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Garage shelving can help you remove clutter from your floors by providing loose items with dedicated storage space. Garage shelves typically come as wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or freestanding units, and they can hold anywhere from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds depending on the unit’s size and material.
To help you improve your garage oranization, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best garage shelving units on Amazon.
Here are our top recommendations.
Compare Top Garage Shelving Units
Product | Dimensions | Material | Number of Shelves | Mounting Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving | 18 x 48 x 75 inches | Steel wire | Five | Floor mount |
DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack | 18 x 50 x 47.6 inches | Nylon | Three | Floor mount |
Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit | 12 x 36 x 48 inches | Gauge steel | Five | Floor mount |
FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving | 2 x 6 feet | Powder-coated steel | Two | Wall mount |
Shelving Inc. 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit | 42 x 144 x 96 inches | Powder-coated steel | Two | Floor mount |
FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack | 48 x 48 x 48 inches | Metal | One | Overhead |
Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit | 14 x 32 x 54.5 inches | Resin | Four | Floor mount |
Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving | 18 x 23.6 x 54 inches | Chrome-plated | Four | Floor mount |
Product | Dimensions | Material | Number of Shelves | Mounting Type |
Top 8 Garage Shelving Units
- Most Portable: Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving
- Most Heavy-Duty: DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack
- Best Rivet: Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit
- Best for Walls: FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving
- Best Pallet Rack: Shelving Inc. 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit
- Best Overhead Storage: FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack
- Best Budget: Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit
- Best Wire Shelves: Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving
Most Portable: Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving
Pros and Cons
✔ Is easily portable between rooms
✔ Is made from durable steel-wire construction
✔ Is available in several sizes
✘ May be too big for some small garages
✘ Some customers felt it didn’t hold as much weight as it claimed
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this product a positive review liked that it was built with high-quality materials, required minimal assembly, and was easy to move. However, others found that this shelving unit didn’t hold up in some instances to the amount of weight that it advertised, and several customers had problems with the packaging and how the item arrived.
Most Heavy-Duty: DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack
Pros and Cons
✔ Made from durable, high-quality powder-coated steel
✔ Has glass-filled nylon feet that keeps your garage floor protected
✔ Racks come with two stacking plates for joining racks together
✘ Has a high price point
✘ Not available in other sizes
What Customers Are Saying
Several customers were impressed with this product’s sturdy, durable design. Others also liked that the units were expandable. However, we found that several customers had installation issues, with multiple reviewers pointing out that the instructions were difficult to follow.
Best Rivet: Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit
Pros and Cons
✔ Levels are easily adjustable on
✔ Features five openly-accessible levels
✔ Can be purchased with particle board decking
✘ Has a lower weight capacity than some other models
✘ Is more expensive than some other, similar units
What Customers Are Saying
This product had no customer reviews at the time of this writing. If you own this product, feel free to share your thoughts with us by sending an email to [email protected].
Best for Walls: FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving
Pros and Cons
✔ Has straightforward one-person installation with necessary tools and equipment included
✔ Is available in multiple sizes and color options
✔ Can hold up to 800 total pounds
✘ Only effective for wall-mounting
✘ Can’t be mounted to metal walls
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who liked this product said that they were sturdy and could hold a lot of weight. Others were impressed with their easy installation and sleek design. On the other hand, we also found that some customers felt the velcro straps were not enough to fully secure them in place, and others felt the anchors were not high quality.
Best Pallet Rack: Shelving Inc. 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit
Pros and Cons
✔ Is made with abrasion-resistant high-strength steel
✔ Is available in several size options to best match your needs
✔ Beams include three-rivet connections and safety clips
✘ Is more expensive than other shelves in this review
✘ Is not available in other colors
What Customers Are Saying
This product had no customer reviews at the time of this writing. If you own this product, feel free to share your thoughts with us by sending an email to [email protected].
Best Overhead Storage: FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack
Pros and Cons
✔ Helps avoid water damage
✔ Is made with heavy-duty cold-rolled steel
✔ Is available in one- or two-pack sizes and comes in various colors
✘ Can be challenging to install
✘ Storing items on your ceiling means you may need to access a ladder to remove them
What Customers Are Saying
We saw that customers who liked this product liked that it had a large amount of storage capacity, was durable, and was great for saving space. However, we also noted that several customers had problems with the installation, with many noting the assembly took an excessive amount of time.
Best Budget: Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit
Pros and Cons
✔ Come in pack sizes of one, two, three, or four
✔ Has a tall, thin design that helps save space
✔ Evenly distributes weight to prevent the unit from caving in
✘ Not as durable as some other models
✘ Has a low-weight capacity
What Customers Are Saying
Customers we saw who gave this product positive reviews were impressed by its simple assembly, noting that the units snapped together easily. We also saw several point out its excellent value. However, we did not that others found the unit to be made from cheap materials, and some were disappointed it did not have adjustable shelves.
Best Wire Shelves: Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a narrow design that is good for smaller garages
✔ Holds up to 800 pounds per shelf
✔ Shelves can be adjusted in one-inch increments
✘ Is only intended for dry use
✘ Shelves are not as wide as some other units in this review
What Customers Are Saying
While this product had limited reviews at the time of this writing, one customer did note that they were impressed with this unit’s stylish design and sturdy build. They noted that while they had an issue with threading one of the legs, the company sent a replacement right away.
Types of Garage Shelving
Garage shelving units can be split into three categories—wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and freestanding. Keep reading to learn more about each type and find the best storage solution for your garage.
Wall-Mounted
Wall-mounted shelves sit on brackets that are fixed to the studs in your walls, but you can also find shelves that work in the absence of studs. For example, the FLEXIMOUNT unit can be mounted to solid concrete. One benefit of a wall-mounted unit is that it doesn’t take up floor space, but it does require more assembly than other types of garage storage shelving.
Ceiling-Mounted
Ceiling-mounted shelves have brackets that are drilled into your garage’s ceiling studs. This type of shelving saves more space than a wall-mounted unit because it uses ceiling space that wouldn’t normally be used for storage. However, assembly is more difficult than it is with wall-mounted units.
Freestanding
This type of shelving unit looks similar to a bookcase or cabinet without doors. It requires some assembly and takes up useful floor space, but it doesn’t mount onto a wall or ceiling, cutting down on installation time.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Garage Shelves
Before choosing a garage storage system, consider how much storage space you need, how much room in your garage you have, and how much time you want to spend on installation. Read our guide below to learn what to look for in garage shelving before making a purchase.
Capacity
You’ll want to purchase a shelving unit that fits your storage needs. If you have only a few tools and supplies to store, a single wall- or ceiling-mounted shelf should provide enough space. However, if you need to store a variety of items, you may want to invest in several shelves or cabinets.
Material
Garage shelving is typically made of metal or wood. Wall- and ceiling-mounted shelving units are typically made of metal, while freestanding shelves use both types of material. Wood is more aesthetically pleasing than metal and can be painted if you want a customized look. However, metal is usually more durable and lasts longer than wood.
Installation
While all shelving units will require some assembly, consider the additional installation time that wall- and ceiling-mounted models need before making a final purchasing decision. If you don’t want to deal with a lengthy installation process, you may want to invest in a freestanding shelving unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do garage shelves list their weight capacity?
Yes. Some units will list how much weight they can hold on their label or in their product manual. This number can range from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds.
Can I build my own shelving unit?
Yes. If you don’t want to purchase pre-made shelving units, you can always buy plywood, screws, and other supplies to build the shelves yourself. This method will take more time, but it will likely be cheaper and allow you to create a unit that fits your specific storage needs.
How do I keep my shelves organized?
If you’re storing smaller items like hand tools and fasteners, you can keep them organized by purchasing bins or dividers to break up the shelves into compartments.
Can I use garage shelving units in other parts of my home?
Yes. Because of the mounted nature and industrial look of a ceiling- or wall-mounted unit, you can use these products in your garage or basement. A freestanding unit is more versatile and can work in a pantry, kitchen, garage, basement, or closet.
What can I store on my garage shelves?
Here are a few examples of what you can store on your garage shelves:
- Sports equipment, like soccer nets and tennis racquets
- Automotive equipment, like air compressors
- Yard tools, like rakes and leaf blowers
- Seasonal items, like sleds and snow shovels
- Hand and power tools, like jigsaws and hammers
Consider staying away from items that can’t withstand extreme weather, like bedding or electronics, or items that can’t be exposed to extreme heat, like propane tanks.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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