A 6-foot-wide closet opening is the most common, but you can install closet doors in an opening of just about any width. Sets of bifolds are available in a variety of widths (in multiples of 2 inches) and bypass doors can be cut to any width desired. The standard height is 80 inches (the same as for an entry door). If you have an older home with 9- or 10-foot ceilings, this can leave you with unusable space above the doors. Either build shelves with small doors above the closet, or custom-make bypass doors that are tall enough to suit your situation.
For this project, you’ll need to be skilled at measuring, using a level, cutting, and fastening. Plan to set aside at least half a day for this project—once the rough framing is completed, it will take about three hours to build a finished frame (jambs) for a closet.
Remove as much of the wood as you can by tapping gently with a hammer. Clean the joint with a wood chisel.
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Finish the opening by installing drywall on each side. Buy three pieces of jamb stock—two for the sides and one for the header—that are the same width as your wall’s thickness. If your wall is an odd thickness, rip pieces of 1x finish-grade lumber to the correct width.
