Storage & Shelving

How To Build Garage Shelves – DIY Garage Storage Shelves

I built these shelves to create some heavy-duty storage in my garage.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 2.5–4.8 hours
Cost: $$$

About this build

I built these shelves to create some heavy-duty storage in my garage. they're super easy to build--just some 2x3 boards, plywood, and a Kreg Jig. They offer lots of space and they're super strong. Enjoy!

Tools

Essential

Circular Saw
Drill / Driver
Jigsaw
Miter Saw
Pocket Hole Jig

Optional / nice to have

Bar / Pipe Clamps
Combination Square
Tape Measure

Materials

Item	Qty
Board, 2x3 96"	16 board
Plywood, 1/2" Thick Full Sheet	2 board
2 1/2" coarse thread pocket screws	120 each
1" coarse thread pocket hole screws	28 each

Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
Legs	6	1" × 2" × 72"
Short Rails	12	1" × 2" × 18"
Long Rails	16	1" × 2" × 45"
Shelves	4	1" × 23" × 96"

What to buy

Some parts are longer than a 8 ft board, so there is no honest board count to show here. Open the board plan to pick a longer stock length — it names every part that does not fit.

1" × 23"

0 boards

1" × 2"

16 boards

72"18"
72"18"
72"18"
72"18"
72"18"
72"18"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
45"45"
18"18"18"18"18"
18"

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

1Step 1. Cut the Legs and Rails
- Cut 6 legs, the 12 short rails, and 16 long rails to length. The cut diagram shows how. You can just get out your miter saw and start chopping. Just make sure everything is measured carefully so they all come out the same length.
- Then you can drill all the pocket holes. Notice that the holes on the ends are done wit the jig set for 1 1/2" thick boards. For the holes on the edge, change the setup to 1/2" stock to drill holes that you'll use to attach the shelves that are made from 1/2" thick plywood.
2Step 2. Assemble the Short Rails & Legs
Now you can make three assemblies by attaching the short rails to the legs. You'll need 2 1/2" pocket screws for this.
3Step 3. Add the Long Rails
Now you can add the long rails. Make sure you're working on a flat surface, and take care to line up the long rails with the short rails. That way everything will come out square and straight.
4Step 4. Make the Shelves
The shelves come next. All you have to do is rip them from the plywood sheets. Then lay out the notches that fit around the legs, and cut them with a jigsaw.
5Step 5. Attach the Shelves
All that's left now is to attach the shelves. Just drop each one in place, and then drive 1" pocket screws through the holes in the rails and into the underside of each shelf.
6Step 6. Put the Shelves In Place
You may want someone to help you move the shelves into position. And you may find that your garage floor isn't level. Just put a level on one of the shelves to check, and then use some shims or wood scraps to get everything level.