Managing the many things of a family can seem like an impossible task. Some of us have too much stuff and even after the garage sales, Craig’s List or Ebay listings, and going to the dump, we still find there are things that are a part of our lives which we don’t want to get rid of. Our family has about 100 cubic feet of Christmas stuff. There is camping equipment, summer fun items like inflatables, coolers and waterblasters, sports equipment, tools of every description, craft supplies and more! How can you store all of this stuff? Build some shelving!

To start:

• Determine how many of your things can fit in uniform sized plastic storage containers. There will always be things that won’t fit like skis and you may resist grouping many small things in one container, but storage efficiency is found in uniformity.
• Once you have decided on a container size that will work, shelves are designed around your chosen containers.
• We ended up using clear plastic containers, approximately 16″ wide x 25″ long in two heights: 11″ and 16 1/2″. This complicated the shelf spacing by requiring 19″ for the tall containers and 24″ to stack two of the smaller containers.

Here is one good basic shelf design:

• Back shelf supports are 2″ x 2″, bought as such, or ripped from a 2″ x 4″, and nailed or screwed to the studs on the wall.
• Front supports are 2″ x 2″ or a 2″ x 4″ placed flat.
• You may need intermediary support for larger projects–that is, vertical members which rest on your garage floor. 2″ x 2″ front supports are okay up to about 42″ and flat 2″ x 4″ can span as much as 6′.
• Plywood has a grain direction. It is designed to have the most strength when the 8′ direction is perpendicular to the supports. If your shelf system is 24″ deep, 24″ x 48″ shelves will be made from each sheet.
• Shelf spacing is determined by taking your storage container height, adding a few inches, adding the thickness of shelving (flat 2″ x 4″ plus 1/2″ CDX is 2″) and figuring how many of these can fit in your vertical space. For example if your containers are almost 17″ tall, you might start by taking 17″ adding 3″ for a little space and 2″ for shelving. Five shelf spaces are 5 times 22 for 110″, less one 2″ shelf for 108″ (4 shelves make 5 spaces). If you have 8′6″ (102″) from floor to ceiling you might reduce the “extra space” from 3″ to about 1 13/16″ to fit in your desired number of spaces or go with one less shelf.

What if you want shelves that look more finished for a porch or utility room?

• The same 2″ framing came be used. Framing members can be prefinished with a stain/sealer or painted. For a more finished look ripped edges should be rounded and if you are staining, painted lumber ends should be belt sanded clean.
• Shelving can be stained plywood, or, using side by side 1″ x 12″ pine boards offers an upgraded look and alternative framing option. If running the boards from side to side, they can easily span 3 to 4′ and for light storage up to 5′.  2″ x 2″ framing is then perpendicular to the back wall and attached to vertical 2″ x 2″ or 2″ x 4″s.

Though this work is fairly basic for a skilled carpenter, it still may take some time. I have been asked to fix shelves installed by homeowners or unskilled workers and often found projects installed which violate basic framing and structure principals and are not able to support the weight placed on them. Often they are dangerous. I know shelving should be within the domain of the weekend warrior but you will still want to make sure they are done right. Consider finding a recommended handyman or a recommended local installation specialist for a lasting project.

Tags: carpenter, garage shelving, handyman, organize, organize garage, shelving, storage solutions