How to Build Utility Shelves

By Chris Baylor, About.com Guide

Whether you need them in the garage, laundry room, wood shop, utility room, pool house or wherever else you can imagine, utility shelves are incredibly useful. However, there is a lot more to building a strong and yet aesthetically-pleasing utility shelf than attaching some wood to a couple of shelf standards.

Who says utility shelves have to be ugly? In this set of free woodworking plans, learn how to build simple, strong utility shelves that are quite attractive and will show off your woodworking skills as well.

Difficulty Level

• Woodworking: Easy
• Finishing: Paint or Stain (and Polyurethane)

Time to Complete

• 1-2 Hours

Recommended Tools

• Miter Saw
• Circular Saw or Table Saw
• Power Drill
• Plate Joiner with #10 biscuits

Materials Needed
• 1 - 1x2 x 8 SPF Lumber
• 1 - 16" x 4' piece of 3/4" sanded (AC) plywood
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Pencil
• 2 - Metal shelf brackets with screws and anchors (if needed)
• #8 - 5/8" Wood Screws
• Wood Filler
• Woodworking Glue
• Paint or Stain (and Polyurethane)
• Sandpaper