A French cleat system is an easy and inexpensive way to mount storage cabinetry in a garage. Just follow these steps:

1) Using a table saw, cut a pair of 2 by 4s or void-free plywood at least 3/4 by 3 inches thick to the width of the cabinet you are planning to mount. Then cut a 45-degree bevel along each cleat.

2) Position one cleat at the height you want the cabinet to be. Point the beveled edge up and screw the cleat into wall studs.

3) Position the other cleat on the top back of the cabinet with the beveled edge pointing down. Glue the cleat in place and then screw the ends to the cabinet’s top and side edges. Attach a spacer the same thickness as the cleat along the bottom of the cabinet so the cabinet will hang level against the wall.

4) Position the cabinet so the cleats lock together. Add screws where the top cleat crosses wall studs to secure the cabinet.

French cleats can also be used to hang storage boxes—just attach a cleat as you would molding along a wall and screw another cleat onto the box. If the box will carry light items, the second cleat does not need to be screwed into the studs.

You can also add heavy-duty hooks to a cleat for items that have hanging straps such as many types of garden tools.