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15 Best Garage Shelving Ideas to Make Sense of the Mess

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The best garage shelving ideas do more than declutter the space where you park your car. They transform your entire home! Garage storage shelves are the secret to a functional catch-all spot—something everyone can use to help the rest of the house stay tidy and organized. That said, there is a lot that goes into finding the right garage storage shelves for your family’s needs. For example, it helps to consider how much weight the unit will need to hold, the size of the space, and what material is best in case of water damage or other environmental elements.

But before you go too deep down the rabbit hole of garage storage ideas, you’ll want to think about what, exactly, you’re storing. Do you want to keep all those Christmas ornaments tucked out of the way? Or maybe your summer decor needs a home during the winter? What about all those tools and outdoor toys? The point is, the contents of the shelves will decide whether you’re buying a sturdy unit built for heavier loads, an overhead loft situation, or something light and movable that comes with built-in bins.

Here are several highly-rated garage shelving ideas that will work for whatever your storage needs might be.

01

Husky Steel Freestanding Garage Storage Shelving Unit

Home Depot

$229.00

Many Home Depot garage shelves are made with heavy-duty storage in mind. In fact, these adjustable wire shelves can support up to 2,500 pounds. (That’s a lot!) You don’t have to worry about putting that to the test, either, because they come with a lifetime warranty. If these shelves break, you replace them for free.

“Easy assembly and structurally sound,” wrote one satisfied customer. “Good product at a fair price.”

02

FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack

Amazon

$137.99

Short on space? An overhead rack is a great storage solution, as long as you don’t need to access the items frequently. Several reviewers say that while these sturdy shelves, which can hold up to 600 pounds, are tricky to install, they’re well worth the effort.

“Once installed, the unit feels very strong,” says one reviewer. “I have full totes of holiday decor and camping gear on them and have no concerns about if they will last.”

03

Kobalt 4-Tier Utility Shelving Unit

Lowe’s

$299.00

They may look simple on the surface, but these steel shelves come with several features that’ll keep you—and your home—safe, including mountable feet that protect flooring from scratches and locking drop pins that keep the shelves properly installed.

“They are solid, stout, and sturdy as all get out,” reads one positive review. “I can’t imagine being able to overload any of these shelves. They do not sway or rock or even budge.”

04

WORKPRO Metal Garage Storage Cabinet

Walmart

$168.99

Open shelving isn’t always an option, especially if security or having child-proof locks is a concern. These Workpro storage cabinets come with a locking door and are available in two different sizes: 71 inches and 37 inches. Reviewers were also happy with the quality and how easy they were to assemble.

“My concerns about having heavy ready-to-assemble items shipped to my home were put to rest when I saw the quality of the packaging,” wrote one buyer. “Assembly was simple with the easy-to-identify labeled parts. Seems like a simple thing, but even the stickers used to label the parts were adhered perfectly but came off easily enough when assembly was finished. The quality is above expected for the price, and I intend to buy more of these in the near future.”

05

HDX Steel Wire Shelving Unit

Home Depot

$99.00

It’s usually the simplest answer that’s the best: These chrome adjustable shelves are as uncomplicated as it gets thanks to their straightforward design and clear instructions. They’re also available for pickup or delivery from Home Depot, so buying them is just as trouble-free.

“I’ve purchased a number of these shelving units over the years, and they are top quality,” recommends one reviewer. “Well made and very easy to assemble.”

06

IRIS 4-Tier Heavy Duty Plastic Shelving Unit

Amazon

$54.99

One benefit of plastic shelves is that they’re lighter and easier to move than metal units, which means anyone can build them with ease. This unit from Amazon doesn’t even require tools to set up.

“I loved that this unit was heavy plastic but light enough for me to move once assembled,” says one review. “Snapped together easily. Took longer to unpack from box than [to] put together. Holds an amazing amount of stuff.”

07

Gladiator Overhead GearLoft™ Storage Rack

Wayfair

$280.49

Out of sight, out of mind—at least, that’s how you’ll feel with an overhead storage rack. We like that the light white color of this one blends in seamlessly with a garage ceiling and how much space it opens up.

“Easy installation, included all the hardware we needed,” wrote one reviewer. “Good quality, installed two of them above my garage door. The adjustable height made it very easy to ensure we could still open and close the garage door with no interference. Great product, would buy again.”

08

Prepac Freestanding Garage Cabinet

Home Depot

$177.99

There’s no reason the garage can’t be as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of the house. These two-door cabinets are nice to look at and come in white, light gray, black, and espresso. Says one pleased reviewer, “Great storage cabinet with a great depth so you can put many items inside.”

09

Amazon Basics Adjustable Steel Wire Storage Rack

Amazon

$55.99

You don’t have to spend a ton to get a wall of garage shelving that looks custom. These highly-rated racks come with several options, from the width to the number of shelves to whether you want it with or without wheels. You can easily create that made-just-for-you look, no matter what the space is like.

“It’s easy to assemble, sturdy enough to hold heavy items, and has a sleek, professional look,” says one customer. “Highly recommended for anyone in need of reliable, affordable storage!”

10

Seville Classics 48″ Steel 7-Tier Storage Bin Rack

Lowe’s

$249.99

Organization doesn’t stop at the shelves themselves—you’ll also need containers to hold smaller items like tools and toys. These steel shelves take care of that by including 15 large bins, labels, and drop-in dividers.

“The open view bins are the best feature that is unique to this storage unit,” says one customer. “I can see at a glance the contents. No need to sort through closed containers searching for my items.”

11

COOKCOK 4-Tier Metal Storage Shelving Unit

Walmart

$45.99

Your storage needs can change with the seasons—maybe you’d like to make better use of the space while all those holiday decorations are up, for example. One option could be foldable shelves like these that can easily be moved or put away when not in use.

“I really like this shelving unit,” reads one five-star review. “So easy to put up. No tools needed. It seems pretty sturdy. If you’re looking for a nice easy-to-do shelf, this is the one to get. It’s a good size too.”

12

HDX Plastic Garage Storage Shelving Unit

Home Depot

$89.00

Garage storage doesn’t just keep things organized—it’s also a vital way to protect your things from the elements. Take, for example, this unit made from eco-friendly plastic that has raised feet and ventilated shelving to help prevent water damage.

“Ordered some about five years ago and have been pleased,” wrote one customer. “Ordered a few more this time to finish the whole wall out with shelves.”

13

Project Source Commander Utility Shelving Unit

Lowe’s

$89.98

There are a lot of well-reviewed Lowes garage shelving options, but this unit is a best-seller. Customers like that it’s durable, recyclable, mold resistant, simple to build, and easy to clean. You can even purchase matching storage totes that are designed to fit perfectly.

“It took no time to assemble,” says one customer. “After I was finished, I was very happy with this utility shelving. Then I started to load it up. I was so happy…I decided to buy two more for my laundry room.”

14

REIBII Adjustable Metal Shelving Unit

Amazon

$149.95

All heavy-duty garage shelving units are made to withstand larger loads, but this one in particular is built for the truly weighty stuff. Thick, double-layer columns and additional reinforcing ribs help them withstand up to 2,500 pounds.

“Love this shelf,” says one Amazon reviewer. “I put this together with ease in my 3rd trimester by myself, and it is so simple. I have bought two now, and our garage looks so organized and for a great price! They are sturdy, and if I ever need another one I’ll be ordering this one again.”

15

Seville Classics 36″ 7-Tier Storage Rack with Wheels

Wayfair

$229.99

These shelves come with 22 bins in three sizes—extra-large, large, and medium—and a patented design that allows them to lock in place when they tilt that allows for super easy access to whatever’s inside.

“I really like this shelf a lot,” says one customer. “Love that the bins come with little labels and are so easily removable. It’s a great buy! Really heavy-duty bins.”

Frequently Asked Questions


Is plastic or metal shelving better?

It depends on what you need to store and your family’s needs. Plastic shelves are often cheaper, simple to assemble, and lighter to transport. So, if you want to declutter your space but know you’ll need to move things around often, plastic shelves may be the answer. They’re also typically easier to clean than metal shelves and less prone to rust or other deterioration. However, metal garage shelves are definitely worth the investment for storing heavier items, as they’re more durable and sturdier.

What is the strongest shelving material?

What do I put on garage shelves?

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