How to Build a French Cleat Tool Wall (Quick Overview)
A French cleat wall is plywood mounted to your studs with a series of 45 degree beveled strips. Matching beveled cleats on the back of any holder hook over them, so you can hang, move, and rearrange tool storage anywhere on the wall. It is cheaper and more customizable than metal pegboard. Here is how I built mine and how the cleat system works.
The tool storage continues this week with the addition of the french cleat wall! This is an easy and affordable way to organize pretty much anything on a wall and the best part is that it’s completely customizable. I realize that it’s not everyone’s dream to have a tool storage closet, so if and when we ever sell this house, I can take down the french cleat wall and take it with me, (hopefully to a new and improved workshop or garage space).
Another benefit of the french cleat wall is its affordability. There are plenty of wall storage options like metal peg board systems, but they are expensive. I also like the organic look of the raw wood better than adding metal sheets, but that is just my personal preference. If you want to add your own french cleat wall to a space, read on and I’ll show you exactly how I did it!
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BUILD PLANS available HERE!
Supply List
Tool List
- Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Drill & Driver
- Stud Finder
- Magnetic Angle Finder for Table Saw
- Level
- Tape Measure
Cut List
- 3/4″ plywood
- 4″ strips with one 45 degree mitered edge
- 2 1/2″ strips with one 45 degree mitered edge
How to Build the French Cleat Wall, Step by Step
- Find and mark your studs. Use a stud finder and mark out every stud before anything goes on the wall.
- Cut and hang the plywood. Use the full 4 foot width of the 3/4 inch plywood and cut the length down to fit your wall. Screw it into all of the studs.
- Rip the wall cleats. Rip 4 inch strips of plywood and bevel one edge at 45 degrees on the table saw.
- Rip the accessory cleats. Rip 2 1/2 inch strips and bevel one edge at 45 degrees the same way. Leave them long so you can cut them to size as you build holders.
- Mount the wall cleats. Space them using a scrap 2×4. Put screws every 16 inches across, with two screws one inch from the top and bottom. I skipped the glue so I can take the wall down and bring it with me later.
- Hang your holders. Any holder with a matching beveled cleat on the back just hooks over the wall cleats. Gravity and the angle do the rest.
I used the full 4′ width of the 3/4″ plywood and cut the length down to fit the dimensions of the wall. Just one cut and it was ready to hang. I had previously marked out where the studs were and attached the plywood with screws in all of the studs.
Next, I ripped down 4″ strips of plywood and then beveled one edge at 45 degrees for the wall cleats. The accessory cleats I ripped down to 2 1/2″ and beveled one edge at 45 degrees as well. I left these in long strips so I could cut them down to size for the accessories I needed.
I attached the wall cleats the same way, spacing them with a scrap 2×4, again putting screws every 16″ across and two screws one inch from the top and bottom. As you can see, these are really strong! You could also wood glue them, but I chose not to so that I could remove it easier when the time comes. If I had thought about it before, I would have made sure that the cleats didn’t cover any of the screws attaching the plywood to the wall so that I could take it down in one piece. Oh well! Next time.
French Cleat Wall FAQs
What is a French cleat wall?
It is a wall storage system built from interlocking 45 degree beveled strips. You screw a row of cleats to the wall, and any holder with a matching beveled cleat on its back simply hooks over them. Gravity and the angle lock everything in place.
Why use a French cleat wall instead of pegboard?
It is cheaper than metal pegboard systems, holds far more weight, and is endlessly customizable. You can build holders to fit your exact tools, and rearrange them any time. I also just prefer the look of raw wood.
What angle are the cleats?
A 45 degree bevel on one edge. I ripped 4 inch wall cleats and 2 1/2 inch accessory cleats from plywood, beveling one edge of each at 45 degrees on the table saw.
How do you mount it securely?
Screw a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood into the wall studs first, then screw the cleats through the plywood every 16 inches so they hit framing. Use a stud finder and a level. The result is strong enough to hold heavy tools.
What can I hang on it?
Almost anything with an accessory cleat on the back. I built a whole set of holders for mine, including a tape dispenser, a magnetic tool holder, a sanding station, and a card catalog cabinet for hardware.
Now for the fun part! Making custom tool storage systems for all of my tools to go on this wall. But that will have to wait for next week. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Unitl then, happy DIY-ing!
-Selene Builds Things
About the author: I’m Selene Teitelbaum, the DIYer behind Selene Builds Things. I build furniture and shop projects and share beginner friendly tutorials and build plans so anyone can make something they are proud of. More about me.
