Hey everyone! I've got an old closet measuring 27x27, and the walls are in pretty rough shape with this ancient plaster and wood mesh. I'm looking to avoid a full remodel for now. I'm curious if I can make the ClosetMaid system from Home Depot work on these walls, or if I should just think about a freestanding option instead. Any advice? Thanks!
3 Answers
The lath behind your plaster can hold some weight, but it’s not super reliable for heavier shelves. Finding the studs is ideal, but it can be tricky since shelving kits sometimes have fixed positions for brackets that don’t align well. If you can, use toggles instead of the standard nails it comes with—they're much stronger. Just make sure to drill carefully with a masonry bit!
The ClosetMaid system really needs to be anchored into the studs rather than just the plaster or wood lath. If your plaster is stable, try to locate the studs and work around that layout. If the plaster isn’t holding up well, it’s probably best to avoid attaching anything to prevent further damage.