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French Cleat Tool Wall

The ultimate reconfigurable storage system - move anything, anytime

Total Cost
$30
Retail Price
$300+
Build Time
4 hours
Difficulty
Easy

Video Tutorial

What Makes French Cleats Awesome?

French cleats are the secret weapon of workshop organization. Two beveled pieces of wood interlock to create an incredibly strong hanging system. The genius? Everything is modular and can be moved in seconds without new holes.

Why Build This:

Materials Needed

Item Approx. Cost Buy
3/4" plywood (4x8 sheet) $25 Lowe's
3" wood screws (box) $5 Lowe's Harbor Freight

Tools Required:

Build Instructions

Cut the Wall Cleats

Rip your plywood into 3-4" strips. Then set your saw to 45° and bevel-cut each strip lengthwise. You'll end up with pairs of strips with matching bevels.

Install Wall Cleats

Find your wall studs. Mount the cleats horizontally with the beveled edge pointing DOWN and OUT (like a backwards 7). Use 3" screws into every stud. Space cleats 12-16" apart vertically.

Make Tool Holders

Cut pieces of plywood for backs of holders. Attach the matching cleats to the top of each piece (beveled edge pointing UP and OUT). Now build custom holders for your specific tools.

Common Holder Designs

Shelf: Just a cleat on a piece of plywood. Drill holder: Holes drilled for each drill. Tool rack: Horizontal dowels for hammers, screwdrivers. Bin holder: Small bins screwed to plywood.

Hang and Rearrange

Lift each holder up and hook the bevels together. Slide horizontally to position. The weight of the tools locks everything in place. Rearrange anytime without tools.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Paint it - Prime and paint everything before assembly. Black looks professional, bright colors make tools easy to find
  • Double up - For super heavy items (batteries, big tools), use two cleats stacked
  • Label everything - Paint or tape silhouettes of tools on holders so you know where things go
  • Start simple - Build basic shelves first, then get fancy with custom holders as you see what you need
  • Go floor to ceiling - Use all your wall space. Put frequently used stuff at arm height, seasonal stuff up high
  • Scrap wood works - Any 3/4" material works - you can even use 2x4s ripped in half