A heavy-duty option that can support a large amount of heavier bulky items.
A heavy-duty option that can support a large amount of heavier bulky items.
Welded shelves provide durability and strength to hold 2,500 pounds. Adjustable for customizable spacing. Depth of 24 inch I-Beam steel construction. Tool-free setup.
Pegs for shelves are flimsy and you aren't provided enough of them.
This option is well-sized for organizing garage clutter and storing sports and home goods.
This option is well-sized for organizing garage clutter and storing sports and home goods.
Option for 3, 4, or 5-shelf unit. Height between shelves is adjustable. Individual shelf capacity of 350 lbs. No tools required for easy installation.
Sometimes people receive damaged parts.
A suspended storage shelf system that utilizes unused ceiling space to store your belongings.
A suspended storage shelf system that utilizes unused ceiling space to store your belongings.
Convenient storage. Protects from damage. Loads up to 600 pounds. Integrated grid design is reliable and strong. Straightforward instructions for installation.
Setup requires help from another person and will take some time.
These 5-tier storage shelves individually support up to 1,000 lbs.
These 5-tier storage shelves individually support up to 1,000 lbs.
Made from heavy-duty steel to support high weight. NSF-certified for dry food storage. Plastic feet protect floor from scuffs or scratches. Adjustable shelves.
Needs center shelf brackets for support to prevent bends in the wires.
Floating wall shelf set is perfect for storing car wash materials and cleaning supplies.
Floating wall shelf set is perfect for storing car wash materials and cleaning supplies.
Capacity of 400 lbs. Easy single-person installation. Steel construction and high quality screws. Compatible with wood or concrete walls. Various sizes available.
Cheap velcro straps are used to secure the shelves.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Garage clutter can slowly overtake a home or business. The sprawling boxes, tools, and abandoned supplies can render a garage or workshop unusable. Garage storage shelves are a convenient and simple way to clear the clutter and put everything where you can find it.
There are many ways to use storage shelves in your garage. You can position them on the floor against a wall or hang them from the ceiling. Some shelving units are permanent and able to hold significant weight, while others are movable so you can reposition them as your needs change.
It’s a good idea to have a basic design in mind before purchasing garage storage shelves so you get what you need from the start. A good buying guide and a few recommendations can start you on your way to transforming your garage.
There are two main types of garage storage shelves: permanent and freestanding.
Permanent: If you want to position the shelves permanently, you can mount them to the wall or ceiling.
Freestanding: These shelves rest on the floor and do not attach to the wall. They can be moved around as needed, providing the most flexibility. However, they typically don’t hold as much weight as wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted shelves.
Before buying garage storage shelves, measure the space to make sure you get the right number and size. Most shelves are 1 to 2 feet deep and 3 to 8 feet long.
Ceiling-mounted shelves come in a range of sizes, from 2 to 8 feet wide and 2 to 4 feet long. Before installing, figure out how far the shelves can hang from the ceiling in order to clear vehicles and other items.
Manufacturers list the weight limit recommendations in the description and packaging. That limit depends on the materials and whether the shelves are freestanding or attached to the wall or ceiling. Most basic shelves can hold between 100 and 600 pounds, but some metal shelves can hold up to 2,500 pounds. Be wary of any nonmetal shelves that claim to hold over 1,000 pounds.
Attach your shelving to more than one stud to increase its weight-bearing capacity.
Garage storage shelves may be made of metal, wood, or plastic/resin.
Metal: Steel shelving is the strongest option and has the highest weight limit. It is also expensive and heavy. If the shelves are freestanding, make sure you position them where you want them because it will be difficult to move them. If they’re mounted to the wall or ceiling, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper attachment to wall studs or ceiling joists.
Metal wire shelving is popular because it’s easy to assemble and allows good air circulation to keep dust from collecting and mildew from forming. These shelves are surprisingly strong and come in many design options.
Most metal and wire garage shelves have a protective coating or finish. Each has different properties and benefits.
Wood: This type of shelving is more typically found in DIY kits. Hardwoods like oak and maple are the best options in terms of durability and weight capacity. Most garage shelves sold commercially are metal or plastic.
Plastic or resin: These materials are commonly found in freestanding storage shelving. They’re strong, durable, and easy to move, and they come in assorted designs. However, they don’t hold as much weight as metal or wood, so check the weight of the items you need to store and assess the weight-bearing capacity you need. If plastic or resin shelving works for you, it can save you quite a bit of money.
Adjustable height: Some wall- and ceiling-mounted garage storage systems come with sliding adjustable shelves that move on permanent rails to adjust the height of shelves. This can maximize your storage space by grouping smaller items together on one shelf to free up room for large items on another shelf. These shelves cost a bit more, but if you have items of various sizes to store, it may be worth it.
Adjustable feet: Garage floors aren’t always perfectly level, and freestanding shelves can wobble if all the feet aren’t resting on the floor. To keep the shelving steady, look for a unit with adjustable feet that can be individually shortened or lengthened.
Open or closed: Open shelves are easily accessible and good for items that you use a lot such as paint, yard equipment, and car care products. Closed shelves have doors that help protect items. These work best for items you use infrequently or that could be dangerous, such as chemicals or sharp tools.
Stackable: Some freestanding garage shelves can be expanded as your needs change by stacking a new unit on top. Just make sure to stay within the unit’s weight limit.
Lockable casters: Some freestanding shelves have casters to make them easy to move, but you want the shelving to be secure the rest of the time. Look for a unit with lockable casters to make sure the shelves will stay in place.
Inexpensive garage storage shelves cost between $25 and $100. These include basic freestanding cabinet sets made of plastic or fiberboard. The shelves are short and may only include two to four shelves.
This shelving costs between $100 and $250. You’ll find metal freestanding cabinets and ceiling-mounted shelves in this range. These cabinets are stronger and have higher weight limits than less-expensive shelves.
Expensive garage storage shelves cost between $250 and $600. These include adjustable wall- and ceiling-mounted units that come with longer and taller sections.
Always store the heaviest items on the bottom shelves and the lightest items on top to distribute the weight evenly and prevent the shelves from buckling.
A. Many shelves come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Most high-quality shelves have a limited lifetime warranty based on their original condition, and other shelves have shorter-term warranties. Many companies require you to register your product to activate the warranty. Always read the owner’s manual for the terms and specific conditions that are covered.
A. Large, bulky items that you don’t use frequently are great choices to store on ceiling-mounted shelves. Seasonal items like holiday decorations, camping equipment, coolers, or swimming pool covers are good uses of this space.
A. Most freestanding units require only simple hand tools to secure the pieces together. Wall- and ceiling-mounted units might require power tools. Have a screwdriver, hammer, stud finder, level, and cordless drill handy. Before installing garage storage shelves, make sure that you received all the parts from the manufacturer.
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