How to Build Storage Shelves

Nearly everyone's house could use a bit more storage space, but buying adequate storage shelving systems for your home or garage can be a somewhat pricey endeavor. The alternative: building the storage shelves yourself. This will undoubtedly save you money in the long run, but the problem lies in most people not having the necessary knowledge of how to build storage shelves. The good news is that building storage shelves isn't rocket science. With a little elbow grease and a free Saturday afternoon you might be able to solve are your storage needs with your own bare hands. Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

Things to Consider
Perhaps you have already determined which room or area of your home is in the most need of a storage shelving unit. If you plan on building storage shelves in your garage, attic, work room, or laundry room, then appearance is not really an issue. Non-adjustable storage shelves will typically do just fine. Just make sure you leave enough space between the shelves to fit the items you want to store there. If not, this can lead to an extremely frustrating situation, as you can imagine. Consider adjustable storage shelves for other parts of the home for more convenience.

Non-adjustable Shelves
When you build shelf storage, you can build your shelves as long or as wide as necessary for your needs. Use wooden cleats as support for every three feet of shelf. If you plan on storing particularly heavy object, use cleat supports as often as every 2 to 2 1/2 feet.

Adjustable Shelves
For adjustable shelves, you will need to make dado cuts in the side supports for adjustability. Make these cuts as often as you want for a variety of different shelf sizes. You want to be sure to make the dado cuts deep into the wood to ensure support. Next, you want to incorporate metal or wooden brackets for even more support. Drill two holes in the desired spots on the side supports where the shelves will rest. Then fit either dowel pins or metal brackets in the holes. Remember that dowel pins will not support as much weight as metal brackets.

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