Best Garage Shelving – Buyer’s Guide

Most people with a garage are familiar with the annual ritual of spring cleaning. This is where you take all of the things not often used around the home that were rather haphazardly thrown into the garage without too much trouble or organization and go through them, figuring out what you want to keep and what to get rid of.

Of course, you would not need to go through this process if your garage were already organized and free of random piles of stuff shoved into the corners. This is most easily accomplished if you have adequate shelving in your garage to properly store and organize everything you keep in it.

Figuring out what shelving option best works for you can be a difficult task. That is why we have put together a list of the 7 best garage shelving units. Then we provide a helpful buyer’s guide, so you can get the best garage shelving for your needs.

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Best Garage Shelving of 2020

Product		HxWxD	Maximum load	Shelves count
Edsal TRK-602478W5 Heavy Duty Steel Shelving Adjustable wire shelves, Stacked or side-by-side organization Editor’s Choice		74"x60"x24"	1000 lbs. per shelf	5	Check Price
Excel ES-602472P Adjustable wire shelves, Adjustable leveling feet		72"x60"x24"	600 lbs. per shelf	4	Check Price
Edsal URWM184872BK Black Steel Storage Rack Adjustable board shelves, Stacked or side-by-side organization		72"x48"x18"	4000 lbs. total	5	Check Price
Homdox 5-Shelf Shelving Unit Adjustable wire shelves, Wheels		61"x29"x14"	66 lbs. per shelf, 330 lbs. total	5	Check Price
Seville Classics Commercial 7-Tier NSF 16 Bin Racks Wire shelves, 16 gray bins in three different sizes, Wheels		56"x36"x14"	150 lbs. per shelf	7	Check Price
FLEXIMOUNTS 2-Pack 24×72-inch Wall Shelf Wire shelves		--x72"x24"	200 lbs. per shelf	2	Check Price
FLEXIMOUNTS 4ft-by-8ft Overhead Storage Rack Wire shelve		40"x96"x48"	600 lbs. total	1	Check Price

1. Edsal TRK-602478W5 Heavy Duty Steel Shelving – Largest Garage Shelving

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As a company, Edsal has been around for over fifty providing a wide range of storage products for every type of market. Whether you need storage for the home, office, or work site, Edsal has something in their lineup that will satisfy your needs. Of course, sometimes you have an overwhelming amount of things that you simply need off the floor and organized on shelves. That is where this product comes into play, as it is the largest shelving unit on our list.

This product features five shelves with each shelf offering five feet by two feet worth of surface area for whatever items you may need to store. Keep in mind, there were a couple other products we reviewed that could match the length of this Edsal’s shelves, but few could compete with the depth. This makes this shelving unit ideal for even the largest items you have.

Of course, when storing large, bulky items, it is important to ensure that your shelving can also handle the weight of those items as well. Unlike smaller shelves which are likely to hold numerous smaller items, the uncommon depth of this shelf means you are likely to be tempted to store heavy, dense items on it. Thankfully, this Edsal shelving offers 1,000 pounds of evenly distributed weight capacity – per shelf. So long as you are not storing gold or lead blocks, you should not have any worries about the weight of the large items this shelving unit is designed to store either.

Keeping that in mind, it is important to note that this shelving unit does not feature a center brace running along or across the individual shelving grates. This means that if you place too heavy of an object in the center of the grate, it is possible the wire mesh will bow or bend. This is in part due to the fact that the steel used for this Edsal is not the thickest gauge with only 16 gauge along the wire mesh and 14 gauge along the steel supports.

Still, this shelving unit offers some other benefits. For one, this is the only shelving unit we reviewed, which featured a small lip at the edge of the wire grates. This lip will prevent any objects from rolling or slipping off of the shelf on their own. The shelves themselves are held in place by a dual rivet locking system which can be adjusted every 1.5” This provides the freedom to decide the height of each shelf as best suits your needs.

On top of that, this shelving unit can be arranged as either a vertical or horizontal shelving unit. This is because the Edsal is actually two separate shelving units that are held in place by a connector. The only potential issue with this is that the requires the use of a rubber mallet to snap everything in place. If you are not careful, you could damage the support beams. The process also has a tendency to dislodge previously secured beams as your progress.

2. Excel ES-602472P – Most Durable Garage Shelving

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Excel has not been in business nearly as long as some of the other brands on our list, but they have managed to impress relatively quickly along the way. Founded in 2003, Excel Hardware was actually originated as a tool storage company, specializing in everything from toolboxes to tool cabinets to tool chests. From that start, the company began to expand into a number of different storage product markets.

As a company that began manufacturing storage solutions for professionals in heavy-duty industries, that same philosophy runs through their other products as well – even if the target demographic is not always quite so demanding. As such, it should come as little surprise that the Excel shelving unit is the most durable we reviewed. This is accomplished in a few ways.

First, this shelving unit easily features the best supports we saw. Made from powder-coated steel, these rods are not made like the somewhat thin supports most of the other products on this list. Instead, the supports feature a thicker, cylindrical shape to provide superior structural integrity. Moreover, the wire shelves are some of the few we saw which utilized central reinforced support. This will help prevent the shelves from bowing or bending when heavier items are placed on it.

While this shelving unit provides nowhere near as much weight capacity as our largest reviewed product, it does still offer a decent capacity at 600 pounds per shelf. In terms of total storage area, this shelving unit does offer significant room per shelf as one of the few products with shelves measuring five feet by two feet. That said, Excel is also one of the traditional shelving units that offer less than five shelves in total.

While this may make it ideal for storing large items, if you do not need four shelves’ worth of large item storage, you may feel like there is a lot of wasted, open space. Another quality of the Excel that can be a bit disappointing is the lack of wheels. This makes it exceedingly difficult to move the shelving unit after it has already been constructed. It does provide self-leveling feet with internal springs, but they are a bit hit or miss and do not assist with moving the unit.

In terms of construction, this is a fairly easy shelving unit to install, requiring no tools and fairly easily accomplished by a single person. One thing to note is that this is the only product we reviewed, which uses plastic wedges to lock the shelves into place. While the plastic is generally durable enough to withstand some abuse, it can be somewhat tricky getting it to stay in place during the installation, potentially requiring numerous tries before you get it level and secure.

3. Edsal URWM184872BK Black Steel Storage Rack – Best Budget Garage Shelving

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Though Edsal has been in existence for more than half a century, the company has gone through a few rebranding efforts. Whereas once it was known for providing heavy-duty products, these days Edsal services all segments of the storage market. For this product, the target demographic is definitely the consumer market.

This product offers a decent amount of storage space. While not as robust as some, the four feet by one and a half foot shelves are still reasonably large – especially when compared to some of the other products we reviewed. The fact that this shelving unit offers five shelves is also nice. This product also offers the second best weight capacity we saw.

At 800 pounds per shelf, you can store plenty of heavy items without too much worry. That being said, the shelves do leave a bit to be desired. This is mostly due to the fact that the shelves are made from particle board. While the particle board is not cheap or flimsy, it does still come with the caveats that all fibrous shelving units do. Specifically, these shelves will not stand the test of time in damp areas and are not at all appropriate for storing items which may leak drip liquids onto them.

The fact that the shelves are made from particle board combined with the absence of central support also means that when holding especially heavy or dense objects, the shelves may bow in the middle. This prospect is made all the more unsettling by the fact the unit is actually a two in one. While this is nice in that it offers the option of using this shelving unit either vertically or horizontally, it does not provide a securing piece to do so.

As such, you will simply have to line the two shelving halves up and hope that they do not fall. Considering this product is designed to hold heavier items, that prospect can easily make someone a bit unsure about its stability. Still, you can adjust the shelf heights using a sturdy, dual rivet locking system, offering flexibility in terms of the shelf heights.

4. Home-it 6 Shelf – Best Rolling Garage Shelving

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Homdox is one of the few brands on our list that does not specialize specifically in storage products. While other brands might offer a range of storage options that go beyond shelving, Homdox offers a full suite of products for the homeowner market, including furniture, outdoor supplies, and kitchen appliances. That said, their market focus does mean that the brand will not provide the same heavy-duty shelving units that some others offer.

In fact, this shelving unit provides the least amount of storage out of any product we reviewed. In terms of surface area, the shelves are less than three feet long and just over one foot in depth. There are five shelves total, which is better than some, but they cannot handle the same weight as other products either. Each shelf with this unit has a maximum weight capacity of only sixty-six pounds. Ultimately, this shelf is designed more for light storage of smaller items.

One area where this shelving unit easily bests all the others we saw was in terms of positioning. This product is by far the lightest we reviewed at nineteen pounds. This is also one of the few shelves we saw with wheels attached. Combined, you can easily construct this shelving unit in one place and transport it to another without having to disassemble it – though the unit should not be moved when heavily laden.

5. Seville Classics Commercial 7-Tier NSF 16 Bin Racks – Best Bin Rack Garage Shelving System

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Seville Classics is one of the older brands on our list, which has built up quite a reputation for specializing in storage and organization products. This brand also makes it a point to appeal to broad markets, allowing it to offer high-end products for commercial and industrial applications. Still, the company makes it a point to provide storage solutions for all situations.

In this product’s case, the shelving unit is designed to store numerous smaller items. This is most easily recognized by the inclusion of various bins. The Seville Classics provides 16 bins in all – offering different sizes as well as removable dividers for custom bin storage. If you want, you can also remove some or all of the bins and simply use this shelving unit as a traditional shelf.

In terms of durability, the Seville Classics is a bit of a mixed bag. The supports that hold the structure up are made from 1” thick steel making some of the most durable we saw. This shelving unit also uses a platinum powder coat, which is better at preventing corrosion than most other powder coats reviewed. That said, the bins are made out of polypropylene plastic, which is not especially durable, limiting their effectiveness when storing heavier or metal objects.

6. FLEXIMOUNTS 2-Pack 24×72-inch Wall Shelf – Best Wall Mounted Garage Shelving

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Like many other brands on our list, FLEXIMOUNTS specializes in storage and shelving products. Unlike the other companies we saw, though, FLEXIMOUNTS only offers products that are installed and positioned off of the floor. Easily the most common type of shelving unit that fits this bill is the wall-mounted shelving unit. In this regard, FLEXIMOUNTS has provided excellent quality in this market – a market that often finds the products lacking in heavy-duty robustness.

This product will ultimately be judged against dissimilar competition, but it should also be understood for what it is. This is important because compared to a traditional shelving unit, the FLEXIMOUNTS wall mount does not offer a great deal of storage space or weight capacity. That being said, each of these shelves does offer six feet of length by two feet of depth. This actually makes these the longest shelves we reviewed – even if there are only two.

Also, while the 200-pound weight capacity is not great compared to standard shelving units, it is extremely impressive for a wall-mounted shelving unit. Part of this is likely due to the fact that the FLEXIMOUNTS wall mount uses significantly higher gauged fastening hardware to mount their product than most other wall mount shelving units.

7. FLEXIMOUNTS 4ft-by-8ft Overhead Storage Rack – Best Overhead Garage Shelving

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As a company that specializes in storage and shelving products that are not built from the ground up, you should expect some unique products in the FLEXIMOUNTS lineup. In this case, there are fewer shelving units more unique than this one. This product is designed to fasten to the overhead support beams that line your structure’s roof.

This can be a great thing, but it can also be a bit of a pain. In terms of storage space, this FLEXIMOUNTS shelving unit offers a large eight foot by four-foot storage area. On top of that, these shelves are also rated to hold 600 pounds. Though, it should be noted that you will need at least almost two feet of drop-down clearance as well as 8’9” of horizontal clearance.

This means your space will need to be fairly large to support this shelving unit. Even more tricky, the supports of this product are spaced specifically. While this generally lines up with most construction standards, it is not ubiquitous, and some people may find this product does not properly brace for their garage.

Still, the ability to protect your stored items from people and the environment offers enough advantages that it may be worth the effort. Of course, that effort comes both beforehand and afterward. First, installing this product is definitely a two-person job and may require a professional. Second, once you have finished installing this shelving unit, you will likely need a ladder to store or retrieve your items.

Buyer’s Guide

Type

Shelves come in a number of different profiles. Each of these profiles has its advantages and disadvantages, but most importantly, each of these profiles has its situational use. Even if the advantages of one type are appealing, make sure your space is suited for that type, or you may end up with shelving you cannot use.

Standard – This is the most common type of shelving unit made and can be found in virtually every setting. Generally, these shelving units feature a four-post construction upon which numerous shelves are positioned. This type of shelving unit can generally hold the heaviest loads, but it does leave your stored items exposed to others or the elements.

Wall Mount – After the standard type, wall mounts are the next most common type of shelving unit. These shelves are extremely convenient as they can be mounted anywhere you have studs or other bracing supports and keep your stored items off of the ground. Unfortunately, these shelving units also provide the lowest weight capacity.

Overhead – Overhead shelving units strike something of a balance between the wall mount and the standard type. These shelves will be secured from the ceiling support beams of a roof. This provides better security for larger weight capacities and also allows them to provide larger storage surface area than wall mounts. Another bonus is that they keep your stored items secure from both other people as well as the elements. The main issue with this type of shelving is that it is more difficult to install and makes retrieving the stored items more of a pain as well. They are also often more expensive than other shelving unit types.

Capacity

While a shelf may be extremely large, that does not mean it can handle all of the different items you may want to store on it. For instance, if you are looking to keep bags of concrete off of the ground, you will need to make sure the shelves can handle the weight capacity. Assuming you take care of the space requirements, this is arguably the next most important quality of a shelving unit.

Size

Different shelving units will offer more or less space and in different configurations. One thing that affects this is the number of actual shelves that come with the unit. Another factor to consider is along with what increments of size the shelves can be adjusted – if any.

While it might be necessary to seek the most storage space possible, you will also want to make sure that the shelving unit fits in the area you intend to place it. If you can, shelving units with wheels will allow you some leeway when figuring that last part out.

F.A.Q.

1. What is the best way to organize a garage?

If you want to do the job right, start off by setting aside an entire day, maybe even a weekend. You might also want to ask a few family members or friends to help since the task can be overwhelming for just one person. Next, categorize all the items in the garage: winter equipment, summer equipment, automotive supplies, and so on. Discard or donate anything that’s either broken or no longer used.

Once you have all the items sorted, determine whether any of these categories would be better off stored inside the house (assuming you have space). For the layout, group the different categories depending on how often they’re used. For example, recycling should be closest to the entrance to the house, while seasonal categories like camping gear can be stashed in a more remote location.

2. What is the cheapest way to organize a garage?

If you want to save money, you should start organizing before you buy any storage equipment (such as bins and shelving). You might not need as many of these organizational items as you think, and it’s better to only buy what you need. Once you have determined how much you need, go to a bulk outlet or website (Sam’s Club or Costco) to get the best pricing.

3. What should I keep in my garage?

Here’s a list of the items most commonly found in garages:

• Automotive equipment
• Yard tools, such as rakes and leaf blowers
• Outdoor toys and sports equipment, such as badminton and croquet sets
• Shovels and de-icer for the winter months
• Any items that don’t get used very often, as long as they can safely be stored in the garage (see below)

It’s just as important not to store any of the following items in the garage, as this can cause damage to your property and even be hazardous to your health.

• Propane tanks
• Clothing
• Bedding
• Books
• Firewood
• Pet food or birdseed
• Electronics
• Anything that can’t withstand extreme temperatures

4. How do I maximize my garage storage?

Hanging tools and small equipment on the wall provides a quick (and inexpensive) way to tidy up space. If necessary, you can install a pegboard (the cheapest ones will usually cost around $10-$20), or simply use your own nails and hooks. If you have a spare chest of drawers, repurpose it into a storage unit or workbench.

Strategic stacking is a useful tool, as well. As long as items can be easily reached when you need them, feel free to stack your belongings as high as you can to free up floor space.

5. What can I use for garage walls?

Many people use drywall, but this isn’t always the best option because it doesn’t hold up well to moisture. Drywall also has very little impact resistance, so the walls will be prone to gouge marks and pitting. Plywood, by contrast, is a durable, economical, and simple choice. Also, it can be easily outfitted with hooks and nails for the aforementioned hanging technique.

6. How high should garage shelves be?

The answer to this question depends on how high you and your family members can reach—you don’t want items to be so far up that they’re inaccessible. Use your judgment, but remember that the lowest tier should ideally be placed at least six inches off the ground to keep the stored items from taking on too much moisture.

7. How thick should plywood be for shelves?

At a minimum, plywood should be 3/4″ thick to provide adequate support for shelving. If you’re in a hardware store and the panels aren’t clearly labeled, ask a retail associate for assistance. Also, be aware that 3/4″ is usually the thickest panel width available on the regular market; any thicker, and you may have to place a special order. If you’re going to be storing multiple cans of paint or other heavy items, you might want to look into purchasing thicker panels.

8. How deep should garage cabinets be?

Try not to store smaller items any further than 12 inches back, as this can make them too difficult to reach. For larger items, you can go a bit deeper—up to 18 inches, depending on what you’re storing. Remember to keep any new replacement items (like automotive fluids) stored in the back, so you’re using up the older stuff first.

9. What is the best distance between the shelves?

For garage storage, shelves can be placed anywhere from 7 to 15 inches apart, depending on the size of the items you’re storing. If you prefer to err on the side of caution, position the shelves 15 inches apart—you can always stack smaller objects, but if larger ones don’t fit where you want them to go, then there’s little point in having shelves at all.

If your garage has a 16-foot door, be sure to leave at least five feet free on either side before installing your shelving. If the door is larger, leave an extra foot or two of space.

10. Is MDF OK for shelves?

Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a popular choice for interior shelving, as it’s easy to find, inexpensive, and smooth to the touch. However, MDF isn’t as sturdy as plywood and is therefore prone to sagging when used to store heavy or bulky items (like the ones you probably have in your garage). If you happen to have some MDF on hand already and the items you’re storing are on the lighter side, go ahead and use it. Otherwise, you’d be better off investing in something a little more durable.

11. How high should cabinets be above workbench?

Unlike kitchen cabinets, which can be situated as little as 12 inches above the countertop, garage cabinets should clear the workbench by at least 24 inches. This will give you plenty of room to maneuver while still being able to reach the materials stored in the cabinets. In addition, you’ll have ample wall space beneath the cabinets for hanging smaller tools, rolls of wire, or anything else that you care to keep within easy reach.

12. What kind of wood should I use for garage shelves?

Since garage shelving doesn’t need to be pretty, plywood is a great option—it’s affordable, sturdy, and widely available. If you’d like, you can easily paint the panels to give the space a fresher appearance.

Alternatively, you can use red oak, which is also durable and easy to work with, in addition to being more attractive than plywood. You’ll want to consider this only if the cost isn’t an issue, and you want your garage to be showroom-worthy. Otherwise, the additional expense probably isn’t worth it. Pine is similarly easy to handle (and takes stains beautifully), but it’s not a good choice for heavy items, as the wood itself is fairly soft.

13. How much weight can floating shelves support?

The brackets that are typically used to support a standard 24-inch shelf can manage about 150 pounds. Remember: The deeper the shelf, the more support it will need, so be sure to keep your floating shelves at the precise depth that you need. It helps if you have some idea of which items you’ll be floating (along with their approximate weight) before installing the shelves.

14. What is the standard height of a workbench?

Standard workbenches range from 33″ to 36″ high. This is a comfortable range for individuals who measure from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. If you or the person who’ll be getting the most use out of the workbench is any taller, consider adding the corresponding inches to the height. When it comes to workbenches, the difference is noticeable to the point of distraction—you’ll be forced to your arms, head, neck, and torso in uncomfortable positions—so it’s important to get the dimensions right.

15. What is the best material for shelving?

Durable, chrome-finished steel makes an excellent shelving material—it isn’t prone to rust or breakage, and units can be found at big-box outlets (such as Sam’s Club) at reasonable prices, with little to no assembly required. If you do decide to build your own, the aforementioned plywood is likely your best bet.

Alternatively, sturdy plastic shelving is easy to assemble and even easier on the wallet. The drawback? It shouldn’t be used for bulky or heavy items. Consider it only if you need storage for a multitude of yard games, such as badminton or croquet.

16. Do floating shelves need studs?

If you’re affixing your floating shelf to an area of the wall that already has a stud behind it, then you don’t need any additional support. For drywall or plaster, on the other hand, studs are an absolute must.

To determine whether there’s a stud behind your chosen area of the wall, try tapping in a nail. If it goes in easily, then it’s likely just drywall. If you find yourself tapping hard to make the nail go in, then you’ve either found a stud, or it’s plaster. The more familiar you are with your garage, the easier this part will be.

17. How much weight can a shelf hold in drywall?

Don’t count on a drywall-supported shelf to hold any more than 20 pounds. While some can hold up to 50 for short periods of time, you shouldn’t count on this for long-term storage. It’s better to err on the side of caution than to end up with a pile of broken belongings and a worthless shelf.

18. How many pounds can drywall hold?

If you’re using anchors or another form of hanging hardware, your drywall may be able to hold up to 50 pounds of weight. The more support you give it, the more weight it will be able to bear. However, as mentioned above, it’s best not to rely on this for long periods of time. The use of floating shelves should be reserved for the lightest equipment you have.

Conclusion

Depending on the space you have, and the items you need to store, not all garage shelving will suit your needs best. That being said, the best bet, assuming you have the available room, is to look for the largest shelving unit with the highest weight capacity.

In this regard, there is no product that we saw better than the Edsal TRK-602478W5. With five different shelves measuring five feet by two feet, this unit provides the most surface area we saw. Combine that with the 1000 pounds per shelf weight capacity, and this unit can comfortably store more than any other reviewed.

If you are looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, Edsal once again comes to the rescue with the URWM184872BK. While not the largest, this shelving unit is still one of the more spacious we reviewed and offers the second highest weight capacity. Though, the particle board shelves do limit the setting and items it can store for long periods of time.