How to Build Your Own Garage Organizer
The garage is often the messiest place in a home, but with a few quick installations, it can be come an organized space. Building your own garage organizer allows you to customize your space according to your needs, and saves you hundreds of dollars on commercial organizer systems. With a few simple power tools, some plywood and a set of drawers, you can sort the mess in your garage permanently. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plywood or particle board
- Metal shelf brackets
- 1-by-4-inch Wooden cleats
- 1-by-2-inch Wooden cleats
- Electric screw driver
- Screws
- Hammer
- Nails
- Pegboard (optional)
- Metal pegs (optional)
- Pre-made drawers or dresser
Instructions
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Plan your organizer by drawing a sketch of your desired layout. If you have a lot of small power tools, you may want more drawers, for example, but if you have many boxes to store, you will want more shelves. Consider the space you have available when drawing your sketch.
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Build shelves. Measure the items you will be shelving to determine how deep to make the shelves, and cut the plywood or particle board accordingly. Using a level, draw a line where the shelves will attach to the wall. Attach 1-by-4-inch cleats equal to the length of the shelves horizontally along the wall to support the back of the shelves. Attach vertical 1-by-2-inch cleats on the wall studs, or at least every 16 inches to support the shelf brackets. Attach the brackets by driving a screw through the vertical cleats and into the wall. Hang the shelves by resting them against the horizontal cleats and the brackets, and fasten them by driving a screw through the bracket and into the shelf.
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Install a board for hanging items. Predetermine how many items you will be hanging, such as shovels, rakes, cords and anything else that won't easily fit into drawers. If you choose to make a custom board for hanging, attach a piece of plywood or particle board to your garage walls by attaching 1-by-2-inch wooden cleats to the wall and attaching the board to the cleats with screws. Once the board is hung, drive nails into the board to serve as pegs. Measure the size of items, and hang two nails accordingly to make a customized hanger for each item. Alternatively, install a pre-made pegboard and purchase an assortment of metal pegs. Install the pegs as needed.
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Install drawers. Unless you are an experienced furniture maker, the easiest method is to purchase drawers from a discount or hardware store. Measure your space and items beforehand, and choose a set of drawers that will suit your needs. Alternatively, reuse an old dresser or workbench.
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Tips & Warnings
Take advantage of exposed studs in your garage. Hang shelves between them, or install shelving in exposed rafters by placing plywood flat over the rafters.
Use caution when handling electric power tools.
Wear goggles when cutting or drilling wood.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tankstelle in Laos image by windweit from Fotolia.com
