SIMPLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES

Do you need more rooms for your stuff? Discover 12 modern solutions for the problem of storage spaces.

1. HEAVY-DUTY UTILITY SHELVES.

Store-bought shelving units are either difficult to assemble or horribly expensive. Here’s a better and easier solution. If you need a deeper storage, build the shelves 24 inches deep and purchase 24-inched deep boxes. If you desire to make use of storage bins made of plastic, measure the container size and change the shelf and the upright spacing to fit in.

Refer to the shown dimension to mark the point of the horizontal 2×2 on the rear of four 2x4s. Also, mark the point of the 2×4 uprights on the 2x2s. Simply line up the whole marks as you screw the 2x2s to the 2x4s with pairs of 2-1/2-inched wood screws. Ensure to place the 2x2s and 2x4s at the right angles. Rip a 4 x 8-ft. sheet of 1/2-inched plywood, MDF board or OSB into 16-inches wide strips and have it screwed to the 2x2s to link both frames and make the shelf.

If you prefer plastic bins to cardboard boxes, label the plastic with a temporary marker so that when the time to relabel the bin comes, you just clean the marks with a wet rag. If you don’t have provisions for floor-standing shelves, make this gliding storage system on the ceiling.

2. STUDY SPACE CABINET.

When you can’t get yourself a comfortable nook for a set of shelves, you can always build one by recessing the set of shelves right into the wall. Choose the position before building the project to ensure that it will fit in.

Begin by getting a space which has no visible obstructions. Find the studs with the use of a stud finder. Some stud finders can be able to locate also electrical wires and plumbing pipes which are inside walls. When you have discovered an ideal spot, cut out a 6-inched square inspection hollow in-between the studs. Use a torch and a mirror to scrutinize the cavity of the studs for the obstacle. You can always modify the cabinet’s size to obviate obstructions.

When you get a perfect space, tag the perimeter of the gap and with the use of a drywall keyhole saw, cut it out. Take the measurement of the opening and minus 1/4 inches from the height and breadth to determine your cabinet’s outer dimensions.

For standard 2×4 stud walls with the 1/2-inched thick drywall, construct the cabinet frame from 1x4s with the measurement of 3-1/2 inches wide. If you have a different wall, adjust accordingly, the depth of the frame. Add then, a 1/4-inched back. You can screw 1/4-inched pegboard to the back to hang stuff from peg board hooks. Add a case that matches the trim which your house has. Boreholes into the sides to accept shelf supports. Shelf supports always fit in 3mm, 5mm or 1/4-inched holes dependent on the style. Set up the cabinet by sliding it into the opening, having it leveled and nailed through the trim, right into the studs on every side. Make use of 6d finish nails placed on every 12-inched side. Don’t want to open your walls?

3. BEHIND-THE-DOOR STORAGE

The space at the back of a door is a storage point that’s always neglected. Construct a  shallow set of shelves and install it on the wall.

Make a measurement of the space between the door hinges and the wall and deduct an inch which is the maximum deepness of the shelves.

You can make use of 1x4s for the sides, the top and the shelves and then screw the sides to the top. Screw to the sides, three 1×2 hanging strips: a single top and bottom and one centered.

Nail the metal shelf standards firmly into the sides. Bring the shelves to completion by nailing a 1×2 trim piece to the sides and top. The 1×2 gets the shelf unit dressed up and prevents the shelves from falling from the shelf clips.

Locate the studs. Bore clearance holes and screw the shelves into the studs using 2-1/2-inched wood screws. Place a bumper made of rubber on the frame for the protection of the door.

4. JOIST SPACE STORAGE

Learn to make use of that space between joists in a garage or basement. Don’t waste it! Screw the wire shelving onto the undersurface of the joists. A wire shelving of length 8-ft. X 16-in. and a packet of plastic clips (sold separately) will cost about 20 dollars. Remember that wire shelving also shines on walls.

5. CLOSET NOOK SHELVES

Save the secret space towards the sunken ends of your closets by building a set of shelves there. Wire shelves are obtainable in variations of breadth.

Take the measurement of the breadth and depth of the space, choose the perfect shelving, then ask the sales rep to have the shelves cut to length for you. Subtract 3/8 inches from the real breadth to determine the length of the shelf. Purchase a pair of plastic clips for every shelf and a pair of end mounting brackets.

6. SHOE STORAGE BOOSTER STOOL.

Construct this ready-to-hand stool in an hour and have it parked in your closet. It can also serve as a step to get to the high shelf. You just need a 4 x 4-ft. sheet of 3/4-in. plywood, wood gum and a fistful of 8d finish nails.

Cut the plywood accordingly then spread wood glue on the joints as you get them nailed together with 8d finish nails. The first nail goes through the sides right into the back. Then nail through the top into the sides and back. Finally, label the position of both shelves and nail into the shelves from the sides.