Have lots of stencils and don’t know where or how to store them? Organize your stencils with this large, easy and strong wood stencil storage rack made from 2x4s! Easy to customize to the exact size you need for all your stencil supplies. Includes tips on staining wood to look reclaimed.
In my quest to further revamp my paint studio downstairs, I have a new and improved update to share today! And boy did it turn out great!
Make this stencil trolley HERE
As most of you that already follow know, I collect a LOT of stencils, thanks to carrying my own line of stencils you can check out HERE
While THIS super cool stencil storage trolley has proven to work so amazing to store stencils, I was quickly outgrowing the space it provided as you can clearly see in the above pic!
So when some seasonal stencils recently took up residence in a nearby coat closet, it was time to revamp this stencil storage space.
But I wanted it rustic, easy to make, price efficient while offering lots of extra space. And I do believe I accomplished all that and more with this easy-build 2×4 wood stencil storage rack!
Here’s what I came up with!
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Easy and strong 2×4 wood stencil storage rack
Supplies used:
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4 2x4s to the height of the ceiling
Additional 2x4s cut the depth desired
Fusion Mineral Paint’s Stain & Finishing Oil in Golden Pine and Driftwood
Fusion MIneral Paint’s Coal Black paint
Locate a local Fusion merchant HERE
Chip brush for staining
Cordless drill and screws
Cutting the wood
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1. Cut 4 2x4s to just under the height of your ceiling.
Mine measure: 7′ long.
Since I was working with this perfect little alcove, I decided to use the entire area up from floor to ceiling, left to right. So the 2x4s were cut from top to bottom to fit just under the ceiling height.
Creating side supports
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2. Cut several 2×4 supports to the length of the desired storage depth.
Mine measure: 21″ long.
Dry-fitting the stencils
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I based my own storage rack depth on how the stencils hung on an angle from vintage hangers. The goal was to ensure they didn’t stick out beyond the storage area. Dry fitting the boards with the stencils helped me decide.
Drilling pocket holes to assemble
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3. Drill 2 pocket holes on each side of the supports, using a Kreg Jig K4.
To assemble wood, I really love using pocket holes because they create super strong joins.
However if you don’t own a Kreg Jig, you can also assemble the storage rack with just long screws.
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Kreg Jig Video tutorial
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Click above to watch a short video on how to use a Kreg Jig. It’s really easy!
Read all about how to use a Kreg Jig in a blog post HERE
Staining the wood
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4. Stain or paint the 2x4s before assembling.
Since I was going for a reclaimed wood look, I played around with some stain until I achieved the tone I was after. And the middle plank stain tone did it for me!
View Fusion Mineral Paint’s Stain & Finishing Oil HERE
Find a local Fusion retailer HERE
Left – original 2×4 untouched
Middle – A mix of Fusion Mineral Paint’s Stain and Finishing Oil in Golden Pine and Driftwood
Right – Golden Pine
How to stain wood to resemble reclaimed wood
Mixing your own tone of stain and easy! Pour the various stains into a plastic container, stir, and test until you achieve the desired tone. I like to use the same product to ensure it’s compatible.
- Mix together Fusion’s Golden Pine and Driftwood about ½ and ½
- Test it to ensure it’s the tone you desire
- Tweak the stain recipe until you achieve the tone you love!
Read further on how I mix my own stain tones in THIS POST
5. Attach the side supports to the long 2x4s through the pocket holes using screws.
To position, choose which main supports will hang the stencils, then work the other supports around them.
I actually ran out of 2x4s so I’ll need to add another to my shopping list to get this finished look.
Attaching to the wall
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6. Secure each ‘stencil ladder’ to the wall with screws.
My own stencil storage rack reached wall studs on both sides which proved to be enough support. An additional horizontal back support or 2 could also be added to ensure you hit a few wall studs.
And unless you cut away the baseboard, you will end up with a small gap between a ladder and wall. A wood spacer can be used to fill in the gap, but I didn’t mind the screws showing a little.
Adding closet dowels to hang stencils
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7. Cut two wooden closet dowels to the desired width of your stencil storage rack.
I installed the sides of the rack first, then measured for the perfect width to cut the dowels.
8. Paint the closet dowels with Fusion’s Coal Black.
I chose black so it contrasted against the wood toned build.
9. Position the closet dowel into place, then attach by screwing in from the outside of the frame.
Looking mighty fine I’d say! This easy-build 2×4 wood stencil storage rack has all the rustic charm, with a ton of space to get the job done!
So let’s load it up and put it to work!
The loaded stencil storage rack!
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Wow! Would you look at all that stencil hanging space?! It’s like a stencil closet!
Love the two levels! The top rung is geared for shorter stencils, and the bottom fitting the larger hanging stencils perfectly.
Since I use vintage wooden hangers to hang my stencils, a closet dowel works perfectly.
How to hang stencils from vintage hangers:
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- Punch a hole on one top corner of each stencil.
- Insert the hanger through the hole.
- Hang all stencils on the same angle.
Display finished signs!
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Since the inside the stencil storage rack had a little empty wall space, I decided to display a few signs made with… what else? Stencils!
You can leave it simple and clean like the above…
Visit these sign tutorials: Trees / Farmhouse / Beach
… or really layer those signs to fill it up the wall space like a mini sign wall gallery!
Love both looks.
Learn how to make the Christmas tree sign HERE
An additional perk to this stencil storage rack is the space on the sides, perfect to hang larger sign samples!
Tip: Add hooks to the outside display signs so you can up hang stencils you’re currently working with!
From a little empty wall…
… to a fully stocked and loaded easy-build 2×4 wood stencil storage rack! Let the creativity continue… in a much bigger way!
Pretty handy piece! Think you’ll revamp your own stencil storage with this simple hanging stencil organizing solution too?
Other stencil storage projects to build:
Create easy wood and pipe stencil storage hanging
Build a stencil storage trolley on casters
Make an Antiques paint cart with stencil storage
Visit many other unique storage ideas HERE
Find all the stencils shown HERE
This is fabulous Donna and we are so in synch when it comes to stencil storage! I have a few ideas of my own coming up in a future post that you may want to incorporate into your stencil ladder that will double your storage potential :).
Oh my goodness… I’m ready to revamp! Waiting! hahah And thanks for the kudos! I’m loving all the space!!
Oooooooooo, it’s like a stencil wardrobe 😀 That’s so awesome. Sadly mine are all hanging on hooks and it’s just not working out. I can never find what I’m looking for and/or they get all tangled up and grab each other.
Who knew stencils could have their own closet? LOL Hope you find a fix Michelle. Nothing worse than a tangled mess when you pull one out!
Thanks for the great tutorial on the Kreg! I’ve always thought I needed one of those and now I know I do! I hang my stencils in very much the same way from the pipes in my basement. I love what you did and I might need a second tier real soon!