When you don’t know where to put something, where does it end up? If you’re like most folks, probably dumped on the basement floor.
Before you know it, you can barely walk down there. If that’s you, then it’s time to get your paint cans, seasonal decorations, file boxes, and everything else off the floor—and onto shelves where they’ll be organized and protected should your basement get any water.
Building your own shelves is considerably cheaper than buying them. DIY basement shelving is a project that almost anyone can tackle—as long as you know how to work a drill. You need to decide if you want your shelving to be freestanding or attached to the wall.
Then keep in mind the types of boxes you’ll want to store. (If you use a lot of oversized Rubbermaid storage containers, for example, make sure your shelves are deep and high enough to accommodate them.)
How to Build a Basement Storage Shelf
Ready to get started? Here are three designs that can work for just about any basement or garage. Which one you choose, depends on exactly what you’re looking for.
• Do you want basic wood freestanding shelves? The blog Dadand is run by, you guessed it, two dads with a knack for carpentry and a sense of humor. Their shelves require 13 2x4s, subfloor and screws. When you’re done, the blog suggests calling your significant other down and acting “like a Lowe’s commercial where you stand back, cross your arms, and admire your work together.”
• Do you have studs in your walls and want attached shelves? Then this project can work for you. It’s by Ana White, author of “The Handbuilt Home: 34 Simple Stylish and Budget-Friendly Woodworking Projects for Every Room.”
• Do you want an attached unit and have a concrete foundation? If so, you have to go beyond your basic wood shelving unit. The blog Hunker offers this helpful tutorial on getting the job done.
Renting More Space
DIY basement shelving is great, but sometimes is just isn’t enough to control the clutter. If you find yourself running out of room (but like where you live), consider renting a self storage unit. At StorageMart, we offer affordable, clean, and well-lit self storage units for homeowners in a variety of sizes—all of which can be rented on a month-to-month basis.