Transforming My Furnace Room with Custom Shelving

If you’re like me, the furnace room in your home might be the place where everything you don’t know what to do with ends up. It’s the space that’s often forgotten, full of mismatched bins and piles that just don’t seem to stay organized. Recently, I decided it was time to take control and create a system that not only looks tidy but makes accessing stored items a breeze. Here’s how I built custom shelving to store my bins and transformed the furnace room into a functional and organized space.

Step 1: Assessing the Space and Planning

The first step in any organizational project is understanding the space you’re working with. I measured the dimensions of the furnace room and took note of all the potential obstacles, like the furnace, water heater, and any exposed pipes or vents. My goal was to maximize storage without compromising access to these utilities.

Once I had my measurements, I turned my attention to the bins. I decided to stick with these sturdy black bins with yellow lids (that I already had about 20 of from moving across the country a couple of years ago) for a uniform look. Knowing the dimensions of my bins, I sketched out a shelving design that would perfectly fit them—both in width and height—allowing easy access and minimizing wasted space. My design allowed for 25 bins in total (five across and five high.)

Step 2: Gathering Materials and Tools

With my plan in hand, I gathered the necessary materials:

• 2×4 lumber for the frame and supports
• Plywood or an OSB sheet for added stability or for a top shelf (optional, depending on your design – I added one for extra storage up top)
• Wood screws
• A drill, saw (both a table saw and either mitre saw or circular saw), and measuring tape
• Level (I used my laser level but any 4′ level should do) and square for ensuring everything was straight and aligned
• I also made sure to have safety equipment like gloves, hearing protection and goggles, because power tools and wood dust can be unforgiving.

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Step 3: Building the Shelves

This is where the fun began! I started by constructing the frame for the shelves. Using my 2x4s, I laid down bottom plates and installed vertical supports, connecting them with horizontal braces at the appropriate heights to fit my bins. Here are the key steps:

Cutting the Lumber: I cut all the wood to the appropriate lengths based on my design and the spacing needed for the bins. I also ripped down my horizontal support pieces on a table saw to 1-3/4 inch so I was able to get double the amount of supports out of one piece of lumber.

Assembling the Frame: I used wood screws to secure the vertical supports to the horizontal braces. A level was my best friend to make sure everything was straight.

Adding Stability: To prevent wobbling, I secured the entire structure to the wall studs. Building the shelves took a couple of evenings, but seeing the frame come together was incredibly satisfying. And yes, I wore my trusty overalls for the job—they’re basically my DIY uniform now and are the most comfortable for this postpartum mama!

Step 4: Organizing the Bins

Once the shelves were built and secured, I brought in the bins. Each bin was labeled with its contents using blue painter’s tape and a permanent marker (maybe it’s time to invest in a label maker and bring my organizational game up a notch!)

Some of the labels include:

Tickle Trunk (Costumes)
Baby Clothes (Open Feb 2025)
Seasonal Decor
Books

This labeling system allows me to find what I need at a glance without having to dig through piles. I was careful to place heavier items on the lower shelves for safety and ease of access. Lighter items like holiday decorations went higher up.

Step 5: The Finished Product

The transformation is incredible! The furnace room went from chaotic to clean and functional. The uniform bins look fantastic, and the sturdy custom shelving gives me peace of mind knowing everything is securely in place. Now, when I need to grab something, it takes seconds instead of a frustrating search.

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Tips for Building Your Own Custom Shelving

Plan Before You Start: Take the time to measure your space and design your shelving around the items you’ll be storing.
Use Sturdy Materials: Invest in quality lumber and screws to ensure your shelves can hold up over time.
Label Everything: A clear labeling system is key to maintaining your organization.
Keep Safety in Mind: Secure the shelving to the wall and distribute weight evenly.

Building custom shelves for my furnace room was one of the most rewarding DIY projects I’ve done in this house. Not only is the space now functional, but it also brings me joy every time I walk in and see the organized bins neatly lined up. If you’ve been putting off tackling your storage areas, I hope this inspires you to dive in and create a system that works for you!

Want ALL of the details? See below for a material list and approximate cost of this project!

Cheers, Kate 🙂

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Material List:

(4) 2”x4”x10’ SPF Select 2Btr Grade Lumber ($7.83 each)

(21) 2”x4”x8’ SPF Select 2Btr Grade Lumber ($4.58 each) (or substitute with 92-5/8” if they’re available in your region – they’re about $1 cheaper per piece)

(1) 3/8 4X8 OSB Sheathing (for the top) ($21.12 each)

(25) HDX 102L Stackable Tough Strong Storage Tote Bin, Plastic Organizer Box, Black Base & Yellow Snap-on Lid ($12.00 each)

(1) Paulin #8 x 3-inch Flat Head Square Drive Construction Screws in Yellow Zinc – 1000pcs ($50.00) – you’ll have lots extra but nice to have more than enough than not enough

Cut List:

This cut list is for a configuration that will fit five bins across and five bins tall (25 bins total)

4 Horizontal bottom and top plates cut at 112″ (cut from the 2″x4″10′ pieces)

12 Vertical pieces cut at 84″ (cut from 2″x4″x8′)

9 – 2″x4″x8′ ripped in half (1-3/4″) and cut to 28.5″ – you will need 50 pieces for the horizontal supports under the bins

For installation, I installed the ripped 1-3/4 pieces along the 84″ vertical pieces at these specific measurements: first piece was installed at 14″ (to the top of the horizontal piece). The second piece was installed 16.5″ from the top of the first. The third was installed 16.5″ from the top second. The fourth was installed 16.5″ from the top of the third and so on.

Repeat for every vertical piece.

The spacing I left for the bins was 20.5″ between the vertical pieces.

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Total cost of project should be around $560 for all materials including taxes (in Canada)

I had most of the bins, about twelve 2”x4”s and a box of screws left over from a project so in total this project cost me just over $150 dollars.

Happy building and organizing!

Comments

1. You make it look easy, thanks for the inspiration!

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2. Loved this project!! .. now love the blogging. Way to goooo mama-as Griff napped!

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   • Thanks Pamela! Having limited time has made me extra focused on what I need to get done! Organization and blogging are on the top of my ‘to do’ list for this year 🙂

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