Get matched with top closet pros in Grambling, LA

When you are securing your DIY home office built-ins to the wall, you should start by locating the wall studs. You'll then want to use long screws to attach the cabinets, shelves, and bookcases directly to the wall studs. Your built-ins will be far too heavy to attach to the drywall alone by using anchors.

You may need a building permit to add a closet, depending on the size and kind of work required to install it. The most likely scenario requiring a permit involves changing the structure of the house and performing electrical work for closet lighting. A permit can cost between $100 and $450. If you’re installing a smaller reach-in closet, a permit may not be required, but always check with your local municipality and consult a closet designer or builder.

You can modernize an old-looking closet by just painting it, but beyond that, consider electric elements like recessed or accent lighting. If this is a large and deep closet, you can consider adding an island to the middle or a nice ottoman on a rug. Luxury closets will have even more items, like felt-lined drawers for watches and jewelry, in-wall safes, electronic shoe storage, or a tablet catalog of their items.

Whether it’s less expensive to build or buy a closet depends on both the type of closet and whether or not you’d be constructing it yourself. The cost of custom closets built by a pro ranges from $1,300 to $3,800, but you may be able to DIY it for as little as $400. By contrast, prefabricated options go as low as $200 and up to $3,000, so it’s almost always less expensive to go this route.