How to Build a Craft Storage Unit

Sort all your craft supplies into clear plastic containers made for under-bed and shoe-storage use, and label them. Count the number of each type of container to help you determine how large your craft storage unit needs to be. Plan one 4-foot-wide shelf for every two under-bed containers and another 4-foot-wide shelf for every six shoe-storage containers.

Cut one plywood sheet into two 24-by-72-inch pieces and one 24-by-48-inch piece using a table saw or other saw of your choice, to make your top and two sides. Cut the second sheet into four pieces, each 24 by 48 inches, to make your bottom and the first three shelves. Cut the third sheet into one 24-by-48-inch piece and one 48-by-72-inch piece, to make the fourth shelf and the back.

Measure and mark the positions of each shelf you will need on the 72-inch side pieces. Make shelves at least eight inches apart, which will accommodate most standard-size under-bed and shoe-storage containers.

Set the router to cut a 1/4-inch-deep, 1/2-inch-wide dado along each mark on each of the 72-inch side pieces. A dado is a groove cut into a board to create support for a shelf.

Hold the the 72-inch-long plywood sections on their 1/2-inch edges on a firm, flat work surface, with the matched pairs of dadoes facing one another. Place them between two of the 48-inch-long sections, also on their 1/2-inch edges, to form the basic frame of the craft storage unit. Secure the unit using a pair of bar clamps across the 48-inch sides.

Stand facing one of the long sides of the unit, looking down on the open top. Measure the diagonals from the bottom left corner to the top right corner, and from the bottom right corner to the top left corner to ensure that they are the same length.

Use a carpenter's try square to check that all four corners meet at 90-degree angles. Adjust the pressure and position of the bar clamps and repeat measuring the diagonals and checking the corner angles until the unit is squared.

Secure the top and bottom of the unit to the sides using 1-inch-long, #6 drywall screws every six inches, 1/4 inch from the right and left edges, through the top or bottom and into the sides.

Cut the four shelf pieces to 47 inches on the table saw. Apply carpenter's glue to the entire length of each dado and to the 24-inch edge of each shelf. Slide each shelf into place and wipe away any excess glue with a clean cotton rag. Allow to dry overnight.

Lay the 72-inch by 48-inch back piece flush with the top, bottom and sides of the craft storage unit. Secure the back to the rest of the unit using 1-inch-long, #6 drywall screws every six inches, 1/4 inch from the outside edges.

Sand all surfaces of the entire unit and apply three to five coats of clear acrylic wood treatment, allowing to dry overnight between coats.

Run a stud finder along the wall where you intend to place your craft storage unit. Center the unit on one stud or between two studs. Secure the unit to the wall at the stud or studs, using an L-shaped wall mount and molly bolts, to prevent toppling.