Show Us Your Wood Storage Solutions

Ok, I'm not big on keeping things organized, especially large, varying shaped items like the wood I use for projects.

Hopefully this thread will allow others to shed some light on what they find works for storing wood.

Typically a new or recently moved woodworker will have a manageable amount of wood "in the queue" for projects. Eventually we all start buying or salvaging wood that some day may be used. The result? CHAOS! 😀

When I finally moved to a place where I could expand my space, I kept the bigger lumber under tarps outside. Eventually I needed something better.

This is a dry space made from old roofing, About 3' wide and 16' deep. I created two tiers of storage so everything was not piled on top of each other and it served me well for several years. Having a dry and flat area to store wood is an investment in keeping all those high-dollar boards in good condition.

Flat storage like this has the disadvantage of needing to move a lot of wood to get to that special piece at the bottom of the stack
Vertical storage is much better if you have the height. You can flip through boards easily and floor space used is kept to a minimum. Instant access!

Unfortunately I don't have the height to take advantage.

A few years later this space was maxed out so I bought a 20' shipping container. Called a "one trip" because it only was used for shipping once, they have pristine floors and gaskets. No more squirrel crap on the top of the stack and being almost new, it doesn't smell like a$$ inside.
Still flat storage, but I created more tiers so I could keep the wood sorted. Some 1/2" pipe spans the uprights and PVC pipe over the pipe makes for rollers and keeps the wood from getting stained.

Also kept here are my oddball boards and the wood I salvaged locally.

Where I still need (ahem) HELP! is my growing collection of "shorts" in the shop.

Trash cans work ok for sorted bits of white and red oak plus everything else.

I'm a tad over-subscribed!

Short/thin pieces are also kept in a somewhat sorted fashion.

Thicker pieces are in boxes sorted by dimension. This is mostly walnut.

Exotics have their place on a shelf

So as everyone can now see (and mock), I have the large lumber under control. Next is to better store the shorts where I can quickly find a piece without having to dump a container out on the floor.

Many of the woodworkers here have solved these issues.
Show us your solutions! (or at least fess up and tell us your plans and ideas)