How to Choose the Right Garage Storage System
Here’s how to stay organized inside and outside the home.
With the right garage storage system, you can keep your garage neat and tidy. Follow these steps to select the best storage system for your garage.
Step 1: Clean Your Garage & Take Inventory
Like tackling any other organization project, you should start by removing all of your items from the area you want to organize and taking inventory of what you have. Not only does this help you map out your storage needs, but it also helps you get rid of items that you no longer need so you have even more space to work with. This is a great time to clean the hard-to-reach parts of your garage too.
Step 2: Draft a Garage Storage Plan
Once you’ve taken inventory of all the items you keep in your garage, it’s time to draft a plan. This plan should include where you want to put certain storage options in your garage and what each storage option will be used for.
- Sort by activity: Try to group like similar together so that you can easily pack for a camping trip, plan your next home improvement project, or keep sports equipment easy to grab and go on your way to practice.
- Think about function: If you need to house heavy power tools, choosing a garage storage system with a durable toolbox needs to be a priority. Homes with children may benefit from storage that’s accessible, so that your little ones can reach their favorite toys (and more importantly, put them away on their own).
- Consider size: If you have basketballs, tennis rackets, or other smaller sports equipment, a storage system with a cabinet, shelving units, or pegboards might work best. Wall-mounted systems are great for keeping larger tools and equipment off of the floor and out of the way.
- Use a mix: You can also try a combination of garage storage systems to maximize organization, like freestanding garage cabinets along the wall, ceiling shelving for overhead storage, and a toolbox for handheld or power tools.
Step 3: Select a Garage Storage System That Meets Your Needs
Selecting the right garage storage is all about personal preference and what items you have so you can optimize your system fully. Here are helpful garage storage systems to consider when organizing your space.
Freestanding Garage Cabinets
Freestanding garage cabinets offer a lot of versatility to your garage storage plan. The standalone design can be easily moved from different areas of your garage if you want to switch up the layout. These cabinets have several tiers of shelves on the inside with enough depth to hold various items, from sports equipment to tools to miscellaneous odds and ends.
Plus, the cabinet doors stay closed to conceal and protect your items.
Freestanding garage cabinets do not require wall-mounting, but may come with hardware or tip-over restraints to keep the cabinet from falling over – a helpful tool if you place heavier materials on one side of the cabinet.
A wall-mounted garage cabinet system offers similar benefits to freestanding cabinets, but can open up the floor more. The space under wall-mounted cabinets can house smaller tubs or totes for even more storage. These cabinets typically include tiered shelves and doors, and some wall-mounted cabinet systems come with a small countertop or a pegboard for extra storage.
Get the most out of your garage storage with an all-in-one storage system. This option gives you the most variety for storage needs, since it includes several cabinets, shelves, tool-holders, and pegboards. Garage storage systems can be freestanding or wall-mounted to keep the floor open while you house various items like sports equipment, tools, brooms, and more inside the cabinets or on shelves. Since these systems are meant to hold heavy tools, they are made with durable materials that won’t break easily or need to be replaced often.
Safety cabinets are another cabinet to consider for garage storage if you have items that need to be locked away. These cabinets are great for storing flammable materials or other hazardous materials like pesticides or other corrosives. If you have firearms or breakable materials, these items can be secured in safety cabinets as well, especially if it contains a locking feature.
For context, small garage systems come with two to three cabinets, medium storage systems contain four to five, and large storage systems are built with six or more.
Height
Small: Under 36", small garage storage cabinets are a great size if you don’t have a lot of items to store, or if you want cabinets that are more discreet. Small garage cabinets come in freestanding and wall-mounted designs to provide you with an option that best fits your needs.
Medium: If you’re needing slightly more storage, sizing up to medium cabinets can give you the extra space. Medium garage cabinets measure in between 36" and 72" horizontally or vertically, so you have the flexibility to fit your garage layout with a taller cabinet or wider cabinet.
Tall: Tall garage cabinets provide you with the most vertical space since they measure over 72". These storage systems offer you one tall cabinet with several other cabinets attached to the system. Most tall garage cabinets are mounted to the wall since their design features wall cabinets over an attached work desk and bottom row of cabinets, giving you optimal storage space for your items and a spot to get things done.
Width
Narrow: These cabinets do not take up much space in your garage and still give you plenty of room for storing tools, sports equipment, or other recreational items.
Average: Average garage cabinets provide plenty of storage space for your garage items. Since they measure between 36" and 72" wide, your cabinets have enough space to store your garage necessities to keep the room organized and tidy. If your home has a standard-sized garage, an average-width cabinet can solve your organizational needs.
Wide: If you have a larger garage or a lot of items to store, you can benefit from cabinets wider than 72". These cabinets have enough length to house various sports equipment, yard materials, and tools for prime garage organization.
Tip!
Before you select your garage storage system, check the weight capacity of the total unit and each shelf to find the perfect unit for the items you plan to store!
Step 5: Pick the Best Material
Material is another important consideration when choosing a garage storage system. They need to be sturdy enough to house heavy tools and durable enough to withstand fluctuating garage temperatures. Explore your options below.
Steel: Steel is one of the most efficient materials for garage cabinets and storage systems because it's highly durable and rust-resistant so you can get long years of use out of your storage. Steel can also support heavy materials that are often kept in garages, such as power tools, weights, and yard equipment.
Wood: This garage storage system material is usually made from solid wood or manufactured wood and melamine to make them more durable for garage conditions and storage needs. In general, wood storage systems and cabinets are strong enough to hold and support lighter tools and various garage equipment, but are not as sturdy as steel. Be careful to choose wood cabinets that won’t rot or deteriorate in your garage’s outdoor conditions.
Synthetic: Plastic garage cabinets and storage systems are another high-quality option since they are resistant to conditions that can damage cabinets, such as rotting and deterioration. They are slightly weaker in strength than steel cabinets and cannot hold heavy items, but still offer protection for your tools or recreational items as you organize them in your garage. Resin is another synthetic material option that's slightly more durable than plastic and able to handle heavier weight capacities.
Check out these additional storage features to help you get the most out of your garage storage system.
Shelves: Having shelves in your garage cabinets can optimize your garage organization by providing a place for all of your items. Adjustable shelves give you the extra flexibility of setting your cabinet up to your liking and adjusting the height of certain shelves to fit taller items.
Drawers: Garage cabinets with drawers make it easy to stow items away and just as easy to grab them. Drawers provide depth and organization for your items and are perfect to keep your tools lying flat and easy to find.
Locks: Increase the security of your garage items with a cabinet that locks. If you want to keep certain items concealed from others or safe while you are away, a locking cabinet can provide you with peace of mind.
Wheels: Wheels on the bottom of your cabinets are a helpful feature for easy transportation. Since cabinets can be heavy, wheels make it easier to move your cabinet around if you want to reorganize your space.
Pre-Assembled: Already-assembled garage cabinets make it easy to organize your space without complicated instructions. Start your garage storage organization instantly with pieces that are assembled for you!
Slatwall: A slatwall is a vertical storage solution that uses hooks to organize smaller items such as helmets, yard maintenance tools, and sports equipment. Having this as part of your garage storage system will help save vital cabinet space and increase your storage and organization opportunities.
