Canvas storage racks are a necessity for protecting delicate canvas frames and the works of art made on them. Storage racks for canvases provide a safe place for wet canvases to dry as well as offering a way to store finished works to keep them out of a cluttered studio where they may become damaged. A rack is easy to build with some lumber and can be kept in any location with a controlled environment, such as a finished basement.
Things You'll Need:
- Hand Drill
- Saw
- Wood Glue
- Wood Screws
- 2X4 Wood Lumber
Determine how long the rack will be. This is based on the size of the room that the rack will be stored in and how many canvases will be stored. Artists can accumulate many canvases over the years that will need to be stored safely, so bigger is better.
Decide how tall and wide the rack should be based on the size of canvas usually made. Provide ample height and width to protect large canvases four or more feet high or wide.
Cut two 2x4 lumber pieces to the length measurement from step 1, and two 2x4 pieces to the width measurement from step 2.
The bottom support is a rectangle that will sit on the floor. The back of the rack will be placed along the wall, the sides will come perpendicular to the wall, and the front will be left open to place the canvases inside. Use a hand drill to make pilot holes, and then attach the wood pieces with wood glue and wood screws.
Cut four 2x4s to the height measurement from step 2 to create the vertical supports, one in each corner of the rectangle. Place the widest side of the 2x4 flush against the side of the rectangle, make pilot holes with a drill and attach with wood glue and wood screws. Continue this for the remaining corners.
Measure the distance between the vertical supports in one corner. Cut a 2x4 and attach it between the two vertical supports. Do the same for the opposite side.
Cut two 2x4 pieces to fit on top of the bottom rectangle support. Lay the widest side of the 2x4 flush to the rectangle and pressed against the vertical supports. Attach the 2x4 with wood screws and glue to the bottom rectangle. Do this for both sides.
Continue steps 5 through 7 until all the space is used inside the rectangle.
Measure the distance from the first vertical support to the last. Cut a 2x4 support beam and attach it to the vertical supports at the top back of the rack.
Tip
Remember to sand all wood when completed. If desired, the wood can be treated with a wood finish.
2x6 lumber can be used instead of 2x4 lumber for bigger canvases or canvases with larger stretcher frame bars.
