Installing custom wood shelves for your closet allows you to tailor your space to your storage needs. To ensure their longevity, add much-needed space to your closet using the right type of wood for closet shelves. This guide breaks down the best wood for closet shelves that will help keep your closet organized all year long.
The Best Wood for Closet Shelves
There are a few factors to consider when choosing wood for closet shelves. Before selecting a material, ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I want to store on my shelves? If you plan to store bulky or heavy items like sweaters, shoes, or handbags, you may consider choosing hardwood. Hardwoods are sturdy, dense, and likely to hold up well to pressure over time.
- What style do I prefer? Luxurious woods like maple, oak, and cherry add an air of refinement to closets, while pine combines affordability and flexibility suited to any space.
- What are the humidity levels in my closet? Softwoods like cedar and redwood are moisture-resistant and less prone to warping in a high-humidity space. They also repel pests, like moths, that may ruin woolen items.
- Do I prefer natural wood or manufactured materials? Wood alternatives, like plywood, melamine, and particle board, are typically budget-friendly and hold up well over time.
Keep these questions in mind when choosing the best wood for closet shelves for your custom solution.
Spruce Wood for Closet Shelves
Spruce is a softer wood that is usually more affordable than other types of hardwood. Although it is not as strong as other wood for closet shelving, it will still support anything you place on it.
Cedar Wood for Closet Shelves
Cedar has been a long-time favorite wood for closet shelves. Its light scent, pest-repellent properties, and minimal maintenance requirements mean your cedar shelves will look great for years to come. And, despite being a softwood, cedar is strong and durable, which means your shelves can hold heavy items with proper installation and support.
Redwood for Closet Shelves
Redwood is a type of softwood that’s naturally moisture-resistant, insect-resistant, and decay-resistant, making it a solid choice for humid spaces or for storing items made of fibers that bugs may damage, like wool.
That said, redwood can be more expensive due to limited availability. In addition, it will require maintenance over time to keep its beautiful natural color and water-resistant properties.
Redwood is also slightly more brittle than cedar. You’ll need to take precautions when choosing redwood as the main source of wood for closet shelves to prevent splitting and cracks. If installed correctly, though, your redwood shelves can handle medium- to heavy-weight items.
Pine Wood for Closet Shelves
Pine is another excellent choice, making it one of the best woods for closet shelves. This softwood is lighter than plywood but still sturdy enough for many closet applications.
Aside from being a more affordable material for a closet-building project, Pine is also very easy to paint and stain, which is another great option as wood for closet shelves.
While lightweight and easy to work with, this type of wood is better suited for storing light to medium-weight objects.
Cherry Wood for Closet Shelves
Cherry wood is a great choice if you are looking to add luxurious shelving that offers aesthetic appeal. Cherry wood is hardwood, meaning it is heavier than other types of wood and a bit more difficult to work with when it comes to drilling and cutting.
However, unlike some other hardwoods, cherry wood is surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle. If you’re looking to add shelving with a rich, warm tone, cherry wood is a great choice. If you are adding shelving to display items elegantly, cherry is the way to go. Using this wood for closet shelves is an excellent choice and will house both light and heavy objects.
Maple Wood for Closet Shelves
If you want to add a light, airy feel to your space, consider maple wood for closet shelves. The wood's light blonde color, coupled with its delicate grain, offers durability, stability, and aesthetic appeal.
Maple shelving is unlikely to warp, sag, or split, even when holding heavy items. However, it’s less moisture-resistant than other woods. Therefore, take care to seal your maple shelving properly, especially if you plan to install it near a bathroom or other humid areas.
Oak Wood for Closet Shelves
Heavy-duty oak is strong, durable, and offers a distinctive grain and color. It’s also more affordable than other hardwoods, resulting in a prime balance of budget-friendliness and aesthetic appeal. It absorbs stain well, allowing you to darken it to suit your taste, but it does require routine maintenance. It’s well-suited to storing heavier items with proper installation.
Why Choosing the Right Wood for Closet Shelves Matters
A closet with sufficient shelving will provide an organized place for all of your clothes and accessories. However, choosing the right type of wood for closet shelves depends on what you will be storing, along with other considerations, such as:
- The humidity and proximity to moisture
- Maintenance needs
- Your taste and style preferences
- Your budget
That said, there are benefits to choosing hardwood or softwood shelving for your closet or opting for an alternative material. Take a closer look at some of the advantages of using wood for closet shelves.
Benefits of Using Wood for Closet Shelves
Choosing natural wood for closet shelves adds a warm, natural touch to even the tiniest spaces while elevating walk-in closets and wardrobes. Here are some additional benefits of choosing the best wood for your closet shelves:
- Warp-resistant and holds up well over time with proper maintenance
- Durable and holds up well for years to come.
- Supports heavy items, especially when correctly installed with proper brackets.
- Versatile and can be used anywhere in your home.
- Various wood options can be stained and finished to suit your taste and personal style.
Bring Organization To Your Closet with ShelfGenie
Whether you’re looking to add more space or organize the space you have, adding shelves to the closets in your home can make finding what you need a lot easier. But measuring, cutting, and installing shelves to create your custom closet is no easy task. If you’re looking to organize your space better, there’s no better way to do it than with help from your local ShelfGenie®.
We take the hassle and stress out of organizing by offering practical, customized solutions for every closet and room in your house. Our three-step process enables us to create beautifully organized spaces for everything you want to store in your closet. As part of the Neighborly family of home service brands, all our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, so your satisfaction is ensured. ShelfGenie’s innovative solutions make it easy to organize your space and keep it that way.
To learn more, contact us today and book a free, in-home consultation with one of our ShelfGenie design experts.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. ShelfGenie is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local ShelfGenie location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
