DIY Shed and Garage Shelves: Super Simple and Cheap!

In this episode we will show the process to help you build shelves for your shed or garage. Building shelves will help you stay organized and will make your shed or garage as efficient as possible. You'll also learn how to build shelves for totes.
Shed Shelf Plans: academy.diypete.com/products/...
10 x 10 Shed Project Plans: academy.diypete.com/products/...
Other videos mentioned:
Simple Shed Organizing Ideas: • SIMPLE SHED ORGANIZING...
How to build a backyard office: • The Ultimate Guide to ...
How to build a 10x10 shed: • The EASY Way to Build ...
How to build a 12x20 shed: • 12x20 Ultimate Shed Bu...
Cost at time of build: $284 for all shelves built in the video
Cost of tote shed: $86 for 2x4 boards + $26 for plywood / osb
Time to build: One full weekend
Woodworking, furniture, and shed plans available:
You can download free and paid plans at www.diypete.com/diy-project-p...
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Facebook: / diyprojectswithpete
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[@AB-bg1or]

I have learned in my 56 years on this planet that the more storage you create, the more junk you collect. That said, nice build and I'll be doing this in my shed.

[@DIYPETE]

haha I think that is mostly true!! :) Yeah we definitely have our fair of junk too. And lots of kids clothes! Cheers!

[@elgoogsucks9005]

Same. Reminds me of a man saying "That is a terrible idea. What time?"

[@bray1461]

In my 39 years , i have learned this also adding more sheds to your property does the same.

[@AB-bg1or]

@@bray1461 facts!

[@deegee3195]

Absolutely true….. 😂😂😂

[@henrymorgan3982]

Storing anything costs money. Being organized is priceless! Good job!

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks!

[@mst5632]

I did a similar shelving on a rental storage unit & greatly increased the storage space & organized it very well. Excellent build. I suggest monitoring that rafter with a straight edge every few months. That’s a lot of loading on a single 2x4 rafter so it may begin to sag over time. Further sister brace it with a 2x6 (or 8) rafter if you see sagging. I watched your video because I’m putting up a metal storage building this winter and appreciate seeing how you made your shelves. I love the left side side-in rack for totes. My storages unit shelves are all like what you put in back. Lots of work & lumber so you’ll save me both this winter. Thank you very much for taking the time to film, edit and share with us. Much appreciated. Stay safe & blessed.

[@lomoTgod]

This was particularly useful for me at this time. Glad to see you back and can't wait for this years hockey rink vids. Great work!

[@user-vl8sh7ih8c]

That is an impressive amount of stuff you packed in your shed. Nice job and thanks for the video.

[@jpilon517]

Perfect timing! I'm planning my shed reorganization now and got some great ideas from the video.

[@DIYPETE]

Awesome to hear! Have fun getting that shed all dialed in. It will totally be worth it!

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome work, Pete! It looks much better now! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks MC! Have a great weekend with the fam and take care!

[@donphillips5957]

I'm a firm believer in storage shelving, especially if you have to rent a storage unit, where you need to get the most from the cubic foot. I am fascinated with your first shelf with the bins sliding in like that, what I have is more like the back shelf, simple 2x4 with OSB.

[@silversage03]

We are in the same situation! Loaded the shed BEFORE adding all the shelves. Winter's just around the corner here in Central Montana, so we really need to get on it. Thanks for your wonderful instruction.

[@DIYPETE]

It will feel so good to get those shelves in! :) Hope all is well just to the north of us!

[@jaypendleton2568]

Excellent video with good examples of different types of storage. Thanks!

[@AlexSanchez2254]

Great job! I know you gotta love your worm drive Dewalt circ saw. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it

[@deegee3195]

After watching your vid, I have just finished putting in a set of stacking shelves in my outside summer house, looks great!!! Thank you for the motivation.

[@DIYPETE]

That's awesome! Nice work!

[@neftalimalave9832]

Well done and very satisfying to watch.👍

[@scottjohnson5132]

first video I have seen. I appreciate how you showed 4 different ways to build shelves in one video. Very nice!

[@DIYPETE]

You are welcome and so glad it is helpful! Cheers!

[@skiddydiamond1085]

every KZbinr was gatekeeping this project. Trying to make money.. I wasn't trying to pay for something this simple. Just wanted to get an idea of how it worked THX FOR THE VIDEO DEFINITELY SUBBING

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Skiddy and for subscribing! Cheers and have fun doing some similar shelving, it will be well worth your time and investment! Cheers

[@brandonkanatzar3575]

Awesome as usual, thanks Pete!

[@DIYPETE]

Hey thanks Brandon! Have a good rest of the weekend man!

[@Grunt49]

Great design.Thank you

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks!

[@kennybrown1755]

Love your build and way to go on getting the most storage out of your limited space…..

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks Kenny!

[@lupuslaktor]

I like this concept. I build something similar, but for euro boxes. They are a little bit more expensive and dont come in transparent, but they are allways the same size, no matter which brand you use. And the edge they slide on are on the bottom, so you can just ad a bar under the box, to support it for heavy load.

[@shnibby69]

Good job, Pete!

[@EZStudRack]

Great job!

[@southswellsd]

Great Work, Dude ! Thank You !

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks man! Cheers!

[@kkmullin]

Totally inspired! Thanks for the video. I will copycat you soon in my new shed and garage build. NannyTheBuilder can do this!

[@emilasmith4279]

Very nice!!! ❤❤❤

[@phillyfathead]

Painting the floor was a great touch!!

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks! Such a quick and simple way to give it a finished look :) Cheers!

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@charlesmcwilliams5642]

Nice work, very resourceful given the space you have. I constructed a 30 space unit for Lowe’s 27 gal tubs. (They vary in measurements by source). It is going into a masonry block building, it will be free standing

[@ifiwooddesigns]

Pete, I say it each time but your scenery is top notch. Good way to utilize a vacant floor plan. BTW, what is the color on your shed siding? Is it peppercorn and mahogany stain? Love the combination.

[@DavidKatz]

Great video !

[@fixandfoodgman6987]

Awesome

[@lisabyrum2382]

Fantastic job!

[@DIYPETE]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alexgauthier2901]

Well done. The project and video presentation!

[@DIYPETE]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelgrimes8828]

Pete, looks great and very organized. Happy wife, happy life.

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks so much! True that!

[@L77yma]

Happy wife, happy life!

[@jdlessl]

Ahhh, sizing the shelving for the totes, very nice. Lost track of how many storage systems I've seen that were very well built, but had shelves that were too tall for one tote, but not tall enough for two. Just crushes my little engineering heart to see that sort of inefficiency. Just be sure to buy enough totes right off the bat, or get a brand/model that won't get discontinued. Sterlite one day decided to stop making the ones I used because reasons, and I had to scramble to find someone, anyone, still selling them.

[@kkarllwt]

I just built some shelves for my sisters totes.they ranged from 14 to 18 inches high. I spaced the shelves with 19 inch clearance.

[@pamthepainter]

Very nice

[@visanlala]

It turned out amazing ❤❤❤

[@ParrotHead1809]

Nice job

[@BigalOffroad]

Neat idea. Storing baby clothes and toys is crazy

[@jday1965]

Great job you guys. Looks awesome.

[@DIYPETE]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks so much!

[@WrongTimeWatch]

Great idea. Now I just need a bigger yard for a shed like that.

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks for watching!

[@singletona082]

Same kind of shelving me and my stepdad use. that lip slide shelf? We dont' do that in shed because too much risk of a tote breaking due to overload, but that exact kind of lip slide shelf is what we use under our folding table in our laundry room. Space enough for four baskets, two top two bottom, and you have your shelf space. Standardized storage bin sizes immensely help when making shelving since you can size FOR that unit size and have a wide compartment for oddballs either high or low. it's simple, it's effective, and a little trim molding can fancy it up if it's in a spot where you'll want fancy. We both got a kick out of this video. thanks for sharing.

[@DIYPETE]

Cool to hear you've done some similar storage in the laundry room! Thanks for watching and have an awesome week!

[@somethingaboutwood]

Nice

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimmerrithew453]

Nice job. If I was that organized, I wouldn't remember which bin the stuff was in! 😂

[@DIYPETE]

You and me both! Thank god for label makers, my wife loves by them haha

[@dynamiccircumventing-ln4ps]

Happy wife, happy home

[@lauraharvey7424]

Love ❤ especially love the Costco tote shelf I am in process of switching most of my totes to Costco totes and desperately want that type of storage unit for my totes and my garage needs major organization I also have a very large metal basket and rattan basket that needs a storage solution I do have the power tools to complete this project but I’m not sure how many 2x4s you used and the length to estimate the cost ❤ also this would allow for some much needed organization ❤

[@laurensiemens1436]

When I saw your shed open up and it was a big mess it reminded me of my shed. I am going to keep watching your video and get off my lazy butt and make it look better

[@DIYPETE]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with an out of control shed haha! It will be worth your time and effort to get it organized though, made a big difference for us and it will for you too! Cheers

[@tfromsydney8743]

Hi, I have a concrete wall how would you screw the back supports? It’s such a good and easy way to store the boxes

[@c50ge]

Use a pole when you paint the floor, sometimes a broom will have a pole the the threads will fit you paint roller holder.

[@kkarllwt]

You didn't need the time or expense of the horizontal rail at the back of the big shelf.I would have toe screwed the short blocks to the face of the studs, and screws thru the face of the front rails. And, 7/16 osb would have been more than enough unless you are putting engine blocks on the shelf.

[@jontexas6685]

Excellent video! What would you say the price of the materials were for the shelves you built in this vid? I'm trying to compare buying metal (and movable) racks vs. building wood shelves. Thanks!

[@StarSwarm.]

I recently went through looking at doing exactly this. I quickly realised that the cost of timber alone would be wayyyyyy too expensive. (At least in my country.) I ended up getting steel warehouse shelving for less.

[@chriscolameco6850]

Bro you gotta buy a framing nailer it would have paid for itself in time just with this project

[@biedawo]

Do you prefer the tote storage (with totes supported by the lip) over conventional shelves? Seems like you save a small amount of height, but possibly have issues if the totes distort?

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

Me, I would prefer traditional shelves for more versatility.

[@JD-rc6dn]

happy wife, happy life!

[@elian222]

Far more versatile to of made regular shelves that would fit those containers. Then you could use containers *and* if needed a flat shelf space for larger things that don't fit in the containers.

[@paulspere8853]

will heavy totes be ok with the rail system?

[@avig144]

Looks like an awesome project that I am going to try. My only question is, if the load in the box is heaven, won’t it pull off the lid when you slide it in?

[@kkarllwt]

The totes he used have a side lip that the lid fits onto

[@jred5153]

Nice Build. What is up with those 4" screws/nails poking through the ceiling above the window?

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks! haha, I got off track a little when attaching the roof sheathing. I was going to grind them off after re-shooting the nails but haven't gotten around to it. Figured I'd get some comments on it haha. Cheers!

[@TAOM5963]

Don't forget to add small shelves or hooks on the inside of the doors for small items or garden tools.

[@DiHandley]

Happy wife happy life!

[@DIYPETE]

That's the truth! :)

[@1LegintheGrave]

How did you mound the supports and side stiles to the rails? Did you put pocket holes or just drill on an angle?

[@DIYPETE]

I used pocket holes for some and toenailed a few.

[@johnm2482]

Will heavily loaded totes hang ok from their top edge or is this more for lighter totes?

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! We use the costco totes and they have been plenty heavy duty. Haven't had any issues.

[@chomp54321]

I can't help but wonder if this is a good solution in the long run, because I imagine the "lips" around the top of the bins are not built to old up weight but for temporary use, as in lifting them. Of course, if the contents are light then that is not a concern. Any reason why you decided to support the weight by the "lips" instead of by the bottoms of the bins?

[@jfowler702910]

Why the bottom bin rails on the bin shelf on the left side of the shed? Couldn't the bottom bins just simply sit on the floor?

[@jellen7332]

does your wife rent you out ? you make it look so easy and you even swept your mess up!!! just found your page will be watching more

[@bernaoner]

Happy wife, happy life.

[@RunarNyrud]

Happy wife, happy life.... 😊

[@chrisp.76]

Don’t forget the back of the doors!

[@DIYPETE]

Good call!

[@sillyxpicklexxx3]

I’m just a woman trying to learn how to be handy. One thing I’ve definitely learned is that men feel very confident in doing a pull up to test the strength of whatever they built 🤣

[@misterx4088]

I live in SW Washington State. My shed is not insulated and cooks in the summer and damp in winter so everything in it might as well be outside and gets nasty, so why not insulate? Did you consider this?

[@DIYPETE]

Hi! The shed is ventilated, but not insulated. We primarily store clothing, equipment, etc inside and things that would not damage if it did get real hot in there. With very little light, it doesn't get too terribly hot. Take care

[@216trixie]

Nice racks

[@bradw6413]

If you build it you can/will fill it,!!!

[@DIYPETE]

haha definitely!

[@beebop4333]

OBSERVATION the homedepot yellow tubs are horrible and expensive but ive noticed lately the most recent costco ones are now thinner and often bend around the rim when carrying wout the lid. Cheaper construction

[@Ajicles]

Hey pete

[@DIYPETE]

Hey AJ! Thanks for watching and I hope you are having a good weekend!

[@matthewjene]

Does anyone have experience keeping these totes stored like this long term? I'm worried that the totes will collapse on themselves over time, specially with some weight in them.

[@DIYPETE]

Hey Matt! We've had the costco totes for years, but haven't had them hung on a rail system until now. The upper lip on them is very solid and durable, but I will let you know over time how they do! I have a few with a lot of weight in them to put them to the test. They honestly don't look different than the others and the hard plastic lip and bottom of the tote look good without a sag, but I will report back after awhile. And if anyone has done this for an extended period already please chime in!

[@1utube01]

The biggest threat to most plastic storage bins is sunlight/uv, as well as heat. After removing those threats, you're right, the weight on the lips, which can be minimized by minimizing the clearance between rows and spreading. But generally, the Costco bins have pretty thick lips. But if you are still worried, out the heavier bins on the bottom rows. For mine, the bottom row doesn't have rails, the railing starts on the second row. I haven't had Costcos for very long, so I don't know how they last over time.

[@j.santiaguel4337]

I would have just tied into the framing and saved about 1/3 on wood

[@methompson1597]

Cool. But don't you think you have too much junk.😂just kidding.

[@ratoneJR]

3 corn hole games suggest you could probably donate most of the items in those totes, and live a simpler life without need for endless storage options. Stuff never made anyone happy and content. BTW... nice job on the shelves.

[@JamesJohnson-rh5qw]

Why didn’t you use the walls of your shed as the back wall instead of building another wall? You lost almost 4 inches of floor space by doing that and cost yourself money by buying more lumber.

[@MPxM]

The Wife: "Now we can buy more stuff". Good Job.

[@DIYPETE]

Thanks for watching!

[@mydearriley]

the average renter be like:

[@JohnSmith-ho3cu]

Step 1: build a shed

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Nice job