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12 Free DIY 2X4 Shelving Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Regarding 2x4s and what you can build, the possibilities are endless. If you want to get into more DIY building projects, starting with a storage unit is a great idea. Most shelving units are relatively simple and only require straight or square cuts. We pulled together 12 free plans that teach you how to build 2×4 shelving.
The plans vary in difficulty, but honestly, most are simple builds that require standard tools. One aspect you need to pay close attention to when it comes to shelving is that everything is level. If your shelf is off even just a little bit, the objects sitting on it will slide over time. Take a look at our 12 free 2×4 shelving plans, and let us know what you think.
These 2 x 4 Shelving Plans by My Outdoor Plans are some of the simpler shelving units we could find. This entire build should cost you less than $50. The directions from My Outdoor Plans are very clearly laid out, with labeled parts, precise measurements, and instructions. If you want to make the shelves a different size, it is easy to accomplish.
You will only need a few essential tools to complete this project, and you can have your garage or basement looking perfect in no time. Make sure you use a level to complete this beginner-style shelving project; otherwise, your shelves will not be very effective.
These simple and clean-looking DIY Garage Shelves by Ana White are a perfect project for a rainy day garage cleanup. One of our favorite things about these plans is that there is a video tutorial.
If you are unsure if this project is one you would like to take on, watch part of the video and decide for yourself. We can say that purchasing shelving for your garage that covers this much space and holds this much material would be extremely expensive.
3. DIY 2 x 4 Shelving for Garage and Basement from Dadand
These DIY 2×4 shelves from Dadand are very easy to build, and the plan will help even the newest shelf builder get this project finished. It uses a subfloor as the base of each shelf. This was done to help save money, but you could use plywood or other material that works for you. Since these shelf bases will need to be cut to size, this project takes more work than some of the other options.
On the flip side, this shelf is sturdy. It’s the perfect option for a garage or basement to keep items off the floor and organized. Another great characteristic of this shelf is that you can make the height tailored precisely to your needs.
Construct 101 provides these free storage shelf plans for your convenience. This is a nice-looking and straightforward design that also gives a few varying shelf heights. Everything you need to make these shelves is listed, and the instructions are easy to follow, with illustrations outlining every step of the way.
5. DIY Storage Shelves from The Handyman’s Daughter
This plan for Storage Shelves by The Handymans Daughter is a perfect option if you have taller items that you need to store. As you may have noticed, there is no top to this shelf. Some of our other models had smaller height clearances on the top shelf. If you have large items that you need to put somewhere that won’t fit on the lower shelves, this is a great free plan for you to follow.
This entire shelving unit costs less than 75 dollars and takes about a day to complete. The instructions are very clearly laid out with pictures to help you along the way, and you only need basic tools to complete the shelf.
6. DIY Garage Storage Shelves from Popular Mechanics
If you need garage storage shelves but don’t have the room for the larger units we have been showing, these Garage Storage Shelves by Popular Mechanics could be a perfect fit. The storage shelves are cheap to build, and you can make them as sturdy as you need.
Make sure you have the correct tools to anchor them to the walls of the garage. In this model, plywood was used as the base of the shelf mostly because it is cheap and easy to work with. We like these shelves because you can customize them to fit your space.
7. Floating DIY Garage Shelves from The Instructables
Similar to the Popular Mechanics shelves, these Floating Garage Shelves from the Instructables will not take up any of your floor space. This option is excellent if you have oversized items or preexisting shelving on the lower part of your garage. The only issue you need to look out for regarding the floating garage shelves is that they are adequately anchored to the wall.
The best thing about these Easy DIY Garage Shelving by Home Talk is the simplicity of the design. If you are new to shelf building and want something quick and simple to build, this is a great place to start. Another great feature is that it is 8 feet tall and 8 feet long.
As long as you have the room in your garage to accommodate the shelf, you can store several items on it. If you are not looking for a project that requires less cutting, this is also the one for you. Home Talk designed it to have the least number of cuts possible.
Most of the shelves we discussed are for large storage items, but this Paint Storage Shelf by Create and Babble changes things up a bit. What we love is that it is genuinely a 2X4 shelving unit. The simple design and small supply list make this a great first build if you are new to woodworking.
Ideally, a perfect garage will have a few small shelves and large ones for an ideal organizational space. This design is made to be a shelf to store paint, but you can customize it to fit any of your smaller items.
Next on our list is this DIY Corner Storage Shelf by Kenarry. What we love about this project is that it uses corner space so well. If you want to maximize the amount of storage in your garage or basement, this is one of the best plans you can go with. The plans for building this storage shelf are easy to follow but a little more time-consuming than the other projects we found.
Here is another 2×4 Shelving Unit by Virginia Sweet Pea that is a perfect mix of the larger units and the small paint shelf. This probably won’t be the cheapest of the models to build, but it should last you for quite some time. The shelving unit looks so good you may be able to dress it up a bit and use it somewhere other than the garage or basement. The plan for the 2×4 shelf is straightforward to follow, with pictures to guide you along the way.
So, we saved the largest for last. The Giant DIY Shelves by Andrew Reuter are more substantial than the other designs. If you have a large quantity of items to store, this may be your best choice. Luckily the build design is relatively simple and uses 2x4s and plywood to complete it. The best part about this plan is the video you can watch that will explain everything for you step by step.
Before starting any of these projects, it’s best to check the clearance in your basement or garage. Another tip we learned was to build the shelves in the room they will end up in; in particular, this giant unit will not fit through a doorway when it is time to put it in place.
Conclusion
Most of the 2×4 shelving plans that we found are for the garage or basement and work for storage. There is no reason that you can’t build some of these to be a little cleaner and more finished and place them in a kitchen, office, or toy room. The possibilities are endless, and most plans can be modified to fit the dimensions of your room or the dimensions of the materials you need to store.
The best part about learning how to build 2×4 shelving units is the ability to maximize your storage space. There is no question that these plans will help you create more room to store equipment, tools, and household supplies.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
