By Marcie McGoldrick
Find containers that suit your storage needs first; then adjust the height and width of the shelves to comfortably accomodate them.
You can also see our instructions for a table and desk.
Tools and Materials
3 pieces of 3/4-inch-thick plywood
Sandpaper
24 floor flanges
Twelve 1-foot pieces of 1/2-inch galvanized pipe
Drill with 3/16-inch bit
3/4-inch screws
Six 120-pound casters
- Download assembly plan.
- Sand cut edges of shelves, rounding corners if desired.
- Screw both ends of each threaded pipe into flanges. Place flange at corner of first piece of wood (top shelf), 1 inch in from sides. Drill shallow pilot holes in the wood through each hole in flange; then drill in screws. Repeat for each corner and center of shelf.
- Repeat with second (middle shelf) and third (bottom) piece of wood.
- Screw casters to bottom corners and center.
Galvanized nipple, 1/2" by 12", $5 each; malleable galvanized floor flange, 1/2", from $6.25 each; and steel galvanized utility bins (similar to shown), by Edsal, $67.50 for 6; homedepot.com. Rill locking casters, $10 for 2; and Knuff magazine file, $10 for 2; ikea.com. Task lab light (#255.0105), $219, schoolhouseelectric.com. Trimaran striped rug, 6' by 9', in Charcoal/Ivory, $298, dashandalbert.com.
Having lived in New York, I realized the importance of maximizing space, especially storage space. New York is one of the most expensive places for real estate, especially for a young student like me at that time. I paid so much for a small apartment, that if I have so much things, I could barely walk or fit myself in between cabinets. This is why, I have learned to make some ‘smart’ self storage and containers that would make my apartment look bigger, and at the same time able to store my books and school items. Now that I have 2 young children, it is just easy to hoard items without knowing that we do not have any space. And in Sydney, space is also relatively expensive, especially at the CBD. Thus, my wife (who also has learned to do space saving techniques) would make DIY self storage in order to put order in our living room chaos, with all the kids toys strewn all over. Gladly, we love doing such, and able to come up with similar bright and convenient ideas like the one mentioned in this article. We like this DIY storage, and we are going to make one for the master’s bathroom.
I am starting my own home business and I need lots of storage for containers. I am wondering if I could go up at least 4 more layers this would make 6 altogether. I would have to put either more of the 120# casters or 300# casters. Can anyone give me any draw backers you might see or think of regarding this expansion Thanks in advance will post when I get the units complete.
hi Kerrie,
hmmm...I'm in Toronto and the Home Depot list the bins on the Canadian site {very expensive} http://www.homedepot.ca/product/12-in-w-x-11-in-d-x-17-in-h-steel-galvanized-utility-bins-set-of-6/804395.
If fabric would do instead of galvanized, try IKEA. http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40210534/
Hi there, I've made a version of this cool table, but am having a terrible time finding galvanized steel bins anything like the ones shown here. I'm in Canada and it seems home depot doesn't carry them here. Can you recommend anywhere else to try? The whole thing just doesn't look as neat and tidy without the metal bins. Thanks!