This project was built and designed by Stan Sullivan from Simply Easy DIY. These storage bins are budget-friendly, easy to build, and a great way to keep clutter under control in your garage, workshop, or home.
Stan focuses on making woodworking accessible, and this project is a perfect example. With minimal tools and a few boards, you can build customizable storage bins that are sturdy, stackable, and stylish.
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Why Make Your Own Storage Bins?
Pre-made storage solutions can be expensive and not always sized to fit your space. Stan’s bins solve both of those problems: they’re affordable—roughly $2 per bin—and can be scaled or modified to suit any area or need.
DIY bins also give you control over durability and appearance. Whether you leave the wood raw or apply a finish, the result is a custom solution that looks good and functions well.
Materials and Tools to Get Started
Stan recommends using pine or plywood for this project. Both are easy to work with and cost-effective, making them great choices for a batch build or first-time effort.
Basic woodworking tools are all you need: a miter saw or circular saw, a table saw for ripping, clamps, wood glue, and a drill. Even without a workshop full of tools, this is a very approachable build.
Cutting the Pieces
Begin by cutting your pieces to length with a miter saw. Stan emphasizes the importance of consistency here—identical sides make for a square, solid bin.
Once the crosscuts are made, the boards are ripped to width on a table saw. This step lets you adjust bin size based on your available space, material width, or the items you plan to store.
Assembly Made Easy
The bin structure consists of four sides and a bottom. Stan keeps the design intentionally simple so builders can create multiple bins quickly without sacrificing strength.
The sides are attached to the base using glue and screws or nails. A square or corner clamps help keep everything aligned during this step. For extra strength, you can add glue blocks or small braces to the interior corners.
Functional Upgrades
If you’re planning to use the bins in a rolling cart or shelf system, Stan recommends adding a simple stop or guide. This keeps the bins aligned and prevents them from tipping or catching when sliding in and out.
These add-ons are completely optional but offer a noticeable improvement in everyday use. Stan shows how a scrap piece of wood can act as an effective and clean-looking stop block.
Sanding and Finishing
Once the bins are assembled, Stan sands down all edges to remove splinters and soften corners. A palm sander or sanding block works well here and speeds up the process, especially if you’re building a batch.
Depending on your preference, you can paint or stain the bins to match your decor. A clear finish adds protection, but even raw wood offers a clean, natural look that’s great for workshops or garages.
Where to Use Them
These bins are endlessly versatile. Use them in the garage to hold hardware and tools, or bring them into the house for storing craft supplies, toys, or pantry goods.
Because they’re stackable, they can also be integrated into custom shelves or carts. The design adapts well to vertical storage solutions, helping maximize space in tight areas.
Supporting Resources
Stan provides full cut lists and material breakdowns on his website, Simply Easy DIY. That makes it easy to follow along or scale the project to fit your needs.
If you’re on social media, Stan also shares tips and behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Facebook and Pinterest. It’s a great way to stay inspired between builds.
Why This Project Works
This project works because it’s straightforward, inexpensive, and useful. Stan’s approach keeps things beginner-friendly without sacrificing quality or durability.
Each bin takes just a short time to build, and the process becomes even faster when making multiple units. The repetitive cuts and clean joinery make it ideal for batch production.
A Great Intro to Functional Woodworking
For those just getting into woodworking, this is the kind of project that builds confidence. It introduces basic tool use, layout, cutting, assembly, and finishing—all while resulting in something genuinely useful.
Stan’s method is proof that simple doesn’t mean boring. With clean lines and practical features, these DIY storage bins are a satisfying project with long-term utility.
Get Stan’s Plans here: https://www.simplyeasydiy.com/2015/05/wooden-storage-crate.html.