New Closet Shelving

[Calvawt]

Looking for advice on building new shelves for our walk-in closet.  Should I buy 1" sheets of plywood to use for most of it (expect for the trim)?  I was thinking of using a dark stain.  I want it to look custom but be more cost effective than solid wood or paying someone to build it.

[2ndTimer]

Don't know if it's what you like but in our area it's possible to buy cedar particle board.  Cheaper than the solid stuff and smells just as good.  It's what I have my eye on when we do our closets.

[Greg]

1x2 cleats on the wall screwed to the studs works well.  If the shelves aren't too long, cleats on the sides as well may be all you need for support, meaning no front posts.

3/4" plywood would be sufficient thickness, 1/2" plywood might even work with a 1x2 strong back at the front, doubling as the edging.  Otherwise you can get iron-on wood edging to cover the plywood edges. 

With 1x2 on the ends and along the back, if you glue and screw the shelves to the supports, it will be very solid.  You could pre-finish all the parts and cut and install, then do any needed touch-up.

[Spork]

I did (mostly) what Greg describes with 1x2s along the backs and 3/4 plywood.  For the edging I used 3/4 in stock to cover the ply.  I painted mine, so I went with a birch plywood, but our Home Depot had all sorts of nice 3/4 ply that would take stains well.

I used a steel triangle brackets about every 4 ft that double as closet rod hangers.

Some of the shelves went all the way around (all 4 walls) and I joined them with pocket screws.  They become a very cohesive unit.

[Calvawt]

good feedback.  thanks all.