How to build a frame for your bin storage

DIY project from NZ Gardener magazine

Form meets function in Rose Hughes’s stylish bin storage and planter combination.

Build a bin storage unit

You will need:

  • 120m 90mm x 45mm dressed H3.2 pine
  • 4.5m 100mm x 25mm treated pine
  • 2.5m 25mm x 25mm treated pine
  • 1 sheet of 12mm plywood
  • 10g x 80mm, 8g x 65mm & 8g x 32mm screws
  • Drop saw, Skill saw, Jig saw
  • Screwdriver, Drill bits, Countersink bit, Clamps
  • Wood glue, Filler, Sandpaper
  • 1500mm x 900mm polythene
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Resene Quick Dry Primer
  • Resene Test pots, Paintbrushes, Rollers
  • Potting mix

Cutting List:

  • From the 90mm x 45mm pine:
    • 6 x 1100mm & 6 x 710mm – frames
    • 2 x 800mm – shelf supports
    • 1 x 650mm & 1 x 500mm – backbase

  • From the 100mm x 25mm pine
    – 2 x 1340mm & 2 x 800mm

  • From the 25mm x 25mm pine
    – 2 x 800mm & 2 x 600mm – struts

Cost: $280 excluding potting mix, plants and paint.

Instructions

 
Step 1 Step one
Using a pine offcut, mark each end of the 1100mm lengths with a cutout at the top and bottom on the same side and cut out using the jigsaw. Assemble, setting the 710mm piece into the cutouts. Drill, countersink and screw together. Repeat twice more.
Step 2Step two
Mark and cut the same cutouts at each end of the 2 x 800mm pieces. Set these 600mm up from the bottom of two of the frames and attach as previously.
Step 3Step three
Centre a strut diagonally on the remaining frame. Mark, cut and fit into the frame. Drill, countersink and screw into place. Repeat for one of the shelf units with a strut in the top and bottom sections.
Step 4 Step four
Cut an 800mm x 600mm shelf from the ply. Mark and cut out to fit the shelf around the frame. Cut an 800mm x 1300mm top from the ply. Sand all the edges.
Step 5Step five
Assemble the top frame. Countersink the screw holes and glue and screw together. Fill the holes and sand when dry. Centre and screw the 4 struts 20mm up from the bottom edge. Undercoat the frames, base pieces and shelf with Resene Quick Dry Primer. Top coat when dry with Resene Test Pots – I used She’ll Be Right, Valour, FOMO and Adrenalin.
Step 6Step six
Move the pieces into position. Assemble using clamps. Add the back base pieces, 1 under the shelf and the other at ground level, screw into position. Attach the shelf and the ply top with the 32mm screws through the frame. Fit the top frame over the ply and push into position. Line with polythene and add your plants, wheelie bin, recycling and rubbish bins.

Photos: Rose Hughes

› Download a PDF of this project