How to Make Hanging Garage Shelves
One of the least utilized spaces in the garage is the space near the ceiling. You can store a variety of items overhead and out of the way on well-constructed hanging shelves. Hanging garage shelves can be built to match the specific dimensions of your garage and your storage needs, and they don't require anything beyond basic tools and materials to make. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Saw
- 2x4-inch lumber boards
- Hammer
- 8D nails (or 3-1/2 wood screws)
Instructions
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1
Measure the area where you want to put your hanging shelves. Measure the clearance you'll need from the floor to walk underneath the shelves or put a car underneath. Then decide how wide and deep you want the shelves to be.
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2
With a saw, cut four pieces of 2x4-inch lumber to match the height of your shelves, with an extra 2 inches added on. The "height" is the distance below the ceiling that your shelves will be hanging. The extra 2 inches will be used to attach these pieces to the ceiling joists of the garage. These four pieces of wood are the the "vertical supports."
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3
Cut two pieces of 2x4-inch lumber to match the width of the shelves. These pieces are the "horizontal elements." Nail two vertical supports to each horizontal element to make a shallow "U" shape. One vertical support will be nailed to each end of the horizontal element. Use 8D sinker nails, or 3-1/2 wood screws to attach the pieces together (see diagram).
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4
Nail the supports you created in Step 3 to the joists of your garage ceiling so they hang down from it. The supports will be fairly heavy, so have a couple of assistants on hand to help. Nail the supports to the joists with 8D nails. Space the supports so that they are 6 to 12 inches from the ends of your shelves, and are in line with each other
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5
Cut 1x10 inch boards to the proper length for your shelves, and slide them onto the supports. The boards should be close together, but don't need to be touching. Nail the boards in place so they don't slide.
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Tips & Warnings
If your shelves are very deep (more than 6 feet), add a third support for the middle section
