly attached, hang your shelf board on top of it and test its stability before loading in items.

Step 6. Check Stability:

Once all shelves have been installed, check for stability and levelness for a few minutes. Make sure that each shelf board is securely attached before loading items onto them. This will help ensure the safety of your items and prevent any accidents from happening while using the shelves.

Step 7. Load Items:

Now it’s time to load up on items! Add books, shoes, clothing, or other items you need to store in your closet and arrange them according to your preference. Ensure that heavier items are stored on lower shelves for better support and balance the weight distribution accordingly.

Step 8. Clean Up:

Clean up the installation area once everything is securely in place so it looks neat and organized. Be careful not to damage any of the walls or adhesive strips when cleaning, as this can reduce their effectiveness. If you’re using tension rods, check to make sure they haven’t become loose over time.

Using Tension Rod

Step 9. Enjoy:

Now it’s time to enjoy your new, organized closet! You can rest assured that no damage was done to the walls and that you have plenty of storage space with your new shelves. Remember to check the stability of your shelves every once in a while and adjust as needed.

Step 10. Maintenance:

To ensure long shelf life, check them periodically and ensure they’re still secure and level. You may also need to replace adhesives or re-secure hangers every now and then. With regular maintenance, you’ll be able to keep using these non-drill shelving methods for years to come!

By following these steps, you can successfully add shelves to your closet without needing to drill into the walls. It’s an easy and affordable way to organize your space while still protecting your walls! Enjoy the convenience and peace of mind that comes with non-drill shelving.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

Use Adhesive Strips
  1. Hang a Shelf Using an Adhesive Strip. Most hardware stores carry adhesive strips that are perfect for adding shelves without needing to drill into your walls or closet. Simply stick the adhesive strip on the wall, make sure it is level, and then hang the shelf onto the adhesive strip.
  2. Use a Tension Rod. If you have a narrow area in your closet, consider using a tension rod to hold up your shelves without drilling holes into the walls or closet frame. Tension rods come in various sizes and can easily be adjusted to fit any space.
  3. Install Floating Shelves With Dowel Pegs and Brackets. This is an easy way to add decor and storage space without drilling into anything! To install floating shelves, simply measure the space in your closet and purchase dowel pegs and brackets that will fit into the space.
  4. Purchase a Shelving Unit Designed for Closets. Many companies make shelving units specifically designed for closets, so you don’t have to drill holes into the walls or closet frame to put it together. These units usually come with all the necessary pieces and instructions for assembly.
  5. Try Using Wall-mounted Corner Brackets. Wall-mounted corner brackets are perfect for adding shelves to a closet without drilling into the walls or closet frame. They will hold your shelves in place, and you can easily adjust their height if need be.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to having an organized closet in no time! Good luck!

5 Things You Should Avoid

  1. Avoid drilling into any part of your closet. Drilling holes can cause structural damage and weaken the walls or frame of the closet.
  2. Don’t overfill shelves. If a shelf is overloaded with items, it could come loose from its mountings and potentially cause an accident.
  3. Do not use double-sided tape to hang shelves; it may not hold up well over time.
  4. Do not use nails or screws if you are using adhesive strips to install shelves, as this could damage your walls or closet frame.
  5. Avoid using wood glue on your shelves as this could cause them to become unstable and easily break apart if too much weight is placed on them.
Use Wood Glue

By following these tips and tricks, you can easily and safely add shelves to your closet without drilling into the walls or frame. Good luck!

What Can You Use for Closet Shelves?

  1. Hook and Loop Fasteners: These are ideal for lightweight items like sweaters or blankets. They don’t require any drilling, but they aren’t strong enough to hold heavier items like books.
  2. Over-the-Door Shelves: These can be used to hang baskets and other small storage containers on your closet door without having to drill into the wall.
  3. Wall Mounted Brackets: If you have a drywall or plaster wall in your closet, you can purchase brackets that will allow you to hang shelves from the walls without having to drill anything into them. You’ll just need to screw the brackets into place.
  4. Command Strips: These are great for hanging things like mirrors or calendars. They stick directly to the wall and come off easily when you’re ready to take them down.
  5. Rods and Wire Shelves: If you have a closet with an open back, you can hang rods from the ceiling and then put wire shelves on top of them without having to drill anything into the walls or ceiling.

No matter what type of shelves you choose, be sure to measure carefully before purchasing so that your new shelves will fit perfectly in your closet! With these tips, adding shelves to your closet without drilling is easy — and no one has to know!

How Do You Make Shelves Look Elegant?

  1. Color coordinating your shelves is a great way to add an elegant touch. Consider adding a pop of color to one shelf and painting the others white or gray for contrast.
  2. Add natural elements like baskets, plants, or driftwood for a rustic vibe.
  3. Choose decorative knobs and pulls that match the overall theme of the room and closet space. This can help bring together all the separate elements in your closet into one cohesive look.
  4. Install lighting on shelving units to create a cozy atmosphere while highlighting items placed on them.
  5. Use contrasting textures such as wood, metal, and fabric to give shelves depth and dimension without taking away from other decor pieces in the room.
Use Fabric to Give Shelves Depth

Following these tips and using the right materials can easily make shelves look elegant.

Conclusion

How to add shelves to a closet without drilling is an easy job that anyone can do and doesn’t require any special tools or skills. You can get the job done with the materials from your local home improvement store in no time. In addition to saving money on labor, you gain the satisfaction of doing something yourself.

As with most renovation projects, careful planning and patience are essential to success. It may take extra effort to ensure that all your measurements are precise in order for everything to fit perfectly and look great when it’s all finished.

If you follow these steps, you should have no trouble adding shelves to your closet without drilling. So don’t be afraid – grab some adhesive strips and start shelving your closet!

Photo of author

Adrian Green

Adrian is a woodworking hobbyist and has loved Woodworking since he was 10 years old. Back then in childhood, his father used to have a furniture shop. He used to help his dad and learned a lot from him about how to fix woodworking furniture, basic carpentry knowledge and also about how to work hard and take care of business. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby. He loves the feeling of creating something with his own hands, and the satisfaction that comes from seeing his finished products used by others.

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