You can store unnecessary things on the rack. This is a convenient place, the presence of which allows you to avoid cluttering the apartment. It is practical and simple in structure and appearance. A shelving unit will bring many benefits not only in the house, but also in the garage. You can also use it to arrange a pantry on the balcony.
How to make a rack with your own hands? To answer this question, let's prepare simple tools and materials. The manufacturing process is fast, and besides, you do not need to spend money on buying such furniture from the store.
Preparation of tools and materials
Before starting assembly, the following accessories are prepared:
- Fasteners (screws);
- Screwdrivers or screwdriver;
- Jigsaw for cutting material;
- Level and tape measure;
- Drawing tools (pencil, chalk).
Beginners should know what a rack can be made of, for this you will need:
- Bar;
- Reiki;
- Shelves.
The selection of materials for the future shelving is done taking into account climatic features and purpose. The location of such structures in damp rooms will cause corrosion of metal elements, and the wooden base will begin to rot. To avoid such phenomena, you should use varnish and other protective coatings.
If it is supposed to use MDF or chipboard for the shelves, then the material must be cut before processing. The procedure can be done by yourself using a jigsaw.
In the absence of a tool, the cut is made in special stores. Many materials are suitable for the manufacture of shelves: cut boards, thick glass, plywood, plastic.
Structures and drawings
On the Internet, there are various schemes and drawings of shelving. You can choose any, but you will have to make changes for the best result. It's all about the size of the place where the structure will stand. For measurements, we will use a tape measure and a pencil.
If canning twists or working tools are stored on the rack, then the design of the product is chosen as the simplest one. There are various do-it-yourself shelving options.
The width and height of the product are selected depending on the room and the stored items. It is not recommended to make long shelves, deflection from a large weight is possible, or the shelf itself will bend under its own weight. In this case, its length should not exceed 90 cm.
It is also necessary to fasten the elements together with the calculation of the expected load. For this, the appropriate fasteners are selected. To attach the rack to a brick-type wall, you should take self-tapping screws no more than 52 mm long, and if the wall is concrete, then 89 mm.
Having decided on the measurements and the appearance of the rack, the design process proceeds to the next stage of the drawing development. Rough sketches of the general view are made, and the dimensions of the shelves are noted.
Phased production
Detailed instructions for the manufacture of shelving can be divided into stages:
- Assembling the base.
- Installation of boxes and shelves.
- Finishing work.
Before starting the installation, markings are applied to the wall. The rack frame, made to the full height of the wall, must be fixed from above and below. This will give it stability.
The rigidity of the structure will be given by a base made of wooden beams. Such a bearing support will serve as the key to success for the entire structure.
Depending on the size of the shelves, it is determined which type of bar to use. They can be square or rectangular. To fix the base of the board and the beams, self-tapping screws up to 3 cm long are used.
Each bearing support during installation must be strictly upright. To make the structure rigid, lateral transverse type braces are installed. This condition is met if heavy items will be stored on the rack.
When the base is formed, it is necessary to proceed with the installation of the box elements. It is assembled from chipboard or MDF boards. Other types of materials are also used. Each plate is attached to the sides of the structure. The back wall remains uncovered.
The installation of the shelves is started at the last stage of assembly. To begin with, markings are applied to the walls of the structure. The way the shelves are fastened depends on the weight they have to support.
Metal corners hold the load more efficiently. Bars are mounted on them, then shelves. It is better to choose the self-tapping screws securing the timber and the shelf by 6 mm longer than the thickness of the shelf.
On the Internet you can see photos of racks with different finishes. Every lover will find something interesting for himself.
Photos of shelving with your own hands
Shelves have always been of great interest. This is a fairly convenient thing that can be used to store various things, books. You can also place it on tall racks and pots with low plants, which will look pretty nice.
Figure 1. Drawing of a wooden rack.
Making a wooden rack with your own hands is not so difficult and almost every person can do it. You just need to prepare everything you need for work in advance. Today there are many options for shelving, different in design. But below we will consider one of the simplest and most practical options.
Materials and tools for work
Before embarking on the process of making a wooden rack with your own hands, you need to choose the right materials and tools.
It is advisable to choose natural wood boards as the main material. For this purpose, oak, pine or mahogany are best suited. It is not recommended to use boards based on wood chips, as they will not be particularly durable and practical. At the same time, make sure that the moisture content of the wood does not exceed 12%. Also, before work, the tree is treated with antiseptics and special impregnations, after which it is allowed to lie down in a warm room for a couple of days. In addition to the boards, for the shelving you will need:
Tools for making wooden shelving.
- tape measure and pencil for marking;
- self-tapping screws;
- Grinder;
- electric jigsaw;
- wood varnish;
- a hammer;
- joiner's glue;
- metal corners;
- drill;
- plywood;
- furniture legs on casters;
- varnish and brush;
- wooden blocks for transverse fixing of shelves;
- holders for shelves.
Preparation of the base, walls and shelves
We start work by choosing the bottom base. A thick board is taken as such (the thickness should be such that a self-tapping screw 3 cm long can freely enter it). Moreover, its length is equal to the maximum length of the rack, and its width is equal to its maximum width, which you choose yourself. At the same time, at the bottom of the base, it is advisable to nail transverse bars, the length of which is equal to the width of the base, through each meter of the rack length. They will provide additional strength.
Now let's move on to work on the sideboards. If you have limited material resources, you can use thick plywood for the sides instead of natural wood. Immediately mark it so that the width is equal to the width of the base, and the height of the boards is chosen independently. Next, carefully cut out the sides of the desired size. Immediately we make markings for the shelves on their inner side. At the same time, one should not forget that the optimal figures for the height of the shelves are 21 and 42 cm. These two heights can be combined. So you get the shelves that are both roomy and quite neat at the same time.
Rack assembly diagram.
Now move on to cutting out the shelves from the wood. Their length is measured from the inside of the rack so that they fit freely and tightly into the rack at the same time. The width is equal to the depth of the cabinet itself. Ideally, the thickness of the shelves should not be less than 2.5 cm.BUT it is still better to fix them with transverse bars from below. The bars can be nailed down with ordinary small nails.
Next, it's time to tackle the back wall. As a rule, if you are satisfied with the color and texture of the wall to which the cabinet adjoins, then the back wall may not be mounted. But if this is necessary, then a wall is cut out of ordinary plywood, based on the dimensions of the length and height of the rack.
Do-it-yourself rack assembly
So, all the necessary structural elements have been prepared. Now the most important thing is to assemble a wooden rack into a single structure. In this case, it is best to use several different types of fasteners: self-tapping screws, and wood glue, and nails, and metal corners, if necessary.
Shelf mounting options
First, the lowest shelf for the base is taken, to which the rear wall of the rack is attached using self-tapping screws. If such a wall is not provided for by you, then immediately start working with the side walls. On the inside, you have already made the markings for the shelves.
So now, on each of the markings, parallel to each other, it is necessary to fix special metal or plastic (depending on the intended load for the shelves) holders on which you can put wooden shelves. Further, these sidewalls are mounted to the lower base using self-tapping screws. In this case, do not forget to observe the evenness of all corners. For reliability, it is even better to use metal corners as fixing elements.
But this was the first version of the shelves. There is also another - a solid mount. Here you do not need to make holders. In this case, the shelves will be directly connected to the sides. To do everything correctly, first attach the side walls to the base with self-tapping screws, after which one person should hold a shelf inside the rack according to the markings, and the other should fix it with self-tapping screws from the outer part of the sidewalls. From under the bottom of the shelf, it is advisable to additionally fix it with the same metal corners. But keep in mind that this method is a little more complicated, as it requires perfect measurements of the length of the internal shelves, as well as more time and attention to work. Any distortions can ruin the rack. Therefore, immediately use the building level as well.
So, the main part is ready. Now it remains to fix the rack cover on top, which will give the rack a finished look and protect the topmost shelf from dust getting on it. Fastening is carried out using all the same screws.
The manufacture of a rack (in particular, during the assembly process) will be more reliable if, after drilling the holes for self-tapping screws, you smear them inside with carpentry glue. This will provide additional reliability. It is best to use furniture legs on casters as legs for the shelving unit. So it will be much more convenient to move the structure, if necessary, and it will be able to withstand any loads, while not provoking distortions.
A do-it-yourself wooden rack is ready! Its main part will look like in fig. 1. This simple and practical design at the same time is suitable for any room: kitchen, bedroom, hall. Now you just have to cover the rack with wood varnish and let it dry properly.
All photos from the article
Sooner or later, many owners of garages, workshops, sheds and basements make a straight and corner shelving made of wood with their own hands. And this is not surprising, since such shelves are an excellent solution that allows you to place tools, various things, supplies for the winter, crops and other supplies in the required order.
Of course, you can purchase ready-made shelves or order their manufacture in special organizations, but the price of self-assembled structures will be an order of magnitude lower. Moreover, homemade shelving can be adapted to the characteristics of the room in which they will be placed.
So, let's try to assemble a rack in a garage made of wood with our own hands, but before that we will decide on the choice of lumber that is advisable to use during assembly.
Choice of materials
The basis of any rack, regardless of where it will be located, are shelves. It is on them that the payload, which is customarily stored in various utility rooms, will be placed.
The shelves are subject to such requirements as fracture strength, resistance to excessive humidity and low temperatures typical of utility rooms in the cold season. On the other hand, shelves intended for residential use should also be beautiful.
Therefore, the best material for making whatnots on the whole wall is edged board. The characteristics of the edged board are presented in the following table.
| Type of wood used in the production |
|
| with GOST 8486-86 and application |
|
| Humidity of edged boards |
|
| Standard sizes |
|
For the manufacture of the shelving, dry boards with the maximum width from what is on sale and with a thickness of at least 3 cm should be used.
Tip: It is better to purchase unpolished lumber, since their price is an order of magnitude more affordable than the cost of prepared lumber.
You can sand and process the wood properly yourself.
So, we have decided on the choice of lumber, it remains to pick up suitable drawings of the rack with our own hands from wood to make the necessary structure using them.
Shelving projects that you can assemble yourself
In this article, we will consider the features of assembling several types of whatnots, namely:
- modifications with metal sides(relevant for garages and basements, where increased structural strength is important);
- modifications with wooden sides(can be used both in utility rooms and in living quarters;
- modifications where the function of the supporting structure is performed by metal brackets mounted on the wall.
The drawings proposed in the article show the structural features of the structure with an indication of the main standard sizes. Let's take a closer look at how to make shelves for storing various things using these schemes.
Order in any room is the arrangement of each thing in its place. It can be provided only if each item has this place. In this case, the rack will provide invaluable help. It is convenient to place items for various purposes on it. It is not always possible to purchase a ready-made structure (they are not satisfied with the size, price, quality, etc.), but making a rack with your own hands is quite affordable.
Shelving is a structure consisting of open shelves. It can be used for a variety of purposes. In the office, this will be a convenient place for storing documentation and other materials that are often used in work. Any folder is easy to find and return to its place.
The racks are collapsible, but at home stationary models are acceptable. The racks can also store household items and equipment, the results of creative activity, etc. There are no restrictions, only the dimensions are important. In order to take into account the dimensions of things supposed to be stored, to correctly calculate the load, capacity, it is worth making do-it-yourself shelves-racks.
The main advantages of this type of furniture are:
- simplicity of design;
- ease of use;
- spaciousness;
- acceptability of installation in premises of almost any purpose;
- saving space.
There are several types of structures for home use:
- frame racks are non-collapsible;
- frame products are collapsible;
- console options.
The main elements of the rack are vertical supports and horizontal parts that function as shelves. Most often, the structures are collapsible, but stationary models are also quite acceptable at home. Prefabricated structures are mounted using various fastening materials, non-separable ones - using welding.
Welding is a reliable method of fastening, but it requires certain professional skills and a welding machine. Therefore, information on how to make a wooden rack is more often in demand. This is a more affordable model. The blanks can be done independently, or you can order by providing information on the required dimensions.
Various options for do-it-yourself wooden shelving
A wooden shelving structure is theoretically quite simple to manufacture. To avoid problems in the course of practical implementation, you must first make a drawing, which should reflect the height, width and depth of the future product, the location of the crossbars, taking into account the fastening method.
Useful advice! When making measurements of the part of the room where the rack will be installed, it is imperative to take into account the width of the protruding plinth, molding and other possible decorative elements.
It is convenient to use timber for the main posts and cross-members; shelves can be made of boards, wood-based panels, plywood.
Chipboards are often used for the manufacture of this type of furniture. Do-it-yourself chipboard racks are the most affordable option. Significant savings in time and money in manufacturing are achieved due to the absence of a frame from individual elements (vertical posts, horizontal crossbars). Sawing, in the absence of appropriate equipment, is best done in special workshops, where you can order high-quality processing of the end parts.
On the proposed photos - do-it-yourself racks from chipboard. Models for living rooms have interesting design elements in the form of original shelves, additional strips, color combinations of elements. Designs for purely technical purposes look simple. Sometimes the upper and lower shelves are reinforced with additional transverse strips for greater rigidity of the product.
Plywood racks are aesthetic and rather durable. Most often these are options for utility rooms, household rooms. If you use your imagination, you can create such a model for any room, including the guest room. A do-it-yourself plywood rack is usually made on a wooden frame, but if the plywood is 10-15 mm thick, then an option is possible by analogy with a chipboard structure.
Tips to help you make a wood or wood-based shelving unit:
- If there is no access to the structure from both sides, the depth of the shelves should not be more than 500 mm.
- When planning the model to the ceiling, you need to think about the ability to get to the upper shelves. Alternatively, a wooden non-removable ladder can be made and attached to the side wall.
- If the shelves are more than 600 mm wide (regardless of the material of manufacture), it is worth attaching them to the horizontal frame frame - this will prevent sagging.
If you want to decorate a wooden rack, you can use wood stain, tinting varnishes, craquelure and other types of surface treatments.
Material requirements for shelving made of wood and wood-based materials
Even having correctly calculated the dimensions, having made a detailed drawing, having perfectly assembled, you can still not get a solid product. The reason will turn out to be the most commonplace - low-quality material or material that does not meet the operating conditions.
Basic requirements for the wood used:
- The moisture content of the material should not exceed 12%, otherwise the product may warp.
- The presence of cracks and chips that do not affect the integrity of parts under load is allowed.
- The processing must be of high quality: smooth cuts, a polished surface. These indicators affect not only aesthetics: irregularities may not allow a high-quality assembly, a rough surface threatens injury, albeit insignificant (splinters, scratches).
It is possible to make a reliable do-it-yourself rack of boards that meets the expected characteristics only if the above requirements are met.
As for chipboard, here, when assessing the material, you need to pay attention to the quality of the coating. For arranging items with a smooth bottom surface, lamination is suitable. For heavier, non-ideal surface elements, it is better to choose melamine. Veneer, including artificial, is best used for shelving that requires decorativeness.
In addition, you need to pay attention to the quality of the cut: chips and irregularities do not allow you to reliably process the butt. Consequently, there is a threat of penetration of vapors, moisture, which will inevitably lead to swelling of the material.
When planning a plywood rack, you need to consider:
- sheet thickness, it must be at least 9-10 mm;
- type of wood;
- type of bonding (it is desirable to have layers with a perpendicular arrangement of fibers).
Useful advice! The purchased wood material must be marked. Its absence may indicate the absence of a certificate for this product.
For wet rooms, it is better to mount shelving made of wood rather than wood materials. If you make a rack in the basement from the latter (with your own hands), even with a high-quality protective treatment, traces of swelling and delamination will quickly appear on it.
Original design options for kitchen shelving
A special room is the kitchen. This is a living area, a room with a certain interior. At the same time, the level of humidity in it is quite often increased.
There are special requirements for a kitchen rack:
- use for the manufacture of only moisture-resistant materials;
- high quality surfaces that allow the use of special detergents;
- design design of the structure.
The do-it-yourself shelving options for the kitchen offered in the photo have a wide variety of designs:
- racks-partitions dividing the kitchen room into zones;
- console options that take up virtually and visually little space;
- mobile products, on wheels;
- racks of special design - island table.
For classic kitchens, a wooden shelf is a good option. But for modern rooms in high-tech styles, minimalism, you can make a metal rack with your own hands. It is better to use a corner (steel or aluminum) as a frame, and the shelves are made of glass. You can buy material for the frame at any store that sells metal products.
If it is impossible to make a welded structure, the corner can be connected with bolts. Metal is a tough material, but without a protective coating it will corrode.
It is better to purchase tempered glass with a smooth surface, which will facilitate the cleaning process. It is very important to take a careful measurement. This is necessary in order for the glass blank to fit correctly into the metal frame. For massive shelving, it is recommended to use a steel corner - aluminum is more suitable for small structures.
If the glass does not fit into the metal frame, but is superimposed on it, it must be aesthetically pleasing and securely fixed (glue can be used) and the cut points must be polished with high quality.
Economy option: tool rack made from old water pipes
A certain set of tools is available in almost every home. Quite often, men strive to equip at least a small workshop, where it will be possible to perform at least simple repair work. The rack in this case will be the best storage place. Significant funds are usually not allocated for the arrangement of such a room, so the use of used materials will be the best solution.
In the workshop, you can make a metal rack with your own hands. It is recommended to use old water pipes as a base (frame).
Required tools:
- a hacksaw for metal or a jigsaw with a saw for metal;
- threading dies or pipe die;
- construction hair dryer.
Related article:
How to choose options based on the shape and size of the room. Features of the arrangement of furnishings. Wardrobe as the main element of the interior.
The manufacturing sequence can be as follows:
- Make a drawing of the future design.
- Clean the pipes from traces of paint with a construction hair dryer, remove traces of corrosion (if any), apply a new coating to the pipes.
- Cut the pipes into the required lengths.
- Using dies or pipe die, cut threads in the right places.
- Using fittings, starting from the bottom up, connect the rack structure.
- Cut out the shelves from the existing material (you can take fragments of used furniture), attach them to the frames using metal screws.
This model of a pipe rack with your own hands can be made more interesting if the shelves are not attached to the pipes, but put on (strung) on vertical supports, having previously made holes in them (in the shelves).
Useful advice! It is better to place the shelves of a rack for storing tools at different distances. The lower step will be the highest, then the decreasing step. If the reduction is of a constant size (for example, 15 cm), this will add aesthetics to the product.
Shelving design: photo ideas for a modern interior
The main function of the shelves is to store items for various purposes. When installed in living rooms, an important requirement is imposed on this type of furniture - compliance with the design style. Sometimes the rack is made precisely with the aim of making the interior brighter.
An excellent element of the design of the hallway can be. The shelf model is most suitable for these purposes:
- traces of moisture dry easily on shoes stored in such conditions;
- shoes, even dried, do not tolerate an enclosed space;
- it's always easy to find the right pair.
A do-it-yourself shoe rack can be made from pallets, timber and slats, from boards, wood-based panels, from metal products. For a small hallway, it is appropriate to use a compact console model - lay and fix the shelves on metal or wooden bases protruding from the wall. If your own imagination does not suggest any options, you can find and carefully study the photos on the Internet, where you will like some ideas.
Photo projects on which types of racks for toys are presented will also help to decorate the children's room. There are no restrictions for creative expression and creativity. A do-it-yourself toy rack can be made of wood, chipboard, plywood. Metal is used only as a fastening material. These can be slide racks, houses, various vertical and horizontal structures, made in bright and pleasant shades. When making a rack for toys, it is imperative to take into account the following points:
- the design is stable (better attached to the wall);
- it has no sharp protruding corners;
- all shelves must be accessible to the child.
The do-it-yourself flower rack designs proposed in the photo are impressive with a variety of ideas. They combine decorativeness and specific functionality. Different depths of the shelves allow all plants to receive the same amount of natural light, backlights decorate and make up for its deficit in the dark.
DIY wooden shelving for zoning space
Today, many give their sympathy to housing with a small number of partitions, where kitchens and living rooms, offices and bedrooms are combined. It is possible to carry out zoning of such premises with the help of racks. This is greatly facilitated by the openness of these structures.
One of the options can be a do-it-yourself wooden rack. The drawing for this design is especially important, since it is necessary not only to calculate the dimensions and outline the location of the main parts, but also to take into account the places of fasteners. Lack of thought in this case can negatively affect the aesthetics.
The design assumes a double-sided shelving: one part in relation to the other is in a mirror image. Two more vertical posts are attached to the two main vertical posts from different sides. The material and blanks of the latter can be identical to the main one, or they can differ from them (it all depends on the desire), but the additional racks must necessarily be the same.
Then you need to fix the shelves. You get two racks with one vertical base. The shelves can be positioned at the same level, or they can be shifted on one side, without fail subordinating to a certain pattern. The difference in the shades of the sides of the rack will help to highlight the areas brighter.
Useful advice! The depth of the shelves of this type of furniture should not exceed 300 mm, since the structure will look massive, heavy and attract undue attention.
This option can also be used for household premises. For example, having made such a rack with your own hands in the pantry, it will be advisable to use one side for pickles and jams, and the other for storing boxes with different contents. The ability to approach from both sides will make the use more comfortable.
How to make a do-it-yourself rack for large items of a round shape
When making a rack for large items, it is very important to correctly calculate the load carrying capacity and dimensions of the structure. If the struts and cross members begin to buckle or crack over time, the unit will need to be removed for safety reasons. Therefore, in order to avoid this, it is necessary to choose a durable material and calculate the dimensions, taking into account the quarter of the circumference of the objects intended for placement.
A great option for storing tires and other rounded things can be made from pipes. The design is extremely simple: four main vertical posts and several crossbars (depending on the planned number of tiers). The shelves for such types of products are conditional - these are two (or four, depending on the diameter of the items being placed) pipes that make up the horizontal frame.
Considering that there are not so many tires for a private car (6–8 will probably be stored on pipe racks), the lower tier is enough for them, on the rest you can put discs, free round containers, various bays, etc.
Making a rack for wheels with your own hands does not require much time and money, but it will allow you to free up a significant amount of space by arranging large-sized items, the storage of which is complicated not only by their size, but also by the features of the shape. Their storage without a specially equipped place is extremely difficult.
Do-it-yourself universal collapsible shelving
Any assembled rack can be considered collapsible, since when the steps are performed in the reverse order, the structure will turn into a set of blanks. It is convenient to have a rack on the farm that can be assembled and disassembled without additional tools. It is better if it is small in size so that it is easy to store and transport unassembled.
Such a model is often used when performing short-term or seasonal work, for the temporary, orderly storage of certain items. During the period of seasonal harvesting, a collapsible design of a rack in a cellar with your own hands can become quite in demand. It is convenient to use plastic pipes as a material for manufacturing. They have a low price, are easily mounted with a soldering iron, are lightweight, and are not subject to corrosion. If you don't have your own soldering iron, you can rent it for a very small fee.
Materials and tools required for the manufacture of a collapsible shelving structure:
- plastic pipes;
- fittings for plastic pipes: corners, tees, crosses;
- pipe cutting knife;
- soldering iron.
The frame of the shelves is made using corners. Cross pipes are laid and brazed using tees. Instead of tees, crosses are inserted at the corners of the shelves. They serve a double function: they fix the pipe inserts that make up the shelf and are part of the prefabricated vertical support. Two crosses between the shelves are connected by means of pipes of a smaller diameter, which makes them collapsible. The cuts of the lower pipes can be closed with plugs.
Do-it-yourself garage racks made of metal for open spaces, pavilions, made of plastic, are applicable, since they are resistant to the effects of precipitation.
Useful advice! Plastic pipes, having a high level of strength, are to a certain extent exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Shelves made of this material should not be left in the open sun for a long time.
DIY garage racks: location options, sizes
A room that practically cannot do without a rack is a garage. Therefore, it is worth dwelling on garage shelving structures separately. The proposed photos of shelving in the garage with their own hands demonstrate various models: wooden, metal, collapsible, stationary and even with pull-out shelves for storing metal sheets. Upon close examination of the photo, it is quite possible to understand the manufacturing technology.
The question of how to make a rack in a garage with your own hands correctly is no less relevant. A few tips to avoid mistakes when designing a structure:
- If the size of the garage space allows, it is better to make the rack in the entire wall. This will provide a lot of storage space and make the use of the garage more comfortable: objects will not lie under your feet.
- The garage is most often an unheated room, so the material will be exposed to temperature extremes. If you plan to make a rack in the garage with your own hands from wood, it is better not to save on its quality and processing means.
- It is advisable to make the distance between the shelves different, since in this case the space of the structure is more efficiently spent.
- It is better if the top shelf can be reached without additional devices (ladders, ladders, bedside tables, etc.). The available rack height contributes to a comfortable and safe use.
- The free area in front of the rack must be at least 1 meter. Otherwise, it will be difficult to pick up and put bulky items.
- If the area of the rack is poorly lit, it is worth making a backlight. A convenient and inexpensive option is an LED strip.
- It is recommended to place items on the rack in the following sequence: on the lower shelves - overall, on the middle ones - often used, on the upper ones - rarely used.
Compliance with style: do-it-yourself loft shelving
If the room is decorated in a loft style, a rack with shelves can be a good design addition. This design will not require any special materials, the main thing is the shape and size of the elements. Looking through the photos depicting racks made in this style, you will notice that no multi-level or staggered arrangement of shelves is unusual for them.
To make the structure look more massive, a rectangular frame usually consists of several blocks. Metal or wood is used as a material. An interesting option is a rack made of metal pipes connected by corners. The lower parts of the pipes, which are legs, are fixed to the floor with flanges. The design is complemented by a ladder that is hung on the upper shelf with curved upper ends.
A loft-style rack can be made from a steel corner with a size of at least 50x50 mm. It is advisable to make the frames for the shelves from a smaller corner. In the manufacture of such a shelving structure made of wood, the timber for the frame should also be chosen with a large section, and for shelves - less by 15–20 mm. A massive base is typical for furniture of this style.
It is possible to assemble metal racks from a corner either by welding or using bolted connections. Protruding fasteners will only enhance the styling.
Fast and inexpensive: do-it-yourself profile rack
For the manufacture of shelving frames, a metal profile is often used. This material has a number of undeniable advantages:
- high level of strength provided by stiffening ribs;
- resistance to temperature extremes, corrosion;
- ease of processing (does not require special tools, enough metal scissors or a hacksaw);
- affordable price.
To make a rack from a profile with your own hands, you need to calculate the total length of all parts of the rack, purchase the required amount of material and self-tapping screws for the connection. A structure of any complexity can be made from a profile. The following materials are suitable for the manufacture of shelves:
- plastic,
- wood;
- wood materials;
- sheet metal;
- gypsum.
The option should be chosen in accordance with the operating conditions of the rack. Any of the above shelves can be easily attached to the frame from the profile. This material is most suitable for creating modular structures. Here are some tips on how to make a profile shelving unit strong and stable:
- for shelves more than 0.9 meters wide, use a double profile;
- if the structure exceeds 1.8 meters, it should be fixed to the wall;
- do not use a profile with a metal thickness of less than 0.6 mm.
Useful advice! If the rack is planned to be operated in rooms with high humidity levels, you should purchase a galvanized profile.
DIY book rack: library and interior options
According to their purpose, book racks are of two types:
- to maintain a home library;
- for storing a small amount of books and creating an interior.
For the first option, it is advisable to construct along the wall from bottom to top. The most affordable option is from coated chipboard. The side posts are cut from the slab along its maximum length (usually 2.7 m), the transverse posts should not exceed 100 mm. The shelves are attached to the side supports by means of metal furniture corners installed from below. If the rack seems to be unstable (this is possible when the depth of the shelves is less than 400 mm), it is better to fix it to the wall.
A self-made bar rack can serve as a reliable design for a large number of books. With a high height (above 2 m), the cross-section of the vertical supports should be at least 70x70 mm. As a material for the frame of the shelves, you can use a bar with a section of 40x40 mm.
For the manufacture of shelving, taking into account the style features of the interior, the Internet offers interesting ideas. For example, it can be a chipboard rack with two flat vertical supports (300 mm wide) in one plane and one vertical perpendicular of the same dimensions located between them. It is to it on different sides that the shelves are attached. The other two perform a decorative function and prevent the shelves from sagging - at the points of contact, the shelves and supports are connected.
An original do-it-yourself bookcase can be made as follows:
- A rectangular box is being executed.
- Then, by internal partitions (vertically - in one piece, horizontally - in fragments), it is divided into 6-8 identical squares.
- In turn, each square is divided by vertical or horizontal partitions (of the same type in one sector), creating many small shelves.
The proposed model can be made from both wood and wood-based materials.
For small rooms, for example, bedrooms, where a small number of books are stored, console options made of wood are suitable - shelves no more than 600 mm wide, attached in the center to a beam protruding from the wall.
Rational use of space: do-it-yourself corner shelving
In small rooms, it is advisable to place a corner rack. Structural modeling needs to be approached with a certain level of knowledge:
- take into account the correspondence of the proportions of the rack to the dimensions of the room as a whole. A too large structure will visually take up a lot of space;
- when drawing up the drawing of the rack, try to make the corner zone as accessible as possible, it should not be blocked by the racks.
You can make a small corner shelving unit with rounded shelves to add to the main furniture. Shelves of this shape are convenient for the bathroom, hallway. Using metal and glass, it is possible to organize a lightweight and aesthetic design. If you take a square shelf as a basis, you will be able to make a rack on wheels that can be easily moved and returned to its place, in the corner of the room.
The corner structure can be used when making do-it-yourself tool racks. A wood or metal profile is suitable as a material for the frame. A fairly common option is a shelving along three walls with two corner fragments. The design is spacious, but it should be noted that for comfortable use, the distance between opposite sides should not be less than 100 mm.
Useful advice! The depth of the shelves in the corner rack must not exceed 500 mm. Otherwise, getting objects from distant corners will be problematic.
Do-it-yourself combined can rack
The basement is a place where only the owners are. In this regard, there is a tendency to equip it with second-rate or second-hand materials. When making a basement rack, this approach is unacceptable. Even with properly arranged ventilation, full ventilation is impossible. Increased moisture levels are unavoidable and even desirable for storing fresh vegetables such as beets and carrots.
These conditions must be taken into account when choosing a material. Dense wood (oak, ash) is expensive, more often affordable pine is used. Even with good processing, this material will rot over time.
It is better to make a rack from the corner to the basement with your own hands. To create a frame, dimensions of 45x45x4 mm or more are suitable. You can fasten the corner with bolts, such connections are easier to view for integrity.
It is better to use boards as shelves; it is more pleasant and safer to put glass jars on them. The metal frames for the shelves should be turned upwards so that the boards can be laid perpendicularly. The thickness of the boards should be 30 mm with a corner size of 45x45x4 mm.
The formed rim will prevent the cans from sliding off. It is not recommended to fix the boards. This will allow, if necessary, to easily replace individual of them; in the summer, you can freely lift them into the open air for drying and processing.
In a similar way, a rack for seedlings is made by hand. For its better development, greenhouse conditions are necessary, and this is warm humid air and constant watering. The combined structure, made of a metal corner and a board, will be comfortable and will last a long time.
Exclusive interior furniture: DIY bookcase
Whatnot is the same rack, only smaller (length is important), where shelves can only be fixed on racks. This is a free-standing, non-fixed structure. Particular attention is paid to its decorative design. That is why it is better to make a bookcase yourself from wood. An available option is decorative pine shelving. This material is inexpensive and easy to process.
If there is no tool for the manufacture of decorative elements (carving, turned parts), you can make a base and order the parts. As an artistic treatment, it is recommended to use toning, applying compounds that "age" the tree. The bookcase can be painted white, black or any other color to suit the style of the room.
Having made a rack of wood with your own hands, having decorated it in an interesting way, you can get a wonderful piece of furniture - a bookcase for souvenirs, photographs, books and other items that you want to keep in sight.
The advantages of making furniture with your own hands, in particular shelving, are as follows:
- This is an opportunity to fulfill all requirements, wishes, to realize your own dreams and creative ideas.
- Individuality, originality of the design. Even taking an idea from the Internet, each creator will bring his own special features to it.
- Moral satisfaction.
- Cost savings. Most likely, this is not even savings, but an opportunity to obtain a high-quality, reliable product at low cost.
The main condition is the presence of desire, in which case you can safely get down to business. The information presented in the article will help you quickly and efficiently create the necessary rack model.
In a new review, the author has collected examples of shelving and shelves that you can cook with your own hands. You need to use them, of course, for their intended purpose. Having looked at the photographs collected here, you can easily make sure that there is nothing fundamentally complicated in the proposed option.
1. In the shape of a circle
An original round shelf, the edging of which is made of thin fiberboard, and the shelves themselves are made of an ordinary board, painted white. Of course, this design will not be suitable for storing the entire home library, but it will be able to accommodate several educational books, a small houseplant and a couple of framed pictures.
2. Hanging shelf
An adorable hanging shelf that can be made from several unnecessary books or notebooks of the same size. Such a shelf is not only suitable for storing cosmetic accessories and small decor items, but in itself will become a wonderful decoration for any wall.
3. Arrow
A stylish illuminated arrow-shaped bookshelf made from leftover metal plumbing pipes will fit perfectly into the interior of a teenage boy's room or bachelor's apartment.
4. Practical and unusual
An original and practical shelf that can be made from a small tray from an old cart and a few wooden blocks. Such a shelf is reliable and spacious and is suitable for storing a variety of things.
5. Charming bookcase
Stylish and original shelving made of a slightly modified and white painted door. Filled with your favorite books, candles, family photos and small decorative elements, this rack will be a real highlight of any space.
6. Narrow slats
Old skis that have been gathering dust in the closet for many years can be used to create unusual shelves. Such shelves will perfectly fit into the interior of the nursery and are suitable for storing toys and books.
7. Stylish copper
Massive shelves made of wood, covered with a stylish copper film, are perfect for placing indoor plants.
8. Old pallet
An old wooden pallet is easy enough to turn into an original shelf for storing magazines and family photos.
9. Industrial style
Stylish storage system in the current industrial style, which can be made of wood or MDF boards, painted in gray and interconnected by a structure of metal water pipes.
10. Bright honeycomb
Original shelves made of bright hexagonal gift boxes attached to mirrors of the same shape. Of course, such a design is unsuitable for storing large, heavy objects, but it is suitable for storing lovely little things and decor items, and will also become a unique wall decoration.
11. Stylish transformation
The drawers of the old table, prepared for disposal, can be used to create original shelves. Drawers, neatly painted and modified to your liking, can be fixed to the wall, both vertically and horizontally, and used for storing a variety of things.
12. Rough design
Rough shelves made of untreated wood, opened with varnish or paint, will perfectly fit into the interior of a room decorated in a rustic or country style.
13. The abundance of cells
A huge wall-to-wall shelving made of a variety of wooden boxes, painted in vibrant colors, can be a stylish and budget alternative to a massive shop closet.
14. Wicker basket
MDF shelves.
Compact MDF shelves with fruit slices painted under them will become a bright and functional decoration of the kitchen wall.
17. Rustic style
A dense piece of bark or untreated wood can be turned into a fantastic hanging shelf that is an ingenious alternative to the standard bedside table.