DIY Organization Ideas Using Maker Pipe Connectors

DIY Organization Ideas Using Maker Pipe Connectors

Cleaning and organizing your home doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming. At Maker Pipe, we have spent a lot of the last few weeks coming up with easy and affordable ideas to help declutter your home and create an inviting and functional space for spending time with your family. We’ve collected our favorite five DIY organization ideas that you can make in an afternoon using Maker Pipe connectors.

1. Overhead Garage Storage

As your garage is one of the most cluttered spaces in your home, the right organization and storage system can work miracles. The handy DIY garage organization system is easy to install and ideal for organizing those long, bulky items such as timber, pipe, and even patio umbrellas. 

To build an overhead rack, you will need:

• 3 5’ lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 9 2’ lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 9 T-connector pipe fittings
• Through bolts for mounting the racks

1. To make the first frame, measure and mark halfway down a 5’ length of conduit and slide a T-connector to the mark and secure with the hardware provided.
   
2. Secure two more T-connectors to either end of the 5’ length of conduit and fasten three 2’ lengths of conduit to the vertical openings of the T-connectors. 
3. Repeat steps one and two until you have three frames. Secure the frames equal distances apart to your garage rafters using the through bolts. 

2. Bike Rack

This modular system can be customized to accommodate each family member’s bike simply through the addition of more upright components and the extension of the base. Maker Pipe connectors make it easy to reconfigure the frame to grow with the needs of your family.

To build a rack for one bike you will need:

• 8 12” lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 4 90-degree elbow pipe connectors
• 8 end plugs

3. Bike tire widths are typically between 32-38 mm for city bikes and 2.4” for mountain bikes. Measure your bike tires to get an exact fit for your rack. 
4. Slide two connectors along a length of conduit, positioning them the same distance apart as the width of your bike tires. Secure with the hardware provided. Repeat with the remaining elbow pipe connectors and another piece of conduit.
5. Connect the two pieces by inserting two more pieces of conduit horizontally and securing in place. 
6. Position the remaining lengths of conduit in the vertical openings of the elbow pipe connectors and fasten in place. Add the end plugs to any open ends of conduit, and your rack is ready.

3. Kitchen Towel Holder

This conduit kitchen towel holder is the perfect DIY kitchen organization solution to keep your counters uncluttered and ensure you always have paper towels within easy reach. This design is a freestanding unit, but you could just as easily mount it on your wall or the underside of your cabinets to free up counter space. 

To make a paper towel holder you will need:

• 3 10” lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 2 6.5” lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 2 5” lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 2 T-connector pipe fittings
• 6 90-degree elbow pipe connectors

1. Slide two T-connectors onto the center of the two 6.5” lengths of conduit, and place two 90-degree connectors at either end. 
2. Connect the 6.5” lengths together with two of the 10” lengths of conduit to form a rectangular base. 
3. Attach the two 5” lengths of conduit vertically to the frame using the T-connectors. Secure all fittings with the hardware provided.
4. Add the final 10” piece of conduit between the vertical posts using the 90-degree connectors but DO NOT fasten. This will allow you to easily change the roll.

4. Floating Shelves

If you have limited floor space in your home, whether it be your bedroom, den or living area, floating shelves can be a great way to maximize your wall space to store books, trinkets, and lighting. This simple build uses reclaimed wood to give the shelves a rustic look, but you could use any lightweight timber cut to size and stained to suit your décor. 

To create two custom floating shelves for your home, you will need: 

• 2 pieces of reclaimed wood between 10 - 12” deep and cut to your desired length 
• 4 lengths of ¾” EMT conduit cut to the same depth as your wood
• 4 ¾” floor flanges
• 4 Maker Pipe T-connector pipe fittings
• 4 end plugs
• Wood screws
• Black shrink wrap (optional)

1. If using the shrink wrap, apply with a heat gun before connecting the parts of the shelf. 
2. To make a single shelf bracket, connect one floor flange to the end of one length of conduit and a T-connector to the opposite end. Add an end plug to the open end of the conduit. Repeat with remaining materials until you have four shelf brackets. 
3. Mount the shelf brackets at a distance apart that is 2” shorter than the length of the wood. 
4. Position and center the wood shelves and secure them to the conduit with the wood screws. 

5. Electrical Cord Storage

Keep your electrical cords untangled and ready to use with this easy holder. Once the electrical cords are wound on, the compact unit can fit easily into plastic containers or drawers to keep your cords and wires organized. 

To make the cable holder, you will need:

• 2 10” lengths of ¾” EMT conduit
• 1 14” length of EMT conduit
• 2 T-connector pipe fittings
• 4 rubber chair feet

1. Measure and mark the center of each of the 10” lengths of conduit and secure a T-connector at the mark.
2. Connect the two 10” lengths with the 14” length and fasten.
3. Add the rubber chair feet to the open ends of the conduit, and your holder is ready to use.

Last Word

Keeping your home uncluttered and organized ensures you always have access to your essentials and know where to find everything. These quick and easy builds are inexpensive and customizable to your home. 

Explore our blog for more fun DIY Maker Pipe builds or call us at (843)-245-9747 to find out about our range of structural pipe connectors and accessories.