Get inspired with creative solutions to eliminate clutter, boost efficiency, and create a workshop you’ll love.
When I first started organizing my workshop, I had no idea how much of a difference French cleats could make. My tools were scattered, my shelves overloaded, and every project felt like a losing battle just to find what I needed. But once I started exploring French cleat shelf ideas, everything changed. My workshop became more efficient, organized, and—best of all—a space I was truly proud to show off.
If you’re ready to tackle your clutter and create a space that works as hard as you do, here are 5 French cleat shelf ideas to get you inspired.
French Cleat Shelf Ideas – No 1: Dedicated Power Tool Shelves
- Never waste time searching for your tools, accessories, or batteries again.
- Design shelves specifically for your most-used power tools, complete with homes for chargers and accessories.
- Like most DIYers, cordless drills are one of the most used tools in my workshop. But I had a terrible habit of leaving them where I last used them. That may have been on a bench, or by the table saw, or worse still, somewhere in the house, if I had just hung a roller blind for example. The same went for my batteries. They could end up anywhere.
So I built a few dedicated shelves for my cordless drills and their batteries. Now my drills have a home and that fact alone has made my working days more efficient. If I use a drill I always return it to its shelf. I know where to find it. Every time.
The same goes for batteries. I made a dedicated French Cleat double-shelf to hold my batteries. I only ever put fully charged batteries on this shelf. Now there are only 3 places for my batteries. Either attached to a tool, on charge, or on the battery shelf.
French Cleat Shelf Ideas – No 2: Versatile Hardware Shelves
- Say goodbye to the dreaded junk drawer.
- Create cleat-mounted bins or small shelves for screws, nuts, washers, bolts, or consumables, keeping everything close to hand and easy to grab.
- Pro Tip: Use clear containers for quick identification.
- I use a lot of CA glue, activator, and decorator tape, so I built a dedicated French cleat shelf station (above) that I’ve hung above my assembly bench. This has speeded up my workflow, and some.
Before I made these shelves, I used to keep all of my hardware in a cupboard at the end of the workshop. But that meant I had to walk to the cupboard whenever I needed something. So I added a couple of shelves above my bench where I keep boxes of my most used hardware, so they’re close to hand.
Less walking = Quicker builds
French Cleat Shelf Ideas – No 3: French Cleat Shelving for Specialty Tools
- Your tools deserve a home as unique as they are.
- Top Tip: Make individual French cleat shelves for other tools, and more importantly, the things that go with them.
- Sometimes, finding the tool is only half the job.
How many times have you grabbed your router only to realize that you don’t know where the wrench is? So you waste time looking for the right size spanner. I just added two dowels so the wrench has a home. It just makes life easier. The router has a permanent home and the wrench lives with it.
It’s a 50-50 chance that the angle grinder has the wrong disc fitted for the job at hand. I built a dedicated shelf for the grinder and simply added a dowel that holds a few discs.
These simple hacks save time and cut out the frustration of not being able to find the things that you need.
French Cleat Shelf Ideas – No 4: Make Tall Shelves for Tall Tools
- Make full use of your vertical space
- Create tall shelves for tall tools and short shelves for short tools. This maximizes the use of your walls and each tool has a home.
- Pro Tip: Place tall shelves on the highest wall cleat.
- My top wall cleat is at just under two metres (around 6 foot 6 inches). I struggle to reach much higher than that when reaching over the bench, but by using tall shelves on the top wall cleat I can max out on my tool wall but still reach the bottom of the tool to remove it.
French Cleat Shelf Ideas – No 5: Create Shelves With Built-In Holders To House Your Most Used Consumables
- House your most used consumables above to your workbench.
- The above holders are, in effect, captive shelves. I find them super handy for holding bottles of glue, rattle cans, Spray Mount, WD40, and the like.
- Pro Tip: You can make these by cutting some holes in a 2 by 4 with a hole saw. Brad nail a piece of plywood to the bottom and screw to a backboard. Add a French cleat and you’re good to go.
- I’ve also added containers to these to house cable ties, screws, nuts and bolts, etc.
Conclusion
French cleat shelves are more than just a storage solution—they’re a way to take control of your space and make it work for you. Whether you’re organizing power tools or showcasing your favorite projects, these ideas will help you create a workshop that’s efficient, inspiring, and uniquely yours.
The Takeaway
The best tip that I can give you – is don’t make general shelves with French cleats attached to them. Make specific, individual shelves that are designed to hold your most used tools, accessories, or consumables. One tool – One shelf.
Giving each tool a home is the key to great organization.
Bringing your most used items within arms reach is a game-changer.
What You Need
I use a laser cutter and 6mm (1/4″) plywood to make my French cleat shelves but you can create shelves with just some scrap wood, a brad nailer, and maybe some glue. That’s what I did before I bought a laser cutter.
Ready to build your own French cleat shelves? I’ve created a range of 30 shelf designs that you can download and send straight to your laser if you have one. The variety of sizes means that you’ll find the perfect size for whatever job you have in mind. Start transforming your workspace today.
See Our Complete Collection of French Cleat Shelves
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My Laser
A Gweike Cloud 50W
I rely on my Gweike Cloud 50W laser, a powerful and versatile tool that’s perfect for precision cutting and engraving. With its user-friendly design, this laser effortlessly handles everything from intricate tool holders to larger cleat systems. Its speed, accuracy, and ability to work with various materials make it an essential part of my workshop, ensuring that every custom French cleat and component is perfectly cut.
