I’m sure you’ve seen these storage bin racks all over Facebook (if your algorithm knows you like mine knows me). I finally jumped on the bandwagon and built my own using a few 2×4’s and Ana White’s magic calculator!
Let me guess… you opened your garage to grab a rake, and instead, you got a plastic Christmas tree, a box of toddler shoes (your kid is 14 now), and a highly suspicious bag of dried paint rollers avalanche-ing into your shins.
Welcome to garage chaos—it’s where good intentions go to die, and the sawdust bunnies organize better than we do.
But not anymore.
Because today, friends, we are reclaiming the garage—and we’re doing it one glorious, organized, stackable, garage storage bin at a time.
What the Bin is Going On in My Garage?
First off, let’s talk bins. Storage bins. Garage storage bins. The plastic warriors of decluttering. They’re stackable, waterproof-ish, mouse-resistant (mostly), and they can hold everything from camping gear to glitter explosions you swore you’d clean up three years ago.
BUT—(and this is the part where my rage quietly simmers)—they don’t stack well. They topple. They hide the good stuff in the bottom bin like a secret shame. And heaven help you if you need something from that lower bin. You’re about to perform a full-on CrossFit workout to get it.
So what’s the solution?
A garage storage bin rack that’ll blow your DIY-loving socks off.
Ana White to the Rescue (as usual)
You know I love a good shortcut (especially one that doesn’t require algebra), and Ana White has come through again with her totally FREE DIY Tote Storage Rack Configurator and Plans.
Yes. You read that right. Free.
You pop in the size of your bins (because we’ve all bought 14 of them on sale without measuring a single one), and Ana’s configurator magically creates custom plans to build a garage storage bin rack that fits YOUR bins. Like a designer closet, but for your camping gear and Halloween wigs.
How Easy is it to Build?
If you can cut a straight-ish line and wrangle a drill without losing a finger, you’re golden.
Most builds need just a few 2x4s, some screws, and a dream. The rack is fully customizable—stack bins tall, short, wide, or go full warehouse mode. Basically, you’ll feel like a carpentry wizard, but without having to explain why you keep band-aids in your toolbox.
Head to Home Depot (I found the best price on the storage bins there at $11 CDN each for the large 102L), choose your size and guesstimate how many you’ll need to corral your chaos. Click over to Ana’s free calculator and enter the measurements and quantity of your bins.
The calculator will tell you exactly how many boards to buy and provide you with a cut list for your own customized storage!! I was able to use up some scrap wood in the garage before buying more.
And yes, I built one. Yes, I painted it. And yes, I might have named it “Bin Diesel.” He’s sturdy, strong, and handles my storage like a champ.
It’s just a matter of attaching boards like a ladder! Easy-peasy!
Get a few ladders made and then attach them together!
Why You’ll Love This Project:
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No more digging through stacks of bins like a raccoon in your own garage.
- If you’re a DIYer, it keeps the ridiculous amount of sawdust OUT of your belongings
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It gives the illusion that you’re a full-grown adult with their life together.
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It saves SO much space, you might even be able to park your car in your garage. (I know, it’s wild.)
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It’s totally customizable—garage storage bins of all sizes, welcome.
- You can add castors to the bottom if you want your storage bin rack to be moveable from season to season, or even just to give your garage floor a wet-down.
Ana recommends limiting your storage rack to a certain height and then adding plywood to the top to create an additional storage space if you need it. The idea being that after a certain height, even the tallest person would struggle to slide out the bin ‘drawer’ to look inside.
Bonus Tip: Label Everything
Once you’ve got your glorious rack and bins in place, label them! Seasonal décor, tools, pet stuff, paint supplies, “I don’t know but it might be important.” I literally have a bin labelled “THINGS THAT BELONG TO STUFF” for extra parts, manuals, replacement filters etc.
So, to sum up:
If your garage looks like a thrift store exploded and you’re one bin away from being buried alive—stop scrolling and start building.
Grab Ana White’s Free Tote Storage Rack Plans
Grab a few 2x4s and your wayward dignity.
Build the garage storage bin rack of your dreams.
Then step back and admire the sweet, sweet order.
I know it looks like I’m missing two bins, but part of my garage storage bin organizer actually blocks my hose spigot, so my storage actually looks like this:
Nice and symmetrical – bless my OCD-loving heart.
Oh yes, you can tuck your pressure washer, golf clubs, fishing gear etc underneath and then slide bins in above – this covers everything!
#DIY #GarageStorageBins #OrganizedGarageGoals #AnaWhite #100Things2Do #GarageMakeover #ToteStorageRack #DeclutterYourGarage #WoodworkingForBeginners #DIYStorageSolutions #BinThereBuiltThat
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Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go store 17 extension cords, 3 deflated soccer balls, and an inflatable snowman named Gary. But they all have a home now. Because Bin Diesel is watching.