Additional shelves in the closet with their own hands

Shelves are a necessary part of the wardrobe and play a crucial role in organizing the interior space effectively. In addition to their functional significance, the placement of shelves is also important in terms of ergonomics, as it determines the ease of use. It is not uncommon to find finished cabinets with seemingly sufficient internal space, but with an inconvenient internal design that necessitates the installation of extra shelves.

Preparing to install additional shelves in the cabinet

If you require a redesign of the internal layout of the wardrobe: measuring the space between shelves, incorporating new ones, and creating extra divisions, it is necessary to determine the type of partitions to be installed. Particleboard, commonly known as chipboard, is the most frequently utilized material for this purpose.

Choice of material

Particleboard is an excellent choice for internal partitions and closet shelves due to its ability to be easily customized in terms of size and shape. You can easily create the perfect shelf by marking and cutting the particleboard as needed. However, one drawback of particleboard is its lack of rigidity, especially when it needs to support heavy loads. To address this issue, you can reinforce the shelf by attaching a wooden strip along both the back and front edges.

Cutting to size

Before you begin constructing your own shelf, you should measure the dimensions of the cupboard where the shelf will be installed. Make sure to check the perpendicularity of the back plane of the cupboard and the side walls using a corner. Next, measure the depth and width, which will determine the size of the shelf. If desired, the widths of the shelves can be made different by adjusting this parameter. The most important rule is this:

1. The width of the shelf must exactly match the width of the cupboard, otherwise the shelf will not fit or it may fall through. For a more comfortable installation, the shelf can be made slightly smaller than the width of the cupboard by 1 mm, but not more than that.
2. The depth of the cabinet can either match exactly when the door is closed or be slightly smaller. It is important to ensure that this measurement is not too big, even by a small amount, as it may prevent the door from closing tightly.

If you want to make a shelf, you have a few options. You can contact a specialized store, where they can cut the shelf to your desired dimensions. Alternatively, if you prefer to do it yourself, you will need the following tools:

1. Measuring tools such as rulers and corners.
2. A drill with various diameter drill bits.
3. A screwdriver and appropriate fasteners.
4. Edge tape and an iron for applying it.
5. Material for the shelf and a regular pencil for marking.

Finishing with edging tape

When using a chipboard board, the act of cutting out the required dimensions results in an unattractive edge. Not only is the edge unpleasant to look at, but its unevenness also causes it to catch on clothing, leading to its eventual deterioration. To address this issue, specialized adhesive edge tape is employed. With its wide range of colors, matching the tape to the slab’s tone is a breeze. The application process is simple – just affix the tape to the cut end of the shelf and run a hot iron over it. This will ensure a secure and long-lasting attachment.

Variations in the location and attachment of shelves

Right after sawing the shelf, the next question that comes to mind is how to secure it? Having vertical bulkheads gives two potential choices for fastening:

• By using different axes – it’s crucial to ensure parallelism;
• By using a single axis – the main focus will be on creating a strong attachment between the shelves.

The first method is relatively simpler compared to the second one.

Use of furniture corners

The utilization of corners in furniture manufacturing is a widespread and advantageous practice. Corners can be made from plastic or wood. Their installation is straightforward, requiring no specific expertise. Each corner is affixed with a self-tapping screw at two locations – directly onto the shelf structure and onto the vertical wall. Currently, professionals do not favor this type of fastening due to its prominent parts, which are considered a notable drawback.

Screw tie

The screw tie is a type of fastener that consists of a screw and a barrel that are used for securing objects together. The screw is inserted into a hole in the keg, allowing for a strong attachment between the shelf and the side wall.

When inserting the keg, it is important to determine the appropriate distance the hole should be positioned from the edge. This ensures that there is enough room for the screw to securely connect the two parts. One challenge that non-professionals may face is aligning the hole in the barrel with the corresponding part of the screw.

WARNING: One drawback of this connection is that the screw head is visible on the external surface of the vertical cabinet wall. However, this issue can be partially addressed by utilizing furniture plugs.

Use of a screw plug

A rod is a wooden fastener that is created by inserting a small cylindrical piece of wood into the opening on a shelf, typically halfway through. The other end of the rod fits into holes that have been drilled in the side wall of a cabinet, matching the diameter, depth, and position of the holes.

Used Euro screws

Euroscrews are commonly utilized in low-cost furniture. This particular type of connection allows for easy and convenient fastening of components together, but it inevitably results in the creation of multiple holes with countersunk screw heads on the outer surface of the wall. These holes are typically covered by plugs, which can still have an impact on the overall aesthetics. It is important to note that the use of euroscrews is only suitable in situations where there is no intention to redesign the cabinet’s interior in the future.

Tapered coupler

This particular kind of fastening device is designed to work with thick materials ranging from 25 mm to 38 mm in thickness. The process involves screwing a barrel-shaped body into the pre-drilled hole on the chipboard board. Once the barrel is in place, a screw is inserted into the side wall from the inside, and the conical part is inserted into the corresponding hole in the barrel. Finally, a rod is used to secure the conical part in place, providing a sturdy and reliable fastening solution.

WARNING: One drawback of this particular design is that the shelf attached to this connection is incapable of supporting a significant weight. The conical portion of the screw may simply not have the ability to withstand it. However, there are several advantages to consider, such as the fact that the front face of the lateral surface remains unaffected.

Eccentric coupler

Currently, the eccentric clamp is highly favored in the furniture manufacturing industry. Its popularity stems from its ability to create virtually invisible connections, both internally and externally, while also offering substantial strength and reliable performance. The eccentric fastener is composed of three components: a post, an eccentric, and a lug.

The input components may have slight variations in their geometrical parameters, which can be adjusted to provide a specific load capacity and overall structural reliability. This means that the post can be manufactured either as a self-tapping screw or a regular screw. The adjustable length of the eccentric component ensures the necessary strength and load-bearing capability.

The installation process is intricate due to the requirement for precise fitting of the components. A coupling is inserted into one panel, into which an eccentric is screwed. The eccentric is then attached to the other panel. As the eccentric is turned into the rod’s head, it creates a secure and tight connection.