Do you ever find yourself with a large collection of craft items and don’t know how to store them? I seem to have amassed a fairly large collection of craft paints. I had them in a basket but that just wasn’t working for me any longer. It was taking too long to find the color I was looking for plus it was a mess. I knew I could come up with something better. Here is my DIY Paint Storage Shelf.
This was a super-easy build and it didn’t cost much to make. Home Depot has craft boards in their lumber aisle. I love using those for small projects like this mostly because I can fit them in my car and don’t have to borrow someone’s truck to get them home.
Want to make one? Here’s how:
Materials used:
- a piece of 1/4″ plywood (the size this will determine the size of your shelf. I had a scrap piece that measured about 18″ wide x 19 3.4″ high)
- 3-1/2″ x 1/2″ boards
- 1-1/2″ x 1.2″ boards
- paint
Tools used*:
- Ryobi miter saw
- Ryobi AirStrike Stapler
*I am fortunate that I have these power tools (thanks to Santa and Ryobi!), but I would think you could cut this thin wood with a hand saw or better yet, have Home Depot cut it for you. And small wood nails could be used if you don’t have an Airstrike stapler….yet.
- Cut (or have cut) the 3-1/2 boards: 2 @ the height of the plywood piece and 2 @ the the width of plywood piece minus one inch.
- Staple together to form a rectangle frame
- Staple the plywood back onto the frame
- Cut (or have cut) the 1-1/2″ x 1/2″ boards to the inside width dimension of your shelf. I cut six of these for my shelf. Dry fit them into your shelf and tilt them before stapling. The tilted shelves keep the bottles of paint from falling out.
Now that the shelf is assembled it’s time to sand and paint.
I used a gray craft paint that I had on hand. I plan on doing a little fun decorating to this piece. More on that in a week or two. But for now I love that my paint collection has a pretty, organized home!
It’s so nice to be able to see all of the colors at a glance. It beats dumping out a basket of paints looking for the one I thought I had!
Tell me. How do you store your craft and DIY supplies? And if you make this shelf I’d love to hear about it!
Update: I have made an even bigger paint storage shelf. The plans and instructions are over on RYOBI Nation!
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
July 28, 2014 at 7:23 amJeanie this came out great! Love that you angled the shelves!
Michelle from Weekend Craft recently posted…Creative Spark Link Party #12
Jeanie says
July 28, 2014 at 10:04 amThanks Michelle! I just wish I had made it bigger – I still have more paint! Guess I’ll have to make another one ; )
Nicole says
July 28, 2014 at 10:25 amThis is such a great idea! I’m going to have to make one! Now I need you to come up with one to store the paint samples from lowes! I have so many of them. Lol
Jeanie says
July 28, 2014 at 11:09 amNicole, you are reading my mind!!! And thank you for the kind comment!
Meaghan says
July 28, 2014 at 8:06 pmI condensed my 2 bedroom apartment in a one bedroom at my mom’s house last year when I lost my job. This is definitely going on pinterest though for when I have my own space again. Love!
~Meaghan from DIYfaerie
Jeanie says
July 29, 2014 at 5:32 pmHi Meaghan! Thanks for pinning, and I hope you do make one!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
July 29, 2014 at 8:44 amGreat DIY! Thanks for sharing at the Twirl & Take a Bow Party!
Leslie
Jeanie says
July 29, 2014 at 5:31 pmThank you Leslie!
Kim says
July 29, 2014 at 11:57 amI love this organization shelf you made! It looks easy to make and so nice to see every color available. You’ve got my wheels turning since I so badly need to do something like this! 🙂
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Jeanie says
July 29, 2014 at 5:30 pmThanks Kim! It is super easy to make.
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says
July 29, 2014 at 12:19 pmI love this shelf, Jeanie. It is so useful, functional and stylish! I need one. I have my paints in shoe boxes….I’m fancy schmancy like that! 😉 Thanks so much for sharing at Project Inspire{d}. Pinning to our party board.
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline recently posted…Coconut Oil and Coffee Hand and Body Scrub
Jeanie says
July 29, 2014 at 5:29 pmHaha Mary Beth! I know what you mean….I found more in bags in my craft room. Looks like I’ll need to make a bigger shelf! Thanks so much for pinning!
arod says
July 30, 2014 at 10:10 amwow Jeanie your getting pretty handy w the power tools now love how this turned out awesome job
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Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
August 18, 2015 at 7:46 amJeanie.. You rocked this project! I need one of these. Great tutorial too my friend, pinned and sharing!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…Barbecues & DIY Painted Wood Spoons
Leanna says
October 17, 2016 at 3:03 pmThis is a terrific idea. I love things organized. I currently have all my paints standing in a lidded plastic container, but they are about to overflow. This will prevent the ever ending searching for the colour I just KNOW I already own.
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Marie says
October 18, 2016 at 1:32 pmThis is fantastic! I currently use a hanging organizer meant for storing canned goods so there can be wasted space depending on the size of the paint container. This would be super easy to customize for maximum space usage. Thanks for sharing your project with us at Merry Monday this week!
Heidi says
October 19, 2016 at 1:22 pmI so need this! Thanks for the tutorial!
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Nicole says
October 24, 2016 at 10:47 pmI have a huge drawer full of the little craft paint bottles, that I was just thinking needed a better solution. This is a nice storage shelf! Thanks for sharing your idea with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week. Hope to see you again when the party goes live on Friday at 12AM EST!
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