DIY PVC Tote / Bin Storage Organizer
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Time to read 4 min
One of the best and simplest storage solutions is plastic totes (bins). These tubs are lightweight and stackable, which makes them ideal containers for seasonal decorations and other knick-knacks. The problem with totes is that they often end up stacked indiscriminately in the garage or shed, and it can be hard to find an efficient way to stack them. You may need an item from the tote at the bottom of the stack and have to move all the other totes to get to that one item which is a hassle and can be difficult for someone with back or joint problems. To make organization and storage of plastic totes easy, use this DIY PVC tote storage organizer.
This project will show you how to make a system of PVC "shelves" that can be adjusted and customized to your particular needs. Because no two totes are the same, the measurements we use may not be right for you. Be sure to measure your totes before cutting any pipe for this DIY garage storage system. You can easily change the measurements to your liking! If you make this DIY PVC storage and then purchase a tote that is too big for it, you have the ability to deconstruct individual sections of the shelving and reconstruct it to your liking. We got the idea for this project from Kelsey, whose original blog post can be found here.
Materials
The beauty of this project is that it requires no PVC cement or glue, so if you move or want to install it somewhere else, you can take it apart with ease. We will be creating shelves large enough to hold 18-gallon totes. Material quantities will vary depending on how large you want to make your tote organizer. To create this DIY PVC storage idea, you will need the following materials:
Step 1: Cut Pipe
Put simply, this project is an arrangement of irregular cubes. The cubes are not true cubes, as they are not as deep as they are tall or wide. However, this makes pipe measurement easy. The simplest and quickest way to cut this amount of PVC pipe is to use a tabletop miter saw, but you can also cut with a PVC cutting tool or a simple hacksaw.
We will be cutting the PVC pipe into 13" pieces and 17" pieces. In order to waste the least amount of pipe possible, be mindful of how much of the 5-ft. sections you are using and leave as little extra piping as possible. Luckily, PVC pipe is inexpensive, so it would be safe to get a few more lengths than you need just in case!
Step 2: Assemble Structure
Once the cutting is complete, you just need to put the puzzle together. Start with the bottom so you can work yourself up. Pipe and fittings should fit snugly together and making PVC cement unnecessary. If any joints are loose, feel free to use PVC cement to create a strong bond. View the following work-in-progress images to see how we assembled our DIY PVC tote storage organizer.
Once you have an idea of how the thing fits together, you can build it higher, wider, or both to fit your needs!
Step 3: Anchor to Wall (Optional)
This last step is optional, but could help you keep your garage or shed safe. Anchor your shelving by tying it to hooks in a wall or another unmovable object. This will prevent it from falling over and damaging cars or hurting children. We also recommend storing the heaviest totes on the bottom row, which will prevent the unit from becoming top-heavy.
Now your are ready to store all of your totes in an organized and easy-to-access way. You can add more shelves or take some away, depending on your needs, so have fun organizing! Find more details on this build by reading the original blog post.
Customizable & Modular: Built using 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC pipe and specialty fittings, the framing creates customized cubbies so you can easily pull out any bottom tote without unstacking the rest.
No Glue Required: The dry-fit connection design allows you to assemble, expand, or disassemble the unit anytime without using PVC cement.
Simple, Safe Assembly: Uses basic cut lengths (like 13" and 17" pieces) and can be optionally anchored to a wall with the heaviest totes placed at the bottom for safety.
FAQs
Do I need to use PVC glue or cement to build this tote organizer?
No, PVC cement is not required for this build. The pipe and specialty furniture-grade fittings should press together snugly enough to hold the structure upright. Leaving the connections unglued allows you to easily deconstruct, move, or resize the shelving unit as your storage needs change. However, if any joints feel loose, you can apply PVC cement to those specific spots for added stability.
What size and type of PVC pipe should I use?
The guide recommends using 3/4" Schedule 40 PVC pipe along with 3/4" furniture-grade fittings (3-way, 4-way, and 5-way elbows/crosses). Schedule 40 pipe provides the structural rigidity needed to support standard storage bins, while furniture-grade fittings offer the non-threaded outlets necessary to build 3D cubic frame structures without extra adapters.
How do I make sure the organizer doesn't tip over when loaded with heavy bins?
To keep the unit stable and safe, place your heaviest totes on the bottom shelf to keep the center of gravity low. For added safety—especially in a garage or shed where kids or pets might be present—it is strongly recommended to anchor the frame to a wall using straps or hooks fastened to wall studs.
Mark Ligon
Mark Ligon is the marketing manager at PVC Fittings Online, a supplier of commercial PVC and CPVC pipe, fittings and valves. Ligon enjoys educating businesses on the parts of piping systems so managers can make informed decisions. He can be reached at webmaster@commercial-industrial-supply.com.
