Garage Organization - DIY - Cantilever Shelves

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Well, hello to another edition of this garage makeover!

It seems like I spent an entire month cleaning the area you see in the above picture. Yep. It was though, but I finally got to work on a set of cantilever shelves or a wall lumber storage rack, right there on that wall.

The two biggest troubles I had in my garage/workshop were, first, I didn't have a set space/station for my big tools and second, there was no set space either, for storing long pieces of lumber. And let me tell you, there were small and big pieces of wood scattered all around... Beneath the working table, all along the left and right walls and even on the shelves and corners of the garage!🤦‍♀️

You can check my previous post right HERE, where I had plenty of shameful pictures of that mess.
This next picture looked 50% better when I could get to the items on that wall... 

My husband was the genius who stored those chairs and a couple tires up there. He made sure nobody could grab those precious items! :D

Anyway, the lumber cart that you see behind that dresser holding those pieces of wood was sent to the other side of the garage. Then, I got rid of everything I had on that wall - until reaching the main pegboard, which is staying.

The next step was to give that wall two coats of paint before starting working on the shelves.

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

This project was totally inspired by my friend Julie's work in her shop right HERE.
Sandra - SawDust Girl also tackled a similar garage shelf project right HERE.

The materials you'll need:

• 2 X 4's - for wall supports and center of brackets ( I used 4 - 9' wall supports)
• 2 X 4's - for center support on brackets (I  used 20 - 13-1/2" long 2x 4's)
• 3/4" plywood for both sides of brackets (I used 10 - 15" x 12" rectangles)
• 3/8 in. X 4 in. Hex Zinc Plated Lag Screws ( I used 16 screws)
• Flat Washers ( I used 16 washers)
• Drywall screws #6 x 1-5/8"

Tools you might need:
Tape Measure - Stud Finder - Level - Circular Saw - Milwaukee Impact Driver
- 5/16 Drill bit to pre-drill holes for lag screws - Milwaukee 1/2" Impact Wrench - #14 Socket - Clamps

Let's build this lumber rack!

Here's a quick video of the entire project:

1. FIND THE STUDS

The most important step is to find and mark the studs on the wall where you want the shelf supports mounted. After all, they're the ones carrying all the load on those shelves.

2. SET A LEVEL LINE

I don't know about your garage situation, but in mine, the floor has a big slant and the walls a very high - 12'. That's why I decided to start the shelving unit way above three feet from the ground.
A level line was set, and a temporary 2x4 was mounted, using regular 3" screws.
This support comes in very handy when mounting the vertical 2x4s.

3. CUT VERTICAL SUPPORTS TO SIZE AND MAKE PRE-DRILLS

I cut the 2 x 4's at 9' and marked the screw location - four in each support. It probably doesn't matter where you put those screws since they are going to be mounted all along the stud on the wall.
I made a pre-drill 4" from each end.

| Milwaukee Cordless Hammer Drill & Impact Driver Combo Kit | Milwaukee Cobalt Drill Bit |

I used the 5/16 drill bit that came in this Milwaukee drill bit set and these are the sharpest bits I've ever used.

Well, they are designed to go through hard metal, even stainless steel! No wonder they went thru wood like nothing!

The special design of these drill bits allows for rapid chip removal, less heat buildup, and makes them stay sharper longer.

| Milwaukee Cobalt Drill Bit Set (15-Piece) |

4. INSTALL THE VERTICAL SUPPORTS

Even though I installed horizontal support, it was difficult for me to hold and install the vertical 2 x 4's. I had to ask my husband for help during this step. I made sure the support was in the same line as the stud inside the wall while he drove the bottom and top lag screws.

Then, I continued driving the remaining hex lag screws. Without a doubt, this Milwaukee Impact Wrench made this job so easy to accomplish! This is a heavy-duty tool, what you want to use during a though job where you want the machine to do the work for you!

• This Milwaukee Brushless, cordless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench eliminates the need to use a pneumatic tool for those stubborn and rusted bolts by delivering 1,000 ft/lbs of fastening torque and 1400 ft/lbs of nut-busting torque.
• It features a friction ring design to ensure quick and easy socket changes.
• Most compact cordless high torque impact wrench in its class at 8.39 in. L
• REDLINK plus intelligence prevents damage to the tool and battery due to overloading or overheating.
• REDLITHIUM 5.0 Ah batteries deliver more work per charge and more work over the life of the battery

| Milwaukee 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Friction Ring Kit with TWO 5.0 Ah Batteries |

Now, the other tool needed for this project was a #14 socket and that's the time when you're more than happy to have in your arsenal a wonderful Mechanics Tool Set like this from Milwaukee.
I used to think that mechanics toolsets were used exclusively for automotive work, how wrong was I! Mechanics toolsets are also used all around the house and every time you need to fasten bolts, nuts, etc. Like when assembling furniture pieces, fixing a garage door, or like in this case, installing shelves.

| Milwaukee 1/2 in. Drive SAE/Metric Ratchet and SocketMechanics Tool Set (47-Piece) |

5. ASSEMBLE THE BRACKETS

I used scrap pieces of 3/4" plywood to create the brackets. Ten - 15" x 12" rectangles were cut out.

A diagonal line was drawn 1-1/2" from each opposite end of the short sides.

Using a circular saw, I made the cuts. For a faster approach, you can use a table saw or miter saw.

Sandwich the 2x4 in between the plywood sides, making them flush towards the front or small side of the bracket. Add a temporary 2x4 on the back and clamp the three pieces for easier assembling.
Use three 1-5/8" screws on each side to attach sides to the 2 x 4.

| Firm Grip Gloves | Portable Workbench |

All assembled!

6. MOUNT THE BRACKETS

Decide at what height you want the brackets to be mounted. Attach them to the vertical 2 x 4 supports with three 1-5/8" screws on each side.
Continue with the following support, making sure the brackets are all level.

My day turned into night, building and installing the brackets. This was a picture I snapped at the end of the day.

And here, the following day.

Now I need to sort all the lumber and clean up all the mess I have in the center of the garage.

UPDATE -  The wood was finally organized. 2X4s and lumber that I use the most were stored on the lower shelf. On the upper shelves are thin moldings and trim that I rarely use. 

And here's how it looks after building a miter station and setting it below the shelves.

| Miter Saw | Dry/Wet Shop Vacuum | Drill | 

Oh, and how do you like that new spot for the long ladder? It's so precise and so much better than storing it on the horizontal!

I'm so happy to see an almost empty garage! 🤞

Here again, the three main tools that rocked this project:

| 1/2 in. Impact Wrench Kit | Cobalt Drill Bit Set | 1/2 in. Mechanics Tool Set |

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

*This post contains affiliate links.

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