Garage Shelving Idea

Wood Shelves

• Building shelves with lumber may take a little longer, but it can be a pleasant pastime those who enjoy woodworking. Start by considering how much weight your shelves will need to support. Buy wood that is strong enough for the intended load. Survey the area you will be installing the shelves, looking for wall studs to anchor your shelves securely to the wall. This will be easy if the studs are exposed, but if your garage is finished with drywall, you will need a stud finder.

  Graph your shelving plan on the wall with a pencil, and check that your lines are level. This is a good time to check the height of items and adjust the distance between shelves as needed. After adjustments have been made, you are ready to mount the shelving supports. These can be made of plywood, laminate board or any hardwood available at your local home improvement store. When your supports are secure, you can attach the shelves. Use galvanized hardware for long life strength in this semi-outdoor environment. Recheck once more with a level and you are ready to use your new shelves.

Carts & Cabinets

• If you need something versatile, garage shelving carts and cabinets may be the right choice for you. Shelving carts and cabinets made of molded plastic or steel are modular, lightweight and easy to move. The carts and cabinets come preassembled or with easy instructions for snapping or bolting together the pieces. Some of them come with attachable wheels. By having shelves that are not bolted down, you will have the option of changing your garage floor plan at any time. Carts and cabinets are better for smaller items. Measure shelf height and depth to be sure your items will fit before purchasing a unit.

Ceiling Shelves

• If you are completely out of floor space, consider a ceiling shelf. Ceiling-level shelves can be installed in your garage to place items up and out of the way. Pulley-driven systems that you load and then raise up to the ceiling can hold the weight of large items such as bikes and canoes. Most rafter storage units come complete with steel pulleys and strong nylon rope. If you choose to assemble your own system, be sure to choose pulleys that are rated well above the weight load you plan for them to lift.

Sports Station

• If your garage is full of sporting goods, then a sports equipment station could be just what you need. These shelving units are sold at home improvement and sporting goods stores. They are made of sturdy plastic, mountable shelves. These specialized shelves have holes for bats and rackets, hooks for gloves and baskets for all types of balls and other sports equipment.

Plastic Shelving Kits

• The most inexpensive option for shelves in your garage are plastic shelving kits. These kits come complete with all the mounting hardware and instructions you will need. They work well for small lightweight items and are easily cleanable. This is an inexpensive option to metal shelving or mobile shelving carts that can be easily removed by renters. Plastic shelves can give you back some floor space without spending a fortune.