How to Build a Broom Closet

Frame the Broom Closet

• 1

  Measure a 2-foot-by-2-foot area--smaller or larger--to accommodate your broom and other floor cleaning tools. Cut 2-by-4-inch wood pieces to outline the base of the broom closet's walls and leave a 26 ¼-inch gap for the door--24 inches for the door and 2 ¼ inches for the door framing.

• 2

  Pre-drill screw holes into the framing base and the floor, and screw them to the floor.

• 3

  Use the compound miter saw to cut 2-by-4-inch wood pieces to frame the top of the broom closet on the ceiling. Use the same measurements as the base plate. Screw or nail them to the ceiling joists for extra support.

• 4

  Cut 2-by-4-inch wood studs to make the wall studs for the closet. Measure the length between the top plate and the base plate, cut the wood studs with this measurement and space them every 12 inches apart. Put a wall stud on either side of the door opening.

The Door

• 5

  Cut a piece of 2-by-4-inch wood to 26 ¼ inches--the width of the doorway. Position it horizontally between the two studs on either side of the doorway, 82 inches from the floor. Nail or screw this door header at both ends into the wood studs.

• 6

  Cut three pieces of 2-by-4-inch wood using the measurement between the door header base and the top plate. Insert these into that space--one at each end and one in the middle--and nail or screw in place.

• 7

  Insert the door framing into the door opening. Nail into the top and side 2-by-4-inch wood studs.

• 8

  Hang the 24-inch closet door onto the door framing. Use a router or chisel to notch out the wood to recess the door hinge plates into the door framing and screw into place.

• 9

  Drill a large hole using a boring bit into the other side of the door framing, according to the door knob instructions. Place the strike plate over the hole and screw into position.

Installing the Sheetrock

• 10

  Cut pieces of sheetrock to cover the broom closet's walls. Transfer the width and length measurements to the sheetrock using a tape measure, a straight edge, a pencil and a utility knife.

• 11

  Score the lines with one pass with the utility knife, and bend the sheetrock on the line to break apart. Cut through the sheetrock backing with the utility knife to separate the pieces.

• 12

  Line up the sheetrock pieces to the wall and screw into the wood studs. Cut the sheetrock to a measurement that will land it edges at the middle of a wood stud to reinforce the strength of the walls.

• 13

  Spread joint compound over the screw holes and over the sheetrock seams. Apply strips of paper or joint tape over the seams and smooth another layer of joint compound over it with a putty knife or feathering knife to seamless finish.

Finishing the Broom Closet

• 14

  Measure the width of the broom closet and cut two pieces of 1-by-12-inch wood to make two shelves for the upper part of the closet.

• 15

  Cut 1-by-2-inch wood to make the shelf supports--two pieces 12 inches long for the sides and one piece to the width of the closet for the back support, for each shelf.

• 16

  Measure the height of your broom and other floor cleaning tools and leave at least a five-inch gap between the tallest tool and the lowest shelf.

• 17

  Paint the interior and exterior walls of the broom closet.