You Can Install This Yourself (Really): A Guide to DIY Cedar Closet Systems
When folks hear "DIY closet system," half of them picture a relaxing weekend project and the other half picture a pile of confusing parts and a trip to the store for a tool they've never heard of. We built ours for both kinds of people — including the ones who aren't sure they're handy at all.
Basic tools, no specialty gear
If you own a drill and a level, you're most of the way there. Our design installs quickly with the kind of basic power tools already sitting in most garages. There's no proprietary hardware, no awkward fasteners, and nothing that requires a professional. Our units can be installed by one person, but the install goes much better with two.
That's by design. We've spent decades working with this cedar, so we know how to make panels that go up cleanly and hold true once they're mounted.
Instructions that actually make sense
Every system ships with detailed, step-by-step instructions written in plain language — not a single cryptic diagram standing in for a paragraph of explanation. We walk you through layout, mounting, and the small adjustments that make the finished closet look like it was built in.
Most customers are surprised by how fast it comes together. Measure, mount, level, load it up. A space that felt cramped and chaotic in the morning can feel calm and organized by dinner.
The satisfaction of "I did that"
There's something genuinely rewarding about stepping back from a closet you installed yourself, catching that fresh cedar scent, and knowing you saved the cost of a contractor in the process.
If you've been putting off the project because you assumed it'd be complicated — it isn't. We made sure of that.
Quick tips before you start
A little preparation goes a long way. These are the things our customers tell us they wish they'd known on day one:
- Read the full instructions first. It's the step everyone's tempted to skip — and the one folks regret skipping when they're halfway in. Five minutes up front saves you headaches later.
- Check your parts. A packing list comes with every order and the instructions list all of the parts per unit. Confirm you've received everything before you begin assembly — or before you schedule a contractor to install it for you.
- Inspect before installing. Once everything arrives, look over the parts for any shipping damage or missing pieces before you start mounting.
- Know how it ships. Each organizer is delivered as a unit. Most arrive in a single box, though a few ship in two. Every package is labeled to match the SKU on your packing list, and split units note the box number.
- Let the wood acclimate. These are solid cedar organizers, and the humidity difference between Kentucky and your home can cause the wood to expand, contract, or even warp if the change happens too fast. Acclimation time depends on conditions, but we recommend letting the pieces settle in your home for about two weeks.
- Finishing. It is best to not seal, paint, or stain it. Finishing the wood smothers both the aroma and the natural moisture resistance that make aromatic red cedar worth having. This is totally up to you though, cedar does paint and stain well if desired.
- Protect your floor. Depending on your flooring, you may want to cover it during assembly to avoid scratches. Our shipping boxes can be flattened and reused as a floor cover — just pull any staples first.
- Dry-fit before you mount. Lay the pieces out on the floor per your plan before anything goes on the wall. It's far easier to catch a layout issue down there than after the screws are in.
- Watch for the baseboard. Panels sit flush to the wall and have a notch for baseboard, but you may need to notch around your baseboard or remove it first if it is thicker that 0.75" or taller than 6.75". It's easy to overlook and can stall an install if you're not ready for it. (an oscillating multi-tool comes in handy here)
- Anchor into studs whenever you can. A loaded closet carries real weight once it's full of clothes and shoes. Use your stud finder and save the drywall anchors for the spots where studs don't line up.
- Keep a shop vacuum close. You'll be glad to have it on hand for drywall dust and sawdust.
- Remember it's refreshable. Years from now, if the scent ever fades, a light sanding brings the aroma and the fresh cedar look right back. This is wood built to last decades — and easy to keep that way.
Tools you'll need
These cover a typical install:
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask or respirator
- Hammer
- Level
- Power drill or impact driver
- Drill bits to fit your drill or driver (most installs need a 1/16" and a 1/8")
- #2 square drive bit (an extended version makes things much easier)
- Stud finder
- Sandpaper (80 to 120 grit works well)
Tools you might need
Depending on your space and how much trimming you do:
- A saw — any handsaw will do, but if you're comfortable with power tools, a table saw, circular saw, or miter saw makes clean work of it. You will need a miter saw that can slide and cut 12.5" or 14.5" inches.
- An oscillating multi-tool — handy for a few quick cuts; a sharp blade glides right through cedar.
- Step stool or short ladder (for upper shelves and hanging rods)
- A couple of clamps (handy for steadying a panel solo or holding a piece while you cut)
- Painter's tape (for marking stud lines on the wall, and a strip over a cut line cuts down on tear-out)
- A small container or tray to keep your hardware from wandering off mid-project
- Tape measure
- Pencil, pen, or marker (pencil is best)
- A square or ruler — or any straight edge for marking clean cut lines
- Drywall anchors
None of this is exotic. If you've tackled a basic home project before, you already own most of it.
Easy to design — and we're here to help
The whole system is modular and cut-to-fit, which makes planning your closet more straightforward than you'd expect. Most designs start with anchor units — cubbies, corner cubbies, shoe cubbies, and add-ons . From there, you add the finishing pieces like hanging kits and shelving to connect them all together (these are also what you typically cut-to-fit). Run it wall to wall or cubby to cubby, whatever it takes to make a solid, finished closet.
And if you get stuck or just want a second opinion, reach out. We're open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST, Monday through Friday. Give us a call at (606) 742-2745 and you'll talk to a real person right here in our manufacturing facility — someone who can offer a real solution and help you make the most of your space.
Outside business hours, send an email or use the chat on our site and we'll get back to you the next business day: sales@northernkycedar.com.
See our DIY-friendly cedar systems →
Maybe too much?
Don't worry, most contractors that we have worked with in the past have loved our system. They should have everything they need once they have a design and the parts. Refer them to this page for the tips and tools. Make sure you have all of your parts and have inspected them for damage before scheduling a contractor to install.