How To Build Hanging Shelves In Garage?

No matter how much you try to organize and declutter your garage, it always seems to become a cluttered mess. But with a little bit of creativity, you can easily create some hanging shelves that will help you keep everything in order. All you need is a few pieces of wood and some hooks. Check out the step-by-step tutorial below to learn how to build your own hanging shelves in the garage.

Is it Cheaper to Buy or Build Garage Shelves?

Most of the time, it’s more cost-effective to build your own shelves. That’s because buying the materials is less expensive than hiring someone to build the shelves for you – which is what you’re essentially doing when you buy prefabricated shelves. 

However, it’s important that you do things right the first time. Otherwise, the cost of building your own garage shelves will get more expensive because you have to purchase more materials. 

Not only that, but depending on where you shop, you may find that materials are more or less expensive. If time permits, shop around to find the best price on materials for your garage shelves so you can do things right the first time – and come in under budget, too.

How to Build DIY Hanging Garage Shelves

Ready to build your own hanging garage shelves? The good news is that it’s far easier than you might think. Building garage shelves is a great way to store your seasonal items as well as times that you don’t necessarily need all the time (or very often) but still want to hang on to.

The steps below are for shelves that are two feet deep. However, by doing some simple math and basic calculations, you can easily modify them to be three or even four foot deep. 

Items Needed 

• 1 ¼” brad nails
• 4 pieces of 2″ x 4″ x 8′ stud lumber 
• A ½ piece of ½” plywood or OSB
• 2 20-gauge RTR connectors
• 4 RTC2Z corner connectors
• 2 ½” #9 connector screws
• #8×1 ¼” screws

List of Boards to ut  

• 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 96″ board
• 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 35″ board – length may change depending on the garage door clearance
• 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 22 ½” board
• 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 92″ board
• 3 – 2″ x 4″ x 21″ board
• 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 6″ board (optional)

Instructions

1. Begin by figuring out the distance required for your garage door to miss the shelving. For most garages, it will probably be somewhere in the vicinity of 35” or so. This measurement will also give you an idea of how the shelves will be laid out.

2. Next, you’ll put together the shelf frame. Use the corner connectors to assemble the frame – you’ll be securing the frame to the wall of your garage via the rear of the shelf. You can support the front of the shelf to the ceiling by using the RTR connectors.

3. On the vertical supports, use a 20-gauge connector and secure them. At the bottom, attach a corner connector and secure everything with additional screws, making sure that the bottom of the connectors are flush with the lower portions of the boards. The corner connectors should match each other on both vertical supports. 

4. Put a corner connector on the end of both of the 22 ½” piecess. Again, these should mirror each other. Secure them with screws. On the 2″ x 4″ x 96″ board, go ahead and measure, then mark 2’, 4’, and 6’, respectively. Attach a 21” board at each of these marks and secure with screws. Attach corner connectors to the ends of the 96” board using screws. 

5. Your next step is to mount supports on your ceiling beam. From the wall, measure over 24”, then mark with a pencil. Then you will install a vertical support 24” from the wall and tack it in place with 2 ½” screws. Make sure these go directly into a ceiling support beam. If you can’t see the beams with the naked eye, use a stud finder to make sure your shelves will be securely held. Install the next vertical support about 8’ from the original one, again about 24” from the wall. 

6. Now, you can lift your frame and fasten it into place. Install into the corner connectors. Secure and make sure it is level, then use 2 ½” screws to fasten it into place. Secure to your corner connectors with screws. Attach your 2″ x 4″ x 92″ board in the front of the shelves, then secure to the corner connectors. Screw your 21” boards in place on the front piece. 

7. Your final step is to cut and secure the plywood in place. Cut the sheet in half the long way, then chisel out notches into the corners where your vertical supports will go.

Put this sheet on top of your shelf frame, then secure it with screws. The plywood will just about overlap on the side pieces – if it needs additional support, you can add optional 2” x 4” blocks on the interior of these pieces. That’s all there is to it! 

How Do You Hang Shelves From Garage Ceiling? 

If you purchase prefabricated shelves for ease of access, the good news is that there’s very little measuring and DIY work involved. However, you will still need to hang them.

You’ll need to follow the instructions that are listed for the specific kind of shelves you buy, as these vary depending on the size and type of garage shelves you buy as well as what kind of materials they are made out of. 

Here’s a quick video on how to hang mounted garage storage shelves, just to give you an idea of how this is done:

The Best DIY Garage Storage: Hanging Shelves

Hanging shelves are perhaps the best form of garage storage out there. Not only do these sorts of shelves get equipment and belongings up and off the ground, where they are liable to be damaged by pests, spills, and moisture, but they also help remove a source of clutter from your garage.

With more space to park your car, stash your lawnmower, or even use your garage as a workspace, you’re sure to appreciate all that hanging shelves have to offer. Follow these tips to build hanging shelves in your garage today!