Organizing My Pottery Studio: How I Turned a Closet into Functional Storage

As a handmade pottery artist, I’m always looking for ways to make my workspace more organized and inspiring. When my kitchen and dining room tables started overflowing with bowls, platters, and glaze test tiles, I knew I needed a better storage solution. So, I decided to transform a guest closet into a pottery storage area for a simple and affordable solution

In this post, I’ll share how I created sturdy shelving to store my finished pieces, glazes, and packing supplies. This small pottery studio organization project made a big difference in how I work and keep my pieces safe.

Plan Your Pottery Storage Space

Before buying materials, think about what you’ll store in this new space which could be finished pottery, glaze, bisque items, or tools. I cleared out the closet, measured the walls, and planned for four deep shelves that could hold heavy stoneware bowls and platters.

Gather Affordable Materials

• Power drill

• Wood screws (2.5 inches)

• Measuring tape

• Pencil

• Furring strips (1.5 inches x 3 inches)

• ¾-inch particle board

• Stud finder (a cheap magnetic one works fine)

• Small level (mine was only $5)

• White paint – I used Benjamin Moore Paint 151

• Paintbrushes

• Spackle

Build and Install the Shelves

1. Measure Dimensions:

   • After clearing our my closet, I started measuring the dimensions and decided how far apart I wanted each shelf to be. I wanted to maximize storage, so I planned for four shelves that were 24 inches deep. Here’s the wood I used:

     • 8 furring strips (1.5in x 3in x 24in each for side supports)

     • 4 furring strips (1.5in x 3in x 60in each for back supports)

     • 4 pieces of ¾ inch particle board (24in x 60in)

• Using my measurements, I marked where each shelf would go along the closet walls, spacing them 16 inches apart. I double-checked that my marks aligned on both sides and used a stud finder to avoid accidentally drilling into studs.

2. Install the Side and Back Supports

   • I began by attaching the furring strips to the left and right walls. First, I drilled one wood screw into each strip, and I used a level to make sure it was straight, and then secured it with additional screws. Once the side supports were up, I moved to the back wall and repeated the process. These supports are crucial when learning how to build closet shelves, as they’ll hold the weight of your shelves.

3. Add the Shelves

   • Next, I placed the first piece of particle board onto the supports to create the first shelf and repeated this for each of the remaining shelves. I ensured each shelf was level and securely fastened with enough screws.

4: Paint and Personalize

I painted the shelves white to brighten up the small space. A light color helps reflect natural light, making it easier to see glazes and textures when I’m organizing. After letting the paint dry for a few days, I filled the closet with bowls, platters, and supplies.

And that’s it! Now I have a dedicated space to store my pottery, and my kitchen and dining room are back to normal. By following these steps on how to build closet shelves, you can transform an unused space into something functional and personalized for your needs.

Organizing my pottery studio reminded me that creativity and order can go hand in hand. If you’d like to add a handmade touch to your own shelves, explore my latest collection of bowls, platters, and vases — each piece crafted in Charlotte, NC.