These storage systems will help you organize everything from paint cans to sporting equipment.
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For some, a garage is a reserved parking spot for their vehicle. For others, it’s a supersized walk-in closet for household overflow, storing a variety of items like sports equipment, tools, and the cans of soda you bought in bulk when they were on sale last month.
If that second scenario sounds like the current state of your garage, then a garage storage system is key to organizing it all. After all, you wouldn’t want any of those piles to tip over and dent your car—provided there’s any room left to park it, of course.
While there are plenty of garage storage solutions on the market, Jessica Litman, an organizing expert who is the founder and CEO of The Organized Mama, says the best garage storage system is somewhat subjective.
“Not all items are going to fit or work with every storage system,” she says. “Before you even purchase a storage system, look at the items you want to store. If you have more yard equipment like chainsaws, blowers, and trimmers, you will probably need more hooks with secure attachments so the items don’t come off the wall.” Removing things and putting them back should also be easy and convenient, she says, if you want to keep things organized.
It offers plenty of customization options.
There are no cabinets or covered storage accessories.
Want a storage system that will make sense out of your messy garage straight out of the box? The Rubbermaid FastTrack 20-piece system will put you on the fast track to organization. Each kit includes five 48-inch rails and 15 hooks for a variety of storage needs—you can hang ladders, coolers, and lots of other items.
To install, simply mount the rails horizontally to the wall and attach the hooks at whatever intervals and heights you want. This storage system also includes plenty of storage accessories like shelves and double hooks that make it easy to hang heavier items.
If you have a house full of athletes, you can use the vertical ball rack so that no more errant soccer or basketballs are bouncing around the garage. This is one of many handy accessories that you can attach to the Fast Track on the wall—just use the push/pull lever to adjust it to the rack and location you need.
The best part of this system is that you can start off with the basics, then add on or customize it to exactly what you want. However, unlike a few other options on this list, this garage storage system isn’t covered and you can’t lock up any of your tools. But because it offers a variety of storage solutions for a multitude of items, it’s our pick for the best garage storage system.
Product Details: Dimensions: Rails are 48 inches, but the system size varies depending on your configuration | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Steel
No tools are necessary for assembly or adjustment.
Secure it to a wall or put heaviest items on the bottom to avoid tipping.
Looking for a storage system that won’t cost more than the items you’re actually storing? This budget-friendly adjustable shelf by Amazon Basics is the best garage storage system for you.
If you have a long wall, you can purchase a few of these shelves and slide them next to each other for a wall full of storage opportunities. They also work great in the basement, closet, and pantry—or anywhere else that you want to create quick and easy storage.
These shelves are sturdy enough on their own, but you can always add shelf liners to create a flatter surface to prevent smaller or odd-shaped items from falling in between the wiring.
You might be looking to organize your tools and other equipment in your garage, but you won’t need any of them to assemble this shelving unit. These shelves are made from durable alloy steel and feature adjustable feet to ensure that your garage storage system stays firmly in place.
Each shelf—which you can adjust the height of in 1-inch increments— holds 350 pounds, so you can store plenty, including heavy equipment and tools. For extra support, you can attach the shelf to studs in your wall.
Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 54 x 36 inches | Mounting type: Floor | Material: Alloy steel
This option keeps everything in order without visual clutter thanks to sleek doors.
The installation process can be a bit tricky.
The NewAge Products Steel Garage Storage System is well worth the splurge if you want top-tier organization without any visual clutter. The minimalist storage system is designed to keep everything in its place while also hiding all your gear behind sleek closed doors. It’s modular and can be customized as needed.
We also really like that this one is available in a variety of colorways to best suit your preferences or existing garage decor. It provides an ultra-modern solution to what can sometimes be utilitarian design, but is just as heavy-duty as less sightly options, with industrial-strength construction that you can pile your gear onto without worrying about dings from regular use or wear and tear from temperature changes in your garage.
The garage storage system also has built-in locks on each door and cabinet to help provide additional security for your expensive tools and other gear. The only downside is that it can be a bit tricky to install at first, but once you’ve assembled it you won’t have to worry about upkeep or repairs.
Product Details: Dimensions: 192 x 24 x 84.75 inches | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Steel
This storage system makes it easy to roll up to 300 pounds of tools around your garage.
It’s too small to be used for anything besides handheld tools.
The Craftsman 1000 Series combines a steel tool chest with the ease of a rolling cabinet. Whether you roll this sturdy two-in-one storage solution into a corner for safekeeping or use it as a portable toolbox, your tools, nuts, and bolts will be kept safe and secure in your garage.
It can hold up to 300 pounds of tools and can still easily roll and swivel on its heavy-duty casters—the wheels also lock in place when you need it to stay put. There are five drawers that fully extend thanks to ball-bearing slides, and they hold up to 30 pounds of tools and other items.
This garage storage system offers over 10,000 cubic inches of storage and has an internal locking system (keys included) as an added layer of protection for your tools. A non-slip mat covers the surface of the cabinet so you can safely put down a tool without damaging the top of the cabinet.
Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 26.5 x 44.25 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Steel
The long hooks make it easy to hang multiple tools at once.
Go with another system if you need shelving.
If you’ve ever tried stacking long-handled landscaping tools like rakes, brooms, and shovels in the corner of a garage or shed, then you’ll know the comedy of errors that ensues whenever you try to grab one of them. To avoid potential injury and save the time spent on having to reorganize your tools every time you want to sweep your front steps, this pick from StoreYourBoard is the best garage storage system for you.
The StoreYourBoard BLAT makes our list for long-handled tool storage needs because it can store a shed’s worth of tools in just 3 feet of space on your garage wall. There’s no assembly required—to mount, all you need is the included hardware, a bare wall, and a stud finder. It attaches easily to the wall, and it fits standard 16-inch stud spacing for a secure hold.
This storage system is made from powder-coated steel that stands up to scrapes and scuffs as you add or remove tools. There are four sets of hooks that are 9.5 inches deep, so depending on the size of the tool, you can add several to each hook rather than just one as with other hook storage systems.
It holds up to 200 pounds, so while the StoreYourBoard is a great way to store lightweight brooms and rakes, go ahead and hang those heavier outdoor tools, like snow shovels, weed whackers, and more, too.
Even if you don’t have, say, three different types of shovels, this is still an excellent storage solution because you can keep the long-handled tools you do have neat and separate from each other. The rack only juts out a little over a foot from the wall, so it will take up a small footprint in your garage.
Product Details: Dimensions: 37 x 10 x 3.25 inches | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Powder-coated steel
Unlike traditional pegboards, this one is made from powder-coated metal for superior strength.
You’ll need additional storage for larger items that don’t fit easily onto the hooks or compatible accessories.
A traditional pegboard is a classic garage storage system to help organize your commonly used tools. But this old-school storage solution has gotten even better over the years, as evidenced by this 4-foot pegboard organizer from Wall Control.
The three powder-coated metal panels offer more than 10 square feet of wall storage space. You can hang lightweight tools as well as heftier ones, thanks to this industrial-grade storage solution that’s more than 10 times sturdier than a traditional pegboard.
Just insert the standard 1/4-inch hooks and start hanging tools to keep everything you need within arm’s reach in your garage. Slotted hooks also make it easy to hang Wall Control’s storage accessories, like baskets, small shelves, and even a paper towel holder, so you can further customize the space beyond the individual hooks.
Pegboards of old might have been a bit dull and boring, but that’s not the case with this new version, which comes in a rainbow of colors to liven up your space. This storage system is available in multiple colors, including red, yellow, or blue.
To install, simply mount the pegboard into studs on your wall using the included hanging hardware, which is designed to not get in the way of any of the pegboard’s holes.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9 x 48 x 32 inches | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Alloy steel, metal
This storage solution doesn’t require installation (though it does need some assembly) and can easily be adjusted to suit your needs.
It’s not as sturdy as pricier steel or metal options.
The Sterilite 4-Shelf Cabinet doesn’t require installation or too much square footage in your garage and as such can easily be moved and adjusted. This means it will still accommodate your vehicles rather than having to give up your garage entirely to storage and cabinetry.
This cabinet is crafted from durable and weatherproof hard plastic and can accommodate up to 40 pounds of gear per shelf (which should be more than enough for the average power tool set, for example). We also really like that this option provides ample storage without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a more elaborate system.
Keep in mind that although it’s cheaper compared to steel or metal cabinets, it’s also relatively lightweight and not as sturdy. And it does require assembly. The hard plastic material can be a bit tricky to work with and you’ll have to be comfortable using a rubber mallet in order to ensure all the pieces are properly in place before use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 25.63 x 18.88 x 69.38 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Plastic
Despite its slender size it has a total 1750 pound capacity (350 pounds per shelf) that means it can hold a lot.
There are no cabinets or doors to conceal or organize clutter.
Sturdy freestanding shelves are a quick and easy way to add storage to your garage. Whether you’ve got a spot in mind or you want the flexibility of wheeling them about the space, the Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit is a great option that won’t break the bank.
This budget-friendly option includes five distinct shelves that can hold up to 350 pounds per shelf without bending or tipping over for a 1750-pound total capacity. It doesn’t take up a whole lot of space and it’s relatively lightweight compared to bulkier options—but foregoing cabinetry and closing doors also means you’ll have to be smart with your organization to ensure a clutter-free look.
It’s also worth noting that the shelving unit can be easily re-adjusted to suit your specific items by clipping the plastic sleeves around the metal posts. The feet are also adjustable which can be a great feature for those who might not have completely level garage flooring.
Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 72 x 36 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Steel
This workbench includes six outlets for charging power tools without extension cords.
The price point is a bit high compared to similar options.
Whether you’re an occasional DIYer or a budding mechanic, workspace in a garage can be hard to come by even if everything else is already neat as a pin. The Husky 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench is large enough to accommodate all your gear in one spot and also includes enough of a workspace to actually tackle large projects.
This option also has a total of six outlets and two USB ports that allow you to charge your tools and other devices directly on your workbench rather than having to wrestle with extension cords.
We also really like that this option comes in a neat black with a raw wood top. It’s not flashy or particularly modern but it’s also not as utilitarian as your average workbench storage solution.
Keep in mind that while the price point is a bit high for a single garage storage system, this option is large enough to hold all your tools and other gear so you likely won’t have to worry about any additional cabinetry.
Product Details: Dimensions: 24.5 x 55.25 x 37 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Steel
It’s got an integrated wire grid for better safety and stability.
You’ll need assistance with installation.
If you’re running out of room in your garage, parking your car in the driveway or at the curb might seem inevitable. But there’s one garage organizing trick that can help you double your storage space: overhead storage.
This sturdy option from Fleximounts stores your belongings close to your garage ceiling, leaving you plenty of room on the floor for your car and other storage. The 4 x 8-foot size holds up to 600 pounds and can be adjusted in height to accommodate bulkier items or to allow for taller vehicles to share the space.
While other brands of overhead storage have separate wire and frame grids, the Fleximounts system features an integrated wire grid that makes for safer, more stable storage. Overhead garage storage is a smart way to keep items off the ground to avoid water damage from flooding or infiltration by rodents and other ground-dwelling pests.
It’s also a great option for storing seasonal items that you don’t need often but don’t want to relegate to the space in your closets or basement. Everything you need to install this overhead garage storage system is included in the box, but you’ll likely want some help so that you can attach it safely to your ceiling.
Product Details: Dimensions: 96 x 48 x 40 inches | Mounting Type: Ceiling | Material: Powder-coated metal
Assembly only takes a few minutes, and you only need a screwdriver.
There isn’t an option to mount the rack to the wall for extra support.
The garage isn’t just for four-wheeled vehicles—it’s for bikes, too. But in order to keep them safe and out of the way of your car, you’ll need a reliable spot to store them. The Delta Cycle Standing Bike Rack is just the thing.
Other bike racks require wall mounts, which might make you worry about your bike falling and causing damage or injury. The Delta Cycle rack is different from most bike racks—instead of mounting on a wall, it’s freestanding. It can be used indoors or outdoors and has a padded wall cushion and rubber feet to protect your wall and floor.
This rack can hold two bicycles and up to 80 pounds—there’s also a four-bike version. It’s durably made from powder-coated steel, and you only need a screwdriver to assemble it. If you only have one bike, you can use the spare hooks to store your helmet or other gear.
Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 84 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding (non-permanent wall strap included) | Material: Steel
Whether you choose one from our list of best garage storage systems or find another system, it’s got to work for you and your household’s storage needs. Even more importantly, it must be installed securely so that shelving won’t collapse or tip over—this will cause injury and damage at worst or an even bigger mess at best.
Our top pick for best overall garage system is the Rubbermaid FastTrack. We love it because it’s highly configurable—just attach the sturdy rails to the wall and add hooks and shelving to store tools, yard and garden gadgets, sports equipment, and more. It’s easy to install and versatile enough so that you can add or subtract from the garage storage system as your space dictates.
The size of the best garage storage system for you depends on how much space you have in your garage and the types of items you plan to store there—not to mention whether you plan to attempt to squeeze a vehicle in your garage as well.
If you’ve got a large double-car garage, you could store one car inside and use the whole second half for storage. If you want to park your car inside and also have room for storage, opt for streamlined cabinets that take up less room, wall shelving and storage that keeps items off the floor, or overhead storage that can leave the space free for your car—just make sure you have the ceiling clearance if you have a truck or SUV.
It’s important to optimize storage space from top to bottom and side to side in a garage, but remember to include some breathing room so that you can actually walk around and access your storage items.
“We ask so much of [a] garage,” says Kirsten Fisher, certified professional organizer and founder and CEO of Imagine Home Organization. “It is car housing, workspace, utility central, and storage. However, we often neglect the systems that could make the garage efficient for these things.” No wonder cars eventually get kicked to the curb to make room for household overflow.
“To maximize storage, you want to consider using all of your walls and the full height of the garage,” Fisher recommends. This is good advice when planning the layout of any storage space, including closets. Tall shelving can make the most of vertical space, for example.
You’ll need to choose a material that can stand up to the wild fluctuations in both temperature and humidity in a garage. Many of the systems that made our list are made from steel, which is not only durable but can stand up to extreme temperature fluctuations.
Plastic bins are a good choice for storing small things, but you should avoid keeping things in cardboard boxes, as moisture can turn them into smelly, mushy messes.
“The weight of the equipment should be measured before it is stored and compared to [the storage unit’s] recommended weight,” says Mike Baldicana of Kostex Garage Repair in Chicago, Illinois. “If the weight exceeds its recommended limit, then it should be stored in a different location or in a way that will not cause damage if it falls over.”
He also says it’s important to build in some wiggle room for your future storage needs, as well as to avoid causing any damage by overloading the storage space.
Check the weight-bearing capacity of all shelves before you add any items to the shelves. Keep in mind that in general, heavier items should go at the bottom of shelves and cabinets both for stability and safety. You don’t want heavy items toppling over on your car—or your head—in the garage.
While you might be able to hang some lightweight home decor anywhere on a wall inside your home, when it comes to hanging shelving or other storage in your garage, break out that stud finder, Litman says.
“There is nothing worse than a piece of yard equipment falling on your car because the weight of that item couldn’t be supported with where you installed the system,” she says. “Make sure you check the actual weight of what can be stored on that system as well.”
The best garage storage system depends on what you need to store and organize. If you’re looking to store power tools, for example, a workbench storage combination will be the most efficient for you (especially if, like our pick Husky 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench, it also has outlets to charge said tools). If you need to get the kids’ seasonal outdoor toys off the floor, a simple wire rack might be enough to fit the bill.
The main thing to keep in mind—no matter what you’re looking to store—is to find something that is weather resistant and can withstand the changing temperatures in your garage, which will be more pronounced than inside your home. You’ll also want to look for a high weight capacity in order to ensure you’ll be able to store the heavier items typically in a garage.
The depth of your garage shelves should be deep enough to comfortably store your largest tools or gear but not so deep that you have to reach too far back to grab your items. Most garage storage units will be anywhere from 12 to 16 inches in depth which should be more than enough space for things like power tools.
Metal garage cabinets are extremely durable and weather resistant which means they won’t rust or corrode over time. If you’re unsure about whether or not the cabinetry you’re eyeing is going to withstand the temperature and climate in your garage, be sure to look specifically for alloy steel or durable hard practice.
First, consider how much weight your garage storage system can bear before adding anything heavy to it. Many of the systems on our list are built to withstand heavy loads, but the pounds can add up quickly when it comes to storing heavy equipment. Make sure hanging shelves are secured firmly into studs and consider mounting freestanding shelves to the wall so they don’t tip over.
With multi-tiered shelving, you’ll want to put heavy things on the bottom, both in terms of safety and convenience. By placing heavier objects on the bottom, you’re creating a more secure and stable foundation. And if the shelf falls over, the heftier objects will be closer to the ground, making them less likely to harm anything or anyone else.
Garage storage solutions like the Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit are great if you have heavier items, as each individual shelf can hold up to 390 pounds and can be adjusted to be higher or lower as needed.
This article was updated by Kaitlyn McInnis, an experienced lifestyle writer and online shopping enthusiast with a decade's worth of experience in digital journalism and lifestyle e-commerce.
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