How to Build Garage Shelves

1. Parts List

   First, gather your parts. The table below will help you organize the parts and label them for use while building your garage shelves.

   Wood	Quantity	Cut Details	Purpose	Part #
   Two-by-fours	5	Full size. Do not cut	Back braces	A
   Two-by-fours	5	Full size. Do not cut	Front braces	B
   Two-by-fours	20	29 inches	Lateral braces	C
   Two-by-fours	2	Site-determined	Side vertical posts	D
   Two-by-fours	1	Site-determined	Front vertical post	E
   3/4-inch plywood	5	8 feet by 32 inches	Shelves	F

2. Shut Off Power

   At the electric service panel, shut off power to all circuits that run through the garage wall where you intend to install the shelves.

3. Check Garage Floor Slope

   Lay the bubble level on the garage floor under the intended shelves. Place the level in different directions 90-degrees to each other to check for a slope in both directions. All garage floors should have a slope but code does not specify the amount of slope. Generally, floors should be sloped at about 1/8- to 1/4-inch per foot—acceptable for this project.

4. Mark Stud Locations

   Use the stud finder to find the locations of the studs on the garage wall. Mark the top of the stud near the ceiling and make a second mark close to the ground. Run a chalk snap line down the center of each stud. Snap the line to create a faint chalk line all the way down the stud. Repeat for six studs across.

   Tip

   Marking studs from top to bottom saves time when attaching multiple items to a wall. Run the chalk snap line with an assistant (one holds the top and another holds the bottom). When doing this by yourself, tap a nail into the top-center of a stud, hold the bottom of the line at the bottom-center, then snap.

5. Dry-Fit Shelf Frame

   Five frames for the shelves will be built from two-by-fours. Lay out the pieces for one of the frames on a flat, level surface.

   1. Place one full-size two-by-four (A) on-edge.
   2. Place another two-by-four (B) parallel to the first board, also on-edge, with the two boards about 29 inches apart.
   3. Set the four lateral braces (C) between the two two-by-fours and perpendicular to them.
   4. Shift two of the lateral braces to the ends of the two-by-fours.
   5. Place the remaining two lateral braces in the middle, spacing them about 32 inches away from each other.

   Tip

   The two end lateral braces should still remain between the two two-by-fours. They should not be placed at the very end.

6. Build Shelf Frames

   Use 2-1/2 inches screws to assemble the frames. Begin with pilot holes to prevent the wood from cracking. Screw from the outside to the inside. Do not use pocket holes. Repeat four more times to produce five complete shelf frames.
   

7. Attach Bottom Shelf

   Mark up from the garage floor 17 inches. Place one of the shelf frames against the wall, so its bottom rests on top of the 17-inch mark. Have an assistant hold the frame in place. Drive a pilot hole halfway across the back rail of the frame (48 inches). Then, drive a 3-inch screw through the pilot hole and into a stud.

   Tip

   Do not position the shelves with one side against a wall since a brace must later be added to the end. Instead, leave at least 2 feet of open space on each side of the garage shelves.

8. Level and Secure Bottom Shelf Frame

   Each shelf must be level from side to side. Run a horizontal laser line across the top of the frame or rest a bubble level on top of the frame. Tap the frame up or down on either side to slightly rotate and level out the frame. Once the frame is perfectly level, secure the frame to the rest of the studs. Aim for at least four attachment points per frame.

9. Add Side Vertical Posts

   Place the two side vertical posts (D) against the sides of the shelf frame with their bottoms resting on the garage floor. With the bubble level, check the front-to-back level of each shelf frame before driving two 2-1/2-inch screws through the side vertical posts and into the side of a shelf frame. Minor slopes can usually be remedied by having an assistant slightly push the shelf up as you screw it into place with 2-1/2-inch screws.

10. Secure Remainder of Shelf Frames

    Working upward, secure the other four shelf frames to the wall and side vertical posts. Measure 17-3/4 inches upward from the top of each shelf frame and make a mark on the wall. Then, attach the next frame to the top of that mark.

    Marks will be placed at:

    • 17 inches
    • 34-3/4 inches
    • 52-1/2 inches
    • 70-1/4 inches
    • 88 inches

11. Add Shelves

    Place shelves (F) on the shelf frames and screw into place with eight 1-1/2-inch screws per shelf.

12. Add Front Vertical Post

    Place the front vertical post (E) at center-front (48 inches) of the shelf frames, pressed against all five frames and with its bottom resting on the garage floor. Secure with 2-1/2-inch screws through the front vertical posts and into the front of each shelf frame.

13. Cut Vertical Posts

    With a handsaw, cut off the tops of the three vertical posts, using the top shelf as a cutting guide.

DIY Garage Shelf Variations

• The garage floor under the bottom shelf can be used for storing items, too. It's the best area to place heavy or large items.
• If you have different shelf height needs, size each shelf individually as you work your way upward. Not all shelves need to be the same height.
• Use storage totes as spacers for each level. First, lay down a sheet of shelf plywood. Then place two totes on the shelf, one on each end. Place a scrap piece of two-by-four on top of each tote as a spacer to create 1-1/2 inches of buffer room.
• To create a lip on the front of the shelves to keep items securely in place, nail or screw down one-by-two boards.
• If you have tall items that need to protrude from one layer to the next, install just a partial section of plywood. Make sure that the plywood touches lateral braces on each end. Don't leave an end hanging.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional carpenter or a contractor to build garage shelves if you're unable to meet the shelves' structural requirements. A professional can build strong shelves that remain securely in place, along with other types of shelves such as garage loft shelves.