SHOP-TESTED

TIPS & TECHNIQUES Cabinets & Shelves

Overhead Storage Shelf

Finding extra storage space is always a
problem, especially for seasonal items that
don't get used that often. Here's an easy-to-
build overhead shelf perfect for a garage or
storage room.

I made my shelf from a standard hollow-core

interior door cut in half (you can make two
shelves out of one door). If you don't have a
spare door, you can buy one for about $20.

You'll need to support the veneer skin of the door along the cut edge (it's a hollow door), so I
screwed a filler block along the inside edge of the door, as shown in the drawing. To hang the
shelf, simply attach it to a cleat that's lag screwed to the wall (see detail a).

You'll need to support the front edge of the shelf, too. I used a pair of brackets made out of ½"
electrical conduit for this (see detail b). You can crimp the ends in a vise, then screw one end to
the shelf and attach the other end to a wall stud.

1" O.D. Washer

#/8" x 2"
Lag Screw
Bracket
(!/2" Electrical
Conduit) #8 x 2" Fh Filler Block
Sheet-Metal Screw B
45 Degree
Bend
A Shelf
1" O.D. 18" x 80"
Washer
#/8" x 2" Lag Screw b
Screw lag screw
into wall stud.

1" O.D. a Shelf Cardboard

Washer Fill
Filler Bracket
C Block (!/2" Electrical
Wall Cleat #/8" x 4" Conduit)
Wall Cleat

Shelf Lag Screw

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