How to Build Your Own Gargage Cabinets

Select an empty wall in your garage. Determine the desired width, depth and height of your cabinets by measuring the space, using a measuring tape. Record these measurements of your cabinets on a piece of paper.

Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood to the desired length and depth of your cabinets, using a table saw. These two pieces will become the top and bottom panels for your garage cabinets. Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood using the height and depth measurements for side panels.

Set the two side panels upright on their longest narrow edge, parallel to each other. Position the top and bottom panels between the top and bottom edges of the side panels, forming a rectangle shape. Align all the edges then drive nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the side panels.

Cut additional sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the depth and height measurements of your cabinets to serve as dividers. If you build an entire wall of cabinets, divide them into at least four smaller sections, using wooden dividers. Measure and mark the position of these dividers in pencil along the top and bottom panels of the frame you just assembled.

Slide the 1/2-inch plywood dividers between the top and bottom panels, were you made the pencil marks. Secure the panels by driving nails through the top and bottom panels into the dividers.

Cut pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood to length, to fit inside each of the cabinet sections when placed flat against the top and bottom panels. You will need two equal-length pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood for each cabinet section.

Position two pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood inside each cabinet section. One piece should be flush with the bottom panel and the second should be flush against the top panel. The side edges of the hardwood pieces should be flush with the sides of the cabinet sections.

Secure the pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws down through the top panel into the upper piece of hardwood and up through the bottom panel into the lower piece of hardwood. Repeat this process to secure the hardwood pieces in all cabinet sections.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the garage wall, and mark their positions in pencil. Hold the cabinet frame against the wall and secure it by driving 3-inch wood screws through the 1-by-2-inch hardwood pieces into the wall studs.

Construct shelves for your cabinets by cutting sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to the depth of the cabinet and the width of the specific cabinet section. Slide the shelves between the dividers, then attach them by driving nails through the dividers into the shelves.

Cut additional sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to build doors for your garage cabinets, using the height and width measurements of each cabinet section. Attach the doors by installing a metal hinge near both the upper and lower corner of the cabinet doors.

Paint or stain the cabinets. Select a paint that withstands extreme temperatures. If you prefer to stain them, apply thin coats with a paintbrush, then brush or spray on one or more coats of clear varnish or polyurethane.