How I Added More Shelves to Our Linen Closet for Better Organization
A small DIY linen closet upgrade for a more organized home.
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When we moved into our home by the beach, the linen closet technically existed, but it wasn’t finished. There were only three rough, unfinished shelves, with extra boards left on the floor, as if someone had started building it and never came back.
With so few shelves, everything had to be stacked high. Sheets and towels shared the same spaces, piles were unstable, and pulling one thing out often meant the whole stack could tumble. It worked well enough to get by, but it wasn’t functional or organized.
Part of creating a relaxed coastal lifestyle, at least for me, is making sure my home actually works day to day. When storage functions better, everyday routines feel easier. This small closet project ended up making a bigger difference than I expected.
Scroll to see how this unfinished linen closet came together, from the original shelves to the finished result, plus the supplies we used to complete it.
Supplies used
The wood and paint materials came from a local hardware store, but I’ve linked what can easily be ordered online below.
- 3/4″ wood boards, cut to size
- Paint, paint brush, paint tray
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Brad nailer – I like this brand because it’s DIY-friendly and their batteries and charger are able to be used with hundreds of their tools
- 18GA 2-inch brad nails
- Wood filler
- Putty knife
- Orbital sander
- Sanding discs in 120 grit and 320 grit
How this DIY linen closet shelving project came together
Installing additional linen closet shelves created a layout that made better use of the vertical space.
BEFORE
When we moved in, the linen closet had only three unfinished wood shelves, with extra wood boards sitting on the floor (not pictured), as if the project had been left half done.
MEASURING + PLANNING
We measured the space and rethought the shelf spacing so the closet could actually function better. The existing shelves were 2 feet apart, so I decided to add three additional shelves so there would be six shelves, 1 foot apart.
INSTALLING SHELF BRACKETS
Using the same style of wood shelf support brackets already in the closet, we installed new brackets for the three additional shelves along the sides and back walls using a brad nailer. We painted these white before installing them.
Here’s what the closet looked like after all shelf support brackets are installed.
FILLING NAIL HOLES, PAINTING, + SANDING
Once all the brackets were in, we filled the nail holes and prepped the shelves for painting.
Then we painted the shelves and wall brackets. This took around a week with letting multiple coats of paint dry and sanding the shelves in between coats for a smooth finish.
AFTER
After painting and installing the shelves, the closet finally felt finished and far more usable!
What was once an awkward, half-finished closet is now organized and functioning in a useful way. Bath towels, sheets, bedding, and beach towels finally have a place that makes sense.
Why this small project made everyday life better
Now that the shelves are finished, the linen closet actually works the way it should. Everything has a place, nothing is stacked too high or shoved in, and getting things in and out of the closet is noticeably easier. This wasn’t a dramatic renovation, but it made everyday life calmer.
For me, this kind of update is part of living my ideal coastal lifestyle. A relaxed coastal home isn’t just about how it looks, it’s also about how it functions. When storage is thoughtful and clutter is reduced, everyday routines feel easier and less stressful, supporting a slower, more relaxed coastal way of living.
If you’re updating your home too, this is a good reminder that small, practical projects can have just as much impact as bigger design changes.
Looking for more simple home projects that make everyday life feel better?
You can find all of my easy DIY home updates here.
I’m sharing my small home updates and DIY projects as we slowly make this house feel like home.
If you’re also looking for coastal home decor inspiration, I share modern coastal finds, furniture, and decor ideas.
Save this DIY linen closet shelving project for later
Pin this graphic on Pinterest so you can refer back to this DIY built-in style linen closet project if you’re interested in adding linen closet shelving, improving your linen closet organization, need more linen closet storage, or are looking for linen closet ideas. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal home and beach lifestyle inspiration.
What’s one small home update that’s made everyday life feel easier for you? Share it in the comments.
