Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:

• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Tape measure
• Level
• Plumb bob
• Circular saw
• Clamp
• Router
• Ramset tool
• Shims
• 2x4 lumber
• Plywood
• Wood screws
• Wood glue

• One plate should be flush against the wall and the other should be parallel to it with its front edge 24 inches from the wall.
• Cut the 2- x 4-inch top plates to the full length of the shelves, then attach to the ceiling joists using 3-inch screws.

• Using a plumb bob as a guide, mark the points directly beneath the outside corners of the top plates to find the outer sole plate locations. 
• Mark the sole plate locations by drawing lines perpendicular to the wall, connecting each pair of points.

• Measure and cut the sole plates to their desired lengths and align on top of the lines you just drew.
• Drill the sole plates into the ground for additional support.

Tip: Learn how to drill into concrete with this handy guide.

• Prepare the shelf risers by cutting 7/8-inch wide dado grooves with a router. Cut dadoes every 4 inches along the inside face of each 2- x 4-inch riser with the top and bottom dadoes about 12 inches from the ends. 
• Gang-cut the risers by laying them flat, clamping them together and attaching a straightedge guide to align your dado cuts. 
• For each cut, make several passes with the router, gradually extending the bit depth until the dadoes are ¾-inch deep.

• Using a circular saw and a straightedge guide, trim the shelf risers to a uniform length before unclamping them.

• Build two center supports by positioning pairs of shelf risers back-to-back.
• Joining them with wood glue and 2 ½-inch screws.
• Build four end shelf supports by positioning the back of the dadoes shelf riser against a 2 -x 4-inch board of the same length.
• Join them with glue and 2 ½-inch screws.

• Position an end shelf support at each corner of the shelving unit between the top and sole plates. 
• Attach the supports by driving 3-inch screws at an angle into the top plates and sole plates.

• Position a center shelf support, one with both faces dadoed, at each end of the center sole plate, then anchor the shelf supports to the sole plate using 3-inch screws driven at an angle. 
• Use a framing square to align the center shelf supports perpendicular to the top plates. Then, screw them to the top plates.

• Measure the distance between the facing dado grooves, subtract ¼-inch, and then cut plywood shelves to fit. 
• Slide the shelves into grooves.