How to Build Garage Shelving - Easy, Cheap and Fast! 

Most folks don't have a pocket hole jig to attach the cleats, and a good one is $100. To get past this, attach the cleats before you mount the 2x4's on the wall. This way you can do it from the back of the 2x4 and not have to drill pocket holes. Works great....

Y’all are great. Creating strong, easy and affordable builds while also offering the plans for free?? This channel is for the people for sure. You guys rock, and I speak for many by saying, we appreciate you!

Thanks for a nice, easy to listen and watch video. Soooo much nicer than loud music getting in the way and not full of personal conversation. One tip for future viewers - you can increase the load bearing capacity by adding 2x4 legs under each shelf, behind the outside legs and against the wall, down to the floor. That way the screws aren't supporting all the weight in shear.

My 16 y.o. son and I just did this project this weekend. We followed the video verbatim and our shelves turned out perfect! Thank you so much!!!

that idea with the second board slightly screwed into the 2x4 on the wall was BRILLIANT thank you!

That was an unexpected good treat. Love the tip on adding the 2nd 2x4 and then removing it because it was intended for an outer set of legs

Perfect! I’m not a builder, but this video was super clear, easy, and made me a hero for my wife!!

wow, when you pulled out that 2nd set of legs and had to rewind and watch that again. didn't expect that to happen, but what a great idea for copying the 1st set.

I am a handyman by trade and I was in need of shelving myself in my tiny single car garage workshop so I needed to make more storage space. This worked like a charm. I had Home Depot cut my 4x8 sheets of plywood in half when I purchased them and I spent a few hours building a set of these shelves this afternoon by myself. One tip that may be helpful is that I used a laser level which saved me time on drawing my lines. Great tutorial, thanks for sharing!

BONUS HACK--cut 2 spacers from 2x4s. The length will be the desired height of the shelves (less the 2” width of the spacer board). So if you want 24” high shelves, the spacers would be 22”. Put the spacers upright on the floor running up the wall and brace the first 2x4 on it. Level and secure the 2x4. Repeat for the 2nd and 3rd wall boards. From that point forward the spacers can be used to set all the horizontal surfaces. I do a lot of work alone and using spacers to prop one end of a board is like having an assistant. Clamps are also very helpful on projects like this.

I don’t know if you all check comments on 5 year old videos but this video for garage storage shelves is brilliant. I used this idea to build my own shelves and am no more than a carpenter than Gordon Ramsey is a brain surgeon. I had the shelves up in a matter of hours and I did it all by my self with a little help from my beautiful wife holding the frame for about 5 minutes. My son loves climbing on them. They are rugged and very strong! Thank you for creating this video!

My son and I used your method to build some much needed shelving in our garage. Cannot thank you enough for making the process so easy!

That. Was. M A G I C ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I rewatched that front frame magic like 3 times, brought all my family to the computer and made them watch it. They all think I'm crazy, probably a little. But THAT WAS GENIUS!

I bought the stuff and built this in about 2 hours for my new shed/workshop! Thank you for the easy to follow instructions and the on point demonstration! I usually measure 2 or 3 times and still wind up making a crooked too short cut. The confidence your video gave me helped me turn out a project that looks "almost" like I paid someone. God bless! Thank you!

Did these in a few hours. 4 yrs post posting, you're still helping people (like us)! We have reclaimed our garage space. THANK YOU so very much.

Did this about a year ago. Still holding up strong. This popped back up on my feed. Wanted to say thanks. Extremely easy.

I made the same style for my garage and used 2x3's. I built mine with a 24" clearance from the floor to the 1st shelve then 16 inch vertical spacing for the remainder. For the average garage, you should get five shelves, with the final shelf shy of 15". Total cost was around $150. This included the dry wall screws and lunch for my brother. Followed the design for the storage shed.

Ana, My son and I built one of your bed designs last winter. Turned out very well. They love it. Possible suggestion on the shelves. Use 3 2x4 for the shelfs rather than plywood. Less expensive overall. We made them modular, so they can be moved or reconfigured. Thank you, Kevin

I watched this last week and we did it the same day and it was awesome. Here we are 5 years later and your video is still helping others. Thank you!

2 seniors in Phillip Island , Australia thank you. 2 and a bit hours and it was ready. Great stuff. We had timber already and just had to buy screws and mdf shelving. 8 feet long and 7 feet 6 inches high.

Hi Ana. I live in the north east of England and have just spent the day following your plans for garage shelving. Need to finish tomorrow. Your ideas are excellent and I can't wait to get the job done and Tidy the mess in my garage. You're right.. The shelving is really strong and will accommodate lots of gear. Hope your home is coming along too! You live in a fabulous part of the world! Rob...

Thank you for the inspiration. Made 3 of these tonight and finishing my 4th one tomorrow. Eddie

Thank you so much for your video. After watching your video it looks so easy I decided to follow your instructions and first time of my life I ever built shelves. It was so easy to do. Now I think I am going to build outdoor sectionals sofa that you have posted in RU-vid. Again thank you so much for your help!

Thank you so much for this video! My husband and I are not handy AT ALL, and today we completed this (our first ever building project in 15 years of marriage) project, successfully. Were very grateful! Also, cheers from fellow Alaskans ❄️

Just made my own shelves for my shed using this method, I am very happy how they turned out and how sturdy they are.

This is such a big help to someone who doesn’t do this everyday.

Was looking for a quick video that was exact and on point for shelving for a garage and found it right here!!! Thank you

I've been around for a few years, this technique I've never seen before. I am so impressed! Just goes to show you I don't care how much you think you know there's always something new to learn. Thanks again! You have a new sub!

I was very inspired by your video! I actually have access to a lot of 2x4's from work that typically head to the landfill, so my cost for this project was ZERO!! thank you thank you ! Great video, I really appreciate the simplicity and usefulness of this video!

I just did this tonight with my mom and step dad. It took not even an hour!! The hardest part was the cleats since I don't have a Kreg Jig and I suck at drilling on an angle... but this indeed was amazing!!!!! The only thing I did different was leveling: I left the upright pieces long on purpose, I placed and leveled the horizontal pieces onto the wall, then used the top of the very top shelf as my guide to cut the height of vertical pieces... that way I didn't need to use shims (they were almost a whole inch in difference). I looooved this!!!

👍Great project idea & great video.👍 I built a very similar set(8ft x 18in) a couple months ago. The only thing I did differently was place pieces of 2 x 4 on the inside of the legs to provide additional support.

I’ve built thousands of feet of this in storage containers (connexs) and garages/sheds over the last 20 years. I build it heavier, with vertical bracing inside the uprights as others have suggested. My uprights are 4’ on center and my horizontal runners are 2x6 and then 3/4” plywood. You could drive a truck on them. I build heavier to start, because who knows how the use may change over the years. One other thing I do is make the outside 1/4” higher so anything round will not have a tendency to roll off.

Nice video. I like the idea of using the first set of rails as a “story” for the second set. The only thing that I would add to the process is to prepare to shim beneath (or shorten) the posts when they’re placed in their final locations to compensate for a floor that is neither flat nor level.

I built a set of these at our former home. We’ve since moved, and I’ll be doing the same thing here, in our new home. So easy it’s actually fun.

Ana, I built a shelving unit 16 ft long, using your method. Probably overdid the supports and screws. Man is it strong. And it gives us Sooooo much more room for our supplies, etc. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us.

Good DIY tip. One additional thought: I know you would have to see it to believe it, but I can tell you from experience that it is possible that VERY heavy loads could actually sheer the screws that hold the shelves to the uprights over time. So if you think you might load the shelves really heavily, consider this simple addition: Cut 2x4 blocks to fit on the inside of the uprights, right under the horizontal 2x4's, sizing them to fit tightly from floor to the first horizontal, from first to second horizontal, etc. This way all the loads are transferred directly to the floor, rather than the screws. (Don't misunderstand: my caution pertains only to very heavy loads, such as engine blocks, densely packed bulk fasteners, etc. The construction as shown in the video is no doubt adequate for most DIYers' purposes. Also, in lieu of blocking, you could guard against sheer by using heavy duty deck fasteners (such as GRK brand) for the connection of outer horizontals to uprights.)

I built these shelves and they could hold a car on them! Super easy and super strong. I had a window on that wall and just worked with what I had. I love the idea of repeating the first shelves and "copying" it for the front of the shelves. Saved a ton of time. I bought a Kreg Jig for the project and it made it easy. I've now built a work bench with it with the same idea attaching it to the wall. Thanks!

I’m an inexperienced DIYer. This video was extremely helpful in putting my garage shelves together! My wife and I completed two shelves (8x10 & 6x8) on a Sunday (10 hours). Well worth it.

It takes a brilliant woman who can show you something this useful in less than 3 mins. Thank you Ana White for sticking to business and not giving us the typical "talking head" who uses 10 mins to show what you did in 2:47.

Stacking the 2x4s for the front section is genius. Great idea. Cheers.

The tip for the front section with the legs was particularly good!

Love this idea with one word of caution. If your garage has any sort of a slope, this system will not be level once you pull the 2nd side from the first. Do a quick check to see if your grade remains level over a 2 foot span (if your shelves are to be 2 feet deep). You can accommodate for the slope if you place your second horizontal 2x4 onto the first horizontal 2x4 and then adjust its height to be a bit higher than the first horizontal 2x4. Also ensure to cut the support 2x4's to be a bit higher as well to accommodate for the slope. Just use a 4 foot level and measure for level on your support 2x4's when they are an appropriate distance from the wall. Overall, this video is a great tutorial!

With the price of lumber - cheaper to just buy a house that already has shelving in it. All jokes aside I love the trick of screwing the 2nd set of 2x4s and making the legs on the wall so everything lines up perfectly

What an excellent video. I created shelves in my garage just as you instruct. I built the shelves to fit my garage and it was a piece of cake following your guidance. Thanks so very much.

I’ve come back to this video many of times over the last few years as a quick reminder of when I built shelves in my garage, my uncles, and two separate friends garages. I know how to build them even b4 watching this the first time and still watch this because she did a such great job of not only building the shelves but the quality of the video like how it was straight to the point and made a 17min &53 sec video into 3 min video..I can’t imagine why someone would hit the dislike, 🤦‍♂️ like how could you not like this video..it fathoms..do explain.

we did our shelving like this a week ago - SO SIMPLE - thank you Ana

Really amazed at the "trick" to get the outside of the shelves / framing done! Love the idea and the help.

Worked like a charm. I made mine 20” deep and 12’ long. I have 4 levels with enough room for storage totes on each shelf. Thank you for the simple plan that was easy to execute.

Wow that was genius, I definitely will make this shelving for our garage! Bravo Ana White👏👍👌

I followed this plan to make 2 shelves in my garage this weekend. This was simple and easy and now I have awesome needed storage. Thanks for the information

Ana! Im not Ms. Fix-It but your channel makes me feel like I could do some things! In another video, you mentioned wood being more eco-friendly and I really appreciate that awareness as well! Keep up the great work!

I have been building this type of shelves for years. I take them with me when I move.

Ok for light to medium loads but all the weight is on the screws. For heavier loads short 2x4,s added between the shelves at the legs and between the bottom shelf and floor will significantly increase the load capacity.

I am going to use these shelves to set up my pantry room. Thanks Anna. I like reading comments of how someone else might add to original idea. As long as people are nice, it's all good. I learn from them.

I was visiting my sister and she needed shelves for her garage and we did two different shelves based on this video and they both turned out great! I'm going to use this method to build some shelves for my mechanical room.

I have done this a couple times now... I'd suggest painting (I use Kill's primer only) your wood before you install. Saves a ton of mess!

I’ve been using this method for years.... works great ! As for load, the shelves are really heavy duty whether using OSB or plywood. I.normally use 4x8 sheets ripped 16” or 24” depending on the shelf width. I have normally used two #8 screws at the front posts as shown in the video. For even heavier loads you could use 2x6 horizontal members with three screws at each post or simply use more posts set closer together. Great system

Ana, brilliant!!! I'm going to use this idea in a shop I'm retrofitting. Absolutely perfect and efficient, the best I've seen so far!

Very clever making the template like that - would never have thought of that - thank you!

I built these on a 24' x 12' garage wall and they went up very easily they are very strong and look great In one of the shelving bays I built in a locker for garden tools. I also built in an area to hang jackets. I also enclosed a stand-up freezer and a gun safe. The shelves go all the way to the ceiling and were designed to hold totes that i can get at COSTCO so everything is now neatly stored and labeled. Now I am designing the opposite wall that will incorporate my work bench, tool chest, generator and air compressor. The nice part of this design is that it is extremely flexible and can be customized to fit just about anything you have in the garage.

I have never seen this technique before, it is genius. Why in the world didn’t I ever think of this? LOL Thanks for sharing this.

Very nice. Now I just need a garage 😂.

I did it the same way you showed. It was really easy and practical.

I made one of these a couple years ago with this exact design and it came out really well. It was sturdy and held hundreds of lbs

Used this technique to put up some simple shelves in my garage that had exposed 2x4's. Making the face by screwing right to the first horizontal beams is genius. Shelve were made with stuff I already had laying around in the basement. Fantastic video, thank you for making it!

Great video. Can you please show how did you attach the Centre small pieces? Thanks

That was THE MOST EASIEST shelving build I have ever watched! Love it!

wow that was pretty clever. I would have done it a more, sophisticated, clumsy, take me a week because I screwed up kind of way

The fun part is the guy with his bags. It looks like he is starting a camping trip 😊 Keep going 👍

I did the free standing version last summer for our garage. Love it! Thank you for your plans, ideas, etc.

Is it really that hard for some people to just say thank you? For those hell bent on level you can use shims I doubt the level would be that off that things are just rolling off the shelves. But that's just me. Its an informative video that can be used as is or modified to work for your space and if it doesn't work for you then no harm no foul. No need to be disparaging.Thanks Ana I am building one right now.

Wow. I had just gotten a $2000 quote from a warehouse shelf supplier. I think I'll follow y our advise and save some dough! Thank you!

Im planning to fix my garage great idea thanks for teaching

Unjust did this to my Garage for the entire back wall. Super simple and fun! We added blocking additionally on each leg under the horizontal 2x4s to add support for the weight of the loaded shelves.

Thank you Ana! After my house build I accumulated some extra 2x4's and plywood. Instead of throwing them in the dumpster, I built these on my garage walls by myself. Now everything (o.k., most things) are up off the floor. They turned out perfectly and were very easy if you just have a little knowledge of builiding. Your tutorial was quick and to the point.

Thank you so much for this video. My shelves came out great. They are super strong and I was able to completely reorganize my space to now be able to fit a car in it.

When screwing the 2x4s to the wall use 31/2" screws because of the half inch of drywall the screws have go thru to reach the wall studs.

I built several of this style shelving in my garage, almost exactly the same but used 2x2's everywhere and they have held up perfectly for 14 years.

After all the gag-inducing clickbait ads, "This is genius!" actually applies to this video. Love the second wall "trick". For our new home, I bought heavy steel shelves, but I need to build additional shelves just for all the lighter garage stuff. I'm going to be using cheaper 1x4's instead of 2x4's. I did this in my previous house and they are still there after 20 years. I also built a set of heavier shelves where the floor wasn't level. I had to start at one corner and methodically level/plumb each leg and cross-piece. It was slow going but they came out beautiful, straight, and strong. This video sets the standard for all instructional videos. No music, no long-winded introductions.

Built this friday in about 4 hours! Great and very sturdy. Love it

The benefits of stud walls. In my case it's a hammer drill into brick with anchors.

The weight of the items on the shelves can be significant so I would recommend a slight modification to transfer the loads to the floor rather than to the nails. You can do this by adding vertical 2x4s under the horizontal 2x4s supporting the shelves. Nails aren’t intended to support a shear load

I go with 2x2's or even doubled 1x2's. It depend of course, on what you're putting on them. I decided years ago that 2x4's are over-build.

Did something similar years ago in a backyard shed. Secured cleats into the studs, verticals to the rafters. Very strong, held lots of gear and seasonal household items.

Great idea with the twin support, you're right, quick, cheap and easy, excellent job, glad I found your video

Wow, I'm going to do this to my Storage room. cool video!

Several years ago, I built similiar shelves on my garage side walls. However, I raised them up five feet off the ground so that I could still easily park two cars in my garage and still open all the car doors easily regardless of where the cars were parked. The floor shelves shown in thiis video, although practical, limit the width of your garage especially when two cas are being parked inside.

The way they are gouging lumber prices now days, this is a great idea..

Wow, this is really amazing and helpful. You have no idea how my plan to do this kind of shelf was expensive and time consumer. I'm really happy with this video. Thank you guys so much.

Best video on the internet regarding storage shelves! It’s plain brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing so many amazing ideas! Best cost of material (more 2x4s) can you let me know what are the advantages/disadvantages of this way vs your previous "free-standing" garage shelving?

Thanks, Ana! This is exactly what I was looking for... I really appreciate the vid and the simplicity of this build. I'm heading out to get grab some lumber in just a few minutes.

Cheap, fast, and strong. The trifecta!

Thanks, your video helped a lot. Just finished my DIY shelves in the garage.

Very nice. I took this idea and build my garage shelves on both sides of my garage. Got everything off the floor. Thanks for posting this video.

That is actually a brilliant idea...

Fantastic! This was very helpful. Thank you.

I love this! Been wanting something like this for a long time! Finally, this is so simple and inexpensive! Why didn’t I think of this before?!

Followed this and worked really well! The only thing I'd say it doesn't account for is the slope of the garage floor. So, I leveled my shelves, but the posts on the ends don't line up perfectly due to the slope of the garage floor away from the house.

Thanks for this. Im a newbie at stuff like this. The one part i probably need the most help in is the part you glossed over...using the kreg jig to attach cleats. Not familiar with that tool/how to do cleats