Making shelves and racks for the garage with your own hands. Shelves, workbenches, racks in the garage, workshop Self-made shelves on the wall in the garage

Arranging a garage is a very important detail in the life of every motorist, and in order to properly organize the space, you can make shelves in the garage with your own hands. In addition to storing the car indoors, even the most spacious garage often accumulates a large number of additional car accessories that clutter up the space. Shelves and racks help a lot in this matter - they will free the floor and prevent the necessary things from getting lost.

Shelves of various configurations are able to accommodate a variety of items of various sizes, contribute to maintaining order in the room. Self-manufacturing of shelves will help not only save money, but also arrange everything the way you want. You will learn how to create garage shelves with your own hands from our article.

General characteristics of shelves and planning for their creation

Shelves in the garage will help keep things organized, and you can store everything from tools to spare wheels on them. The maximum convenience in location is very important. Shelves of various types perfectly cope with this function: hanging, corner, single or multi-tiered, as well as different widths and lengths.

Buying shelves in the store has a huge plus, since you do not have to make your own efforts. The advantage of self-manufacturing is the variety of choice of material, size and location of the structures themselves.

Absolutely any necessary things can be stored on shelves or racks, but you need to decide what exactly will be stored on them before you start purchasing materials, and even more so before you start manufacturing. For example, if you plan to put on the shelves liquid products necessary for cars (like gasoline, antifreeze, oil, etc.) or other works (for example, paint), you need to provide for the construction of the shelves in such a way that they are closed or have a small closed side - so you save your funds from falling.

It is also necessary to pay attention to your safety - all structures should be located in such a way that they are convenient for use and cannot injure you. It is very important to set the dimensions of the product correctly so that under the influence of the weight of the shelves they do not sag over time and do not collapse, losing all the contents.

Regarding dimensions, preference should be given to the standard: about 1-1.5 meters in length and 35 centimeters wide for multi-tiered or 65-75 centimeters for single shelves.

Important! In a new garage, not yet fully explored, you should not hang the shelves "tightly". It is better to fix the storage system in such a way that at any time you can change its position, or even place it on the floor. Given these recommendations, you will be able to understand which walls are the most functional and which are best left uncluttered.

What are the materials for the manufacture of garage shelves?

The first step is to decide what material you want to make the structure from. What the shelves will be made of will affect the design of the structure, the principle of fastening. The most common are shelves made of metal or wood.

metal shelves

This type of shelves is mainly made using stainless steel corners and sheets. Such shelves have both positive and negative sides. Let's consider them in more detail.

Table number 1. Pros and cons of metal shelves

wooden shelves

Working on wooden shelves does not require welding skills from the garage owner, and, accordingly, the presence of a welding machine, and therefore it is much easier. In addition, there are much more options for creating garage shelves from solid wood or similar materials (chipboard, MDF, panels). The shelves are fastened using a frame or a metal profile.

Table number 2. Pros and cons of using wooden shelves

In addition to the above materials, there are less popular, but functional options. So, often wooden or plastic shelves are added to the metal frame, thereby the design is more reliable, but inexpensive.

Also, shelves can be created from high-quality plastic that can withstand a lot of weight and is resistant to deformation. Such material is easier to care for and easier to install.

However, if we talk about garage conditions (especially if the room is not heated in winter), the best option would be to put metal shelves there. They will last for decades and will withstand almost any weight without problems. Accordingly, metal shelves are often preferred when it is necessary to store heavy and rigid items. For this, metal will serve better than any other material.

When working with metal, it must be coated with an anti-corrosion agent, while wood will have to be painted with paints that protect the material from moisture and temperature extremes. Otherwise, the boards may begin to rot, they may change their shape and lose their integrity. Also, various pests can start in the tree.

When choosing a material, it is very important to understand how many things will be stored on them, what weight and with what help the work will be fixed - welding or nails. There is no single correct option for creating this product.

Designs and dimensions

Once you have decided on the material, you should think about the type of construction that is perfect for the selected room.

Each type of shelves has special fastening systems to which they will be mounted if the walls are not strong or the future contents of the shelves are too heavy. There are several shelves according to the type of fastening:

wall;
ceiling;
single hinged;
multi-tiered hinged;
transformer shelves;
shelves on wheels for the ability to move structures;
shelves rotating around their own axis.

Wall shelves can be made both open and closed. It is convenient to store various equipment often used by the owner on them. Such shelves are easily created using a corner and attached to the walls.

Hanging shelves are perfect when the walls of the room are not stable enough for large weights. To create such structures, you will need a corner and a shelf directly. A strong cable or corners are used as a frame. Fastening is done using hooks.

These shelves are very convenient, as they can be removed at any time. Their disadvantage is poor stability and mobility: it is better not to use them under heavy objects.

It is also a great option to create a separate shelf for tools, where each item can be assigned its own place. For example, for screwdrivers, you can take a wooden block and make small holes in it. Attach it horizontally as shown in the picture below.

To store the keys, you can use hooks or nails driven into a horizontal surface. The keys can be arranged in ascending and descending order, which will make the appearance more neat. For greater convenience, this surface can be made movable by installing it on wheels.

Ceiling structures can be made against the wall - this way they will be stronger and more stable, and they can be used for materials of any weight. You can put things on them that you do not use at home. Ceiling shelves are made of any size both in length and in width. Their disadvantage is that it is rather problematic to get things from them. That is why it is better to store on them what you very rarely use.

Shelving comes to the rescue when all the loose walls in the garage are unstable. There are four types of racks:

To work on the creation of shelves, the use of drawings will be a huge advantage. On them you can depict in detail the type of construction, dimensions and volumes of shelves, as well as an example of fastening. If you do not have any special preferences, it is better to use the standard dimensions of the shelves: 60 centimeters long and 30-40 centimeters wide.

At a stationary rack, you can increase the size of the shelves up to two meters in length and half a meter in width. The distance of the tiers depends on what will be stored on them. For greater convenience, it is worth making the lower shelf voluminous, and making the upper ones standard (30-35 centimeters between tiers).

It is advisable to make hanging shelves a little smaller: about 60 centimeters long and 30 centimeters wide. The distance between them is often small, about 15-20 centimeters, so they are assigned to those things that are rarely useful.

We make shelves with our own hands

When you have chosen the material, decided on the further design and its volumes, you can proceed directly to work. Below we will look at several options for creating shelves.

Wooden shelves: step by step instructions

Basically, this type of shelves is made in the form of a simple stationary structure, which is installed along one or two walls. In the second case, the shelves are angular. To create wooden shelves, you can follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Select the materials that you will use in your work. Prepare racks and shelves. For racks use larch or oak, for shelves - any material you are interested in.

Prices for OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

Step 2: Make racks from a bar with a section of 10x10 or 5x10 centimeters. The cross bars must be of the same material.

Step 3: Measure the dimensions of future shelves and cut them out of wood.

Prices for the popular range of miter saws

miter saw

Step 4: Treat all used wooden elements (both racks and shelves) with an antiseptic. This will help to avoid further occurrence of fungus or rotting of the material.

Step 5: Mark the racks in the area where the shelves will be installed. Attach the shelves using self-tapping screws, spikes, wood glue, dowels, nails, or any other tools. To make the shelves more durable, you can plant them on the corners of their metal.

Step 6: Treat the ends of the rack, and then cover the entire structure with varnish or paint.

Video - Making a wooden garage shelf

Metal shelves: step by step instructions

This type of shelves is used mainly for storing heavy items, so it is better to make them stationary so that they are more stable. When working with metal shelves, welding is used. Bolts should only be used if they have a role to hold together lightweight materials like aluminium.

Step 1: Draw a sketch of the future design. Pay close attention to its location. Remember that shelves should only be installed against strong, sturdy walls that can support the entire volume.

Step 2: Choose ordinary corners as a frame instead of square profiles. The corners must be at least five centimeters.

Step 3: Mark all the elements of the frame on the material and cut it out using a grinder. Weld them into one structure using welding.

Step 4: Take perforated or rolled steel as a canvas for shelves. Its thickness should range from 1 to 5 millimeters. Remember that metal sheets themselves are very heavy. So, for example, a sheet of 50x100 centimeters, whose thickness is about three millimeters, has a weight of about 12 kilograms (each such sheet costs about 150-200 rubles).

Also, instead of metal sheets, you can choose wooden boards - in this case, the thickness of each shelf should be about 3 centimeters. Pre-treat the surface with a fire retardant, which will make the wood fire resistant.

Step 5: Fasten the boards or sheets to the frame.

Prices for popular models of welding machines

Welders

Step 6: Clean any rusted metal areas, if any, and paint the shelf or shelving unit completely.

Corner shelves: step by step instructions

The corner is a very reliable and strong material that is able to withstand heavy weights above it. You can easily make a frame with corners, which is perfect for storing spare wheels (while you need to place the wheels in a vertical way).

You can also make a multi-tiered shelf from the corners, taking the lower part under a heavier load (for example, cans of liquid). They can store light, but bulky. However, the distance between the shelves is slightly increased. In length, each shelf can reach one and a half to two meters, a width of about 50 centimeters. The height of this rack is best done no more than two meters. Between each tier, it is desirable to leave about 50 centimeters.

This rack consists of only three elements: vertical and horizontal racks and crossbeams, and shelves directly. They can be made from both metal and wood.

Step 1: Cut from the corner segments for vertical racks. There should be four such elements.

Step 2: Decide where the rack will be. On the selected wall, mark two supports, the distance between which will be equal to the length of the shelves.

Step 3: Cut off the horizontal frame elements from the corner.

Step 4: Make shelves. To do this, you can use plywood, metal or wood. Cut the shelves so that their dimensions are 1.2 centimeters smaller than the frame itself. For example, if you made a frame 400x1300 in size, then the shelves should be approximately 388x1288 millimeters. Assemble the frame by welding or bolts. Then install the shelf along the wall so that the back walls and vertical posts match the sketch drawn on the wall. Attach the frame to the wall with bolts. Install and secure the horizontal frame.

Step 5: Lay on the corners of the shelves from the material that you have chosen.

Shelves and racks are a great way to save space in a room and give it a neat appearance. They are able to accommodate objects of various weights and sizes. The main thing is to correctly compose a structure that will be strong and safe.

Video - How to make shelving in the garage

Over time, under the roof of any car garage, a whole arsenal of various household supplies and household items accumulates, which had no place either at home or in the pantry.

To prevent the formation of a chaotic landfill, the garage space must be properly organized. And you can do this with the help of a homemade shelving system. It will allow you to neatly and rationally place things stored in the garage and thereby create the most comfortable conditions not only for car care, but also for solving everyday household tasks.

Principles and possibilities for arranging a car garage

The main purpose of a garage is to store a car. And this means that, first of all, the car owner must exclude possible encroachments on the property stored inside, that is, ensure the safety of the latter. An equally important issue is the correct climatic regime in the garage space - the condition of the car should in no case depend on the vagaries of the weather or the appetites of harmful microorganisms such as fungus or mold. Another of the principles of organizing the situation in the garage - ergonomics - suggests that everything under the roof of the structure should always stand, lie or hang in its place, without interfering with the passage, passage, cleaning or car care process. With all this, it is imperative that the room be clean and tidy, which are the key not only to the health of the car owner, but also to his safety when visiting the garage and performing all kinds of household or repair operations.

In accordance with these principles, at the first stage of arranging a garage, you will need:

Install on the gates and windows, if any, a reliable locking system.
Insulate the structure of the structure or organize high-quality heating of the interior during the cold season.
Finish the interior with reliable, durable and easy-to-clean materials.

After completing the finishing work, you can proceed to the final stage of arrangement - organizing the interior of the garage. To do this, you need to draw up a detailed plan of the room and determine what and how it will be stored in it, in addition to the car.

Garage plan for a car with estimated dimensions

As a rule, the wall farthest from the entrance to the garage is allocated for racks and shelves. If the dimensions of the room allow, it is advantageous to equip the side walls with shelves. With a lack of free space in the garage, special attention should be paid to the space under the ceiling, as well as above the car itself. Shelves equipped at the upper level will allow you to unload the lower part of the room, taking on things that need to be used from time to time.

Wooden shelves on a metal frame under the ceiling of the garage

The configuration and dimensions of the shelving system depend on the size of the garage and the needs of its owner. The materials from which the shelves will be made must be strong enough to support the weight of the stored items. For example, tiers can be made of thick plywood or boards, and the frame can be made of metal pipes or corners, but other options are also possible.

Shelving system made of wood for the garage

The method of assembling and installing the shelving system depends on the material used to finish the garage room, as well as the design features of the structure itself. In many cases, the shelves are hung on the walls, and the racks are installed directly on the floor. However, the shelves can also be hung from the ceiling, while to increase the stability of an individual rack, its frame is often equipped with mounts for walls, floors and ceilings.

Open Hanging Shelving System for Garage

When calculating the parameters of the racking system, several points should be taken into account:

The distance from the bottom shelf to the floor is taken at least 20 cm. This greatly simplifies the cleaning process in the garage.

The width and height of the shelves must correspond to the dimensions of the stored items.

It is advisable to perforate the shelves in order to improve ventilation, as well as to avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt.

Independent production of shelves and racks for the garage

To arrange the garage space should be thoroughly prepared. For this you will need:

perform design calculations;
select and prepare materials;
collect the necessary tools and tools for design, assembly and installation.

When planning a shelving system, first of all, you need to draw up at least an approximate list of items stored in the garage, not forgetting to evaluate their weight and dimensions. You should also draw a garage plan, on which, on a scale with an accuracy of a centimeter, you need to indicate the design parameters of the structure (height, width, thickness, pitch and number of shelves). After that, it remains to carefully consider the method of assembling and mounting and fixing the shelves or a separate rack.

Please note: The choice of the type of shelving system and the method of its installation and fastening largely depends on the properties of the materials from which the garage is made. So, if the walls of the latter are metal, you will have to tinker with hanging shelves, while the simplest rack will save the garage owner from complex manipulations with fasteners, garage insulation, etc. The most convenient option is plastered brick walls. In such a garage, you can give free rein to your imagination and install a combined shelving system with many useful functions in the household.

Material selection: highlights

Materials for creating a shelving system for a garage are selected based on considerations of ease of assembly, as well as reliability and practicality in operation. So, for shelves designed to store heavy and bulky items, you will need a reinforced frame, for which a metal corner or a profiled pipe is best suited.

But in this case, the garage owner cannot do without the skills of cutting, drilling and welding metal. In addition, the latter needs protection against corrosion, and this is associated with additional financial costs.

Wooden blocks 40–50 cm thick can also be used as a frame for garage shelves or shelving. Working with wood is much easier than with metal, but you still have to take care of protecting the material from mold, decay, moisture and other aggressive operating factors.

As for the material for the manufacture of the shelves themselves, the most practical solutions include:

boards with a thickness of 2 cm;

Edged board is one of the cheapest and easiest materials to use. Shelves in the garage, made of planks, will last for many years. But in order to increase ease of use and increase the service life, they must be sanded and coated with an antiseptic and paint, which will protect the material from mechanical damage, pests and decay.

multilayer plywood;

Plywood is a practical and inexpensive material with high strength and durability measured in decades. It is not difficult to work with this material, however, in the manufacture of shelves, it should be sanded with fine emery and coated with a protective layer of paint or varnish. This will prevent soaking, drying out and cracking of plywood under the influence of dampness, temperature changes and aggressive chemicals.

particle boards.

Chipboard - cheap and easy to use, but capricious material in operation. When manufacturing shelves from chipboard using varnishing or painting, it is necessary to protect not only the working (upper) and lower planes, but also the ends, as well as holes for bolting and perforation, from damage and aggressive influence. At the same time, the latter require increased accuracy when performing due to the peculiarities of the structure of the material.

Please note: A quick, but rather expensive option for arranging a garage is to buy ready-made plastic or metal perforated shelves with factory fasteners or a prefabricated shelving frame. In the absence of sufficient funds, the most reasonable solution would be to independently manufacture the structure from materials prepared at the discretion of the garage owner.

Structural calculation

First of all, it is necessary to determine the location of the rack system. If we are talking about several small shelves, you can sketch directly on the wall, while the drawing of the frame rack will have to be done on paper.

Sketch of hanging shelves on the wall of the garage

When planning a structure, consider:

dimensions and weight of items placed on the shelves;
the necessary supply of free space for passage;
the dimensions of the gaps between the sections and the vertical pitch of the shelves;
ways of attaching shelves to the walls or ceiling of the garage;
the need to attach the rack system to the floor or ceiling.

Calculation of the attached racking system for the garage

If a rack is installed in the garage, it is advisable to choose its height according to the height of the room. As for wall or hanging shelves, it is convenient to calculate them from top to bottom. If the dimensions and layout of the garage allow, the width of the shelving tier is selected along the entire length of the wall with a margin of 5–10 cm for ease of installation. The optimal depth of the rack is 50-60 cm, although for large items (car tires and wheels, spare parts, boxes, etc.), it would be reasonable to provide wider shelves.

Indoor Hanging Garage Shelving

The height of the tier can be different and is selected according to the needs of the garage owner. It is practical to place the widest and deepest shelves at the bottom. It is more convenient to store heavy and bulky items here, which, if necessary, are easy to get. On the other hand, deep shelves can also be installed under the garage ceiling. Indeed, on the upper tier it is very convenient to store overall, but light things or rarely used items. In addition, it is convenient to divide individual tiers into sections, which will facilitate the sorting of stored goods.

Drawing of a simple shelving system for a garage

Please note: It is undesirable that the width of the shelves, especially those made of thin material, exceed 1–1.5 m. This will lead to a decrease in structural strength and sagging of the tiers. As for the length, it is convenient to start from a size of at least 60–80 cm, otherwise the shelves will be inconvenient for storing long items. The vertical step of the racking system is taken according to the required storage height. For example, the height of the lower tier can be taken as 70 cm and taken away for storage of car tires, rims, large containers, etc. If you add another 2 tiers of 50 cm each, then the total height of the rack will be 1.7 m. In a garage with a ceiling height of 2.5 m, the topmost shelf of this design will have a 60-cm step, taking into account the 20-cm distance from the floor to the lower tier .

Tools and auxiliary materials

For self-manufacturing, assembly and installation of the rack system, you will need a considerable arsenal of tools, as well as auxiliary materials. The toolkit for performing the task contains:

building level;
tape measure and marker;
screwdriver;
electric drill with hammer function;
jigsaw;
circular saw with discs for metal (if the rack frame is made of a steel corner or a profile pipe);
welding machine (for welding elements of the metal frame of the rack);
hand tools (building corner, pliers, hammer, screwdrivers and wrenches).

Please note: A welded shelving frame is difficult to manufacture, so bolted connections are often preferred to welding.

The list of supporting materials should include:

dowels or anchors (for attaching a wooden or metal frame to the garage structural elements);
self-tapping screws for wood or metal or bolts with nuts (for attaching shelves to the frame);
drills for concrete, wood and metal;
primer and paint for metal and wooden structural elements;
primer brush;
sanding skin.

Please note: In some cases, it is more convenient to fix wooden shelves to the frame using special glue.

Making a shelving system with your own hands

Independent design of shelves or racks for garage facilities is carried out with subsequent assembly. The algorithm of work is the following:

Using a circular saw or electric jigsaw from a steel corner, a profiled pipe or a wooden block, frame elements are cut: racks, transverse and longitudinal crossbars, amplifiers.
On the vertical racks of the rack, markings are made for the installation of transverse and longitudinal crossbars under the shelves.
If we are talking about shelves, on the horizontal bars with which they will be held on the wall, the attachment points are marked with dowels or anchors. Next, they must be transferred to the wall and punched holes of the appropriate diameter and depth.
Holes of the required diameter are made on the frame elements for bolted connections using a drill with a drill for metal.
If the choice fell on a welded frame, the elements of the latter must be joined with neat seams.
The metal frame is sanded, primed and painted. The wooden base of the shelving system is also desirable to be sanded, primed and painted to protect against mold and decay.
Shelves of the desired size are cut out of chipboard, plywood or boards, after which their surface must be perforated.
The shelf frame is attached to the wall or ceiling of the garage, after which the shelves are fixed on it with glue, screws or bolts.
The assembly of a separate rack is carried out in several steps:

installation of side racks;
fastening of transverse and longitudinal crossbars, as well as amplifiers;
installation of shelves on the frame.

Homemade shelving system on a metal frame and chipboard shelves

How to make your own shelves

If there is not enough free space in the garage to install a separate rack, the room is equipped with shelves. The latter may be:

hanging;
mounted.

It is rational to install hanging shelves in rooms, the walls of which are made of materials that are difficult to process or unable to bear additional loads. In this case, the shelf frame, which is usually made of metal, will be attached to the ceiling. The latter must be strong enough to withstand the weight of not only the entire structure, but also the things stored on the shelves.

Please note: To reduce the load on the ceiling, it is desirable to equip the structure frame with wall mounts.

The manufacture and installation of suspended shelves is carried out in several stages:

After taking measurements, three elements should be cut from a metal corner or profile pipe: the main longitudinal beam, vertical posts and horizontal crossbars.
Holes are made on the main longitudinal beam for fastening to the ceiling or side walls of the garage.
Horizontal crossbars are welded to the vertical posts or bolted to them.
By means of welding or bolting, the frame is attached to the main carrier beam, fixed under the ceiling.
Horizontal crossbars resting against the wall are equipped with fasteners (corners) for reliable fixation.
Shelves are cut out of boards, plywood or chipboard according to pre-calculated dimensions. Before installation, they must be perforated and equipped with holes for fastening to the frame.
With the help of bolts, the shelves are mounted on the frame.

Suspended shelving system with load-bearing beam fixed to garage walls

Please note: If the garage ceiling is made of concrete or other material of sufficient strength, the carrier beam can be discarded. But in this case, it will be necessary to fasten to the ceiling plane of each of the vertical racks of the frame.

Installing a shelf frame on a concrete ceiling

Hanging shelves are made in the following way:

After taking measurements from a metal corner, a profile pipe or a wooden beam, horizontal load-bearing beams are cut out for each shelf, vertical racks and horizontal crossbars.
Horizontal crossbars are equipped with mounting holes and are fixed on the bearing beams.
Beams are mounted on the wall with anchors or dowels.
On the installed frame, with the help of bolts or self-tapping screws, shelves cut from boards, plywood or chipboard and pre-sanded and painted are fixed.

Wooden hanging shelves made of wood mounted on a brick wall

Please note: For mounting the shelf frame on the wall or ceiling of the garage, it is convenient to use special brackets that are sold in the store. The wooden base of the rack is additionally reinforced at the nodes with the help of metal corners or spacers.

Video: do-it-yourself racking system

Additional amenities in the garage

If the garage is spacious enough, it can be used not only as a warehouse for spare parts, tools, building materials and all kinds of household trash, but also as a home workshop. To do this, you need to add devices to the environment that greatly increase the convenience of performing various technical operations. Such devices include:

Workbench;

Homemade workbench for working in the garage

A workbench is a very useful piece of furniture in the garage, which is a table equipped with drawers, shelves, bedside tables and technical devices for performing various household or repair work (vice, electrical outlet, local lighting, etc.).

sink;

Sink and hob in car garage

A sink is a practical and useful solution that will ensure uninterrupted water supply in the garage, which is necessary not only for washing hands, but also for car care, as well as for indoor cleaning activities.

viewing hole;

Do-it-yourself garage viewing hole

An inspection pit is an essential device for a garage in which the car will not only be stored, but also repaired.

vegetable store (cellar);

Cellar (vegetable storage) in the garage

If there is not enough free space in the house, the garage can be equipped with a vegetable store, in which it is convenient to store vegetables, pickles or products that require a special temperature regime.

cupboard;

Wardrobe built into the shelving system in the garage

A cabinet built into the shelving system in the garage will not only allow you to neatly place various small things, tools or spare parts, but also restrict access to them.

ventilation, heating, etc.

Ventilation and heating in the garage are necessary if the room is used all year round, and not only for storing cars, but also for repair and household work.

Please note: the arrangement of the garage space entirely depends on the needs and financial capabilities of its owner. At the same time, almost any of the necessary devices for car care or housekeeping can either be bought ready-made, or made and installed with your own hands, significantly reducing cash costs.

Solution Gallery

Universal wall for storing tools, auto parts and household equipment in the garage Wooden shelving system for arranging a garage space

Storage of power tools in the garage on a special shelf

Many useful ideas are born directly in the process of arranging a garage. For example, the shelving system can be made collapsible, some of the tiers can be equipped with sides or sections for storing various small things. It is noteworthy that it is very difficult to immediately plan everything that may be needed in the process of car care and solving household problems in the garage. Therefore, it is worth starting with the most necessary, for example, from shelves or a rack, a workbench or a cabinet, which will optimize the space in the room and make it easier to carry out daily car and household maintenance.

Over time, a lot of things and “important” little things accumulate in the garage, which need to find a place so that they are easy to find and quickly take. This will help the correct organization of space, the most important element of which is the shelves. Today it is not just a complex of horizontal and vertical crossbars. The most convenient designs, adjustable in height, safe and durable, which can be made by hand, have been developed.

Shelves in the garage are needed to systematize the internal "wealth"

For Russians, the garage has long become a multifunctional space. This is no longer just a place for storing and servicing a car, but also a workshop, as well as a warehouse for a variety of things, including:

spare parts for the car;
wheels;
electric and pneumatic tools;
oils and gasoline;
fishing rods and other fishing, hunting and tourist equipment;
wearable and other things;
food preparations;
detergents to keep clean.

All this must be streamlined, kept dry and in good condition. For this purpose, there are only two designs: and shelves. The first differ from the second in that I can be mobile. Shelves are always stationary and fixed on a wall or partition.

For things of different geometrical parameters, you need a storage place of the appropriate size. In this regard, there are several types of shelves:

for tools, with crossbeams preventing the fall of this expensive equipment;
for storing long lengths: building material such as boards and metal corners, as well as fishing rods, shovels, spare parts;
for large-sized products: machine tools, heat guns, auto parts;
for small hand tools, keys, insulating and other materials.

Therefore, the design of the shelves must be chosen based on several parameters:

the dimensions of the items that will be stored on them;
frequency of their use;
weight.

According to the same criteria, the location of the shelf is determined and the material for its manufacture is selected.

Types of shelves and possible materials for manufacturing

Hanging shelves are suitable for those things that you rarely use

There are several types of shelves for the garage:

Prefabricated. These structures can be fully called racks, since it is possible to move them to any place convenient for the owner. They can also be stationary, the frame of which is attached to the wall.
Suspended, fixed in the subceiling space. They are optimal for storing rarely used things and materials. When designing and manufacturing such structures, special attention is paid to the strength of fasteners and the ability of materials to withstand significant weight loads. A ceiling shelf that collapses along with heavy objects can not only damage the car, but also cause serious injury to people and animals in the room.
Mounted. Structurally, they resemble wall cabinets without doors.
Rotating. Optimal for storing the necessary small things and frequently used tools.
In the form of a flat shield with many pins for hanging small items.
With solid (monolithic) horizontal surfaces or made of crossbars located at a certain distance from each other.

Materials for manufacturing:

wooden bars;
boards;
sheet metal;
metal corners;
pipes of round, rectangular or square section;
brackets;
metal pins.

This design will be very convenient for storing large items.

Also, for the manufacture of shelves and boxes, objects suitable for this purpose are used: empty plastic cans, flower pots and other containers that are durable and light in weight.

Corner shelves are highly stable

A metal corner is a reliable material suitable for constructing structures that can withstand significant weight loads. From it you can make a rigid hinged frame for storing wheels. Moreover, the metal must be painted or coated with an anti-corrosion primer. The rules for storing wheels require that they be installed in a vertical position, and they can be placed at any height, even under the ceiling.

If you are thinking of a multi-tiered shelf from a corner, leave the lower part for the heaviest items.

The shelf from the corner can be made in the form of a stable multi-tiered structure, on which it is convenient to store heavy and bulky items. To do this, first of all, they determine what exactly will be here. The bottom shelf is usually where the most bulky and heavy things are placed, so the distance from it to the next upper horizontal surface should be significant.

Design + drawing

Drawing shelves from the corner

A corner shelf is a simple design consisting of several elements:

vertical racks;
horizontal beams of the frame;
steel or wooden sheets laid on them.

The design process consists of several stages:

decide what will be on the shelves;
find the optimal distance between them;
choose the number of shelves;
are determined with other geometric design parameters: the width and depth of horizontal sheets, the height of the racks.

Advice! The most convenient shelves in operation are 40-60 cm deep and 100-120 cm long.

Metal corners ready to become shelves

For the manufacture of shelves will require the following materials:

metal corner 20x20x3 mm;
sheet metal 1.5-2 mm thick (can be replaced with plywood or OSB 9-12 mm thick);
anchor bolts No. 8;
bolts M6x30 DIN 933;
metal studs with external thread M6x40;
washers M6;
nuts M6.

The listed fasteners (studs, bolts, nuts and washers) are necessary if a collapsible metal frame is mounted. The design can be made in another way - to connect its elements to each other by welding.

To perform the work you will need tools:

drill and drill bits for metal;
spanners;
roulette;
bubble level;
marker or pencil;
grinder with a disk for metal.

Manufacturing instructions

Now you can force

Step 1. Using a grinder, cut a metal corner into segments equal to the height of the vertical racks. For a standard design, 4 supports are required.

Step 2. Markings are made on the wall in the chosen place: mark the location of two vertical supports spaced from each other by a distance equal to the length of the shelves.

Step 3. Pieces of a metal corner are prepared for the installation of frames of horizontal shelves.

Step 4 The shelves themselves are cut directly from sheet metal or OSB / plywood. If the dimensions of the frame are 30x1200 or 60x1200 mm, webs of 288x1188 or 588x1188 mm are prepared, respectively.

Step 5. The frames are assembled in the chosen way: by welding or on bolts with nuts and washers.

Step 6 In accordance with the project, the upper and lower shelves are installed using welding or bolted connections.

Step 7 Attach the structure to the wall in accordance with the previously made markings.

Step 8. Attach the vertical posts to the wall with M8 anchor bolts.

Step 9. Install the frames of the intermediate shelves.

Step 10. Prepared metal or wood sheets are laid on the horizontal ledges of the metal corner.

Important! All metal elements are coated with an anti-corrosion primer before starting work.

wooden shelf

Wood is more environmentally friendly and economical than metal

The most common solution for arranging a garage is the installation of wooden shelves. The choice of this option is due to the availability and low price of wood: bars and boards. In order for the design to be aesthetically attractive and safe in operation, all its elements are pre-treated: they are leveled, polished, coated with a fire-retardant composition.

Advice! A thickness gauge is used to calibrate lumber. With it, you can make all the same structural elements identical in size.

Design + drawing

Drawing of a wooden shelf

Designing a wooden shelf is no different from a similar process in the manufacture of metal structures. The dimensions of the parts are chosen at your discretion. The most convenient are shelves, the length of which corresponds to the distance of an outstretched arm. Height can be any, up to the ceiling. The easiest way is to design and manufacture a stationary wall structure. It is installed in a corner or on a plane.

Necessary tools and materials

Before starting work, the tree must be planed

To work with a tree you will need:

drill or screwdriver;
drill;
hacksaw or jigsaw;
grinder;
bubble level;
construction square;
ruler and tape measure;
simple pencil.

Materials for the manufacture of a simple hinged shelf 110 cm long, 30 cm high and 25 cm deep (width):

planed boards 16 mm thick;
wood screws;
dowels for wall mounting;
brackets
fire retardant composition.

Advice! If the shelves are made of chipboard, it is advisable to laminate the ends with a special adhesive tape. This will prevent moisture penetration and swelling of the chipboard.

Manufacturing instructions

Surface preparation in full swing

Step 1. Using a jigsaw or a hacksaw, prepare two canvases for the side walls. Between them there will be two horizontal shelves. The distance between them is equal to the height of the end.

Step 2 Prepare canvases for horizontal shelves.

Step 3. Process the parts with a grinder.

Step 4 Cover the workpieces with a fire-retardant composition, give the drying time recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 5. Start assembling the structure and lay the bottom sheet on a flat horizontal surface. They take a ruler and a simple pencil, measure 8 mm to the right and left, draw two parallel lines.

Step 6. On each line from above and below towards the middle of the canvas, measure 5 mm and put marks.

Step 7. 4 holes are drilled at the points found.

Step 8. In a similar way, mark the surface of the upper shelf and drill 4 holes in it.

Step 9 Install the left end shelf on the bottom shelf. Connect the parts with self-tapping screws.

Step 10 The right end board is attached in a similar way.

Step 11. The upper shelf is laid on the resulting structure and fastened through the previously drilled holes.

Step 12 Brackets are attached to the upper part of the back surface of the end boards.

Step 13. Try on the shelf to the wall, make markings for dowels.

Step 14 Drill holes in the wall.

Step 15 Screw in the dowels.

Step 16. Hang the shelf.

Based on the proposed step-by-step instructions, it is possible to make a structure from several shelves, reinforcing it with vertically installed bars with a section of 40x50 mm or 50x50 mm. In order to give the shelf stability, it is attached to the wall with anchors or dowels.

Other options

A variety of materials are suitable for the manufacture of shelves. The main requirement for them is strength, the ability to withstand the expected load.. Craftsmen find original and practical solutions to organize the garage space.

Cable racks make very durable shelves

Cable racks, trays, profiles - products necessary for electrical work. From these parts, you can assemble a solid and reliable structure from several shelves and sections. Also, these products are suitable for arranging a frame on which wooden, glass or plastic shelves are installed.

The range of auxiliary materials for electrical work includes a full range of fasteners for assembling structures from cable racks. All these products are affordable, sold in the departments of hardware or electrical materials in any building hypermarket and shopping center.

From canisters

Shelf of canisters - an option for the originals

A plastic canister is a real find for those who love original solutions for organizing storage systems in the garage. Entire racks are built from these containers. Canisters act as drawers, one of the side walls of which is neatly cut off. Thus, a hollow box with a handle is obtained.

Installation of such racks is simple. In the manufacture, it is recommended to focus on the above installation instructions for wooden shelves. First of all, a multi-section frame is constructed from boards, in each opening of which a canister laid on its side is installed. Get a comfortable, deep, drawer with a handle.

Attention! Used canisters from solvents, oils, chemical solutions, must be thoroughly rinsed. This will eliminate the odor and eliminate the risk of fire.

How to arrange shelves in the garage

Try to use the shelves as much as possible

The device of simple devices will help to significantly increase the usability of storage systems. So, horizontal crossbars installed along the shelves will prevent accidental falling and damage to objects, injuring legs or arms with heavy tools. Often in garages, the racks are overloaded, and when you get one part, you have to move many others. Horizontal bars will keep items within the given space.

The task of the owner is to make the most of the small area of the garage, while using all available surfaces. For this purpose, corner multi-tiered shelves are installed, ideal for storing a variety of small things: containers with screws and self-tapping screws, fasteners.

It is important to place the shelves so that they do not interfere with free passage, and there is no risk of accidentally hitting them with your head or hands. An excellent solution is to install shelves around the perimeter of the walls at a height exceeding the height of the owner by 20-30 cm. On these surfaces, you can store everything that is rarely used, but should always be at hand.

Magnetic holder - a real find for the owner of the garage

Another option for arranging shelves is to fix a wooden block with a magnetic holder on the wall. It is convenient to fix any, small in weight and size, metal products on it: bits, drills, wrenches, screwdrivers. This is a very convenient storage method, appreciated by all garage owners who have used this method of organizing space.

A high multi-tiered shelf can act as a partition for zoning a room. In order to prevent things from falling from the rack located in the walk-through zone, they arrange sliding doors like a closet, or install retaining horizontal jumpers.

Video: Do-it-yourself garage shelves

Without shelves, it is impossible to properly organize the garage space and operate it in the most convenient way. There are many options for arranging storage places, and you can always find the most suitable for a particular situation. Any shelves, metal or wooden, are easy to do with your own hands. This will help detailed step-by-step instructions.

Convenient and spacious storage systems help to place tools, car parts, consumables and other important little things that clutter up the space in a small room. To make shelves and racks for the garage with your own hands, it is important to decide on the materials, take measurements of the room, develop a design and scheme, and think over the options. You can take note of ideas with hanging shelves or collapsible shelving, which will save a lot of space.

Convenient wardrobe rack

What shelves and shelving structures are suitable for a garage

The easiest way is to equip the garage with ready-made systems by choosing a stylish option with a simple fastener mechanism. But it is not always possible to guess with the dimensions of the shelves, moreover, not all purchased options will be as functional and reliable as we would like. It is more convenient, more profitable and more logical to make a shelf or rack yourself. As a result, you will receive:

saving space;
elimination of clutter;
ease of storage of tools and other things;
giving the garage (hangar) a well-groomed, lived-in appearance.

Metal structures - the most practical and durable

The most common materials for the manufacture of sections of garage shelves are wood and metal, less often plastic. The most practical are combined structures made of wood and metal. According to the assembly options, racks can be:

Stationary, designed for a specific place in the room. Such a rack is assembled once and attached to the wall (ceiling or floor) with brackets.
Mobile - with the possibility of rearrangement, which provides a mobile base. The rack is installed on wheels or a trolley, but in this case it is important to control the load without cluttering it with massive equipment.
Collapsible - the height and number of shelves in which you can change and rearrange them.
Suspended - attached to the walls or ceiling in any convenient place.
More exotic designs, such as rotating ones. Such shelves in the garage look very stylish, but they are not suitable for storing large tools, ideal for screwdrivers and screws.

Do not forget about the principle: the more, the more functional, more convenient, more spacious

When planning the size of the racks and the number of shelves in them, it is important to proceed from the dimensions of your garage.

Calculations and ready-made schemes of shelving systems

First of all, it is important to decide on the materials for self-manufacturing shelving in the garage, the most suitable are wood and metal:

The advantages of metal are durability and strength.
Wooden systems are distinguished by lightness, practicality, ease of operation, low manufacturing and assembly costs.

The scheme of the simplest shelving in the garage

The tool rack is a massive and rather complex structure, so it is wiser to start its construction with the preparation of a diagram or drawing. It is not difficult even to make sketches on your own, if you take measurements accurately, correctly calculate the dimensions of the shelves and the parameters of the basis for them. Correct measurements are a guarantee of functional shelves and order.

Assembly diagram of one of the sections

To simplify the manufacture of a rack with your own hands, study the drawings, diagrams and photos of proven options.

Drawing of a pipe rack with wooden shelves

Even at the preparatory stage, it is worth thinking about the method of connecting the shelves to the frame, as well as fixing the structure itself to the walls or floor. The height of the product plays a role. If the room has low ceilings, then it is advisable to make the rack up to the very ceiling surface, leaving not a centimeter of free space.

Usually the rack is placed close to the wall.

Before you make shelving in the garage, determine the distance between the shelves. Make the bottom ones the most spacious - they are the most suitable for placing large equipment, massive tools and wheels. And the upper shelves should be lower in order to avoid deflection of the surface and to ensure the stability of the entire system, small utensils will fit there.

Drawing of a metal rack

Niches that are too narrow will make storage impractical, and niches that are too deep will make it inconvenient to use. The optimal depth of shelves for shelving is 50-60 cm. As for the width of the shelves - the distance between the vertical supports of the shelving structure, it is recommended to make this value equal to 100-120 cm, depending on the dimensions of the items that will be stored on it.

Classic scheme

How to make the easiest wood shelving

Most often, garage owners make a wooden rack with their own hands:

the cost of such a structure is lower than that of a metal one;
the assembly principle is quick and simple (no need to use welding);
convenience, aesthetics, naturalness;
relatively high service life, acceptable strength indicators.

Drawing of a wooden shelving for a garage

First of all, choose the material for racks and shelves. Oak or other hardwoods are ideal, but pine can also be used.
Vertical racks are made from a beam with a section of 10x10 cm or 10x5 cm. A less wide beam or board can also be used as crossbars between the shelves.
Shelves, according to measurements, are cut from a chipboard sheet. To extend the service life and reduce the risk of board fire, before assembling the structure, it is important to treat all wooden parts with an antiseptic solution.
They mark the racks vertically, mark the places where the shelves will be attached. The rack is assembled using self-tapping screws, spikes, wood glue. The best option for fastening shelves to the base are metal corners.
After assembly, it is important to paint or varnish the product, carefully processing the ends.

Idea for corner wooden shelving

To make a self-made wooden rack more stable, it is advisable to attach it to the garage wall with metal brackets.

Video: Simple wooden rack

Wooden rack with metal frame

Steel construction for shelving in the garage is ideal. Although it costs more, there are advantages such as high strength, immunity to moisture, fungus and mold, fire resistance and decades of service. But in order to make such a rack a little cheaper and lighter, it is better to make shelves for it from wood.

A simple version of a combined rack made of wood, a metal base and a corner

Preparation of materials and tools for assembly

You can make racks for such a garage rack from rectangular pipes or profiles with a width of one side of no more than 5 cm, and use a 30-mm corner for the crossbars.

The frame is made from a corner with the expectation that the thickness of the shelf will be 1.5-3 cm. The crossbars from the corner can be welded to vertical guides, but it is more rational to bolt them. This option will come in handy if you want to change the height.

Shelves can be made from sheets of chipboard or plywood according to pre-verified dimensions, but their width must be at least 1.5 cm - this will ensure strength. In addition, you will need tools:

drill or screwdriver;
Bulgarian;
hacksaw;
corner, level.

Option for a small garage with a workbench

Rack manufacturing and assembly

They assemble the system in free space, and when the frame is ready, it is screwed to the wall. The scheme for manufacturing a metal shelving for a garage looks like this:

The prepared components for the structure are cut with a grinder in accordance with the measurements taken.
On the racks mark the location of the shelves vertically.
The corners are welded or bolted to the uprights, while strictly observing the angles so that the structure does not come out curved.

Chipboard shelf on a metal corner frame

The metal frame is coated with an anti-corrosion compound.
Shelves are cut from chipboard or plywood, after which it is important to try them on the finished frame, applying them across.
Finished shelves are polished, painted over, attached to the metal frame with self-tapping screws, fitting close to each other.

The finished rack is attached to the garage wall with steel brackets.

Video: Workshop on the construction of a metal rack

Production of a stationary storage system

Sometimes it is more practical to make a stationary rack for the garage, that is, an option that is mounted on site, attached to the wall. Let us consider in more detail the assembly scheme of such a design:

Markings are made on the wall for fasteners, holes are drilled and dowels are driven in.
A metal profile or wooden bars are cut according to the scheme.
Far racks are fixed on the wall, each measuring strictly according to the level.

Each post must be parallel to adjacent rails

The frame is connected by horizontal binders from the corners along the width (according to the height of the future shelves).
The front racks are installed, they are connected to the side bars on which the shelves will lie.
The front verticals are fixed, after which they form flooring from boards or lay plywood shelves in prepared grooves.

Metal and wood wall shelves

The shelf is the most convenient and practical option for storing tools in the garage. The main requirement is that it should not bend under the weight of the load that you place on it.

Simple wall storage

Simple and practical wooden shelves

To make functional shelves for storing tools in the garage, follow these recommendations:

width - 1-1.5 m;
depth - up to 50 cm;
height, if we are talking about a multi-tiered shelf - 30-60 cm.

Multi-tiered wooden shelf in the garage

To make a wooden shelf for a garage with your own hands, all measurements are made in advance and a sketch is prepared. Next, vertical racks and a frame are made, for this a standard bar with a square section is suitable, for example, 10 cm by 10 cm.

For the shelf itself, a planed board or plywood is suitable. You can attach the board to the base using self-tapping screws, and to the racks - using a metal corner. The finished product is varnished or painted.

Metal frame for wall shelves

Sturdy metal structures

Metal shelves for the garage are designed to store bulky and heavy equipment, so it is better to use welding to connect their components:

The first step is to create a sketch that contains dimensions and reflects the design features.
In advance, you need to take care of the frame elements - corner blanks.
The racks and the frame are welded, an alternative is to fasten the frame to the racks with bolts.
Shelves can be cut out of perforated steel or, by analogy with shelving, made of plywood or chipboard, 2-2.5 cm thick.
Wooden elements, if any, are coated with a flame retardant.
The entire structure is assembled using self-tapping screws, coated with a refractory compound.

You can attach such a shelf with dowels if the wall is not cinder block

Hanging tool shelves

With all the variety of suspended models of shelves for garages, they are conditionally divided into wall and ceiling. The former can be open or closed, have a back wall or be attached directly to the wall of the building. For fastening, a corner, a wooden base is most often used and hung on an anchor. According to the type of fastening, wall shelves are stationary and dismantled.

Hanging wall shelf

Ceiling shelves are located under the ceiling and are attached directly to it. They can be hung from hooks welded into beams on the ceiling, or special studs. If necessary, they can be quickly dismantled. For all their mobility and practicality, such shelves are rather wobbly and do not require the placement of heavy tools or fragile items.

Video: How to make a simple shelf in the garage yourself

DIY shelving and shelves will decorate your garage, becoming not only a practical accessory for storing tools, but also a stylish addition to the interior. If you approach the issue of manufacturing rationally, you will not only save money spent on arranging a room for a car, but also put things in order by placing all things in their places.

I was tired of paying rent for storage space and I wanted to get my garage in order, so I decided it was time to get some shelving. At first I thought about purchasing them, but after considering how much they would cost, I had the idea to make them myself.

Shelving design

In between working on two projects, I struggled to come up with the most functional design possible. About two weeks later, I had an idea. I started by measuring the garage, counting how many shelves I needed and how to divide the space between them. My garage is 5.5m long, but given local lumber sizing standards, the decision was made to build a 5m shelving unit. The distance from the floor to the ceiling was 2.75 m. The board length closest to this dimension was 2.45 m. Naturally, I did not want to leave a 30 cm gap between the top of the rack and the ceiling, so I will use a 3 m board cutting it to the required length. When deciding on the height of the shelves, I thought about the main goal: the storage of drawers in which you can keep things more organized. My drawers are 42 cm high, but I wanted to leave a little space on top, so the height of the shelf was 45 cm.
I also need to store some equipment (for climbing, diving, hiking) and I wanted to put it on a rack. In order not to pile one on top of the other, I decided to make one shelf 30 cm high.
At the moment, like most homeowners, I have accumulated a lot of different things (rakes, shovels, snowboard, wetsuit). For all this, I also needed to find a place. Therefore, I needed a compartment where you can hang hooks and hang everything there or just hide it.
By this point, my tool collection had grown from a small red box to three drawers and one tool bag. For them, I wanted to make a workbench so that I could work in the garage, where it was dry and warm. Ideally, it should be 1.5 m wide.
I also have a dog that loves to chew on everything. My little friend also needs a little place where he can hide and keep warm. He was given the entire lower left side of the rack.

What you need for a wooden shelving

After I made the drawing, I had to calculate how much lumber I would need.
I counted:

8 boards 5 x 10 x 500 cm.
23 boards 5 x 10 x 300 cm.
6 sheets of plywood 1.2 x 2.4 m.
Screws.

Getting Started with Shelving

A couple of months ago, I evened out the walls because the previous owners did a good job of making them look terrible. After puttying and painting, they began to look very good. When I got to work, I realized that I had not thought enough about where or how I wanted to arrange things. I had good thoughts, but in general I was poorly prepared. It was planned to fix the rack beams on the supporting beams in the wall. In general, I did not know how you can easily determine their location. Luckily, one of my neighbors had a special electronic device that he shared with me for one day. First, we screwed three beams of 500 cm each: one under the ceiling, another one meter from the floor and the third at the very bottom. After that, they took 300 cm boards and cut them to the height of the ceiling. They were cut at one time so that they would definitely come out the same length.

Making the outer frame

After fixing the inner frame, we proceeded to the manufacture of the outer. Since its structure was the same, we used the internal one as a template.
After the outer frame was ready, we pushed it out, finding that the ceiling sagged a little and rested against it. With the help of a hammer, the frame was in the right place, where we fixed it on the ceiling. Next, the lower part was installed using a level so that the racks were vertical.

Shelf fixing

After the frame was level and vertical, we fixed it securely in the ceiling, in the floor and in the middle.
Now the difficult part of the work remains - the embodiment of my project into reality. I had to give up 30 cm of the shelf, since when attaching the beams, at least 10 cm of height is lost for each.
After installing the shelf fasteners, cutouts were made in the boards near the walls so that the plywood would fit snugly and nothing could fall behind the shelf.

Addition

Now that everything is assembled, I did not want to spend more money and did not buy the doors that I originally planned to install. The idea is that you can put doors with a horizontal mount on the beams. And when the garage is open, curious neighbors will not see my collection of things.