Storage ideas for 1 quart paint cans?

[peterp]

Does anybody have a clever storage solution for 1 quart paint cans? I need to keep a ton of them on hand and haven't been able to find a good way to store them.

I'd settle for something as simple as plastic bin with lid that fits one-quart cans, or something more creative. I've searched around a bit and haven't seen any good solutions.

For clarity, this is the type of can I am talking about

 

[safnd2021]

Does this need to be portable or could you build stationary shelves?

 

[peterp]

Does this need to be portable or could you build stationary shelves?

I’d rather it be portable. Like plastic bins storing a dozen of so cans each that I could stack on an existing shelf. But I’m open to all ideas.

 

[gahrajmahal]

How about a bakers rack sort of like this? https://www.wayfair.com/VidaXL--Sta...vryDbKUDgiQeARoJpBfiNGHTlCIYRhQxoCaQIQAvD_BwE

A used one with trays would allow easy access to different colors and be easily moved about your shop. They also come in enclosed versions.

 

[lilredex]

Here's what I use. Each box acts as a kind of drawer.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Ikea has a little utility cart with wheels called a RASKOG, it sells for around $30. If you want portability maybe something like this would work. It comes in several different colors, too. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/kitchen-islands-carts-10471/

 

[CN Spots]

You might find something browsing The Container Store.
https://www.containerstore.com/s/storage/garage-storage-totes/12

I think you could get 3 across, 4 deep and 2 high in this one:
https://www.containerstore.com/s/st...ble-crate-with-handles/12d?productId=11004083

 

[peterp]

Thanks guys. Great feedback and ideas. I measured a can and it is 4 1/4" diameter by 5" tall. If I allow another 1/4" diameter safety margin, it looks like I need 13.5" to fit 3 cans, and 18" to fit 4 cans.

Ikea has a little utility cart with wheels called a RASKOG, it sells for around $30. If you want portability maybe something like this would work. It comes in several different colors, too. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/kitchen-islands-carts-10471/

This looks like a good option. The dimensions of 13 3/4" and 17 3/4" are scary close to what I need to fit 12 per shelf, but it isn't clear if those are overall dimensions, shelf outer dimensions, or shelf inner dimensions.

 

[peterp]

Here's what I use. Each box acts as a kind of drawer.

Seem like those wooden wine boxes would be perfect for doing something like this. I had a bunch of them a while ago, but don't know what I did with them. May try to get some more. I know Costco's sometimes have them available for free depending on what wine they've recently unboxed.

 

[engineer2]

Probably not what you need, but I found they fit nicely if you build small shelves under a staircase.

 

[Stuart in MN]

This looks like a good option. The dimensions of 13 3/4" and 17 3/4" are scary close to what I need to fit 12 per shelf, but it isn't clear if those are overall dimensions, shelf outer dimensions, or shelf inner dimensions.

I have one of those Ikea carts - the inner dimensions of each shelf are about 11 5/8" x 15 15/16". The measurements you found appear to be the overall exterior dimensions of the base.

 

[peterp]

Probably not what you need, but I found they fit nicely if you build small shelves under a staircase.

This is pretty brilliant. I actually have some stairs like that going into the basement, but I think the cans would be too visible. I'm going to confirm that though.

 

[peterp]

I have one of those Ikea carts - the inner dimensions of each shelf are about 11 5/8" x 15 15/16". The measurements you found appear to be the overall exterior dimensions of the base.

Thanks -- this is very helpful. Not sure why IKEA couldn't be bothered to list shelf dimensions. I'm going to draw a rectangle and see how many cans I can fit.

That Ikea thing seems like it would be good for car detailing supplies. Have been looking for something with an open bottom in the shelves to allow wet objects like brush a car mitt to dry. There may be one of these in my future even if it doesn't work for paint.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

I got the empty cardboard boxes from the paint store and they fit nicely (like they were made for them) and stack them on a rolling platform under the workbench.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Thanks -- this is very helpful. Not sure why IKEA couldn't be bothered to list shelf dimensions. I'm going to draw a rectangle and see how many cans I can fit.

That Ikea thing seems like it would be good for car detailing supplies. Have been looking for something with an open bottom in the shelves to allow wet objects like brush a car mitt to dry. There may be one of these in my future even if it doesn't work for paint.

I got mine to use in the bathroom , but there are several guys here who got them to use as garage caddies. It's pretty well built for the price.

 

[southalabama]

Michaels has a version of the ikea Rascog. The ikea version is heavier and better quality metal.

 

[peterp]

I got the empty cardboard boxes from the paint store and they fit nicely (like they were made for them) and stack them on a rolling platform under the workbench.

This is pretty brilliant. Not sure why I didn't think of using paint can boxes for paint cans. I just picked up some Behr boxes during a trip to Home Depot. I couldn't find any boxes for quart-size cans, but the boxes that hold 4 gallon cans also perfectly fit 9 quart cans. The cardboard is not super strong, so I wrapped them with clear packing tape to give them a bit more strength.

At a minimum, this will be my temporary solution until I find something better, but it might prove to be good enough to be the final solution. I like the fact that the same box/size can be used to stack gallon cans (4 per box) and quart cans (9 per box).

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

 

[peterp]

Here are said Behr boxes in action. They are incredibly space efficient, 27 cans in 3 layers on a very small (13" x 13") section of one shelf. You can't really see it in the photo, but the boxes have handles on the side so make it easy to pick up each shelf. The smaller pint cans don't fit exactly in the boxes (unlike the quarts and gallons) but still fit 21 per box. I will add two more layers -- one for 4 gallon cans and another for 21 pint cans.

They aren't much to look at, and I suggest wrapping clear packing tape around to make them a little stronger, but it's hard to get more efficient storage than this. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

[cchamelin]

I wonder if the old metal milk crates would work?

 

[Barnabas]

I second this idea. You can get full size sheet pans and then make the shelves any height you want. Keep an eye out for restaurant closure auctions to get a sweet deal on a used rack like this. This rack would allow for adjustable height shelves that could slide out real easy. This would hold lots of paint and still be able to roll around.

How about a bakers rack sort of like this? https://www.wayfair.com/VidaXL--Sta...vryDbKUDgiQeARoJpBfiNGHTlCIYRhQxoCaQIQAvD_BwE

A used one with trays would allow easy access to different colors and be easily moved about your shop. They also come in enclosed versions.