Do-it-yourself shelves and racks for the garage: diagrams, drawings, photos, videos

The main purpose of a garage is to store cars. However, this does not prevent car owners from using it for other purposes: storing canned goods, tools, household appliances, unnecessary items, and car parts. Over time, mountains of various household supplies accumulate in the room. The garage is slowly turning into a chaotic dump, and there is less and less space. This is a sign - it’s time to properly organize the space by installing shelves in the garage. They will allow you to rationally place things, save useful space, and improve the interior of the room.

A garage with a convenient storage system when everything is in its place

Making garage shelving with your own hands is quite simple. You need to prepare tools, buy some materials, and free yourself a few hours from work. In this article we will look at detailed instructions, some tips, and recommendations for arranging such a structure.

Shelves with storage shelves

Tips and tricks

When planning to create shelves for the garage, you need to know some of the features of the process so that the work is done efficiently and correctly.
If the storage system is mounted in a vertical position, then it is possible to use:

brackets;
eye;
threaded rods;
bolts with washers;
anchors;
furniture canopies.

When choosing the height of shelves that are supposed to be actively used, it is important to take into account the height of the owner of the garage. What is located at chin level will be convenient to work with, and what is above this level can be used to store not very important things

It is convenient to use hanging shelves that do not interfere with walking under them to place things that are rarely used or take up a lot of space.

For suspended structures, the load-bearing elements are located at least 60 or 70 cm apart, otherwise the plywood or board will begin to sag and the strength of the entire structure will be at risk.

If making a storage area will be your first experience in such a matter, then it is best to start working with wood.

The number of racks and shelves should correspond to what will be located on them. A half-empty garage, with all the walls in shelves, will look inappropriate, as will one small rack on which tools, tires, and miscellaneous things fit.

If any repair work is to be carried out in the garage, it is important to set up an area with tools that will always be at hand. A shelf-shield in this case is the best option.

There is space on it for keys of different sizes and purposes, and for pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, nail files and other items that are first needed for any small repair.

Shelving significantly saves space and expands garage space

Helpful tips for efficient tool storage

And a few more tips, a kind of instruction on how to ensure convenient storage of the tool:

If the room is made of bricks or blocks, then it is best to place a shelf for storing tools on a plastered wall to avoid the accumulation of condensation between the back wall of the shelf and the wall of the house.

The height of the shelf - shield is calculated based on the height of the garage owner. This calculation will allow you to easily access any tool.

For maximum comfortable use, it is better to make all shelves open.

Combining a shelf-board with pegboard elements, i.e. boards with perforations, will provide additional fastening for tools.

After reading this article, all that remains is to grab the tools and start creating the desired shelf. In this process, you can completely rely on your imagination and experience, or you can use photos of shelves and tool holders. The main thing is to believe in yourself and the result will certainly be achieved.

Step-by-step instructions for making wood

First of all, to make a rack with your own hands, you need to decide on its design (appearance). Then you need to understand the features of the technological design (design diagram). The beam system has decent strength. But the manufacture of such racks requires relatively expensive materials. And the skills of the performers are needed much more solidly. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the main properties and key options:

modular;
console;
bridge and cantilever structures.

No matter how tempting the idea of doing everything simply and quickly, by eye, it is better to prepare drawings and sketches. Ignoring this requirement does not just prevent you from doing everything economically and attractively. There are often very serious additional costs.

Shelves

To store small-sized and light items, it is advisable to abandon a full-fledged wooden or plywood shelf. Instead of these materials, slats can be used.

Frame

The manufacture of a wooden frame will go well if you use the assembly methods familiar to carpenters - “quarter-foot” or “half-foot”. But sometimes parts are simply connected end-to-end if more complex professional methods cause difficulties. In reality it turns out a little worse. The racks are made of timber, and the crossbars are made of ordinary boards. On the floor or on another horizontal surface, everything is pre-connected and tried on.

Once you are sure that all connections are as expected, you can make chalk marks. Thanks to them, you won't need to adjust as much anymore. Using a drill, drill holes at the designated points. Next, using a screwdriver, connect them with self-tapping screws. Connections to the walls, and ideally to the floor and ceiling, will be made using metal plates.

Shelves for storing heavy items

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Metal shelving

Typically, metal shelves are used to store very heavy items or items with large dimensions. To securely store things on them, it will be better if they are made as stationary structures.

This approach immediately eliminates bolts as a connecting element. You can buy stationary metal products, the connections of which are provided using various grooves and guides, but this will no longer be an independent production, in addition, such structures are very expensive.

Therefore, it is recommended to use welding to create entirely metal shelves. The use of bolts is allowed in non-critical joints, or where they are assigned the role of fastening light elements.

Metal rack

As usual, manufacturing begins with the creation of a drawing or sketch. In this case, their location plays an important role. It is advisable to place such products near strong, solid walls. It is possible that a significant part of the load when attaching the rack to the wall will fall on the wall, and if it is of a decorative nature, unpleasant incidents are possible.
For such shelves, it is best to choose not square profiles as frame elements, but ordinary corners, but with dimensions of at least 50 mm. Often the creation of such products is made not from a frame, but from a wall mount.
The frame elements are first marked and cut out using a grinder, and then welded into a single structure using a welding machine. At all stages, you should check the right angles of the rack elements: between the racks, crossbars and fasteners.

Frame for metal shelves

The shelves themselves are made of perforated or rolled steel with a thickness of 1 to 5 mm. Its thickness is determined solely by the desire of the owner.
At the same time, one should not forget about the weight of the structure. A sheet of rolled steel with dimensions of 50x100 cm and a thickness of 3 mm weighs almost 12 kg, and a sheet with the same dimensions and a thickness of 5 mm weighs almost 20 kg. In addition, do not forget about the cost: a sheet measuring 1000x500x3 mm will cost about 2-3 dollars.
An alternative would be to use wooden shelves. In this case, you should choose wood with a thickness of 2.5 to 3 cm, which will first need to be treated with a fire retardant to increase its fire resistance.
These boards can be connected to the frame using bolts. Metal sheets are also attached to the boards with bolts or self-tapping screws. In this case, it is better not to use welding so as not to destroy the wooden elements.

Upon completion of the work, the entire structure must be cleaned of rust and painted.

Main technical characteristics of shelves for racks

The main components of any rack are: racks, crossbars, shelves, and, if necessary, transverse ties. Tightenings allow you to strengthen the product and are two metal strips that are welded or screwed to the racks.

For the most convenient use of a metal garage rack, during design and installation you must adhere to a number of rules:

shelves for any type of structure must withstand a certain load and not be deformed;
the design should be as functional and compact as possible;
The overall dimensions of the shelves can vary: width - 1.5 - 2 meters, height - 20 - 100 centimeters, depth - 20 - 20 centimeters.

In addition to choosing the main design, you can also play with the type of shelves themselves, the main ones being:

open. Can be vertical (for wheels), horizontal. When installing such shelves, all your things will be in the public domain;
closed. Help prevent the loss of things;
removable. They make it possible to vary the overall dimensions (length and height) of the structure;
separated. A distinctive feature of a storage system with such shelves is that the shelves are conventionally divided into cells, allowing you to organize and systematize things.

Corner shelf

Metal corner is a reliable material suitable for constructing structures that can withstand significant weight loads. You can use it to make a rigid hanging 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 planning a multi-tiered corner shelf, leave the bottom part for the heaviest items

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

Design + drawing

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

vertical racks;
horizontal frame crossbars;
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 the horizontal panels, the height of the racks.

Required tools and materials

To make shelves you will need 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;
M6 washers;
M6 nuts.

The listed fastening elements (studs, bolts, nuts and washers) are necessary if a prefabricated metal frame is being installed. The structure can be made in another way - connecting its elements to each other using welding.

To complete the work you will need the following tools:

drill and metal drills;
spanners;
roulette;
bubble level;
marker or simple pencil;
grinder with a disc for metal.

Manufacturing instructions

Step 1. Using a grinder, cut the metal corner into sections equal to the height of the vertical posts. For a standard design, 4 supports will be required.

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

Step 3. Prepare pieces of metal corner for constructing frames of horizontal shelves.

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

Step 5. The frames are assembled using the chosen method: by welding or using bolts with nuts and washers.

Step 6. In accordance with the design, install the upper and lower shelves using welding or bolted connections.

Step 7. Place the structure against the wall in accordance with the previously made markings.

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

Step 9. Install the frames of the intermediate shelves.

Manufacturing of a stationary storage system ↑

Sometimes it is more practical to make a permanent shelving unit for the garage, that is, an option that is mounted on site, attached to the wall. Let's take a closer look at the assembly diagram of this design:

Markings are made on the wall for fasteners, holes are drilled and dowels are driven in.
The metal profile or wooden beams are cut according to the diagram.
The far racks are fixed to the wall, each measured strictly according to its level.

Each rack must be parallel to adjacent slats

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

Hanging shelf with studs for garage

If you want to save useful space in the room, you can make a hanging shelf with your own hands and attach it to the ceiling.

Materials required for the manufacture of the structure

Material for flooring the bottom of the shelf. You can use plywood, fiberboard sheets (the thickness of the material should be more than 2 cm).
Large anchors (4 pcs.).
Hex nuts - couplings for couplers (4 pcs.).
Regular nuts (12 pcs.).
Hairpins (4 pcs.).
Large diameter flat washers (8 pcs.).
Grover washers (4 pcs.).

Tools for work

Drill with a drill bit for wood. The diameter of the drill must match the diameter of the stud.
A hammer drill for drilling holes in the ceiling for mounting anchors. The drill should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the anchor.
Wrenches, their markings must match the size of the nuts used.
Jigsaw.
Screwdriver.
Bubble level.

Work order

Hanging shelves

Step 1. To begin, cut out a shelf of the required width and length from a sheet of plywood or fiberboard.

Hanging shelves

Step 2. To enhance the strength of the material, you can attach a metal profile equipped with internal stiffeners to the ends of the slab.

Shelf manufacturing process

Step 3. Holes for the pins are marked along the edges of the shelf. It is worth knowing that it is advisable to drill 5-7 cm from the edges of the slab. If the holes are located too close to the ends, the material may crumble under the weight of the items placed on the shelf.

Step 4. After the holes are drilled, you need to attach the shelf to the ceiling and use a pencil to transfer the location of the holes to the ceiling. This way the structure will be positioned without distortion and you won’t have to worry about the studs becoming deformed.

Holes for anchors are drilled in the ceiling and dust is removed from them. The anchors are driven into the concrete all the way and the nuts are tightened.

Anchor bolt

Driven anchor

Long metal studs connect to anchors placed on the ceiling. The connection is secured using coupling nuts. It is also advisable to secure the connection with an additional regular nut, which is screwed onto the thread of the stud.

Anchor attachment

Anchor fastening.png

Attaching an anchor to the ceiling

Step 5. After the studs are firmly fixed to the ceiling, the period of installing the shelf begins. A nut is screwed onto the stud, then a washer. After this, a shelf is strung on the ends of the studs.

The pin is secured

The shelf is fixed using a Grover washer and a control nut. The washers protect the shelf holes from breaking under loads. The bushing serves as protection against loosening of the fastening nut. You can use two nuts for safety and greater structural strength. The final adjustment of fastening fittings is carried out according to the level.

Hanging a shelf

Fastening the ring nut under the shelf

This hanging shelf will significantly save space in the garage. The only drawback is the mobility of the structure. You can eliminate it using a special metal corner. One edge of the corner is attached to the wall, the second - to the base of the shelf. This way the entire suspended structure is fixed. Also, a metal corner will strengthen the shelf, which will affect its durability.

We fasten with bolts or choose welding

Welding connection

So we’ve decided on the material, now let’s move on to choosing a method for assembling the metal components. One of the assembly options is a welding machine. Such structures are a non-demountable structure with high stability.

Connection with bolts

The second option is to assemble the rack using bolts. It is advisable to make such prefabricated options provided that over time they are planned to be moved to another place, or there is no opportunity (knowledge) to use welding

However, please note that such systems have less rigidity. To strengthen them, they are often fastened to the wall.

Types and purpose

Professionals recommend carefully considering all the details for making shelves and racks with your own hands, this also applies to the type of construction.

Most products are needed to store tools or parts of various sizes.

At the same time, there are several types of classification, the first of which talks about the design features:

Open. Necessary for quick access to a certain thing. The open type of shelves is divided into wall-mounted and hanging. Wooden or metal bases are hung on the wall using corners, the fastening of which can be dismantled or permanent. Special anchors must first be installed on the wall to hold the entire structure.

It is recommended to divide into cells for certain types of tools or small parts. For example, it is possible to sort different types of screws.

Common materials used are wood or metal. In rare cases, the structure can be made of plastic. However, based on practice, the ideal option would be to implement a combined type design.

The following assembly options are suitable for making your own:

Removable or mobile. The shelves form a rack with wheels on the lower tier. The mobile base will ensure optimal load distribution.

Permanent. The shelving system is designed for specific areas that need to be pre-allocated. To do this, you should initially create drawings that involve dividing the garage into several parts. The standard option includes one-time assembly and fastening of the integral structure with brackets.
Collapsible products. They are convenient because they can be expanded and easily dismantled in case of replacement or renovation of the premises. The height and number of shelves can be adjusted, and it is also possible to rearrange the shelves to a new location.

Attic shelf. Hanging shelves are made of a corner and a metal profile, which serves as a base. The entire structure is usually attached to the ceiling or beams, thereby saving space in the garage compartment. For fastening, you will need to install special hooks; they need to be driven in or welded to the ceiling beams. This way they can be easily disconnected if necessary.
Rotating products. These structures are not intended for storing large items. Their main advantage is saving time in searching for suitable parts. For example, self-tapping screws or nuts.

When choosing a product, you should start from the parameters of the room. It is also necessary to remember that the more, the better, the more spacious and convenient.

We fasten with bolts or choose welding

Welding connection

Connection with bolts

However, please note that such systems have less rigidity. To strengthen them, they are often fastened to the wall.

Design requirements

Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for a homemade design:

Reliability. Shelves and racks must be strong, as they are intended to store heavy loads under which the boards should not bend.
Minimum area. The design should be compact, since the main space is not intended for storage.
Availability. The rack should occupy a place to which there is open access.

It is also recommended to set adjustments for the mounts, since tools sometimes require individual heights for optimal storage.

At the same time, experts suggest adhering to established standards:

The optimal width of the shelves should not exceed a meter.
It is better to store large items on the lower tiers so that in case of unforeseen circumstances they do not cause damage by falling from a small height. This arrangement is necessary for safety reasons.

The height of the shelves in the upper tiers is usually adjustable from 25 to 60 cm, for the lower levels it does not exceed a meter.
Calculation of depth is relevant for multi-level structures and usually reaches 45 cm.

Taking into account all the parameters, you can safely begin making shelves with your own hands.

Installation of attachments

As with suspended structures, suspended ones can be made exclusively from one material, or combined. Metal options can be bought in stores, but wooden ones are most often made independently. Due to the fact that the building is attached directly to the garage wall, when wood comes into contact with brick, condensation will appear, which over time will lead to rotting and destruction of the shelf. To prevent this process, the walls of the garage room should first be plastered.

Hanging shelf in the garage

As described above, hanging shelves also come in open and closed types.

To mount an open shelf, you will need a plastic plug, screws or dowels. Holes are made in the wall and a plastic plug is inserted there. Finally, the structure itself is attached using dowels (self-tapping screws).

Design Tips

When planning storage shelves, you need to calculate everything and make sure that they will withstand the expected weight of the items, they will fit comfortably on them, and the design itself will not interfere with either the car or its owner.

It is best to make a preliminary drawing or just a sketch, transferring all the measurements onto paper and thinking through the methods of connection and fastening. When creating a project, we suggest taking into account the following recommendations:

The thickness of the shelves depends on the material and the expected load. As a rule, for storing tools, wheels and other heavy objects, wooden shelves are made at least 30 mm thick;
The distance between the supports is also of great importance. The greater the weight and the smaller the thickness of the flooring, the smaller this distance should be. The optimal shelf length in terms of reliability and convenience is considered to be from 80 to 120 cm for wooden structures and 150-200 cm for metal ones;
their depth should not exceed 60 cm, otherwise it will be inconvenient to get something from the shelf. But this parameter is selected taking into account the purpose and depends on what exactly is supposed to be stored on this tier. If shelves from floor to ceiling of different depths are needed, then it should decrease from bottom to top;
This rule also applies when choosing the distance between shelves: the highest should be the lowest. Large and heavy items are stored on them, while small and light items can be placed higher.

In general, first of all, you should proceed from your own needs, the number and type of items for storing which the system is created. At the same time, they try to make good use of every centimeter.

Ideas, drawings and photos of equipment for tools

In addition to furniture, garages have workbenches and stands for storing power tools and keys. The first structures may be a component of the GSH, or they may consist of two separate modules with a table between them.

The location can be changed at the discretion of the garage owner. Places for sedan wheels can be provided at the top of the racks so as not to take up valuable floor space. It is better to leave heavy and large SUV wheels at the bottom so that you do not have to lift heavy objects.

The easiest way to purchase a tool stand is ready-made. It is a perforated metal sheet on which holders are hung.

However, if you don’t want to spend money on such a purchase, you can build the product yourself. Check out a few ideas for DIY garage equipment:

Drive nails into a board, sheet of particle board or plywood for objects to be hung later. It is recommended to circle each of them with a colored marker. This will allow you to quickly navigate what to hang where.
Weld wire hooks to the mesh, then securely fix it to the wall. This product can withstand even very heavy objects.
Make a bar and cut holes in it for lowering tools (see photo).

The stand does not have to be hung on the wall. It can also be put on wheels, making it mobile.

We really hope that the above examples of organizing space in the garage will inspire you and motivate you well for your own creativity, which will bring satisfaction and considerable joy from the results achieved.

How to arrange the shelving

The wall farthest from the entrance is usually allocated for them. If the room size is sufficient, side rooms can also be equipped. In this case, it all depends on the needs: racks on one wall with wide shelves for better organization of space, on two - for convenient work with the vehicle (repair, etc.). It is recommended to use a place under the ceiling. Things that are used less often are placed on the top shelves. This will make it possible to completely free the lower part of the garage to make it easier to move around. When planning, you should not use the space above the car. An exception is made if the items for which the shelves are provided are not capable of damaging the vehicle. If there is a small number of devices in the garage, it is better to allocate low racks along the back or side wall for them.

Additional amenities in the garage

A large garage should be equipped with additional elements, and not just places for tools, spare parts, wheels and waste materials. Some devices will make technical work easier. A workbench is very useful in a garage; it is a table with many additional amenities: bedside tables, shelves, drawers, local lighting, sockets, a vice. Another practical and functional device is a sink. It will provide constant access to water. Thanks to this, you can quickly clean and wash the room, car, parts. To carry out car repairs, it is necessary to make an inspection hole if there was none initially. In a cramped room, it is also worth setting aside space for a cellar for storing pickles and vegetables. If the garage is used all year round, you will need to ventilate and install a heating system. You can organize a small closed cabinet in the shelving structure.

Types of shelving designs

The type of design depends on the availability of free space, the purpose of the rack, the material it is made of and the intended method of storage system. Designs can vary both in the method of assembly and in the type of racks.

Stationary shelving system

It is installed in a specific location on a permanent basis. Such designs are designed for heavy objects - they can withstand heavy loads.

Before installation, it is very important to carefully consider the location of the rack and draw diagrams that take into account all the dimensions and area of the garage itself. Such systems are assembled once, usually using brackets

Mobile mobile racks

Such a system, if necessary, can be moved or transferred to any place without unloading. This is very convenient if you need the tool outdoors. The rack is equipped with special rubberized wheels with a diameter of 10 cm. If desired, they can be fixed, limiting the possibility of movement.

Collapsible models

The shelves of these racks can be mounted to any height using nut or bolt fastening. Among car owners, such designs are considered the most acceptable option. They can be easily disassembled and adjusted at will, changing the height, and also rearranged to any place in the garage.

Hanging or wall shelves

They are attached to the surface of the ceiling or wall anywhere. They allow you to save space and make the most efficient use of free space. A similar structure can be assembled from a corner and hung on special hooks.

Rotating models

This interesting option can be installed in a room where you want to emphasize a certain style. These racks can rotate, providing access to tools and materials from any side. This setup visually resembles a rack of CDs or postcards.

Closed

Such designs protect against the loss of small items and tools and create the appearance of order. They can accommodate both valuable tools and various unsafe materials. In addition, such structures protect stored items from excessive dust.

Closed shelving is made of plastic, metal or wood. Inside they can be divided into cells.

Open

They allow you to quickly access any parts and objects - everything is in plain sight and there is no need to open and close the doors. The structures can be wall-mounted or suspended. To securely fix them, you need to install anchors in advance.

Separate tool cabinets

They can be made in the form of open cells, hooks, magnets or installations with holes. Heavy spare parts and tools cannot be placed on such panels. But they are ideal for storing small items that you need to always have on hand.

Do-it-yourself shelving in the garage: preparation before production

So, you've decided to make your own garage shelving. Before you begin making shelves from any material, you must carry out the necessary preparation for this.

Preparatory stage. Taking measurements and making a drawing.

First of all, decide on the size of the structure and then take all the necessary measurements.

start by measuring the height and width of your future shelving;
then consider the required number of shelves and their height;
decide on the material of the shelves;
Draw on paper the desired appearance of the finished structure. Having a drawing in front of your eyes will make it easier for you to make a shelving unit.

How to make shelving in the garage with your own hands - photo drawings:

How to make shelving in the garage: metal and wood?

You have decided to make a shelving unit out of steel and have already drawn up a drawing. Now let's move on to the next stage.

Stage 2. Purchase of materials.

Make a list of the quantity of materials you need and their sizes, then feel free to go to any hardware store. To make the frame you will need a steel channel and corners. If you want to make a completely steel structure, then buy the required number of sheets of metal. If your plans are to make wooden shelves on a metal frame, then you will need blocks of wood, plywood or chipboard.

Stage 3. Preparing tools.

To make shelves you need the following tools and equipment:

electric drill;
angle grinder (grinder);
screwdriver;
if you want to weld rack parts, you will need a welding machine and electrodes;
hacksaw;
hammer;
bubble or laser level;
screws, bolts, nails, dowels;
construction tape;
pencil.

Stage 4. Metal cutting process.

In accordance with the dimensions and drawing, we carefully and slowly cut the metal vertical (supports and sections) and horizontal (shelves) parts of the rack.

Stage 5. Assembly of the structure.

First we secure and install the frame. For greater reliability, you can attach it to the wall and ceiling using dowels or special screws.

After installing the vertical racks, proceed to attaching the shelves. You can bolt them on or weld them to the frame. Don't forget to use a level when doing this.

Stage 6. Painting.

To prevent the rack from becoming rusty over time, it must be primed and coated with special anti-corrosion paint.

If you want to make wooden shelving for your garage for storage and already have a ready-made drawing, then you can move on to the next stage.

Stage 2. Purchase of materials.

The most common wood garage shelving materials are oak and pine. Vertical and transverse racks are made from timber of different sizes, and for shelves you can buy boards, sheets of plywood or chipboard.

Stage 3. Necessary tools and construction equipment:

electric tools: drill, grinder, screwdriver;
wood hacksaw;
hammer;
tape measure and pencil;
level;
nails, screws, self-tapping screws, bolts.

Stage 4. Cutting wooden parts. Adhering to the required dimensions and drawing, we cut all the wooden supports and racks, and then the shelves. We treat all parts with a special antiseptic intended for wood.

Stage 5. Assembly of the structure.

First, we assemble and secure the entire frame, after which we attach the shelves to it using metal corners and M5 bolts. We check the strength of the finished structure and once again measure the evenness of all surfaces and corners with a level.

Stage 6. We carefully and without haste paint the structure to prevent it from rotting and the formation of mold on it. We wait for it to dry completely, and then install it in the chosen place. That's it, your rack is ready!

How to make a garage rack with your own hands from a profile:

So, now you know how to make wooden or metal garage shelving with your own hands. At first glance, this is a rather complex process with many nuances.

But, nevertheless, everyone can make a rack. All you have to do is take all the measurements correctly and without haste and follow the step-by-step instructions. A self-made rack will serve you for many years.

How to make a wooden shelving unit for your garage with your own hands, see below:

Required Tools

Necessary tools for making shelves

To ensure that the process of making shelves takes a minimum of time, you should prepare the tools in advance. You won’t need much: a set of wrenches, pliers, hacksaws for wood, metal, a hammer, a screwdriver, a hammer drill, a jigsaw, an angle grinder. Almost any good owner has all of the listed items. The selection of basic materials will depend solely on the choice of each individual. It can be plywood, metal pipes, bars, chipboard, plastic, and much more.

Popular options for shelves for storing tools in the garage

What should a garage shelving look like?

In order to reasonably talk about selection criteria, it would be a good idea to first understand what requirements a garage rack must meet. It is fair to talk about the following characteristics:

matching the size of the garage. The main task of the rack is to help the car owner properly organize the storage system. If things are scattered around the garage, they will take up a lot of space and interfere with parking and servicing the car. On the other hand, the shelving should also not restrict freedom of movement, so you will have to solve the difficult task of finding a shelving unit that would accommodate everything you need, but at the same time take up a minimum of space. If there are few things, then the task becomes simpler, but you can find a solution in any case. Fortunately, there are a lot of different design options; Topic proposal

manufactures and sells garage racks of different sizes, models are designed for different loads, there are special racks for hardware and tires. The assortment can be found on the page https://region-voronej.ru/stellagi/

stability and reliability. First you need to imagine what you will store on the shelves. It’s one thing if it’s small fasteners and small power tools, another thing if it’s tires, filled large cans and other heavy equipment. In the first case, a design that can withstand up to 60 kg of load is suitable, in the second - 120-170 kg or more

Higher strength will be reflected in the price, and that is why it is so important to decide in advance on the contents of the shelves;

safety. It is advisable that the rack be resistant to fire, since the garage is a high-risk place

If you plan to store liquids, then the shelves should not be slippery, and even better, they should have a side. The design should not have sharp elements so that you do not inadvertently get injured. Metal parts must be well protected from corrosion, since liquid contact with them is not uncommon;

convenience. The dimensions and number of shelves, their location must fully meet the requirements of the garage owner, and without a preliminary analysis of the contents of the rack it is difficult to say which model will be the most convenient.

Drawing an intermediate conclusion, we note that when choosing a rack for the garage, it is very important to understand what size structure will suit you, and where exactly it will stand. To avoid confusion and make mistakes, draw up a plan that will indicate the size of the garage, the space for the car and the area intended for the garage

You may spend a little time, but you will significantly reduce the likelihood of error.

Which shelves to choose and where to install

It is best to equip the wall for shelving that is farthest from the entrance to the garage, since this is where it is convenient to place tools, machines, workbenches and much more.

This way, you will have everything at hand, but at the same time nothing will interfere with your free movement around the room.

Everyone chooses the material for the shelving according to their own taste, using such criteria as: lightness and strength (wood, aluminum, metal profile, plastic, steel).

Of the above, wood ranks first in popularity.

If the garage is located in the basement, then such a structure, due to the influence of external factors, will last from 3 to 5 years, and then it should be repaired or replaced with a new one.

The second place in demand should be given to aluminum. The material is very light, so this design is not difficult to move to the right place. Its main disadvantage is its high cost.

Third place goes to steel, which, although heavy, is strong and durable, allowing you to store heavy tools and parts.

Having lots of shelves and racks in your garage is a huge plus, but you should think about where to hang your work clothes and put away some specific items.

Therefore, do not forget to purchase or make one small regular cabinet.

Other options

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

Cable rack shelf

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

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

From canisters

Shelf made of canisters - option for 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. This way you get a hollow box with a handle.

Installation of such racks is simple. In production, it is recommended to focus on the instructions for installing wooden shelves suggested above. First of all, a multi-sectional 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.

Models and designs

When choosing shelving for your garage, take into account the area of the room and the space allocated for it. So, some designs may be too bulky for the parameters of your garage or, on the contrary, not spacious enough

Before choosing a model, immediately think about what will be stored on them, because different types of storage systems perform their individual functions and withstand different loads.

The following shelving models are available:

stationary;
collapsible;
mobile;
island;
rotating;
modular;
mounted

Stationary shelving is stable due to the fact that the pressure of the weight of the loaded shelves falls on the floor. The structure is made of vertical beams and horizontal bars on which the shelves are attached, and has a rigid connection, which ensures safety. Involves installation on a wall in a permanent place without the ability to move. They are easy to use, stable and durable.

Metal racks are the strongest and can withstand a lot of weight, while wooden racks are suitable for light items and are easy to make yourself. Installation of such a storage system does not require special tools or skills.

More common are prefabricated metal garage racks, which can also be purchased at any market and assembled yourself without much effort. Unlike stationary ones, they are made of perforated metal profiles, and the shelves can be fixed at any height depending on needs. Such racks are more convenient and spacious and allow you to store both a set of spare wheels and large cargo. They can be equipped with drawers that can additionally store necessary things.

Mobile racks are made mainly of metal structures. They are equipped with small wheels that allow you to freely move tools around the garage. It will be possible to easily transfer tool boxes to the workbench and continue working.

Although the movable design is mobile and makes it easier to work with necessary items, its load capacity is much less than that of other racks. This rack is sold disassembled and can be assembled in the garage like a construction set without much effort or skill. Withstand load – no more than 100 kg.

The metal island rack is a stable system of several shelves that can be changed in height. This design is designed for lighter objects and is clearly balanced to prevent possible collapse of shelves and blockage due to gravity. There are central racks that can be approached from all sides, and corner racks that are installed in the corner of the room. The load withstand is no more than 50 kg.

The rotating rack is designed for storing and storing small piece items, bolts, nails, hooks, keys and other small things that are easily lost and difficult to find in drawers. Every little detail will be visible. Such designs are convenient, do not take up much space (it would be rational to install them on a workbench) and will free up space for more massive parts. Withstand load – no more than 50 kg.

Modular shelving is a multifunctional product consisting of individual block elements that can be connected to each other, like a construction set, into a convenient storage system. You can make exactly what you need, and if there is a need for additional space, you can attach more sections and shelves to the existing rack. Withstand load – up to 150 kg.

Hanging shelves can’t exactly be called racks, but such a convenient and versatile design can be used in garages. They will fit everything unnecessary, things that are not particularly useful in work, small parts, light objects. Wall-mounted systems are practical and affordable; making such shelves will not be difficult from any available materials, and ceiling-mounted ones, if attached using special fasteners under the ceiling at a level that does not touch the roof of the car or your head, will completely hide everything from prying eyes extra items. The load should not be large, because hanging shelves can hold much less weight than stationary racks. Withstand load – no more than 100 kg.

Which rack is better: welded or bolted

Garage shelving is made of wood and metal. Wooden ones are mostly non-removable - on nails and screws. They are usually installed permanently, attached to the wall. Metal racks can be welded. Then they are inseparable. There are racks with bolted connections. These structures are mobile and can be disassembled if necessary. Their disadvantage is insufficient rigidity, since there is always some play in such a connection. To make the structure more stable, it is attached to the walls. To do this, metal plates with a hole can be welded (bolted) to the outer posts. Drive a crutch into this hole (after drilling a hole of a slightly smaller diameter in the wall).

One of the options is a frame made of profile pipe and plywood shelves

Both welded and bolted garage shelving work well, but welded structures are more common. The collapsible option is chosen in two cases. The first is that it is possible to move to another garage and all the equipment will need to be transported, but the structure weighs hundreds of kilograms, so moving it entirely is problematic. The second is that there is no possibility or desire to use welding (if you make the garage racks yourself). The rest usually prefer welded ones - they are more stable and, if you have experience in welding, they can be assembled faster.

There are also metal racks made from perforated corners on sale. They are also mobile and can be disassembled, but they are connected using hooks (on the crossbars) and grooves (on the racks). Such storage systems are convenient - you can rearrange the shelves to the desired height. Their disadvantage is that they are expensive.

Features of assembling metal shelving

Metal racks can be welded or assembled with bolts. There are usually no problems with welding. If a corner is used, the joints can be overlapped - a difference of 3-5 mm when laying shelves is unnoticeable. If you wish, you can cut out the excess in one of the shelves and butt weld, but trimming takes a lot of time, and you still won’t see much of a difference.

How to cut corners for a smooth connection

When assembling a frame for a bolted shelving, the order is as follows: first, assemble the squares of the sidewalls and shelves separately, then screw them together. It is advisable to have at least two bolts for each connection - for greater rigidity (less play).

If you assemble garage racks from a profile pipe with your own hands, the procedure is different. First, the sidewalls are assembled, and short crossbars are attached to them. You get two rectangles with crossbars. Then they are connected by crossbars.

Methods for bolting profile pipes

See the photo for how to make connections. In one case, welding is still needed - weld the heel pad, in another you can do without it - cut out the "ears", bend them and cling to them.

There is another way - special crab systems. These are metal plates with recesses molded to fit the profile. Pipes are placed into the grooves, then the two plates are bolted together.

Crab systems for profile pipes

Such a connection is unlikely to withstand very heavy loads, but there is an undeniable advantage - you don’t have to drill a bunch of holes in the metal. In a profiled pipe this is certainly easier than in a thick-walled corner, but it still takes a lot of time and effort.

By the way, the bolts used are M8 or M6, so large holes are required for them. It is easier to first drill with a thin drill, then expand to the desired size with a thick one. But even with this order, you will need a significant number of drills. To make them overheat less and break less often, place a jar of water nearby and periodically lower the drill into it.

Creating an inspection hole in the garage

If your garage does not have a viewing hole, you should decide whether you need such a design. Most often, car owners require an inspection pit for car repairs and maintenance. To create an inspection hole, first of all, you need to find out the groundwater level under the land plot on which the building is located.

Information about the depth of their occurrence can be found in the technical documentation of the site. If there is none, you can dig a hole and see for yourself. On a dry site, it is much easier to equip an inspection hole under the garage.

In the case where groundwater is located close to the surface, the construction of an inspection hole becomes more complicated. Then you need to waterproof the pit, and also make a drainage system that will drain the water into the sewer. Only after this they begin to build walls. A well-designed drainage system in the winter will prevent water from stagnating on the floor when the snow brought into the garage on wheels melts.

Good lighting should be provided in the inspection pit

There are several generally accepted rules for constructing a viewing hole:

creation of a detailed drawing of the inspection pit;
organization of waterproofing and drainage system;
creating niches in the walls of the pit so that there is somewhere to put the tool;
ventilation system equipment that will help avoid unpleasant odors. It is installed using the basement ventilation method.

A detailed drawing will help you create the ideal inspection hole

Principles and possibilities of arranging a car garage

The main purpose of a garage is to store a car. This means that first of all, the car owner must eliminate possible attacks on the property stored inside, that is, ensure the safety of the latter. An equally important issue is the correct climate 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 principle of organizing the situation in the garage - ergonomics - says that everything under the roof of the structure should always stand, lie or hang in its place, without interfering with the passage, travel, cleaning or car care process. With all this, it is imperative that the premises be clean and orderly, 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 business or repair operations.

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

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

After completing the finishing work, you can begin the final stage of arrangement - organizing the interior of the garage. To do this, you need to draw up a detailed plan of the premises and determine what and how exactly 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

If there is 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 on the upper level will allow you to relieve the lower part of the room by storing things that need to be used from time to time.

Wooden shelves on a metal frame under the garage ceiling

The configuration and dimensions of the racking 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 items being stored. 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.

Wooden shelving system for a garage

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

Open Hanging Garage Shelving System

What materials are they made from?

Typically, racks are made of wood or metal, less often - of plastic. The most practical are combined wood-metal structures. The vertical load-bearing supports in them are made of metal, and the horizontal ones are made of wood.

Metal

Metal structures are the most expensive, but at the same time the most reliable, having a long service life. Usually stainless steel is used, less often - aluminum and simple iron. Welded shelves can withstand a lot of weight and look attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

The only disadvantage of such structures is their susceptibility to corrosion. However, it can be easily solved by treating the surface with an anti-corrosion compound.

In addition to welding, metal racks can be connected using bolted joints.

Tree

It is much easier to make a garage rack with your own hands from this material. This is determined by the fact that wood is very easy to process, so you can quickly cut out the necessary elements and adjust them to the required dimensions.

The lack of moisture resistance is a disadvantage of the material, because wood products swell when absorbing moisture. In addition, this material is susceptible to fire, mold and rot, so the structure needs to be treated with special solutions.

Materials for production

To equip your garage with shelves for storing things, it is best to use metal or wood. Other materials are not suitable for use in conditions of frequent temperature changes, air humidity and a high probability of mechanical damage. For example, chipboard quickly absorbs moisture and swells, while plastic does not have sufficient resistance to stress.

The most reliable material is metal in the form of steel angles, round and profile pipes. It is strong, durable, can easily withstand the heavy weight of stored items, and does not burn. To give it an aesthetic appearance and resistance to corrosion, all structural elements are coated with special protective or paint compounds.

Welded metal structure

But to make metal shelves you need certain skills and equipment to work with it. In addition, this material cannot be called cheap.

In contrast, wood is more accessible both in terms of cost and in terms of processing parts and the availability of the necessary tools. It is not so durable and strong, but it is unlikely that extreme load resistance is required in the garage. And the wear resistance of wooden elements is also increased by the use of protective coatings.

Wooden rack

The main disadvantage of wood is its flammability, but wooden structures can be protected from accidental fire with the help of fire retardant impregnations.

Fire retardants for wood

Prices for various types of Dali universal antiseptic

Universal antiseptic Dali

The best option for garage shelves and racks is a combination of materials: the frame is made of metal, and the actual shelves or floorings are made of wood. This allows you to reduce costs and ensure acceptable reliability and durability of the structure.

Choice

First of all, you need to decide on the material for the structure, the final size, which depends more on the room, and the loads that will be placed on the rack. The set that you will receive in the store depends on all this.

The most interesting thing is that some stores may even offer you to assemble this entire structure after delivery, which again is a nice bonus. Personally, I am sure that, if time allows, it is better to assemble the rack that you chose in the store yourself - time passes, and men simply change toys.

Tire rack

In the garage you can often see a accumulation of old tires that have not been used for a long time. Also in a separate pile are the wheels that are installed in the winter.

To solve the problem of clutter, you can make a simple shelving unit that is quite simple. To do this, you need to find free space.

The rack looks like a regular cabinet, but is designed to accommodate wheels. Its width must be made in such a way that four tires fit on one shelf.

A tire rack will solve the problem of clutter Source vibiraite.ru

The nuances of assembling metal shelves

This process has its own characteristics. There are mainly two methods used to assemble shelves: welding and bolting.

In both cases, parallelism is required at the preparatory stage, because the welded flange cannot be corrected without destruction. It is also undesirable to redo the bolted connection, as this may lead to a loss of aesthetic appearance.

Before welding or drilling holes for bolted connections, the shelf must be secured to the vertical posts using clamps and the horizontalness must be checked using a building level in the longitudinal and transverse directions. After this, the shelf is attached to the vertical posts by welding, the clamps are removed and the horizontality is checked again. If everything is normal, then final welding is performed.

With a bolted connection, two holes are drilled on one side, and this side is secured with the help of bolts, and the clamps are removed. They remain on the other side. Then the horizontalness is checked and, if necessary, correction is made. After this, two more holes are drilled and secured with a bolted connection.

Self-assembly

If you want a homemade option, then it’s worth learning how to make a shelving unit from corners with your own hands, since this is one of the easiest ways to make such a structure yourself.

No special skills or craftsmanship are required for this. Usually, racks are assembled from scrap materials, or simply from inexpensive parts, such as simple corners and profiles.

They are used to make the basis of the structure - a frame, on which shelves are then laid, most often wooden or made of plywood and chipboard. In addition, if available, remnants of pipes that are suitable in size are well suited for the frame.

Size and height

The standard version provides the average value of these parameters. The height is usually 180 cm (from the floor to the top shelf), the width of the structure will be 1500-1600 mm. The height of the shelves is of fundamental importance. The ideal value is no less than 35 cm, but variants of 30 cm in height are often found. The first shelf is located differently: 60 centimeters from the floor; lower placement is inconvenient. The ideal width (depth) of shelves is 40-50 cm. Another method for selecting dimensions involves consistency with the height of the room; It is better to use all the space below 50 cm from the ceiling. Hanging shelves can fit the full length of the wall with 10 cm of room for installation. The ideal depth of such shelves is 50-60 cm. However, for storing boxes, spare parts, car rims and tires, it is recommended to look for another place or use hanging shelves with adjustable height and width from 80 cm.