As a new homeowner, I recently started working on the garage so we could take advantage of the space for storage and get our gear and cars inside. There are a number of shelving units on the market, but they either didn’t allow for much customization or they are expensive which was prohibitive. Instead of spending a fortune, I decided on buying some tools and building what I envisioned in my head. There have been some minor changes that I have done since completing this work station/storage unit but my intention was first and foremost, to make something that fit our needs. The idea to do my first Instructable only came after I saw the pictures my wife took as the project progressed. Enjoy.

Step 1: What You'll Need

First things, the supplies; this job was done with basic tools that just about everyone has or can buy for a relatively low price.

2 Sheets of plywood , (I used Pine Sanded Plywood 23/32 CAT PS1-09, cut in half at the store) but you could get by with something cheaper and thinner

11 2x4s

2 4x4 peg board segments

2 pounds of 3in screws

50 2 in nails

Electric screw driver

Electic drill

Drill bits

Hammer

Saw

Circular saw

Tape measure

Level

Sandpaper

Philips head screwdriver

Pencil

Step 2: Prep Work- Plan for What You Want

Map out the space to ensure that you have accounted for various items in the garage. I had a design in mind but was staying flexible to any ideas that popped in my head. It was important for me to account for a lawnmower, various tools and equipment as well as a mini fridge. I used some tape on the ground to ensure that when the car is brought in, there is still adequate space.

Step 3: Foundation

With the ground marked, it was time to start anchoring the workbench/shelving support beams to the garage studs. I took three eight foot 2x4s and screwed them to the studs. Throughout this entire project, every screw that went in, I first drilled pilot holes an electric drill using the 1/8 bit. This allowed them to go in much easier and allowed me to achieve a cleaner connection.

Step 4: Cutting

With the three beams anchored to the studs, I then used the measurements of the distance and height that I had determined would give me the space for storage as well as the where I wanted to have my work bench.

Three pieces into 40 inch legs,

Three 67 inch board for the length on top front, top back, bottom back

One 69 inch board on the bottom front

Ten 25 inch supports for the sides.

Step 5: Frame

Once the wood had been cut, I took the cut 2x4s and configured them into a box frame. 40 inches pieces were drilled into the 67 inch beam to create the height. The 25 inch beams were connected to the frame on the bottom as well as at 22 inches from the bottom to create the width and support for the shelf. The 69 inch beams goes into the bottom on the outside to connect all the boards together. For all the drilled holes, I used1/8 bit and then drove two,3 inch screws into each connection.

Step 6: Work Bench

The plywood had been cut in half and was laid out across the frame. It was 24 inches wide and 70 inches long. The two shelves below it are both 20 inches wide so they required a little trimming with the saw. The two lower shelves were laid on top of 2x4s that secured the frame. The lowest one sat on top the 2x4 on the ground and the middle shelf was 22 inches from the ground. The 2x4 on the sides of the frame were 25 inches. To secure the plywood, a small hole was drilled and then the 2 inch nails were put in as needed to ensure a tight fit.

Step 7: Peg Board/ Upper Shelf

After the two lower shelves had been put on, a 6 foot, 34 inch peg board was screwed into the anchor beams behind the main work bench space. The next step after this was to create the recessed upper shelf. To provide a support, I ran two more 2x4s 17 inches out from the wall. This allowed me to create additional stability to both the top shelf and lower shelf. Two 2x4s were cut to 69 inches and two were cut to 17 inches. Connect these together and the frame has been created on top and then plywood was trimmed to size and put on top.

Step 8: Extensions

The main unit built, I decided to add an extension to the wall which would allow me to hang equipment as well and place a container or two above it. I began by cutting the top off of the 2x4 support that had been placed at 17 in in during the previous step. Then I assembled a rectangle with four pieces of 2x4s that allowed me to reach from the main unit to the wall. I screwed them into the garage studs as well as anchoring unit supports.

Step 9: Hanging Shelf

With the extension connected to the wall, the next step was to build a hanging shelf. Measureing out a length, height and wideth that would be ideal for my containers yet allow me to still get into and out of my car, I found the studs in the ceiling. Running a 2x4 along the length, I had my anchor. I took two 8 foot 2x4s and ran them the length of the garage. Four 18 inch supports were added to assist with stability. Screws were added into the garage studs on the sides and I then put 24 inch supports in the middle and end of the shelf into the ceiling support. Plywood was then added to complete the shelf and nails were put in.

Step 10: Angled Extension

With the project nearly complete, the last task was to add another extension. To begin, the support that was put up earlier was to help with the recession top shelf was cut at the top to allow movement between shelves. Since this one was going to be getting close to the door, I decided on angling it. I cut two 2x4s, one at 65 inch and the other at 64 inch. The shorter one was cut with 45 degree angles to create as flush as possible connection. An 18½ inch board was added to complete the triangled shelf. Again, the shelf was anchored to the garage studs were ever possible. Plywood was then cut to fit and nailed into place. For good measure, another peg board (17 inch by 32 inch) was screwed into place on the anchor boards.

Step 11: Reference Pictures

These are more for references but I wanted to provide a few pictures to show a few spots more closely. I also wanted to give you an idea of how you can make it work for various projects.