A good library can always use more books, a good vinyl collection can always use more records, and a well-organized space can always use more baskets and/or shelves. Recently I opened our outside shed to a cascade of lawn chairs and BBQ equipment, and it became clear that our shed could definitely use another shelf! So, using our scrap wood, I built a simple two-tiered wood shelf to fix our problem.
While I’m certain this shelf will fix your problem in an outdoor shed like mine, it can also fix your problem virtually anywhere! This shelf is universal in both location and size. You can follow these directions to build a shelf of any size with as many tiers as you want. Then you can use it wherever you need more organization. The steps will remain the same, you just need to adjust the measurements.
MATERIALS
| MATERIALS NEEDED | TOOLS |
|---|---|
| Wood (See Cut List Below) | Miter Saw |
| 3” Screws | Circular Saw |
| 2 1/2″ Pocket Screws | Pencil |
| 1 5/8″ Screws | Measuring Tape |
| Pocket-Hole Jig | |
| Clamps & Corner Clamps | |
| Drill & Drill Bits | |
| Level |
CUT LIST
| 2 – Plywood at 19” x 21” (SHELVES) |
| 4 – 2×4 at 36” (LEGS) |
| 4 – 2×4 at 21” (SHELF FRAME) |
| 10 – 2×4 at 12” (4 – SHELF FRAME, 6 – LEG SUPPORTS) |
The cuts listed above will make a shelf that is 24” x 19” x 36”. I made the shelves themselves 19” x 21” because we had scrapboards from an old cabinet we tore down at that size. Plus, they were a good fit for the shed where I wanted to build this shelf, but as I mentioned above, you can make this shelf any size you want!
TIME COMMITMENT
| ACTIVE TIME: About 3 hours |
| TOTAL TIME: About 3 hours |
STEP BY STEP
STEP 1 – CUT THE WOOD
The first step to building a simple wood shelf is to cut all the wood. I recommend using a circular saw for the plywood platforms and a miter saw for the 2x4s. See the cut list above for sizes.
STEP 2 – BUILD THE SHELF FRAMES
Grab the 21” 2×4 pieces and four of the 12” 2×4 pieces. Lay them out flat so two of the 21” lengths are the top and bottom, and two of the 12” lengths are the left and right side. This should create a rectangle that measures 21” x 19”. Repeat this so you have two rectangles, see the picture below.
Using the 1 ½” thickness setting on the pocket-hole jig, drill pocket screw holes on the top and bottom of the 12” pieces.
This will leave you with two rectangles where the center pieces have pocket holes on the top and bottom. See the picture below.
After drilling the holes, use the corner clamps to keep the frame square. Then drill the 2 1/2″ pocket screws into each pre-made hole. Repeat with both rectangles.
Now it’s time to attach the 21” x 19” shelf piece to the frame. Place the shelf on top of the frame and center it. Then attach it to the 2x4s using the 1 5/8″ screws.
Repeat with both rectangles. Now the shelves and supports are complete.
STEP 3 – BUILD THE LEG SUPPORTS
After building the shelves, it’s time to assemble the leg supports. Grab the 36” 2×4 pieces and the six remaining 12” 2×4 pieces. Lay them out flat forming a rectangle, where two of the 36” lengths are positioned to the left and right, with two of the 12” lengths making up the top and bottom. For the placement of the third 12” 2×4 piece, measure each 36” 2×4 and mark them at their center point (18”). Then line up the remaining 12” length at this point. Now repeat that same layout so you have two rectangles total. See the picture below.
Once all the pieces are in place, use the 1 ½” thickness setting on the pocket-hole jig to drill pocket screw holes on the left and right of the six 12” pieces.
This will leave you with two rectangles where all the center pieces have pocket holes on the left and right. See the picture below.
After drilling the holes, use the corner clamps to make sure the frame is square and drill in the 2 1/2″ pocket screws into each pre-made hole. Repeat with both rectangles.
STEP 4 – ATTACH THE SHELVES
Now that the shelves and the leg supports are built, it’s time to assemble the simple wood shelf. Line the top of one shelf up to the top of the middle 12” 2×4 piece on the leg support and clamp them together. Repeat with the other leg support on the other side of the shelf.
Then check that the top of the shelf lines up flush with the support braces on each side. You’ll also want to ensure the shelf is level during this step. If it’s not, re-adjust the clamps and move the shelf until it is level.
Align the top of the second shelf with the top of the leg supports, and repeat the same clamp process explained above until the top shelf is lined up and level.
After the shelves are clamped in the right location, attach the leg supports to the shelves using 3” screws.
Moving from the left side of the support to the right (or right to left) drive the screws through the leg supports and into the shelf. Repeat for both sides of the shelf and both shelves.
After all the shelves have been screwed you’re done! Remove the clamps and enjoy your new simple wood shelf and future decluttered space!
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