How to Create Additional Storage Space With Homemade Wooden Shelving
Everyone could use a little extra storage space, and one way to add storage without taking up floor space or making a room feel closed-in with low shelves is to install shelves above eye-level. Making homemade wooden shelving for storage is relatively simple and can create ample extra storage space. This style of shelving is especially suited for installation in garages or work rooms, but it can be installed in any room where additional storage is needed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Measuring tape
- Stud finder
- Level
- 2-inch drywall screws
- Drill
- 3/4-inch plywood
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- 1/2-inch screws
Instructions
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Measure down from the ceiling to the height you want your storage shelves to be and mark a level line across the wall at this point. Use the stud finder to locate the studs along the line and mark their position. If you don't want a wall-long shelving system, mark a line the desired length.
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2
Position a shelf bracket on the level line at each wall stud point and secure the brackets to the wall with the drywall screws. The standard distance between wall studs is 16 inches, so there should be a bracket every 16 inches along the wall.
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3
Cut the plywood into 12-inch by 36-inch shelves, as many as needed to go along the length of the shelf line. Cut the ends of the plywood on a 45-degree angle. Sand all the shelves then paint and let dry.
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Position the plywood shelves over the shelf brackets, fitting the 45-degree-angled ends of the plywood together to form a strong join between the shelves. Each shelf should sit roughly over two brackets. Secure the shelves to the brackets from the underside of the bracket arm into the bottom of the shelves with the 1/2-inch screws.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of shelving running the length of the wall, a vertical row of shelves, around 24 inches apart, can be made using the same method. Angled shelf ends are not necessary for vertical rows of shelves.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
