Garage Shelves

Our garage was a mess. Sure, we could find everything easily, but only because it was all dumped into a big pile on the side of the garage.


First, a trip to the hardware store for some lumber. We got a mix of 2x3 for the shelves (left), 2x4 for the vertical supports (center), and cut plywood (right). Hardware stores will cut plywood for you if you ask, which results in a much straighter and cleaner cut than I could make at home. I could just as easily have used OSB instead, but the plywood looks nicer.


2x3 boards are attached to the walls at the studs with nails and screws. The number of fasteners I use was probably overkill, but I'd rather too many than too few. The lowest shelf is intentionally shorter to fit bigger items.


Rather than having to support (or have someone hold) the shelves as I build them, I stage them up beforehand.


The shelves are attached to the vertical 2x4 boards. They can rest on the wall supports while we install them.


Once assembled, it's impressive how quickly these get filled up. There's still space for more items and the garage is much, much cleaner.