Introduction

Do you have ski gear taking up space and no good place to store it? This project solves that in a compact, functional, and good-looking way — and the total cost was just €20, since almost everything was built from recycled wood found at home.

This ski storage unit holds everything you need for a ski trip:

1. Ski poles
2. Ski boots (in a sliding drawer shelf)
3. Helmet (on a mounted metal holder on top)
4. Other small accessories

The unit was designed to fit in a bedroom, looks clean painted in grey, and took about 80 hours to design and build from scratch — including the CAD design in SolidWorks. This Instructable walks you through every step so you can build your own.

💡 Tip: Almost all wood was recycled from a barn and grandparents' garage. Look around before buying it, you might already have everything you need!

Tools

1. Saw (handsaw or Jigsaw or circular saw
2. Cordless drill / screwdriver
3. Sandpaper (coarse and fine)
4. Paintbrush
5. Tape measure and pencil
6. Try square / set square

Materials

Part

Qty

Dimensions (L × W × H)

Material:

Base plate

1

420 × 550 × 25 mm

Recycled wood

Side plate

2

400 × 125 × 17 mm

Recycled wood

Support block

2

90 × 80 × 24 mm

Recycled wood

Mini side plate

2

150 × 70 × 24 mm

Recycled wood

Top plate

1

776 × 430 × 35 mm

Recycled wood

Frame leg

4

540 × 95 × 45 mm

Recycled wood

Frame connector (long)

2

210 × 70 × 45 mm

Recycled wood

Frame connector (wide)

2

420 × 66 × 37 mm

Recycled wood

Drawer rail holder

2

365 × 65 × 12 mm

Recycled wood

Drawer rail

2

352 × 43 × 27 mm

Recycled wood

Drawer shelf

1

352 × 352 × 42 mm

Recycled wood

Metal helmet holder

1

235 mm

Metal (purchased)

Cost Overview

Item

Source

Cost

Wooden planks (all parts)

Recycled from garage / grandparents

€ 0.00

Metal helmet holder

Purchased

€ 20.00

Wood filler (Alabastine)

Already at home

€ 0.00

Grey paint

Already at home

€ 0.00

Screws

Already at home

€ 0.00

TOTAL

€ 20.00

Step 1: Cut all parts to size

Use the material list or the 3D-file to mark all dimensions on your wood with a pencil and set square. Double-check every measurement before cutting — measure twice, cut once. Lay all parts out to confirm you have everything before moving on.

💡 Tip: Pre-drilling pilot holes before screwing prevents the wood from splitting — especially important with recycled or older wood.

Connect the four frame legs with the frame connectors along both the long and short sides. Screw the connectors to the inside of the legs. Use a set square to check that all corners are perfectly square before the screws are fully tightened.

Place the assembled frame onto the base plate and screw it in from underneath. Check that the frame stands straight and does not wobble. If needed, add a small support block underneath for extra stability.

Fix the two side plates to the outside of the frame. Then mount the mini side plates and support blocks in their positions. These add stiffness to the overall structure and prevent racking.

Screw the two drawer rails horizontally to the inside of the frame at equal height on both sides. Then attach the rail holders. Slide the drawer shelf in temporarily to check that the rails are level and aligned — adjust if needed before fully tightening.

Cut the drawer shelf to size (352 × 352 mm). Slide it into the rails and test that it moves smoothly in and out. This shelf is designed to hold ski boots. Fine-tune the rail positions if the shelf sticks or feels loose.

Fill all screw holes and any gaps or imperfections with universal wood filler (Alabastine or similar). Let it dry completely, then sand the entire unit — start with coarse sandpaper and finish with fine grit for a smooth surface ready for paint.

Attach the top plate on top of the frame. Make sure it is centred and screw it down firmly. The top plate serves as the base for the helmet holder and gives the unit a finished, clean look.

Position the metal helmet holder on the top plate in the spot that feels most balanced. Mark the screw holes, pre-drill, and glue it down all around the pole firmly so it can safely carry the weight of a ski helmet.

Apply a first coat of grey paint to the entire unit. Let it dry fully (check the paint tin for drying time). Apply a second coat for a smooth, even finish. Let everything dry completely before loading the unit with your gear.

The finished ski storage unit is exactly what was envisioned at the start: compact, sturdy, functional, and good-looking in the room. Total cost: €20. All ski gear now has a dedicated spot. And there is even room for another Ski Pair