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 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 ShelvingCheck Price | 18 x 48 x 75 inches | Steel wire | Five | Floor mount |
DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage RackCheck Price | 18 x 50 x 47.6 inches | Nylon | Three | Floor mount |
Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter UnitCheck Price | 12 x 36 x 48 inches | Gauge steel | Five | Floor mount |
FLEXIMOUNTS Garage ShelvingCheck Price | 2 x 6 feet | Powder-coated steel | Two | Wall mount |
Shelving Inc 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter UnitCheck Price | 42 x 144 x 96 inches | Powder-coated steel | Two | Floor mount |
FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage RackCheck Price | 48 x 48 x 48 inches | Metal | One | Overhead |
Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf UnitCheck Price | 14 x 32 x 54.5 inches | Resin | Four | Floor mount |
Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire ShelvingCheck Price | 18 x 23.6 x 54 inches | 18 x 23.6 x 54 inches | Four | Floor mount |
Top 8 Garage Shelving Units
- Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving: Most Portable
- DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack: Most Heavy-Duty
- Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit: Best Rivet
- FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving: Best for Walls
- Shelving Inc 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit: Best Pallet Rack
- FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack: Best Overhead Storage
- Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit: Best Budget
- Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving: Best Wire Shelves
Most Portable
Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving
This shelving unit comes with wheels so it can move from one side of your garage to the other. The wheels lock once you’ve moved the unit, preventing it from rolling away in the middle of a project. The unit also has steel-wire shelves and can hold up to 4,000 pounds of heavy items.
Pros and Cons of Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving
- 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 People Are Saying About The Seville Classics Commercial-Grade 5-Tier Shelving
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
This storage rack from DEWALT has three shelves that can each hold 1,500 pounds for a total weight capacity of 4,500 pounds, which is enough to support most of your tools and supplies. The shelves are made of heavy-duty steel and have a powder-coated finish, and the cross beams on the rack provide extra support to the structure.
Pros and Cons of DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack
- 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 People Are Saying About The DEWALT Steel-Wire Industrial Storage Rack
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
These sturdy and easy-to-assemble shelves provide ample vertical space between levels and allow for open access to the shelves from all angles. They are made from durable, 14-gauge powder-coated steel and have a straightforward assembly that can set up in minutes.
Pros and Cons of Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit
- 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 People Are Saying About The Shelving Inc. 5-Shelf Single Rivet Starter Unit
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 reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com
Best for Walls
FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving
This metal shelving unit from FLEXIMOUNTS installs directly to your garage walls, allowing you to make use of wall space and minimize the amount of clutter on your garage floor. The shelves can mount to both studs and solid concrete, and you can purchase a version that includes hanging hooks to give you more storage space.
Pros and Cons of FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving
- 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 People Are Saying About The FLEXIMOUNTS Garage Shelving
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
This two-tier pallet rack is a great choice for warehouses or distribution centers but can also work well in garages. It is built with a powerful high-gloss powder coat finish that is abrasion-resistant. The beams also feature a three-rivet connection and safety clips that ensure the locking is secure.
Pros and Cons of Shelving Inc 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit
- 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 People Are Saying About The Shelving Inc 2-Tier Pallet Rack Starter Unit
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 reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
Best Overhead Storage
FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack
This FLEXIMOUNTS garage shelf attaches to the studs in your garage’s ceiling, allowing you to create a storage area out of unused ceiling space. This type of storage works best for seasonal items that you use only for a portion of the year, like holiday decorations or snow blowers. This specific storage rack is available in a pack of one or two.
Pros and Cons of FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack
- 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 People Are Saying About The FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Garage Storage Rack
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
If you’re on a budget, these shelves from Gracious Living may be a good option. The unit comes with four shelves, each of which is made of tough resin, giving you enough space and strength to hold a variety of tools and supplies. You can purchase several of these units and connect them to give you one long, uniform unit.
Pros and Cons of Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit
- 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 People Are Saying About The Gracious Living Medium-Duty Shelf Unit
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
This wire shelving unit has four well-constructed shelves that can hold up to 800 pounds each. Each shelf can also be adjusted in one-inch increments, allowing you to fully customize the height. These shelves are for dry-garage use only and are NSF approved.
Pros and Cons of Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving
- 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 People Are Saying About The Shelving Inc. Chrome Wire Shelving
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.
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