How to Have a Custom Closet Design Without the Hefty Price Tag — Really!

Custom closet systems like Jenna Lyons’ floor-to-ceiling shoe shelving are fun in a vicarious sort of way, but most people make do with a single rod and high shelf, with maybe a plastic three-drawer bin thrown into the mix. A closet renovation with customized built-in shelving isn’t realistic for renters and isn’t affordable for many homeowners, but it turns out you can have a personalized closet without hiring a contractor or watching hours of DIY TikToks, thanks to the Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Closet Kit.

The closet kit comes with everything you need to mount the system, and the only tool required is a drill. For best results, edit your wardrobe first to get a sense of how much space you need for hanging and folding items. The system for closets 4 to 8 feet wide includes seven 26-inch shelves and two 48-inch shelves, plus telescoping hanging rods that can be adjusted to exactly the length needed for the space. 

The epoxy-finished metal shelving is basically maintenance-free, and won’t collect as much dust as a pricier wooden system. If your wardrobe changes, it’s easy to reconfigure the design of the Rubbermaid system to make space for all those new fall sweaters and boots.

Even tiny apartment closets can be reimagined with this system; Rubbermaid offers a smaller kit for closets 3 to 6 feet wide. You can also invest in accessories such as a sliding basket, angled shoe shelf, and sliding pants rack, to create a system unique to your wardrobe.

A custom system doesn’t have to be exorbitantly expensive, and you don’t have to empty your savings account to have a closet designed especially for your needs. For under $250 and a few hours of your time, you can have the customized closet you’ve been ogling on social media.

Buy: Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Closet Kit, $229