CLOSET PRODUCTS & INSTALLATION FAQs
Here you can find answers to the most common questions about John Louis Home products and installation. For any other questions, please call customer service at 1.800.480.6985 for assistance.
- Q. What tools are required to install a John Louis Home Closet Organizer?
- A. The tools required are a tape measure, pencil, level, screwdriver, power drill, and a saw. John Louis Home recommends a table saw, chop saw, or a fine-toothed hand saw.
- Q. What if my cut measurement is in the middle of a shelf slat?
- A. There are two solutions to this. One – The size of the included Shelf End Hardware allows for short cuts; therefore, you may cut at the nearest slat side of your measurement. Two – Make your cut using a fine-toothed straight handsaw and place the cut slat side facing the sidewall.
- Q. Can the Garment Bars be cut?
- A. Yes, the Garment Bars are designed to be cut to size when needed. A fine-toothed blade suitable for metal is recommended.
- Q. How much clearance is there from the Garment Bar to the back wall?
- A. The Garment Bar sits 10.25in. from the back wall. This allows clearance for any standard hanger.
- Q. Can the Closet Organizer be free-floating on either or both sides?
- A. Yes, the shelving included with the organizers can be free-floating by using the provided curved wooden angle brackets. These angle brackets provide support to the shelf if not installed into a side wall.
- Q. Can the Garment Bars be mounted directly into sidewalls?
- A. No, the Garment Bars are specifically designed to mount directly under the John Louis Home shelving.
- Q. Can Closet Organizers be installed on brick or plaster?
- A. John Louis Home Closet Organizers are designed for installation on current specifications and methods of wood studding and drywall. While the organizers can be installed on alternative wall types, custom wall preparation and hardware will be required.
- Q. How do I determine which shelf depth works best for me?
- A. We recommend using 12in. deep shelving for any closet measuring 26in. or less, and 16in. deep shelving for any closets measuring 28in. or more in depth. The most common reach-in closet is a 24in. deep closet with a header. The header is the area between the top of the closet door and the ceiling. Unless your closet uses tall doors or doors that go all the way to the ceiling, a 12in. shelf depth is recommended. The reason is because of the space between the header and the top shelf in the closet.
- Q. How is the Tower mounted?
- A. The Tower must be mounted directly to the back wall by using the provided metal hardware. The Tower can be set to the wall at any height or sit flush on the floor.
- Q. Can the Tower dimensions be altered or customized?
- A. No, the Tower dimensions cannot be altered or customized. The Tower Sides are connected to the Top and Bottom via a cam bolt/lock and barrel bolt/nut system.
- Q. How many Drawers can I use in my Tower?
- A. If using Tower Doors or an open-top configuration we recommend any drawer combination of 36in. to fill the bottom half of the Tower. The drawer height is determined by the size of the drawer face. If not utilizing the Tower Doors any combination of drawers can be used. When utilizing a full drawer bank, you will start from the bottom of the Tower and work your way up, using the score marks on the drawer sides to determine the installation location.
- Q. How many Shelves can I use in my Tower?
- A. The interior grooves on the Tower Sides are spaced in 4in. increments. If all are used, a total of 16 shelves can be inserted, not including the Tower Bottom. John Louis Home recommends utilizing 6-8 shelves within the Tower to maximize storage space.
- Q. Can the Shelf Kit be free-floating on either or both sides?
- A. Yes, the Shelf Kit can be free-floating by using the provided curved wooden angle brackets. These angle brackets provide support to the shelf if not installed into a side wall.
- Q. Can the Shelf Kit be cut-to-size?
- A. Yes, the Shelf Kit can be cut-to-size by using a fine-toothed saw blade. For best results, we recommend using a table saw or sliding miter saw.
- Q. Can Shelf Kits be installed in a 90-degree corner?
- A. Yes, shelving can be installed in a corner at a 90-degree angle. One shelf (A) is installed onto the back wall and side wall. The other shelf (B) is installed to the perpendicular wall and secured to the front of shelf (A) using the included Shelf End Hardware. Please use the link below to view this installation video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVolX37hdaw
- Q. Can Shelf Kits be installed on brick or plaster?
- A. John Louis Home shelving is designed for installation on current specifications and methods of wood studding and drywall. While the Shelf Kit can be installed on alternative wall types, custom wall preparation and hardware will be required.
- Q. What if my cut measurement is in the middle of a shelf slat?
- A. There are two solutions to this. One – The size of the included Shelf End Hardware allows for short cuts; therefore, you may cut at the nearest slat side of your measurement. Two – Make your cut using a fine-toothed straight handsaw and place the cut slat side facing the sidewall.
- Q. Can the Garment Bar Kits be cut?
- A. Yes, the Garment Bar Kits are designed to be cut-to-size when needed. A fine-toothed blade suitable for metal is recommended.
- Q. Can the Garment Bar Kits be mounted directly into sidewalls?
- A. No, the Garment Bar Kits are specifically designed to mount directly under the John Louis Home shelving.
- Q. Can multiple Garment Bar Kits be used together to create a longer span?
- A. Yes, multiple Garment Bar Kits can seamlessly be connected by using our Metal Bar Connector.
- Q. Can Garment Bar Kits be connected at a 90-degree corner?
- A. No, the Garment Bar Kits cannot be connected at a 90-degree corner. When installing the Garment Bars under the shelving at a 90-degree corner one bar will need to be trimmed shorter to allow room for the hangers to slide within the corner space. Please use the link below to view this installation video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVolX37hdaw
- Q. What is the distance from the Garment Bar to the shelf above?
- A. The Garment Bar sits 2in. below the shelf rail.
- Q. How many Drawers can I use in my Tower?
- A. If using Tower Doors or an open-top configuration we recommend any drawer combination of 36in. to fill the bottom half of the Tower. The drawer height is determined by the size of the drawer face. If not utilizing the Tower Doors any combination of drawers can be used. When utilizing a full drawer bank, you will start from the bottom of the Tower and work your way up, using the score marks on the drawer sides to determine the installation location.
- Q. What accessories can be used with the Drawers?
- A. John Louis Home offers additional Jewelry, Valet, and Tie & Belt Trays that can be placed and stacked inside our Drawers.
- Q. What is used as the top of a Drawer/Drawer Bank?
- A. Our slatted Adjustable Shelf is used as the Drawer/Drawer Bank top with all our Organizer and Tower Combinations. Additionally, we offer an optional solid Adjustable Shelf to be used in place of the slatted shelf.
- Q. Can different handles be used on the Drawers in place of the ones provided?
- A. We do not offer different handles, but you may use your own if desired. The drawer handle spacing is 5in.
- Q. Are the Drawer Glides slow-close?
- A. Yes, all John Louis Home Drawer Glides are slow-close.
- Q. Can multiple sets of Doors be used in the Tower?
- A. Yes, two sets of doors can be used to fill the top and bottom half of the Tower. Please note when this is done no drawers can be installed.
- Q. How far out do the Doors open from the Tower?
- A. Each door measures 12.75in. in width. Once opened, the doors will stick out 12.75in. from the Tower.
- Q. Can the Doors be removed?
- A. Yes, the Doors can be removed from the pocket hinges without fully removing the hardware for easy cleaning.
- Q. Can different handles be used on the Doors in place of the ones provided?
- A. We do not offer different handles, but you may use your own if desired. The screws used with the John Louis Home handles measure .75in.
- Q. Can shelves and drawers be used behind the Tower Doors?
- A. Drawers cannot be used behind the Tower Doors, only mounted below. The shelves can be installed behind the Tower Doors, but the Doors must be removed to adjust the shelving.
- Q. Can multiple sets of Doors be used in my Tower?
- A. No, the Doors are only meant to be used within the top half of a Tower.
- Q. Can the Side Mount Belt & Tie Rack be mounted on any John Louis Home Organizer or Tower?
- A. Yes, the Side Mount Belt & Tie Rack can be mounted on any Tower Side at any height.
- Q. Can the Side Mount Belt & Tie Rack be mounted on a wall?
- A. No, the Side Mount Belt & Tie Rack is designed to be mounted onto a Tower Side exclusively.
- Q. How many storage arms are on the Side Mount Belt & Tie Rack?
- A. The 12in. has 7 storage arms and the 16in. has 10 storage arms.
- Q. Can the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack be mounted on any shelf?
- A. The Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack must be mounted underneath a John Louis Home shelf that is secured to the wall. This item cannot be mounted underneath an Adjustable Shelf.
- Q. How many storage arms are on the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack?
- A. The 12in. has 7 storage arms and the 16in. has 9 storage arms.
- Q. Can the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar?
- A. Yes, the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack can be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar. When doing this, the Wardrobe Bar must be cut to provide the adequate space for the Pant Rack to be installed under the shelf.
- Q. Can the Undermount Belt & Tie Rack be mounted on any shelf?
- A. The Undermount Belt & Tie Rack must be mounted underneath a John Louis Home shelf that is secured to the wall. This item cannot be mounted underneath an Adjustable Shelf.
- Q. How many storage arms are on the Undermount Belt & Tie Rack?
- A. The 12in. has 6 storage arms on each side, and the 16in. has 9 storage arms on each side.
- Q. Can the Undermount Belt & Tie Rack be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar?
- A. Yes, the Undermount Belt & Tie Rack can be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar. When doing this, the Wardrobe Bar must be cut to provide the adequate space for the Belt & Tie Rack to be installed under the shelf.
- Q. Can the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack be mounted on any shelf?
- A. The Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack must be mounted underneath a John Louis Home shelf that is secured to the wall. This item cannot be mounted underneath an Adjustable Shelf.
- Q. How many storage arms are on the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack?
- A. The 12in. has 7 storage arms and the 16in. has 9 storage arms.
- Q. Can the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar?
- A. Yes, the Undermount Pull-Out Pant Rack can be used on the same shelf as a Wardrobe Bar. When doing this, the Wardrobe Bar must be cut to provide the adequate space for the Pant Rack to be installed under the shelf.
- Q. Can the Valet Rod be mounted on any John Louis Home Organizer or Tower?
- A. Yes, the Valet Rod can be mounted on any Tower Side at any height.
- Q. Can the Valet Rod be mounted on a wall?
- A. No, the Valet Rod is designed to be mounted onto a Tower Side exclusively.
- Q. How far does the Valet Rod extend?
- A. The Valet Rod extends 7.25in.
- Q. What are the best uses for the Valet Rod?
- A. The Valet Rod has several great advantages. Some that John Louis Home recommends are using the Valet Rod to hang your outfit for the day – whether it be the night before or early in the morning, having your outfit ready to go can help your morning routine and keep you on schedule. Another great use of the Valet Rod is for hanging nice dresses or suits, either for everyday use or special occasions. Lastly, the Valet Rod can be used to hang towels, hats, or other accessories in your closet space.
- Q. Can the Wire Hamper Basket be mounted on any John Louis Home Organizer or Tower?
- A. Yes, the Wire Hamper Basket is designed to be mounted inside the Tower.
- Q. Can Drawer and/or Doors be installed in the Tower with the Wire Hamper Basket?
- A. Yes. Generally, the Wire Hamper Basket is installed at the bottom of the Tower, allowing Drawers, Shelves, and Doors to be used above.
- Q. Is the Wire Hamper Basket canvas liner removable and/or washable?
- A. Yes, the canvas liner is easily removed and machine washable.
- .Q. What is the weight capacity of the Wire Hamper Basket?
- A. The recommended weight capacity is 50 lbs.
- Q. How many Angle Brackets are needed with the shelving?
- A. John Louis Home recommends that two Angle Brackets are used for 4ft. and 6ft. shelving, three Angle Brackets for 7ft. shelving, and four Angle Brackets for 8ft. shelving. The Angle Brackets should be evenly spaced to properly distribute the weight.
- Q. Are Angle Brackets needed if the shelf is connected to walls on both sides?
- A. Angle Brackets are needed on shelves connected to walls on both sides if the shelf is longer than 4ft, or if a Garment Bar is going to be installed.
- Q. Do the Angle Brackets connect to the shelf?
- A. No. The design allows the Angle Bracket to fit snugly under the front lip of the shelf and does not need to be drilled together directly. If desired, you can run a screw through the top slat of the shelf down into the Angle Bracket for additional support.
- Q. What is the proper distance from the end of a shelf to mount an Angle Bracket?
- A. At a minimum, the Angle Bracket should be placed 6in. from each side of the shelf.
- Q. Can the Bar Connectors be used on different sized Garment Bars?
- A. Yes, the Bar Connectors can be used to create custom Garment Bar lengths.
- Q. Can the Bar Ends be used on a cut Wardrobe Bar?
- A. Yes, the Bar Ends can be used on a cut Wardrobe Bar. Please note that the Bar Ends will fit more securely on a clean, straight cut.
- Q. Can the Bar Ends be attached to a Tower Side or wall?
- A. No, the Bar Ends cannot be attached to a Tower Side or wall.
- Q. How many J-Hooks are used when installing the Garment Bars?
- A. J-Hooks will be placed on every Angle Bracket being used. Please see Angle Bracket FAQ’s for proper spacing information.
- Q. How many L-Clips are used with a shelf?
- A. We recommend that the L-Clips are evenly spaced out for each shelf, hitting wall studs when possible. For example, 6 L-Clips should be used for an 8ft. shelf, 4 L-Clips for a 6ft. shelf, 3 to 4 L-Clips for a 4ft. shelf, and 2 L-Clips for a 2ft. shelf.