[header] How to add shelves to a closet [title] Plan the locations of your closet shelves. [step] The first step in planning your layout is determining the length of each shelf. Measure the length across the back wall, and subtract about an inch (2.5 cm) from either side where the shelf touches a wall. 
Next, plan the vertical distance between each shelf. This will depend on what type of objects you want to store.