How to Design a Super Storage Wall From Multiple Units

On a blank piece of paper, note the height of the ceiling and the width of the wall. Indicate the measurements with arrows.

Write out a usage plan. Answer these questions in the plan: In what room will the storage room be located? What material would work best in that room? Can you coordinate with the existing style, if necessary? What items will be stored in the units? This last question doesn't require a detailed listing but rather a generalization. For example, will the storage be for seasonal items such as blankets and Christmas decorations? Will it be for toys and games? Is it for your television and media equipment along with collectibles?

Continue writing up the plan answering such questions as: How many cabinets need to have doors? How many can be open in front? Will wiring for lighting or electronics be needed? Once you've developed a plan of what is required of the storage wall, you can begin designing it.

Determine how far down from the ceiling you want the tallest cabinet or cabinets to be. Do not plan for the cabinetry to reach the ceiling. Allowing for a gap of several inches gives visual interest and makes installation easier. Make a note of that measurement on your paper.

Go shopping at home improvement stores and furnishings stores. Bring along a notebook, a tape measure and a camera. Measure the width, height and depth of the cabinets that interest you. Make notes and take pictures.

Before purchasing, go home and map out an arrangement of the cabinetry. Use the sheet of paper with your measurements for the ceiling height and wall width. Using your measurements from shopping, determine how many cabinets you can fit across the wall, and how high you can stack. Refer to your pictures to determine the aesthetics of the design. Keep these factors in mind: 1) You will need to leave a small gap between closed cabinets so the doors can be opened without interference. 2) You may need to secure the cabinetry to the wall. Using multiple units reduces the stability of the overall design. 3) The overall design will work better if stacked units are of the same width and depth. This will also provide more stability.

Once you make your purchases, do a dry fit of the cabinets before installing and securing them to the wall. Make certain all doors can be opened, including those on the cabinets near the opposing walls. You don't want to be banging the doors into your painted walls.

Install your cabinets according to your design. Make adjustments in shelving and place your items.