18 DIY Garage Shelving Plans You Can Build Today (with Pictures)

It’s not uncommon for a garage to end up as a sort of gigantic junk drawer where all of the extra stuff that’s too big to fit anywhere else is just haphazardly stuffed inside. But organizing up all of your extra belongings can be cheap and fun if you build the storage shelves yourself! All it takes is a little bit of lumber, a few basic tools, and some enthusiasm!

If you like the idea of taking on your garage storage needs head-on and building some unique and affordable shelving, then you have plenty of options to check out. The following 18 plans are all within you’re reach and can easily teach you how to build garage shelves of your very own. They’re made with basic materials, tools, and skills that you can duplicate at home.

Pick out a style that you like and start building! Before you know it, your garage will be transformed from an unorganized mess that you hide to a successful project that you’re excited about.

The 18 DIY Garage Shelving Plans

1. Easy, Cheap, and Fast DIY Garage Shelving by Ana White

Ana White makes a lot of great DIY projects, and this Easy, Cheap, and Fast Garage Shelving is no exception. They’re made from 2x4s and plywood, it doesn’t get much more basic than that! You can easily construct these shelves in an afternoon if you have even the tiniest bit of DIY experience. Very few tools are needed, and the outcome is a strong and sturdy set of shelves with plenty of room to house loads of your belongings. They’re a bit utilitarian for sure, but they definitely do the job!

2. DIY Garage Storage Shelves by Crafted Workshop

While the floor may be cluttered with stacked boxes and other belongings, garages tend to have a lot of empty space higher up the walls where they meet the ceiling. These DIY Garage Storage Shelves by Crafted Workshop aim to make use of that wasted space, transforming it into an excellent storage opportunity.

The build isn’t necessarily complicated, but since you’ll be mounting them high up on the wall and ceiling, it can be a bit difficult. This is especially the case if you’re working by yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, you may need to get some help while hanging the shelves. But other than that, this project can be completed by DIY beginners, even though it has an intermediate difficulty level.

3. DIY Garage Shelves / Workbench by Modern Builds

Let’s face it, some of us have a lot of stuff to store, but we still want to use the garage space as a work area. If that’s the case for you, then these DIY Garage Shelves/Workbench by Modern Builds are a perfect solution. They are pretty big, offering loads of storage potential. But that doesn’t mean they’re difficult to build. There’s nothing about this project that takes a large amount of skill, it’s just a larger-sized project.

The coolest part about these shelves is the workbench that’s built-in. This could also be used as a desk, or even just as more storage if you like the layout of these shelves but don’t have the need for a workspace.

4. Freestanding DIY Garage Shelves by Ana White

Another great project from Ana White, these Freestanding DIY Garage Shelves don’t need any support since they stand all on their own. They don’t have to be attached to any walls, so they can easily be moved again after you have them built. They could also be disassembled if you moved, so they’re a great option for renters who don’t want to cause any permanent damage to their home.

5. Garage Shelves From Rain Gutters by Anyone Can Decorate

One reason to build your own shelving in your garage is to save money. Well, you can really save some boney by building these Garage Shelves from Rain Gutters by Anyone Can Decorate. The whole build can be completed for a minimal investment of time and money if you have a creative mindset and a few basic tools. If you happen to have an old set of rain gutters lying around, then you’re really in luck because you won’t have to pay a thing!

6. Easy DIY Garage Shelves with Plans by The Handyman’s Daughter

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy project that you can build in an afternoon with basic 2X4s and plywood, then these Easy DIY Garage Shelves by The Handyman’s Daughter are a good choice. They’re large enough to offer ample storage and simple enough that a beginner can build them in a few hours.

One nice thing about this build is that you’ll have several storage compartments of different sizes that allow you to store all sorts of stuff. It adds a lot of convenience and organization to your garage, plus, it’s a fun project that will help improve your DIY skills to tackle bigger projects in the future.

7. Hanging Shelves Above the Garage Door by The Cavender Diary

The space above the garage doors is generally left vacant and wasted, but these Hanging Shelves Above the Garage Door by The Cavender Diary are a unique way to make use of that space by turning it into storage space.

Unlike the other shelves here, these shelves are suspended from the ceiling by chains. The effect is very interesting, though still plenty stable for storing lots of stuff if you get strong enough mounting hooks. Because of the need for hanging this from the ceiling and the extra risk that introduces, this is a more advanced project and should only be attempted if you feel comfortable hanging shelving from the ceiling yourself.

8. Easy Build Garage Storage Shelves by Jason Explains Things

These Easy Build Garage Storage Shelves by Jason Explains Things offer tons of storage to help you organize your belongings. They stretch from the floor to the ceiling, making excellent use of every inch of wall space along one wall of your garage.

Even though these shelves offer lots of storage space, they’re very easy to build. The whole project is made from the most basic of materials; 2X4s and plywood. If you can cut and attach them together, then you can easily build this project in an afternoon and have a completely organized garage by tomorrow!

9. How to Build Garage Storage Shelves on the Cheap by Popular Mechanics

They’re not going to win any beauty awards, but even beginners with no DIY knowledge or experience can learn How to Build Garage Storage Shelves on the Cheap by Popular Mechanics. They’re dirt-cheap, dead-easy, and anyone can build them in just a few hours. And hey, they’re going up in the garage anyway. No one expects your garage to be beautiful. But these shelves will help you at least keep it organized and it will hard you cost you anything.

10. Garage Organizer Shelves by Don’t Worry Be Happy Keep Learning

If you’re anything like us, or the maker of these Garage Organizer Shelves, Don’t Worry Be Happy Keep Learning, then you probably have a good deal of scrap wood somewhere that you can repurpose into something useful. These shelves are a great choice since they’ll also help you make space for storing some of your extra stuff that’s currently cluttering up your garage.

Don’t have any scrap wood lying around? Don’t worry. All of these materials can be purchased inexpensively at your local home improvement store. And since this build is so simple, you’ll hardly even need any tools.

11. DIY Cantilevered Garage Shelves by Sawdust Girl

Get all of your important belongings off the floor and up on shelves, freeing up that floor space for other uses and keeping y our stuff safe on shelves. These DIY Cantilevered Garage Shelves by Sawdust Girl will help you do it. They’re not too time-consuming to make, but they’re strong enough to support your weight hanging from the brackets!

Because of the angle of the brackets, these shelves are going to take a bit more skill to build than some of the other, simpler shelves we’ve covered so far. But if you want to improve your skills and take on a challenge, the final result is a great set of extremely sturdy shelves to house your stuff safely off the floor!

12. Wasted Space Garage Storage Shelves by Jay Bates Woodworking Videos

These Wasted Space Garage Storage Shelves by Jay Bates Woodworking Videos are another great way to kill two birds with one stone by utilizing that empty space in the top of your garage for storing all the stuff that currently doesn’t have a home!

This is a very simple build overall. The only difficult part is attaching everything to the ceiling since you’ll need to be comfortable on ladders and not everyone is. But if you’re not afraid of heights, this is an easy project that you can take on in a few hours and really increase the amount of storage space you have in your garage while freeing up some of that floor space by elevating the stuff you need to store!

13. DIY Garage Storage Shelves for Under $60 by Life Storage Blog

Simple is the name of the game with these DIY Garage Storage Shelves for Under $60 from Life Storage Blog. You’ll make the entire shelving unit out of just one material; 2X4s. That’s it! It’s as simple as it could possibly be.

To build one this size, you’ll need a total of nine 2X4s that are each 10 feet long. Other than that, you just need a few basic tools, nothing special, and a few hours of time. Even beginners can easily accomplish this project in an afternoon, plus the time it takes for the wood stain to dry if you decide to stain it and give it that beautiful finish.

14. DIY Garage Storage Systems by Family Handyman

Let the Family Handyman show you how to turn that empty garage wall into an organized storage space with these DIY Garage Storage Systems. These instructions will teach you how to build garage shelves that span the entire wall for a ton of storage space. It includes pegs and hooks for storing bikes, power cords, tools, and more. Plus, there are plenty of shelves with many different mounting points so you can attach them at any height that suits you.

15. Easy DIY Garage Shelving by Home Talk

Made entirely out of basic 2X4 lumber, this Easy DIY Garage Shelving by Home Talk is one of the most simple builds possible. You can build this with almost no experience, only one type of material, and only the most basic tools. The only power tool you need is a drill or a nail gun. Aside from that, you could build the rest of this with affordable hand tools. So, if you don’t currently have a tool collection but you want to get started on some simple DIY projects, this is a great choice to get started with.

16. Gym Bleachers to Garage Corner Shelves by Instructables

These Garage Corner Shelves from Gym Bleachers by Instructables are very unique in that they’re repurposed gym bleachers. Obviously, not everyone has old gym bleachers to reuse in this manner. But the concept is great and can be applied to anything that you happen you get your hands on for free. Pallets, old doors, pretty much anything can be recycled into a very cool set of garage storage shelves if you have a bit of imagination!

17. DIY Storage Shelves for the Basement or Garage by Dadand

Basic and utilitarian, these DIY Storage Shelves by Dadand are a great project for beginners. They’re also perfect if you just want a quick set of sturdy shelves that you can slap together with basic tools in a few hours or less. If you want something beautiful to show off, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.

These are made from 2X4s and OSB wood, so they’re strong and they’ll do the job, but they’re not exactly beautiful. Since they’re freestanding, they won’t need to be mounted to the wall. This means you won’t need a stud finder, and you can even do without a level if you don’t have one available.

18. DIY Shelving Unit by Instructables

If you’re looking for a project that will help you try something new, you might consider this DIY Shelving Unit by Instructables. Instead of being screwed or nailed together like most of the shelving units we’ve seen, this set is attached with wooden dowels.

This can be a bit challenging since each joint requires two dowels, which means you have to get both holes drilled in perfect alignment on both sides. If you manage it, you get a very strong and sturdy shelf with no screw or nail holes anywhere, a very clean look.

Featured Image Credit: Free-Photos, Pixabay