Step Aside Wire Shelves: The Easy Way To Add Storage To A Garage With An IKEA DIY

Wire shelves can be a good way to add vertical storage space to your garage. However, there are more stylish space-saving techniques that could actually be simple to DIY. TikTok user @homebyzan chose to transform the IKEA GERSBY bookcase into storage for tall garage items like pipes and lumber. While not everyone is a handyman with spare building materials on hand, this same kind of organizer could also store tall garden tools like shovels, rakes, or weed trimmers. The GERSBY is one of those budget-friendly finds that could level up your garage. At $59, it is also far more affordable than classic wire shelves, which could cost upwards of $100.

What makes this DIY more functional than a typical shelf unit is that caster wheels are added to the GERSBY, creating rolling vertical storage. A few bookcases lined up beside one another become easy-to-access rolling organizers that don't take up a ton of garage space. The GERSBY is slim, only measuring 9½ inches deep and 23⅝ inches wide. And, for those seeking tips for making garage storage shelves look more luxe, these bookcases can be painted any color you prefer. Rather than looking at boring wire, these wooden shelves look like furniture, because that is what they were initially intended to be. Also, you can add your favorite pull or knob handle to give the items a touch of glam. Just keep in mind that these shelves may not be as sturdy or capable of bearing heavy loads like other industrial garage storage units. 

For this DIY, you'll need the GERSBY bookcase, four casters, a piece of 1-by-4 wood that is 4 feet long, a 2-by-4 that is 2 feet long, some white paint, and your choice of cabinet pulls. Start by assembling the IKEA GERSBY as per its instructions, but omit adding the shelves. Instead, you will attach one shelf upright across the front of the bookcase's base. Doing so creates a box or pocket for tools to slot into. For more stability, cut your 1-by-4 into two 22½ inch pieces. Screw one piece about halfway up your cabinet, so that it becomes a crossbar. You can screw the second piece a few inches above the shelf that is attached at the bottom.

@homebyzan ♬ original sound – HomeByZan

Next, you'll add your casters. Cut two 2-by-4s to 12 inches long. Then, attach two casters to either end of the boards, screwing only half of the base of the casters. After that, attach the boards to the bottom of the bookcase by laying the unit on its side and aligning the 2-by-4 with the base. Once drilled into the base, screw the second half of the casters to the bookcase itself. While optional, you can paint the pieces of wood white to match the cabinet. Then, stand the cabinet upright again and attach your choice of hardware to the side panel to make it easy to slide the bookcase out as needed.

If you want to create an affordable storage system that keeps your garage organized, use a variety of IKEA shelving units to optimize your storage space. For example, the IVAR shelf unit can be modified to become another slim rolling vertical cabinet to store lumber, yard tools, or smaller items in bins. Reinforcing the frame, adding a plywood backing, installing casters, mounting wood braces, and inserting dividers can create a great tall storage unit that is compatible with the upcycled GERSBY. Leaving the sides open on the IVAR could allow you to store larger sheets of wood or building materials. Additionally, you could keep the top shelf for smaller bins.

Alternatively, the beloved BILLY bookcase can be used as well. Assemble the BILLY bookcase per its instructions and then add caster wheels, support rails for each shelf, and a side handle to make a rolling cabinet. This iteration is best for storing smaller items, totes, tool organizers, and supplies on the shelves. The GERSBY could also be used in this way but as a slimmer alternative to the BILLY. Just be sure to add reinforcements with 2-by-4s at the base for added security and stability when installing the casters. Together, all of these storage options slide beautifully beside one another, allowing you to effortlessly pull out the vertical storage drawer you need for your project.