Simple Wooden Shelving For A Garage

The usual family garage these days is expected not only to house a car but to also serve as a storage area for odds and ends that are not wanted in the main house. As a result, it often ends up looking like a regular mess of a dumping ground. Especially because the accumulation of stuff can not really be planned and consequently, organized storage is not prepared in advance.

Tidying up can seem like an intimidating chore when you are faced with stuff that has collected in your garage over several years. Putting up shelves to clear the floor and having a semblance of order is a good way to start. Shelves are very efficient for storage. They take up only a small area, make use of vertical space, and give you easy access to your things.

You can choose from different materials. Steel is a good choice because of its strength and durability. There are heavy duty wire shelving that are attractive, versatile and strong. And there are also the industrial steel shelving. Free-standing metal shelves are convenient and you can adjust the layers up and down to meet your shelf height needs.

On the other hand, wooden shelves can be inexpensive and even more so when you construct it yourself. Doing it this way allows you to install shelves that fit the exact dimensions of the area you are working with.

The wood material you use can cost very little like particle boards. 3/4" Plywood is a good choice for building strong shelves. If you want solid boards, there is pine or fir. These are more expensive, of course.

Even if you are only thinking of ordinary stuff to place on your shelves, it is better to have these ready for heavier loads. You don't know what other objects you will need storage for in the future.

Take note that a shelf made out of particle board has a tendency to sag. Keep the spans closer if you intend to use this kind of material.

Plan your shelves carefully to save time during construction. Find out how deep the shelves can be without taking up too much space in the garage. Next, decide on the height or the distance between shelves.

For a simple floor-supported shelf design, use 2"x4" lumber for the frame and 3/4" plywood for the shelves.

Place the 2x4s against the garage wall, standing them on the floor, separated by a distance of 2 feet from each other. Use screws to attach these to the wall.

Use some more 2x4s to make horizontal supports. Position one along the bottom, with the 4" side against the upright pieces and use a level to keep it straight. This will be the support for the bottom shelf. Install screws along its length, at each location where there is an upright 2x4. Repeat the same process for each shelf level, working your way up. This is the back part of the frame.

For the front part of the frame, assemble horizontal and vertical 2x4s according to the measurements of what you did earlier. Nail the pieces together and stand the frame on the floor.

Attach the front part to the back using 2x4s cut to the depth of the shelf. For support and stability, nail the top part to the rafters or the strong parts of the ceiling.

Cut your plywood to the desired shelf size. Place them on top of the horizontal pieces and fix them with nails. There are lots of detailed shelving plans, from simple to elaborate designs, available online, in books and magazines. Choose one that would best suit your needs.