DIY Locker Shelf
Trying to fit all of your stuff in a locker can be a challenge. Most are compact and have space for only the essentials: a coat, books and a backpack. Usually lockers have only one shelf on which to store personal items such as a purse or lunch. Remedy this by building an inexpensive shelf from plywood.
Things You Will Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper
- 1/2-inch plywood
- Sawhorse
- Ruler
- Hand saw, circular saw or table saw
- Wood glue
- 6 finishing nails 1 inch long
- Hammer
Depending on the shelf's height and locker size, you will need a piece of plywood at least 36 inches by 15 inches. You can place items on top and underneath this homemade shelf.
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Measure the opening and the depth of the locker. Determine how high off the base of the locker you want the shelf to sit. Deduct 1/2 inch off the locker opening and the depth measurements to ensure the assembled shelf will fit in the locker.
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Place the plywood on the saw horse. Draw an outline of the top shelf on the plywood using the measurements from Step 1. Put the outline on a corner to minimize the number of cuts and to not waste wood, which you will need for the legs. Cut along the outline.
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Draw two shelf legs side by side on the plywood using the depth and height measurements, minus 1/2 inch (the thickness of the plywood). Cut along the outlines.
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Glue each leg to the underside of the shelf top so the piece looks like a little table.
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Hammer three finishing nails through the shelf top into each leg: one in the middle and the other two one inch from each end.
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Sand and paint or stain the shelf if you want to give it a more polished look.
Tip
Using a table saw or a circular saw is much quicker than a hand saw and lead to a straighter edge. Make a saw horse by putting two big sturdy boxes approximately a foot apart. Hardware stores often have wood scrap bins where you can find a piece of plywood big enough to complete this project instead of buying a large sheet.
Warning
Wear protective eyewear when operating power tools.
Things You Will Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Paper
- 1/2-inch plywood
- Sawhorse
- Ruler
- Hand saw, circular saw or table saw
- Wood glue
- 6 finishing nails 1 inch long
- Hammer
Tips
- Using a table saw or a circular saw is much quicker than a hand saw and lead to a straighter edge.
- Make a saw horse by putting two big sturdy boxes approximately a foot apart.
- Hardware stores often have wood scrap bins where you can find a piece of plywood big enough to complete this project instead of buying a large sheet.
Warning
- Wear protective eyewear when operating power tools.