By Andreana Lefton and Tom Scalisi | Updated Apr 28, 2023 8:58 AM
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It’s difficult to get anything accomplished in a cluttered, disorganized garage or workshop where your supplies, tools, and other gear aren’t easy to stow or access. While there are various types of garage storage solutions, one of the most reliable and least expensive is shelving.
But not all shelving is alike! To help narrow down the field and highlight only the very best, we tested several of the most popular options. Continue reading for our hands-on reviews and smart shopping insights on how to find the best garage shelving for your needs.
Putting together a list of the best garage shelving was a project near and dear to our hearts, so we wanted to make sure we put our best foot forward. We performed hands-on testing with all of the models on this list.
First, we looked for shelving units with plenty of space and weight capacities for a variety of gear. Once we had the products in hand, it seemed that the acts of assembly and loading was more helpful in evaluating them than simply testing their stated weight capacities.
The tests began with seeing how difficult these models were to assemble. Then we tested how easy they were to install (if they needed installation). Finally, we loaded them up with what we could safely fit on them—which mostly included heavy-weight drill presses, miter saws, and other tools—to see how stable they were.
By the end of the tests, we had a good idea of what each shelving unit could do, so we gave them awards and ordered our list accordingly.
We put each of these top-rated garage shelving units to the test. Read on to find out why they made the cut.
Those looking for all-around quality shelves will want to check out Fleximounts garage shelving. This unit comes with eight wire shelves and eight heavy-duty brackets that offer up to 200 pounds of storage per shelf section (800 pounds total).
During testing, we found the Fleximounts shelves to be somewhat of a unicorn. Not only do the shelves have a high weight capacity of 200 pounds each, but they’re also 24 inches wide. They come with heavy-duty hardware (lag bolts), and the brackets are extremely high quality, but we were still surprised that these shelves could hold so much.
Installing the brackets was a little tricky as they needed to be level with one another, and the lags were too long for a drywall-over-concrete installation (though they were high quality). However, the mesh shelves break down into two pieces each, which makes it easy to assemble the shelves. There was a bit of wobble, but that’s typical of a wall-mounted shelving unit.
Get the Fleximounts wall garage shelving at Amazon.
High capacity and high price don’t always go hand in hand, and this model from HDX proves it. The HDX shelving unit offers plenty of storage without breaking the bank. This plastic kit features five shelves, each capable of holding 150 pounds. The result is a water-resistant storage unit with fixed shelves and plenty of strength.
There is a negative to get out of the way: During testing, these shelves did bow a little when loaded with drill presses and other heavy tools. However, the fact that these shelves are so lightweight and easy to move might make up for that. Also, we liked the affordable price and that they might outlast a metal or wood shelf in a wet space. It’s also worth noting that for a plastic shelving unit, there wasn’t a lot of noticeable wobble.
Get the HDX garage shelving at The Home Depot.
The space above a car or workbench doesn’t have to go to waste. Designed for stashing seasonal gear and occasional-use equipment, these ceiling storage drop-down units are 96 inches long by 48 inches wide by 22 to 40 inches high (adjustable, depending on the space). Thanks to heavy-duty rolled-steel construction, the wire mesh rack can bear up to 600 pounds.
At first glance, we didn’t know that this model had an adjustable height, so we thought we might have to cut the brackets to use it. However, we quickly realized that these brackets adjust easily, allowing us to take advantage of the space over a garage refrigerator.
The initial assembly was a bit of a challenge, but because this model installs into ceiling joists rather than wall studs, it worked out well for our garage application. Our biggest complaint was that the weight capacity seemed slightly low for this much space, and it would wobble a bit. That said, that wobble is probably necessary for safe hanging.
Get the Fleximounts overhead garage shelving at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Anyone who’s struggling to find a shelving unit to fit a specific space may want to check out the 2×4 Basics storage system. This system comes with six heavy-duty resin brackets that can support up to 1,000 pounds. These brackets slide onto standard 2×4 studs, and you can screw them in place easily, allowing them to customize the height, width, and design of their shelving space.
This unique kit was a lot of fun to put together. First, it allowed us to take advantage of some 2x4s we had lying around from a recent project, and the total cost of each shelving unit was extremely affordable. The flexible design was a real plus, and although it did not include lumber, the kit was easy to assemble. We also noticed very little wobble when it was loaded.
Get the 2×4 Basics garage shelving at Wayfair.
Metal wire shelving can be a blessing in a garage, as it’s often lightweight enough to assemble alone but sturdy enough to handle some serious weight. That’s the case with the Seville Classics wire shelving. This set of five shelves is 36 inches long by 18 inches wide by 72 inches high, offering plenty of storage for gear, tools, or hardware. It can also handle up to 4,000 pounds of weight.
Assembling the Seville Classics system was straightforward, requiring just two small friction-fit plastic clips per corner before sliding the shelf overtop. And this assembly style also allows for easy adjustment of shelf locations. We liked its tremendous weight capacity, with each shelf capable of holding 800 pounds. However, that weight capacity drops to just 500 pounds with the wheels attached. When loaded, it did wobble a little, but it was on wheels at that point. On feet, it was much more stable, though an unloaded unit might wobble if the feet were not level.
Get the Seville Classics garage shelving at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Overstock.
Fleximounts’ adjustable wall shelving system features wall-mounted rails that remain flexible for most storage needs and height requirements. The heavy-duty steel construction ensures that each shelf can bear up to 100 pounds, providing a 300-pound capacity distributed evenly among the three shelves. Each shelf is 48 inches long by 12 inches wide.
During testing, the Fleximounts three-tier shelves proved that there is no substitute for easily adjusted shelves. This kit came with the hardware to attach to framing studs, and we liked that each shelf offered up to 100 pounds of storage. We also liked the relatively compact size, as it could be ideal for some tight floor spaces. Plus, installation was relatively straightforward, especially considering that lining up the two wall-mounted brackets ensured that everything else worked well together.
It does wobble slightly, but that’s understandable for a wall-mounted shelf. Our only complaint was the lockdown stud on the bracket, as it stands out from the shelving surface by a few millimeters.
Get the Fleximounts 3-tier garage shelving at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Anyone who prefers a high weight capacity over height may want to check out DeWalt’s steel wire storage rack. This model features heavy-duty metal shelves that combine to carry up to 4,500 pounds (1,500 pounds per shelf).
The DeWalt unit certainly won us over in testing. While we weren’t sure we’d like this squat shelving unit, the model’s massive weight capacity and ease of assembly were instant draws. We also liked that despite the design or weight, the shelves were easy to adjust to make room for larger objects or keep smaller ones organized. And, when loaded, it didn’t rock or move at all.
Get the DeWalt garage shelving at The Home Depot or ToolUp.com.
Folks who need a massive shelving unit for all of their power tools, totes, sports equipment, and other items will want to consider the Husky five-tier steel garage shelving unit. This freestanding shelving unit measures 90 inches long by 24 inches wide by 90 inches tall. It also comes with five shelves, each of which has a maximum weight of 1,800 pounds for a total of 9,000 pounds. This translates to massive amounts of storage, and there isn’t a single bolt or pin to deal with—it’s all hardware-free.
This is an excellent shelf for anyone who needs lots of storage. Despite being so large, it was very easy to put together, and locking just the first set of supports in place made it extremely sturdy. And since it’s so tall, we were able to stand on one of the shelves to assemble the top shelf without the unit feeling shaky or rickety. Our biggest complaint—and it’s kind of par for the course for a shelf this big—is that this model is very heavy at a whopping 190 pounds, so it needs to be built in place and really isn’t movable once it’s assembled.
Get the Husky garage shelving at The Home Depot.
Craftsman’s shelving unit has more to offer than the typical plastic model. For one, this model measures 40 inches long by 24 inches wide by 72 inches high, and that 24-inch width allows it to hold quite a bit more than a standard 18-inch-wide model. Each of the shelves is ventilated and holds up to 250 pounds (when wall brackets are used), and this freestanding model comes with adjustable feet for easy leveling.
We were quite surprised by this shelving unit from Craftsman. First, the legs are square, and that does take some of the shakiness or wobble away. Also, the adjustable feet are a nice touch, and they’re relatively easy to set up. (We suggest doing it before attaching the rest of the shelves.) The oversize shelves themselves are awesome, and we were able to load this model with more stuff—mostly tools—than other plastic models we tested.
On the downside, we had to do quite a bit of trimming to remove excess plastic tabs that were left from the manufacturing molds. However, because it’s plastic, it’s lightweight and extremely easy to move around the garage if necessary.
Get the Craftsman garage shelving at Lowe’s.
Shoppers looking for a customizable, no-hardware garage storage shelf should consider the WorkPro five-tier metal shelving unit. This freestanding model features a hardware-free design with tabs that drop into adjustable holes, allowing you to choose shelf heights in roughly 1-inch increments. It features all-steel construction as well as coated wire racks for corrosion resistance and durability. It measures 48 inches long by 24 inches wide by 72 inches high for plenty of surface area for totes and other items. Overall, it offers up to 4,000 pounds of capacity, or 800 pounds per shelf.
Although this is a nice shelving unit with plenty of strength and capacity, it was the most frustrating shelf to put together in our tests. This is also the only reason it’s not higher up on our list. To install the shelves, we had to slide each tab into adjustment holes on the vertical posts of the unit, but they needed to be perfectly aligned to fit. And even then, we had to drive them in with a rubber mallet. This is difficult to do without a second person holding the post in place.
However, once together, the unit was very sturdy and didn’t wobble at all as we loaded it. We also liked that the design is customizable, as we could’ve built two separate units from this one kit, with three shelves on one unit and two on the other—though we went vertical to preserve floor space.
Get the WorkPro garage shelving at Amazon or WorkPro.
DIYers looking for a simple yet effective wall-mounted storage system may want to check out the Rhino garage storage kit. This kit’s bracketry is made from aerospace aluminum, making it durable enough for standard rigors while also remaining lightweight. Plus, at 48 inches long by 20 inches wide, each shelf provides quite a bit of storage.
There were things about this kit we liked and some we didn’t. For one, we’d prefer that this kit come with the required shelving boards, even though we were able to take advantage of some of our own. Also, we liked that the side brackets keep items from falling off, and there are no brackets in the middle to interfere with storage. We also liked the lightweight brackets for easy mounting to the wall. It also wobbled a bit but less so than other wall-mounted shelves.
Get the Rhino Shelf garage shelving at Amazon or Rhino Shelf.
Options abound when it comes to garage shelving. From material to size and capacity to mounting type, shoppers have a lot to think about when they’re ready to get new garage storage. Read on to find what to look for when choosing the right shelving unit.
The three most popular and functional styles of garage shelving are freestanding, wall-mounted, and ceiling-mounted.
Freestanding units provide flexibility and mobility since they are not installed on any surface. You can just assemble them and position them in a desired location. Plus, these units often offer adjustable shelf heights, and they are available in a variety of materials (wood, metal, or plastic) or a combination of materials. On the downside, they can also take up valuable floor space and get in the way of other functions, like parking a car.
Wall-mounted shelves, on the other hand, require careful positioning as they attach to studs (vertical structural beams) at regular intervals using metal brackets. Wall studs are 16 or 24 inches apart and run from floor to ceiling. When installing a wall-mounted shelf, you can locate a stud with an electronic stud finder or use a manual method. Once the studs have been located, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the brackets. The metal, wire, or wood shelves then fit onto the brackets for maximum stability and strength. Consider spacing shelves around 16 to 20 inches apart for as much flexibility and storage capacity as possible.
Many wall-mounted units have adjustable rail shelving. Adjustable rail shelving consists of vertical metal tracks, brackets, and shelves. The vertical metal tracks have slots at regular intervals. The brackets fit into these slots and hold the shelves. By moving the brackets up or down, you can adjust the height to create more or less space between shelves. Commonly made of steel wire, adjustable shelves can easily hold heavy objects, as long as the brackets are also metal. Some rail tracks also come with hardware compatible with concrete walls as well as drywall. In addition, be sure to read the instructions prior to purchase, as some tracks can only be installed into wood studs, not steel studs.
Ceiling-mounted garage shelvingattaches to ceiling joists using long, adjustable metal brackets and is ideal for storing seasonal items and equipment out of the way. Welded-steel construction can provide safe and reliable storage for several hundred pounds. While they conveniently keep less-often-used items out of the way, you will generally need a ladder or step stool to access this kind of storage unit.
Garage shelves are primarily made of wood, metal, or plastic. Each material has its pros and cons, much of which depends on what is being stored on the shelves.
Wooden shelves are beautiful and sustainable, adding style to work and storage spaces. Hardwood shelving like oak and maple is strong and durable. Softwoods such as pine, as well as pressed wood like plywood and chipboard, can handle light-duty storage but can warp, buckle, and break under heavy loads.
If building a wooden shelving unit is on the docket, look for a kit that contains all of the hardware parts necessary as well as clear instructions for this DIY project. However, bear in mind that some kits don’t include lumber.
Metal (typically steel) shelves can hold heavy loads and come in a variety of sizes. Because it’s nonporous, metal shelving is very easy to clean and won’t absorb chemicals or paint in case of a spill. Metal shelves may have black or powder-coated protective finishes to resist rust and damage.
While solid metal shelves are useful for heavy-duty equipment, wire shelves offer the strength of metal without the weight. They’re typically made of steel or chrome mesh, a surface of connected metal strands that form a sturdy grid, web, or net. These shelves are ideal for paint cans, tools, bins, and boxes, but smaller items such as loose nails and screws should be stored in larger containers so they won’t fall through the gaps.
Plastic shelving might not be as heavy-duty as some of the other types, but it’s still worth considering. It’s generally easy to set up and rarely requires tools. Also, it’s light enough to move around a garage, even when fully assembled. Plastic shelving is also moisture- and rust-resistant, making it a great choice for damp garages. Although plastic shelves may be more prone to bowing or bending when fully loaded, they’re still a durable enough option for most storage situations.
Overall size—width, depth, height—as well as just how much weight a shelving unit can hold are essential factors to bear in mind when shopping for garage shelving. The unit has to fit in the available space and reliably hold anything from tools to cleaning supplies to sporting equipment.
Wall-mounted shelves and freestanding units generally range between 12 inches and 24 inches wide. For convenient access, aim for shelves that can hold items without cutting into the surrounding space. For ceiling-mounted units, look for dimensions of at least 2 feet by 3 feet and larger for storing bulky items like golf clubs or other sports equipment.
Shelf length varies widely, but 3-, 4-, and 6-feet lengths are popular for residential garages. Custom shelves built using a DIY kit are also an option. Height also ranges quite a bit, anywhere from 3 feet to more than 7 feet tall. Taller units take advantage of vertical space, which is a great option in garages shy on enough space.
Many garage shelving units can bear hundreds of pounds worth of stuff, but be wary of shelving units that claim to bear up to 1,000 pounds on a single shelf. It’s more likely that a maximum bearing load for a single shelf is between 100 and 400 pounds. Rather than overloading one shelf, consider a multitiered unit to house a variety of items. Not overloading a shelf or shelving unit is especially important with ceiling- or wall-mounted shelves. If the weight load is too great, shelves can pull away from the surface, causing superficial or structural damage.
Although you’ve learned more about the variety and type of garage shelves and considered our hands-on reviews, you may still have some lingering questions. Below are answers to some of the most popular queries about garage shelves.
To be able to see everything on the shelves and not have too many items hidden behind other things, 16 inches is an ideal width for storing large items. If you’re going to store only smaller items, 12 inches is even better.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a versatile and inexpensive material that works great for garage shelving. It is strong enough to hold the items from most typical households.
Installing shelving areas around the wall space of the garage is a good idea if you’re planning to store your vehicle in the garage or use the main floor space for an activity. With storage shelves on the perimeter, it usually leaves enough space around the car area to easily open doors and get in and out. For smaller garage spaces, using ceiling-mounted shelving can be an excellent way to increase your storage capacity.
Since most garages are not as temperature controlled or dry as the rest of a house, avoid storing food, important documents, delicate clothing, or hazardous materials in the garage.
Particleboard is a standard material used in shelving and works very well. Just be aware that if you’re planning to store large heavy items, you should consider investing in a thicker particleboard.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in the home design, construction, tools, and automotive industries. He has been involved in the trades for over 15 years as both a contractor and a commercial building mechanic. His work has been featured on This Old House, Family Handyman, and Forbes. He also owns and operates a pest control blog RiddaBugs.com. As a lover of all things tools, construction, and DIY, he’s always looking for new tools and techniques while also sharing his knowledge with the DIY world.
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