To organize your garage you have two main solutions: shelves and cabinets. Most people use a combination of both. Each have their uses and we are going to cover everything you need to know so you can might the right choice. So lets dig in!
Garage Shelving
Garage shelves will keep your tools, equipment and supplies organized and easily accessible. There are several types of shelf solutions and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Types of Shelf Solutions
- Wall Mounted Shelves: As you may have guessed, wall-mounted shelves attach to the wall using brackets and are best used for storing lightweight items such as gardening supplies, sports equipment or bike racks. Wall-mounted shelves can be easy to install provided you have something solid to mount the brackets to.
- Free Standing Shelves: These are the most popular shelf solution because of their versatility and can be moved around the garage. They can be used to store heavy items such as car parts, large tools or bags of potting soil. Free-standing shelves are available in a variety sizes and materials.
- Ceiling-Mounted Shelves: Ceiling-mounted shelves are good for people with limited space in their garage and looking to maximize storage space. They attach to the ceiling and are perfect for storing seasonal items like holiday decorations or camping gear. Ceiling-mounted shelves are not designed for heavy items and not a good idea for items that need to be accessed frequently.
Materials Used in Garage Shelves
- Wood: Shelves made from wood are typically more DIY because they are prohibitively expensive to buy. They tend to be sturdy and attractive. You can buy them with various finishes such as natural wood, painted, or stained. Wood shelves are easy to work with and provide a warm and welcoming look. However, it can be prone to warping or rotting if they are exposed to moisture.
- Metal: Metal garage shelves are the most durable and sturdy. If they are powder coated, they will be rust-resistant. They are ideal for storing heavier items like car parts or large tools. Metal shelves are made from steel or aluminum and can be expensive. They may not be as attractive as wood or plastic and more for practicality.
- Plastic: Plastic garage shelves are by far the lightest and cheapest solution. They are maintenance free as they don’t rust or warp when they get wet. They are perfect for storing light items such as garden supplies or spray bottles.
What are Garage Shelves Best Used For?
One of the primary uses for garage shelves is to store tools and equipment. If you’re a DIY enthusiast you probably have lots of tools and misc equipment to keep organized.
Another common use is for storing sporting equipment. If you have children who play sports you probably have everything from soccer balls, baseball bats to helmets and pads. With shelves you can keep everything in one place for easy access.
Shelves are also ideal to store seasonal items like your holiday decorations or winter clothes in the off season.
Pros and Cons of Garage Shelves
Pros:
- Maximize Storage Space: Garage shelves can be an inexpensive way to maximize your storage space and keep your garage organized.
- Protect Your stuff: By keeping tools and equipment off the ground you can prevent them from getting damaged.
- Versatile: They come in a wide range of sizes, materials and designs so you there is one that will fit your needs.
- Easy to Access: Garage shelves make it easy to access your tools and equipment making it easy to find what you need.
Cons:
- Can be Expensive: Depending on the length, height and especially what they are made of, they can cost many hundreds of dollars.
- Assembly: Garage shelves require assembly and installation, which can be difficult and may require some tools.
- Limited Mobility: Free-standing garage shelves will be difficult to impossible to move around the garage, especially when fully loaded.
- Clutter: If you don’t regularly organize your shelves, they will become cluttered and disorganized making it difficult to find what you need.
Garage Cabinets
Garage cabinets are essential storage solutions for organizing and utilizing space in any garage. There many types of garage cabinets available so it can be a little confusing to figure out which is the right one for you. We are going to take a look at the different types so you can make an informed decision.
Types of Garage Cabinets
- Wall-mounted cabinets: These cabinets are ideal for homeowners who are looking to maximize floor space in their garage. Since they are mounted on your wall this leaves the floor open for storage under them. With there limited weight capacity, wall mounted cabinets are best for storing smaller, lighter items like tools, hardware, and gardening supplies.
- Floor/Base cabinets: This type of cabinet is perfect for homeowners who need a work surface in their garage. They are designed to be used on the floor and typically have a workbench top. Floor cabinets are meant for storing large, heavy things like power tools.
- Tall cabinets: These cabinets are perfect for storing taller items that won’t fit in short cabinets. They are typically mounted on the wall and are taller than base cabinets. These are ideal for storing things like brooms, rakes, golf clubs etc.
- Rolling cabinets: These cabinets are perfect for someone who needs mobility in their garage storage cabinet. Having wheels they are easy to move around the garage. Rolling cabinets are best used for storing items that need to be moved around like car maintenance tools.
- Overhead cabinets: Overhead cabinets are a space saving solution that uses the ceiling space in your garage. They are mounted on the ceiling rafters and are excellent for storing items that are not frequently used. Overhead cabinets come in a variety of sizes and configurations and are good for storing seasonal items like holiday decorations.
Garage Cabinet Materials
- Metal: Metal garage cabinets are strong and resistant to damage from rust and warping from humidity. They are also fire resistant and easy to clean. On the downside, metal cabinets are quite heavy and expensive. They also are not as attractive to other materials.
- Wood: Wooden cabinets are versatile and can be customized to fit your specific needs. They are also relatively lightweight and usually very attractive. On the downside, wooden cabinets are not as durable as metal cabinets and can rot and warp if subjected to heat and humidity.
- Plastic: Plastic garage cabinets are relatively cheap and lightweight. This makes them easy to move around your garage (as long as they are not full). They are also resistant to moisture, warping and easily cleaned. Plastic cabinets are not as tough and durable as metal cabinets and can be prone to cracking.
- Composite materials: Composite materials like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or particleboard are a good choice for garage cabinets because they are cheap and can be made to look like real wood. Composite materials are not as durable as metal and especially prone to warping and separating if exposed to moisture.
Garage Shelves vs Garage Cabinets
Garage shelves and cabinets are both good storage options for garages but they have different benefits. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of each:
Garage Shelves:
Pros:
- Affordability: Garage shelves are typically a cheaper option than garage cabinets. If you are on a budget, they are a good solution.
- Accessibility: With shelves you can easily see and access your items. As long as you keep them organized.
- Customizability: Shelves are easily customized to fit your needs. You can adjust the height between shelves or add additional shelves as needed.
- Versatility: Shelves can be used to store a wide variety of things. Anything from small tools to larger items like power tools or camping gear.
Cons:
- Aesthetics: Shelves can look cluttered since all the items are out in the open.
- Dust and debris: Items stored on open shelves will get covered in dust and debris. Because of this you will need to clean items on them frequently.
- Security: Items stored on open shelves are vulnerable to theft since you cannot lock them up.
Garage Cabinets:
Pros:
- Aesthetics: Cabinets have a more polished, attractive look compared to open shelves.
- Security: Cabinets offer protection for your items. Many cabinets can be locked keeping them safe from theft or damage.
- Organization: Cabinets have more options to organization your stuff with drawers and shelves that can be customized,
- Protection: Since cabinets are enclosed they protect your stuff from dust, dirt and moisture.
Cons:
- Cost: Garage cabinets are typically more expensive than shelves, especially if you opt for modular designs that can be customized.
- Accessibility: Cabinets are less accessible than shelves since you don’t have to open doors or drawers to access your items.
- Installation: Cabinets may require more complicated installation compared to shelves.
