Target Bookcase "Custom" Closet Hack for Under $115

Hey Homies!

I posted my version of the Target Bookcase Closet Hack that I found on Tiktok and received lots of questions so I figured I would make a blog post about it. I’ve been wanting to start a new blog for some time now and this project was the push that I needed. So, let’s get into it.

*Disclosure: There are some affiliate links included in this post, which means I will get a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.

We have been working on updating our 12 year old daughter’s room and wanted to start by replacing her old carpet with new LVP flooring. She also wanted to have her closet painted. I knew the wire shelving she had would need to be removed in order to paint and I really did not want to reinstall it once we finished. Her closet was always an unorganized mess with no clearly defined spaces for her to put her things. So, I turned to Tiktok to see what I could find and there it was! Now, I am not sure who exactly started the trend because I looked at a lot of videos and some dated back to last summer. But I believe the first one I saw was by the creator @honestlydejaa. If you search the target bookcase hack on Tiktok you’ll find a bunch of different variations.

After we removed the wire shelving, we filled the holes and painted her closet “Salamander” by Benjamin Moore. Then we got to work on creating her closet system.

Step 1: Measure Space and Determine How Many Bookcases Will Fit

We measured out the closet and determined how many bookcases could fit in the space (each books case is a width of 24.5 inches) Her closet measured at 70 inches so I knew that only two of the bookcases would fit and that we would need to get creative with the remaining 21 inches. I purchased two of the Room Essentials 5 Shelf Bookcases in White from Target for $37 each and then purchased three of the Everbilt 18-30″ Adjustable Closet Rods from Home Depot for $12 each. Then we got to work!

Step 2: Assemble Bookcases

My husband and I assembled the bookcases outside her room and then moved them into her closet. It was just easier for us to do it that way. During the assembly process we used wood glue (optional) to reinforce many of the pieces to make it extra durable. After moving the bookcases to the closet, we anchored them to the wall using the hardware that was included. My husband also used a piece of wood to attach the two bookcases together. It is important to anchor the bookcases to make ensure that they don’t topple over.

Step 3: Attach Closet Rods and Adjust Shelves

Then we used a drill and attached the rods. Be sure that your rods are leveled and that they come out just enough that your hangers aren’t scraping the back of the closet. We just used a regular sized hanger to determine where to hang the rods but I have seen people use children’s hangers also. We then marked the space and drilled them directly into the bookcases. Each book shelf comes with three adjustable shelves and one permanent shelf that is a part of the build. So we adjusted the shelves at a height that would accommodate her shoes on one bookcase and then adjusted two of the shelves on the other bookcase to fit a few sweaters, sweatshirts and storage containers.

We used the third shelf to fill the gap where we couldn’t fit a third bookcase. We cut the shelf down to size using a miter saw and then attached one end to the nearest bookshelf and the other to the wall using Everbilt Corner Brace brackets purchased from Home Depot for $4. This way she has one continuous shelf along the top of her closet for storage. We also installed a third closet rod that attached to the nearest bookcase and the wall. This way she can hang longer items and store her hamper at the bottom.

Step 4: Set Up Your Closet

This “closet” is totally customizable and you can adjust it to fit your needs. Our daughter is in her shorts, leggings and t-shirt phase so this works for her as she has a dresser that she uses for primary storage. Also, because of the climate we live in, we don’t have a need for large coats so this system is perfect. Best of all, she has a defined place to put things and she’s been able to keep it organized which was the main goal. I would not suggest overloading it with items because I am not sure how it would hold up but it’s been working great for her. We even added these motion lights since the paint color she chose is pretty dark and there were no lights in her closet. It really elevated the space. If you wanted to take it a step further you could add peel and stick wallpaper to the back or even paint it. You could also add trim to hide the seams which we may do in the future. It really just depends on what look you’re going for.

I would love to see your Target Bookcase Closets, so please tag me over on Tiktok or Instagram or email me at homeishwithcorrin {at} gmail.com. And of course, let me know if you have any questions and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Corrin