Thread: Upgrading steel storage unit

Was in two minds about posting this, since I'm fitting out a store-bought shelving unit and not building everything from scratch. But then, I love how this turned out and as with previous projects I learned new or refined skills along the way.

This started because I hated the inefficient use of space, and overall clutter, of this unit. Plus I had a lot of sheet goods material that wasn't much good for indoor furniture and that I wanted to use up. So here I went ...

This is what I started with - a basic shelving unit bought 4yrs ago before I knew a stick of woodworking. Strong and sturdy was about the only notable characteristic of these shelves; oh, that and being overpriced for what it is.

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The lower shelving spaces is what I targeted. I figured the middle section was decent enough to start with building in some drawers, so cut some plywood for the base and internal dividers. The dividers screwed into the underside of the existing workbench, and secured the ends into the steel frame.

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Then started building out some basic drawer boxes. I was so happy with these - I don't know what I've been doing differently before this project, but this is the first time I've had drawer boxes come out completely square so I was stoked. Installed with some cheap- sliders (proper slides are hella expensive!); so far so good. Cut in some dados with multiple spacings for drawer dividers; also cut in a dado flush to the sides of the drawer so the dividers could be stored when not in use. Useful or overkill? I dunno - we'll see!

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With the middle section done, then started the same process with the larger lower section. At this point I'd finished using most of my available plywood, so started using some MDF sheets I had. So far, no new materials bought. Cut and installed in a similar fashion to the middle section.

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Decided on having multiple drawers continue down the middle of the lower section, opting for cupboards on the left and right. One thing that caught me out here is that I built the middle section and its drawers before I long decided to build drawers in the lower section, so they ended up being a different size than the two in the upper two. Not hugely, but noticeable if you look (a little more obvious when the false fronts are on).

(I had a lot of trial and error trying to get even spacing between these drawers; consumed an abnormal amount of time and I installed and ripped them out over and over again until I got a better distribution. There must be an easier way ...)

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The cupboards simply have an adjustable MDF shelf in each; given the width of the cupboard space, elected to install dual doors on both sides and installed using European hinges (first time using those - so easy to micro-adjust!). Nearly finished; just missing handles on the left cupboard doors (miscounted, oops) and then to finish oiling the same as the middle section. For all my false fronts, styles and rails, I just used cheap pine boards from the big box store (the only material aside from the hardware I bought for this project); the plywood door panels I had on hand, hence the mismatch in colour, but it works for me.

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Final result:

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Notable outcomes of this project:
- Custom fit out cost more than the purchase of the unit!
- Plan and cut all drawers in the one go, for uniformity
- This unit is now a beast to move. Would need disassembling if we move house
- Better utility than the bare bones unit
- No more glaring disorganised junk (that's what the cupboards are for!)
- Enjoyed this practical build and far less concerned about making mistakes (it's just for the garage)

Would love to hear others' thoughts, and if you've done similar fit outs to existing units yourself (pics please). Thanks for reading through