Wood Storage

This versatile storage solution is an amazing way to use the empty space below your stairs for housing all kinds of wood in your basement workshop including planks up to 10 feet long, huge boards and even lots of scrap wood! Made from just six 2x4s and plywood this clever solution to organizing wood is easy to build.

• Wood:
• (6) 2x4s
• (2) 1/2" Sheets of plywood - 4'x8' each
• Tools:
• Saw
• Drill/driver
• Sander
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Level
• 1'' Screws
• 2'' Screws

The first step is to plan out your wood storage based on the amount of space below your stairs that you have to work with. I decided to use two-thirds of my space for shelves and leave the rest open for plywood storage, however you could do shelves all the way across or change up the design however you want.

(Skip step 2 if you decide to run the shelves all the way across your space)

If you are not running shelves all the way across then you need to add support columns to hold up the shelves on one side. You will need support columns to bear your shelves every 2-3 feet.

1) Determine the number of support columns you will be adding, by lining them up with the studs on the side (this is important because the shelf supports need somewhere to screw in) I lined up my support columns with the highlighted studs in the picture.

2) Measure the height and angle needed for each column to reach the stringer (the board holding up your stairs) by placing the column next to the stringer and tracing the angle with a pencil. (see picture)

3) Once all the lengths and angles are measured cut the 2x4s and screw them in with pocket screws, 2 on each side.

4) If your column is just slightly too short to reach the ground and not wiggle you can cut a shaving off of a scrap 2x4 and wedge it under.

On this step we will cut 2x4s to support the plywood shelves, the vertical space in-between them is totally optional, but if you are only storing skinny pieces of wood like 2x4s on the shelves you only need about 10 inches of space.

1) Measure the distance between either the support columns and the studs on one side or the distance between the studs on both sides (If that's the design you are going with) and cut enough 2x4s to hold up all the shelves.

2) Screw in all the 2x4s horizontally, ensuring that they are level.

Lastly we will add the plywood shelves that the boards are stored on. I used about two 4x8 sheets of plywood for my shelves.

1) Cut the sheets of plywood as wide as you cut the shelf supports and as long as the shelf is deep for each layer.

2) Once the boards are cut, lay them across the shelf supports and screw them in with about 4 one-inch screws on each shelf support.

3) Tighten the back of the plywood to the stringers with screws if needed.

Use a sander to smooth everything out and especially go over edges in the front.

Fill up your amazing new storage with all kinds of wood, put big boards on the left side, 2x4s or other long pieces on the shelves, sorted by length, and even scrap wood on the top small shelf, and enjoy a well organized wood storage!