How to Build Storage in Your Garage

The garage has transformed from a place to store your vehicles in inclement weather to an all-purpose storage room for the entire house. Since a majority of the items you own may be eventually stored in the garage, it's important to keep everything organized. Building storage cabinets will allow you to keep your items together and in one area.

Things You'll Need

• • Two pieces of 1 inch thick plywood which are 6 feet 5 inches by 3 feet
• • Two pieces of 1 inch thick plywood which are 3 feet by 3 feet
• • Five pieces of 1 inch thick plywood which are 3 feet by 2 feet 10 inches
• • One piece of 1 inch thick plywood which is 3 feet by 6 feet 7 inches
• • Two pieces of 1 inch thick plywood which are 1 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 7 inches
• • Carpenter's square
• • Pencil
• • Level
• • Measuring tape
• • Drill
• • Screwdriver bit
• • Wood screws
• • Four interior hinges
• • Two door handles

Instructions

1. Place one of the 3 feet by 3 feet pieces on a flat surface. This is the bottom of the cabinet.

2. Place the two 6 feet 5 inch pieces on top of the bottom piece so they are standing straight up. These pieces should be placed at opposite sides of the bottom piece. These are the sides of the cabinet. Make sure they form 90 degree angles with the carpenter's square and screw them into place with the wood screws.

3. On the inside of this "U" shape, measure up 1 foot from the top of the bottom piece and make a mark with a pencil. This is the location of the bottom of the first shelf piece. Place one of the 3 feet by 2 feet 10 inch pieces in between the side pieces and make sure it is level. Screw this piece into place through the cabinet sides.

4. Continue adding shelves in this manner, measuring 1 foot from the top of the previous shelf, making a mark with a pencil, then adding the shelf at that mark. The bottom of each shelf should line up with the pencil mark. Once the shelf is level, screw it into place.

5. Place the other 3 feet by 3 feet piece of plywood on top of the cabinet frame. Make sure it is square and screw it into the cabinet sides from the top.

6. Place the 3 feet by 6 feet 7 inch piece of wood over one of the open sides of the cabinet. This piece will act as the cabinet back. Square up the edges with the top, bottom, and sides of the cabinet. Screw this piece into place.

7. Place the interior hinges on the inside of the cabinet and attach them using screws. These should be spaced approximately 1-1/2 feet from the top and bottom on either side of the cabinet.

8. Attach the pieces of 1 feet 6 inch by 6 feet 7 inch plywood to the hinges. These are the cabinet doors. Attach the door handles to the doors on the opposite sides of the hinges.

Tips & Warnings

• If the doors are having trouble closing, slightly sand down the edges to give them a bit more room to clear each other.

• Make sure all the angles are square or else the storage unit will not be stable

References

• Cabinet Plans