DIY - Basement Shelves with video

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Is your basement storage looking less like a functional space and more like a chaotic junk pile? You're not alone! 

In any home, efficient basement storage is king for maintaining order and keeping your sanity—especially when it comes to those tricky areas that collect miscellaneous stuff.

For us, the clutter culprit was an area right next to my sons' computer room (their "man cave"). 

Last year, after building a new computer table for my son, I gave that space a much-needed clean-up. 

While the computer area looked perfectly neat (as you can see in the picture below), what I didn't show you was the disaster that resulted just five feet away.

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

DIY - Pipe Desk

That's where all the displaced items—mostly my husband's tangle of cables, electronics, and spare parts—were shoved and stacked into the mountain of chaos you see below. 

Yikes! 

I promised Mr. RLC that I would build some heavy-duty storage shelves for all those electronics, but only if he sorted through his items first.

A few weeks ago, he finally did his part. So, it was my turn to deliver!

I can honestly say this DIY shelving project is incredibly economical for the massive amount of sturdy basement storage you gain. 

Even by choosing slightly higher-quality lumber (I upgraded from the $3.50 studs to the sturdier $5.48 studs), the total material cost came to around $130 for a complete, custom storage unit.

Ready to build your own? 

Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions (and don't forget to watch the video for the full build!).

The materials for a 10-ft. x 6-ft. x 2-ft. shelf: 

(12) 2 x 4 x 10'
(5)  2 x 4 x 6'
(3) 4' x 8" - ½" OSB cut lengthwise in the middle - You will only use 2½ sheets.
2½" Self-tapping, flat-head Screws (I used these ones that were left from building the deck)
1" flat-head screws

The Tools:
DeWalt Cordless drill/driver and impact combo kit + drill bits
DeWalt Cordless circular saw
Angle Square
Measuring tape
Clamps
Mallet

The cutting list:

You can get each of your OSB sheets cut in half lengthwise at The Home Depot.

Since my shelves were 10 feet long, I also needed to cut four 2-foot sections of OSB to add to the 8-foot sections for each shelf.

You also need to cut four 2 x 4 x 10' in 21-inch lengths.

They will be the side and middle bracing support for the shelves.

So, let's put those shelves together!

You can check this quick video about this project. Or, you can continue reading below.

1. BUILD EACH OF THE SHELF FRAMES

Each shelf frame consists of two - 2 x 4 x 10' and five - 2 x 4 x 21"

Make a simple frame from two 10-foot and two 21" pieces, securing them at each corner with 2-2½" screws.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR FRAMES ARE SQUARE

Measure diagonally from corner to corner and ensure both measurements are the same. 

If they're not the same, the rectangle is not square, and you have to pull the sides to one side or the other until both measurements are the same.

3. INSTALL THE MIDDLE BRACING

Ear Muff 

Mark the position of the middle supports at 2½-ft., 5-ft., or center, and at 8-ft.

I made the mistake of installing the last support at 7½-ft. But I had to move it to the 8-ft mark because that's where the two pieces of plywood meet. They both needed support underneath. Moving those supports was easy, though.

A cordless impact driver is key to an easy build! 

I didn't do pre-dills. Well, the self-tapping screws also played an important role here. But those are long screws that were driven nicely thanks to the impact driver's driving and hammering force.

4. DETERMINE THE SPACING BETWEEN SHELVES

Once you're done building your shelf frames, decide on the spacing you'll give each shelf. It's all about your needs.

I left an ample space on the lower shelf because the Mister wanted to store heavy equipment there.

5. MARK THE POSITION OF EACH SHELF ON THE POSTS

Milwaukee Performance work gloves

I marked the location I wanted for each shelf on the five posts.

For the two front posts, I made those marks on both sides.

And don't forget to write down which part is on top.

6. PUT THE SHELVES TOGETHER

It's time to put everything together.

I waited for the Mister to come home to tackle this step. I thought it was going to be more difficult or way too heavy for me, but it wasn't. Anyway, it was good to work as a team.

We first placed the two lower shelves, front sides facing down.

Then we started attaching the three back posts (two in each corner and one in the center), following the shelf measurements for each post.

Once those three back posts were attached to the two lower shelves, we pulled up a bit on the whole structure and slid the front posts.

They were attached from the back with two 2½" screws.

We continued installing the two remaining shelves in the same manner.

There was one shelf where the last corner to be attached was difficult to align with the post mark. We used a long clamp to bring it to its proper place.

Four screws were driven at each intersection.

7. Finally, BRING THE ENTIRE FRAME UP & INSTALL THE OSB SHELVES

I thought this was going to be such a heavy structure! 

Ha, I was wrong. Though it was good to have help bringing this baby up.

And then, the OSB planks were set in place.

I used 1" screws to attach them to the frame. If I want to disassemble this shelf later, it will be easier to remove the screws than the nails.

- Two more 2½" screws were driven on the front part of each shelf.

And it's DONE!!

I went ahead and painted the frame with Rust-oleum charcoal chalked paint.

Love it. :)

12-Gallon flip-top clear plastic tote

And hey, look at all that storage!

Guess who was super happy sorting cables and old gadgets for an entire day! :D

Haha, yep. These are the Mister's treasures!

How boring! :D

I was driving him nuts telling him to get rid of old CDs and DVDs and Blackberries, and cables...

He needs to save them just in case. 🙄

Anyway, that's his storage!

For more Home DIY ideas, check these out:

Build-ins in the Dining Room

DIY - Wooden Door Mat

Setting up a Bedroom in an Unfinished Basement

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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