How to Install Utility Shelves

Instructions

1. 1 Mark ceiling

   

   Mark the location of top plates on the ceiling. One plate should be flush against the wall, and the other should be parallel to the first plate, with the front edge 24" from the wall. Cut 2 × 4 top plates to full length of utility shelves, then attach to ceiling joists or blocking using 3" screws. 

2. 2 Marking

   
   

   Mark points directly beneath the outside corners of the top plates to find the outer sole plate locations using a plumb bob as a guide (top). Mark the sole plate locations by drawing lines perpendicular to the wall, connecting each pair of points (bottom).

3. 3 Cut outer plates

   
   

   Cut the outer 2 × 4 sole plates and position them perpendicular to the wall, just inside the outlines. Shim plates to level if needed, then attach to the floor with a powder-actuated nailer or 3" screws. Attach a center sole plate midway between the outer sole plates.

4. 4 Prep risers

   
   

   Prepare the shelf risers by cutting 7/8"-wide, 3/4"-deep dadoes with a router. Cut dadoes every 4" along the inside face of each 2 × 4 riser, with the top and bottom dadoes cut about 12" from the ends of the 2 × 4. Tip: Gang cut the risers by laying them flat and clamping them together, then attaching an edge guide to align the dado cuts. For each cut, make several passes with the router, gradually extending the bit depth until dadoes are 3/4" deep.

5. 5 Trim risers

   
   

   Trim the shelf risers to uniform length before unclamping them. Use a circular saw and a straightedge guide.

6. 6 Build center supports

   
   

   Build two center shelf supports by positioning pairs of shelf risers back-to-back and joining them with wood glue and 21/2" screws

7. 7 Build end shelf supports

   
   

   Build four end shelf supports by positioning the back of a dadoed shelf riser against a 2 × 4 of the same length, then joining the 2 × 4 and the riser with glue and 21/2" screws.

8. 8 Attach supports

   
   

   Position an end shelf support at each corner of the shelving unit between the top and the sole plates. Attach the supports by driving 3" screws toenail-style into the top plate and sole plates.

9. 9 Anchoring units

   

   Position a center shelf support (both faces dadoed) at each end of the center sole plate, then anchor shelf supports to the sole plate using 3" screws driven toenail-style. Use a framing square to align the center shelf supports perpendicular to the top plates, then anchor to top plates.

10. 10 Slide shelves into grooves

    
    

    Measure the distance between the facing dado grooves and subtract 1/4". Cut the plywood shelves to fit and slide the shelves into the grooves.