9 DIY Ideas for Wood Storage
Regardless of the size of your shop, wood storage and scrap wood storage is always a challenge. After you decide what scrap wood to keep and what to toss, developing a method of sorting and storing wood is imperative for keeping your shop safe and organized.
Even though I have been building for years, I still haven’t found a method that completely works for me. I built this scrap wood storage cart more than five years ago. Once I finished it, I sorted all of my scrap wood by length and inserted it in the corresponding slot. Guess what? Much of the wood I put in there five years ago is still in there!
When choosing a method for wood storage, make sure the method is one that you KNOW you will use. Despite knowing I prefer things at eye level, I built a rolling cutoff cart, which sits on the floor. During the build I was thinking “This is not at eye level and I’m never gonna use this” and “If the scrap is organized, maybe I’ll use it.” Nope, I never used it. EVER! And my friends reading this will say “he’s like the size of an adorable, little garden gnome, this cart IS at his eye level!” And to that I say “C’mon guys, I’m 5′ 4″ – hardly a garden gnome!!!” But I do agree with the adorable part 😉
All joking aside, when choosing a storage solution, go with your gut. Unless you’re planning to make a concerted effort to change your ways (if you’re like me you probably won’t), choose a storage solution that works for your known preferences. In other words, don’t be like me and build something that sits on the floor when you know you will only use it if it’s at eye level.
Below are nine wood storage ideas that fit with my personal preferences and I would be more likely to use. I’ve categorized the free plans by shop size.
Get involved! Do you have a wood storage solution that works for you? I’d love to hear about it! Share your ideas in the comments.
Small Shop Wood Storage
Overhead Lumber Rack – Fine Woodworking
Wall Mounted Lumber Rack – anawhite.com
Folding Lumber Racks – Kreg Tool
Medium Shop Wood Storage
Cutoff Storage Bins – Shop Notes
Cutoff Catchall – Wood Magazine
A Smart Cart for Scraps – Fine Woodworking
Large Shop Wood Storage
DIY Lumber Storage Cart – Shanty 2 Chic
Lots of great ideas. I love how you put most everything on wheels!
Thank you for the compliments Nancy!
Thank you for the inspiration!! I have some old scout chuck boxes I can repurpose for small scraps. I have been trying to find something to do with them. Thanks!
Hi Lisa – Thank you for stopping by. That’s a repurpose and store your scraps. Thank you for sharing!