# Help me choose boards for basement storage **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2014, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393 "2014-10-15T12:52:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393/21 "2014-10-17T14:06:06Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > $40 will buy cheap plastic shelves 5 level high - each shelf is about 2 1/2" thick - no discoloration, no warp-age, no water damage,and you can cut the tubes which separate the shelves into bits as long as you’d like for elevation. Yep. I built a 12’ X 40’ loft in our barn over the summer for storage. I was originally going to build shelves using 2X4s and plywood. But then I discovered the wonderful world of plastic shelves. I went to Lowe’s and purchased twenty of these for $30 each. They only take 5 minutes to assemble, and they’re quite strong. I am now in the process of fixing up a room in our basement for storage. I have already purchased these same plastic shelves for it. ---
**Author:** ![LynnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393/22 "2014-10-18T19:44:13Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Yep. > > I built a 12’ X 40’ loft in our barn over the summer for storage. I was originally going to build shelves using 2X4s and plywood. But then I discovered the wonderful world of plastic shelves. I went to Lowe’s and purchased twenty of these for $30 each. They only take 5 minutes to assemble, and they’re quite strong. > > I am now in the process of fixing up a room in our basement for storage. I have already purchased these same plastic shelves for it. Lowe’s claims these shelves are 36-inches wide. I’d like to put three 12-inch-wide, 15-inch-deep boxes on each shelf. Would this be doable? I’m wondering if the vertical support posts “intrude” into shelf area, making the true usable shelf width less than full 36-inches. [I’m careful with stated dimensions after learning a “2-by-4” = 1.5-by-3.5.] ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393/23 "2014-10-18T20:07:29Z")
Of course the usable shelf space is going to be less than 36 inches. I’m wondering if you can put the third box in sideways and have it protrude slightly out the side of the unit. I don’t know if there is 12 inches of clearance between the support poles, though. I have these same shelves in my basement. I’ll go measure. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393/24 "2014-10-18T20:15:51Z")
I just measured. I don’t think you can get three boxes on each shelf on that unit. I also have a bigger version that I’d recommend but it’s pricier ($50). > **[HDX 5-Tier Plastic Garage Storage Shelving Unit in Gray (36 in. W x 72 in. H...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-Tier-Plastic-Garage-Storage-Shelving-Unit-in-Gray-36-in-W-x-72-in-H-x-24-in-D-128974/100006678)** > > The HDX 5-tier shelving unit is 72 in. H x 36 in. W x 24 in. D. Use this multi-purpose storage organizer in your home, garage, basement or utility area to keep your space neat and manageable. HDX designed I like this one better because all the shelves are grates instead of a solid plastic shelf that could hold moisture. It’s also deeper so you can definitely get three boxes abreast on each shelf. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-boards-for-basement-storage/701393.md?page=1)