Simpson
14. A DIY Attic Pulley System Idea
You’re ready for a decluttering spree. The attic’s the perfect storage space, especially for those living alone or elderly, but why struggle lugging boxes up there when you can use a smart pulley system?
It eased our work by 75%!
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Don’t let the initial setup overwhelm you. The beauty is in the customization. Our author 3D-printed wheels, ensuring they smoothly slide on our attic ladder.
You’ll need the following:
- Materials: 3D printer, skateboard bearings, washers (5/16 inch), 4 bolts (5/16-24 X 1-1/2), 2+ pulleys, 50ft para chord.
- Tools: Nail gun, saw/jigsaw, clamps, socket wrench, drill, speed square, tape measure.
- Wood: Plywood (3/4in. x 2ft. x 2ft.), hardwood (1in. x 2in. x 4ft.).
Step 2: Plan Your Design
Our source used Solid Works, but any design tool works. Download their STL if you want our wheel design!
Step 3: Prepping the Plywood
Measure your attic ladder. Cut the plywood, typically to 14″ width. For straight cuts, use a wood fence with a jig saw.
Step 4: Wheel Time!
It’s a bit intricate but rewarding. Drill four holes in the 1″x2″x2′ wood. Attach bolts, washers, wheels, and skateboard bearings, and then secure with nuts.
Step 5: Merging Wheels and Body
You’ve got four functional wheels! Attach them to the plywood. Remember to leave 1 inch for ladder fitting.
Step 6: Test Run
Slide your creation on the ladder. If it glides smoothly, you’re golden. And, nope, it’s not a makeshift skateboard!
Step 7: Stability is Key
The backboard must withstand the weight. Attach a small wood barrier for extra support. Add a 1″x 2’x2′ wood piece at the bottom for attaching the para chord. Nail a plywood section (8″ tall, 14″ wide) as your backboard. Add another plywood bit for nail grip.
Step 8: Pulleys in Place
Drill a hole, insert the para chord, and secure with a knot. Melt the chord’s end to prevent fraying. Install pulleys inside your attic and thread the para chord. The magic? Your load feels 75% lighter!
Step 9: Celebrate!
Experience the thrill as the weight is slashed by 75%. Whether you’re below or in the attic, hauling stuff becomes a breeze. No more fearing those creaky stairs or imagining unfortunate accidents.
Goodbye to the days of wrestling with regular doors that eat up space, and hello to the sleek pivot door that rotates effortlessly!
Enjoyed this guide? Share it, and happy decluttering!
13. Upgrade Your IKEA Shoe Cabinet: The Ultimate DIY Storage Solution!
Tired of shoe piles cluttering your floor? Tried rubber shoe mats but ended up with stacked, mismatched footwear. Time for a game-changing IKEA hack!
Everyone loves the IKEA Hemnes shoe cabinet—its tilting drawers, split bins for double storage, and sleek design. But what if it’s too tall or wide for your space? Simple solution: DIY it!
How to Customize Your IKEA Shoe Cabinet:
1. *Materials*: Grab a 1”x12”x4’ Common Board, a saw, tape measure, pencil, speed square, sandpaper, prestain, and your choice of stain.
2. Measure your space. Our source wall, for instance, was 33 5/8” wide.
3. Cut the board according to your measurement.
4. Test the stain on a piece of the cut-off board. Your recommendation is Early American stain.
5. Stain and attach the wood using wood glue and the cabinet’s original screws. Just mark the holes on the new board and measure the depth of the original top holes.
6. Coat with polycrylic, let it dry, and boom! Your bespoke shoe storage is ready.
12. Enclosed Shelves for more organized space {Transcript version}
Hey there, it’s Rachel Lynn from Queen B.O. Honeydew’s with part two of the garage overhaul! Ever seen those elegant faux cabinets?
Let’s DIY them!
If you missed part one on building shelves, check it out.
Transforming Shelves to Cabinets:
1. Prepping for the Doors: To create a flush surface for the doors, I added a horizontal 2×4 between the legs. Smoothed it with wood putty and gave it a primer coat followed by two paint coats. Tip: Paint only what’s visible – the face frame.
2. Hinge Installation: Lay out your doors, ensuring hinge sides face inwards. Traditional hinges? Cheap and fuss-free. A handy hint – using a square ensures evenly placed hinges. Opt for 3.25-inch doors for more resilience. I went with half-inch panels to utilize what I had.
3. Mounting Doors: Use a level as a ledge. Keep it straight, clamp it, and screw the doors. For subsequent doors, just shift the level, clamp and screw. Bottom doors? Eyeball and align using shims.
4. Side Panels: Needed extra support like in part one? Just add them! Attach side panels with a nail gun. I matched the length of my doors. The finishing touch? A 3.25-inch trim and corner molding, which I’ll paint later.
Peek into the Garage’s Future:
Behind me? Soon-to-be workbench space. Lighting fixtures and storage are on the cards. Also, look out for a mud bench area close to the door!
11. Dream Closet Makeover: Charlestoncrafted Guide
Overflowing with clothes? Dive into this sassy Charlestoncrafted guide for that dream closet makeover. Admit it – double closets in the master bedroom sound perfect, right? But if yours came with basic wire racks like mine, it’s time for an upgrade.
Before splashing cash on Martha Stewart’s closet kits (which, spoiler alert, aren’t always as “cheap” as touted), why not opt for some nifty DIY?
Bring in the IKEA magic! With their Expedit system, imagine centering an Expedit in each closet and rods jutting out on both sides. One for clothes, one for accessories. Oh, and if your closet measurements are anywhere around 60” wide and 18” deep, this guide is *tailored* for you.
Holiday haul from IKEA:
- 2x Expedit 5×1 shelves ($59 each)
- 3x Expedit drawers ($25 each)
- More tidbits, including bins and pop-up shelves (from $5 – $8).
Later, at Lowe’s:
- Various boards (from $12 – $18)
- 6x rods at $6.50
- Screws, brackets, and such (totaling less than $50).
Boom! A grand makeover under $350 versus the $800+ from Martha’s collection.
Steps to Awesomeness:
1. Empty out those bursting closets.
2. Yank out the outdated wire shelves (trickier than it sounds). Repair holes with wood filler.
3. Pro tip: Paint now for a smoother finish.
4. Assemble the Expedit, easy-peasy.
5. Secure Expedit in the closet’s center and attach it to the wall.
6. Next, rods or shelves? Sean’s takeaway: whichever you choose second is trickier, thanks to space restrictions. Drill, anchor, screw, and attach those rods and shelves. Remember, L brackets can be your BFF here.
7. Finish off with wire shelves above for that extra storage space.
Slide in your dresses, shoes, and everything else.
The Expedits might hog some rod space, but the vertical storage is a game-changer.
