Get all your items in order and keep your space easy to access with the right garage storage shelves.
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15 Garage Storage Shelves for Organizing Tools, Bins and More
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
Getting organized can be a real chore. There are items to sort through and decisions to be made on what to keep and what to toss. Then, you have to figure out where everything needs to go. But having the right set of garage storage shelves make the chore easier.
When it comes to organizing your garage (or any room of the home), Naomi Hertsgaard, owner of Shared Planet Home Organizing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, suggests taking some time to declutter, that way you won’t waste precious space on items you don’t need, use or love. “Group like items together and then decide what you want to keep, donate, recycle/throw away. Be honest with yourself and let go of things that you haven’t used or worn in a long time or that no longer serve a purpose in your life. Once this step is complete, the organizing can begin,” she says.
For those looking to tidy up their garage space, there are some tricks you can use to maximize storage space. Think hooks and garage storage shelves. And Hertsgaard notes you should look up. “Clients often forget to think about vertical space in their homes. Is the shelving as tall as it can be? Are you utilizing the rafters or ceiling in your garage?”
Let’s kick off getting your garage in order with the best garage storage shelves you can buy!
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Adjustable Shelving Unit with Wheels
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Utility Wall Shelf
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Five-Shelf Rack
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Plastic Storage Rack
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Four-Shelf Garage Unit
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Wall-Mounted Rack with 30 Bins
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Overhead Storage Rack
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Steel-Welded Storage Rack
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Amazon Basics Steel Shelving Unit
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DeWalt Steel Storage Rack
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Craftsman Utility Shelving Unit
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Rack with 21 Bins
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Rubbermaid Tool Tower Rack
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Four-Tier Shelving Unit
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Adjustable Shelving Unit with Wheels
Having garage storage shelves with wheels is convenient for when you need to move items around. This 72-inch adjustable shelving unit has four shelves that are adjustable in 1-inch increments, and has an easy snap-together design, so you’ll be able to put items away in minutes. And while this unit has wheels, the four casters on the bottom lock to keep your items safely in place. Although this isn’t an industrial strength shelving unit, it’s a useful option to store tools and hardware, sporting gear and seasonal decorations.
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Utility Wall Shelf
Store your items on this wall shelf and you’ll save floor space in your workshop or garage. This two-shelf system holds up to 300 pounds in total (150 pounds per shelf), and it comes with all the necessary hardware to keep it sturdy and in place. The shelves, which are 72 inches by 12 inches, mount side-by-side or stacked one above the other, making it a smart option to store bins and boxes. Just make sure you secure the shelves to wall studs or into a solid concrete wall.
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Five-Shelf Rack
If you’re in need of a lot of garage storage space, you’ll need shelves that are packaged in one heavy-duty unit, and this Gladiator rack is up to the task. It’s available in two sizes, and each has five adjustable shelves capable of holding up to 1,000 pounds each! Choose from shelves 18 or 24 inches deep, depending on your storage needs. Plus, thanks to an innovative click-and-lock system, you’ll have it assembled and ready to use in just minutes—no tools required!
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Plastic Storage Rack
For those looking to keep storage bins organized, this plastic storage rack is an ideal option. It holds up to 600 pounds and has separate spots for each bin—talk about organization! It has room for 12 bins that are 18 to 22 gallons in size. The unit, which is 59 inches high and wide with 17-inch deep shelves, should be mounted on a wall for stability.
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Four-Shelf Garage Unit
We like this freestanding shelf unit from SafeRacks, because it’s made of all-steel construction and comes in three size options. Since the four adjustable shelves have a 500-pound weight capacity per shelf and a secure fastening system, it’ll hold up to 2,000 pounds without any concerns. The garage storage shelves are finished with a durable powder-coat finish, and assembly is quick and easy. Note that the unit itself weighs up to 145 pounds, so constructing the unit may be a two-person job.
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Wall-Mounted Rack with 30 Bins
For those needing garage storage shelves to organize small tools, parts and hardware, check out this wall-mounted storage bin rack. We like that it doesn’t take up floor space since it’s mounted to the wall. To sweeten the deal, the rack comes with 30 bins, which can be removed for easy use, so you’ll have plenty of storage bins to keep items organized.
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Overhead Storage Rack
Time to utilize that vertical space! This industrial-strength overhead storage rack stores up to 600 pounds—and it won’t take up any floor space. Keep holiday decorations, camping gear and other items not used on the regular on these by 4-foot-by-8-foot shelves, and they’ll be safe and out of the way.
Verified purchaser, Brian L., says, “I bought four of these for the garage at my new house. I’ve installed three so far. These are amazing. I’ve assembled and installed all of them by myself. Everything fits and all holes line up perfectly. This is a great product.”
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Steel-Welded Storage Rack
You’ll have plenty of space to store lawn tools, camping gear and backyard games with these sturdy garage storage shelves. Not only does each shelf hold up to 2,000 pounds, but the shelves are adjustable, making it easy to store those bulky and odd-shaped items. The unit measures 72 inches tall, and each shelf is 24 inches deep.
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Amazon Basics Steel Shelving Unit
Get your garage organized with this adjustable shelving unit from Amazon Basics. We like that this heavy-duty, adjustable storage rack is available in several sizes (some come with wheels), making it easy to find the right garage storage shelves to fit your space. Each shelf holds up to 350 pounds, and the shelves adjust in 1-inch increments.
Buyers gave it high marks for value, sturdiness and quality. “It’s a good value for the price,” says verified buyer, L. Lee. “[It’s] sturdy enough for heavy items, including cases of canned goods.”
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DeWalt Steel Storage Rack
Store heavy items without worry on the DeWalt DXST4500 rack. This industrial-strength rack features three adjustable shelves that provide capacity for up to 4,500 pounds. You can adjust the racks vertically or horizontally to create the perfect storage solution for your needs. The shelves have wooden decks, and have extreme load straps to prevent crossbeams from spreading under heavy loads. Plus, the unit has a ultraviolet (UV)-protective coating, so the color won’t fade or chip.
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Craftsman Utility Shelving Unit
The great thing about this Craftsman five-tier shelving unit is that you can connect multiple shelves together to create a full storage solution for your garage, basement or workspace. The unit has five interlocking shelves that hold up to 250 pounds each. And at 72 inches high, 40 inches wide and 24 inches deep, it allows plenty of space for gardening tools, camping gear and any other items you’d like to store.
For additional support for storing heavier items, you can use mounting brackets (included) to secure the unit to the wall. Plus, the durable plastic is 100% reusable and recyclable, easy to clean and easy to assemble.
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Rack with 21 Bins
Keep all those smaller garage items organized with this rack and bins set from Seville Classics. The rack is made of strong steel, and it comes with 21 bins to keep hardware, hand tools and smaller items in one designated spots. It comes in five sizes and three colors, and has wheels to easily move it around if needed.
“This shelf has totally changed my life, and I am so much more organized now with all the small parts I was constantly losing before,” shares Maries, a five-star reviewer.
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Rubbermaid Tool Tower Rack
If you’re looking for a garage storage unit to keep all those garden tools, such as shovels, rakes and brooms in order, check out this tool tower rack from Rubbermaid. While it can hold up to 40 tools, we like that it doesn’t take up too much space. At just 30 inches high and 14 inches deep, you’ll never have to worry about your long-handled tools tumbling over again. It also comes in a corner version, so you can nestle it out of the way. Here are a few tips for building a garage storage tower.
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Four-Tier Shelving Unit
This four-shelf unit from BestOffice proves that you can organize your garage on a budget. Available in several sizes (some have wheels), this adjustable unit has a capacity of 250 pounds per shelf, so you can store everything from clothes and toys to tools and outdoor equipment.
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Wood and Lumber Storage Rack
How much weight can an industrial shelf hold?
If you’re struggling to store lumber, check out the Bora wood organizer. The steel unit comes with six shelves that hold up to 100 pounds each. It measures 41 inches high, 72 inches wide and 12 inches deep. In addition to lumber, you can use this rack to store tricky sporting equipment, ladders, long tools and pipes.
“Since I’ve started using the Bora wood organizer and lumber storage metal rack, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the organization of my workspace. It has made it much easier to find the materials I need for my projects, and it has freed up a lot of space in my garage,” writes five-star reviewer, Kyle Hill.
What to Look for in Garage Storage Racks
Several things are worth considering before buying an industrial garage rack. Keeping these factors in mind will ensure you get the right rack for your needs—neither going too overboard nor ending up with something that won’t quite cut it.
- Size: If you have particular items in mind for storage, you’ll want to ensure the shelving you get will support those items. This can be as simple as taking out your tape measure and physically measuring both the shelf and your gear/equipment.
- Style/shape: Some units come with wire shelving, allowing you to store larger items (but smaller bits, like screws and bolts, might slip right through). Others might not have a storage surface at all. Furthermore, some are rectangular in shape and designed for horizontal storage, whereas others might be designed to store tools and materials vertically. Know your space and needs before settling on a particular orientation.
- Material: What your shelf is made of can impact its longevity, durability, and even its capacity. If you’re going to store heavy items that might damage a shelf, something tougher, like steel, might be the way to go. However, if you want something that looks nicer but perhaps is a bit more delicate, wood is sometimes available. And those are just two of many examples.
- Mounting: Some shelves are freestanding, meaning they don’t require support to stay upright. Others may require mounting to a wall. Make sure you know what you’re getting ahead of time. And make sure you’re capable of properly mounting a shelf before taking on a DIY project. A lack of caution could be dangerous should your shelves rip off the wall and tumble to the ground under a load.
- Capacity: Overloading an industrial storage shelf can be extremely dangerous, as the shelf could collapse—potentially leading to injury or worse. Do not, under any circumstances, overload your shelves. Knowing their capacity is the first step toward ensuring this doesn’t happen.
How We Found the Best Storage Racks for Your Garage
Industrial racking systems are not a one-size-fits-all situation. Some users have vastly different needs from others. For instance, a person stashing outdoor adventure gear between uses can probably get away with a fairly simple system. Meanwhile, someone who does a lot of DIY projects might need something a bit more comprehensive and compartmentalized. With this in mind, I scoured the catalogs of respected and reputable brands—including manufacturers and retailers—and narrowed down this collection of shelving solutions based on their quality, capabilities, affordability, user experiences and more.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve worked in journalism and media for over 20 years and have been published internationally by outlets such as MSN, Fox, USA Today, Yahoo, AOL and more. I have also spent large chunks of that time focusing on home improvement and DIY projects. My unique combination of journalistic experience and around-the-house know-how makes me an ideal candidate to speak on home storage.
We also consulted Naomi Hertsgaard, a professional organizer and decluttering expert, on garage organization tips. Hertsgaard travels to her client’s homes and organizes personal spaces until they’re spic and span, with items easily accessible. Over the years, she has transformed several garages.
FAQ
This will vary from shelf to shelf—and you should always check the manufacturer’s recommendations (and follow them to the letter)—but the average wire shelving typically has a maximum capacity of around 800 pounds. Of course, this will change depending on whether it’s a standalone shelf or something that you are mounting on a wall or ceiling—the latter will need to be properly anchored to support such a high weight.
What is the best industrial shelf material?
Steel is one of the most commonly used materials in industrial shelving because of its unique combination of strength, durability, and versatility. Due to its widespread availability, steel is also relatively inexpensive. Steel is probably the way to go if you’re looking for set-it-and-forget-it shelving in your garage.
How far apart should garage shelves be (height)?
I recommend spacing your shelves between 12-18 inches for maximum vertical efficiency and effectiveness.
