DIY Enclosed Overhead Garage Shelving

Creating the Shelf Frame

• 1

  Set out two 36-inch 2-by-4 boards on the ground with their long, wide surfaces flat against the ground. Make them parallel to each other with 15 inches of space between them.

• 2

  Set two 18-inch 2-by-4 boards perpendicularly across the two 36-inch boards with their long, wide sides facing down. Position these two boards so that they form a rectangular frame with the longer two-by-fours. Make the ends of the shorter boards fall exactly on the center of the long boards, so they overlap each other by 1 1/2-inches only.

• 3

  Drill two holes through the top of each of the short boards and into each of the long boards for a total of eight holes. Set 2 1/2-inch wood screws in each hole and tighten them completely. Position two more 18-inch two-by-fours evenly between the ones that have been installed and attach them in the same manner.

• 4

  Create another copy of this frame with two 36-inch two-by-fours and four more 18-inch two-by-fours.

• 5

  Stand the two frames upright on their shortest sides, with the short 2-by-4 boards facing each other. Space the frames so that the long boards are 42 inches apart.

• 6

  Position two 42-inch 2-by-4 boards between the two frames so that their ends butt into the long boards of the frames, and they are perpendicular to the short boards on the bottom of the frame. Make sure the long, thin sides of the boards are on the ground. These new boards and the short boards should form a rectangular frame that is 42-by-21-inches. This frame will be the bottom shelf frame.

• 7

  Drill two holes through the outside of the 42-inch boards and into the ends of the short boards. Attach them together with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Drill one hole through the 36-inch boards of the frame and into the ends of the 42-inch boards. Attach them together with 2 1/2-inch wood screws.

• 8

  Repeat with six more 42-inch boards, attaching them to each of the 18-inch boards in the frame.

Setting the Plywood

• 9

  Lower a 3/4-by-21-by-42-inch piece of plywood onto the top of each of the bottom three rectangular frames that are the shelves. Attach the plywood in place with 2 1/2-inch wood screws, spacing the screws every 12 inches around the edge of each plywood board and into each shelf frame.

• 10

  Set a 3/4-by-21-by-36-inch plywood board against each side of the shelving frame. Attach them in place with 2 1/2-inch wood screws spaced every 12 inches into each frame board.

• 11

  Place a 3/4-by-21-by-45-inch plywood board on top of the frame, and attach it in place with 2 1/2-inch wood screws every 12 inches into the frame.

• 12

  Lower the frame onto its rear. Space two 3/4-by-36 1/2-by-22 1/4-inch plywood boards evenly on top of the frame. Slide two side-mount cabinet hinges evenly between each of these new boards, which are the doors, and the frame. Attach them in place with 3/4-inch wood screws.

• 13

  Position a magnetic latch with three pieces in the center of the top frame board. Attach the latch to the top frame board and both door boards with 3/4-inch wood screws.