Home Improvement Ideas Garages Garage Storage The 11 Best Garage Storage Systems to Maximize Your Space in 2023 These storage systems will help you organize everything from paint cans to sporting equipment. By Barbara Bellesi Zito Updated on March 8, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. BHG / Lecia Landis 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 own 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 for you depends on your own needs. “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. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Wall-Mounted Storage Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Beset Budget: Amazon Basics 4-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Husky 10-Piece Regular Duty Welded Steel Garage Storage System at Home Depot Jump to Review Best for Tools: CRAFTSMAN Steel Tool Chest Combo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Long-Handled Tools: StoreYourBoard Tool Storage Rack at Amazon Jump to Review Best Pegboard: Wall Control Wall Control Pegboard Organizer at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cabinet: Gladiator GearBox at Amazon Jump to Review Best Shelves: TRINITY Wire Shelving Rack with Wheels at Amazon Jump to Review Best Workbench Storage: Seville Rolling Storage Cabinet with Drawers at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overhead Storage: FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Storage Rack at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Rubbermaid 20-Piece FastTrack Garage Wall-Mounted Storage Kit Amazon View On Amazon View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It It offers plenty of customization options. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $169 Product Details: Dimensions: Rails are 48 inches, but the system size varies depending on your configuration | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Steel Beset Budget Amazon Basics 4-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It No tools are necessary for assembly or adjustment. Keep in Mind 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 a 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. Price at time of publish: $69 Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 54 x 36 inches | Mounting type: Floor | Material: Alloy steel Best Splurge Husky 10-Piece Regular Duty Welded Steel Garage Storage System Home Depot View On Home Depot Why You Should Get It It provides ample storage while giving a high-end look to your garage. Keep in Mind Because it is the longest storage system on our list, make sure to accurately measure your space to make sure you have room for it. If you want your garage organization system to look more like kitchen cabinets and less utilitarian, this option from Husky is the best garage storage system for you. These sleek steel cabinets aren’t exactly like the ones you’ll have in your kitchen, but just as you tuck away all those plates, cups, pots, and pans, you can do the same for your tools, equipment, lawn and garden supplies, and more. Unlike open shelving that makes it all too easy to collect dust and cobwebs in your garage, this Husky system keeps your stuff much cleaner. This storage system arrives pre-assembled, so you don’t have to budget half your day to put it together. It features adjustable shelves, cabinets, and drawers for all your organizational needs. It even comes with a wooden surface to turn it into a workspace—there are even grommets for tool power cords—but you might not need or even want it if all you’re looking for is storage. The system is also lockable, so you don’t have to worry about your kids or pets getting into dangerous tools or toxic materials. With a weight capacity of 4,870 pounds, you can store lightweight items like half-empty paint cans to heavier equipment like a pressure washer. If you’re still working on your organizational skills, you’ll love being able to throw things onto shelves and close the door (no judgment here!). Price at time of publish: $2,200 Product Details: Dimensions: 163 x 75 x 19 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding and wall mount, depending on configuration | Material: Steel The 15 Best Outdoor Storage Essentials for Your Backyard Best for Tools CRAFTSMAN 1000 Series Steel Tool Chest Combo Lowes View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It This storage system makes it easy to roll up to 300 pounds of tools around your garage. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $219 Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 26.5 x 44.25 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Steel Best for Long-Handled Tools StoreYourBoard BLAT Tool Storage Rack Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why You Should Get It The long hooks make it easy to hang multiple tools at once. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Dimensions: 37 x 10 x 3.25 inches | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Powder-coated steel The 8 Best Electric Chainsaws for Trimming Limbs and Pruning Landscaping Best Pegboard Wall Control Wall Control Pegboard Organizer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It Unlike traditional pegboards, this one is made from powder-coated metal for superior strength. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $137 Product Details: Dimensions: 9 x 48 x 32 inches | Mounting type: Wall | Material: Alloy steel, metal Best Cabinet Gladiator GearBox Lowes View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It You can lock the cabinet for even better security. Keep in Mind It’s a bit pricey for shelves that only hold about 45 pounds each. Whether you leave it freestanding on the floor or mounted on the wall, this sturdy cabinet lives up to its warrior-like name and will protect tools, garden equipment, and other items in your garage. You won’t need an army of help to put it together, though. The GearBox features a tab-and-loop design that makes it easy to put together. Plus, it has legs that can be leveled to accommodate for an uneven garage floor. Open up the two doors—which you can lock for added protection—and you’ll find three shelves: one at a fixed height and two adjustable so you can customize the inside storage space. Each shelf holds up to 45 pounds each, and the cabinet as a whole can handle a load of up to 225 pounds. The Gladiator GearBox can be used on its own, or you can purchase additional Gladiator storage systems to make a wall of organization. This garage storage unit comes with a 10-year limited warranty. Price at time of publish: $400 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 36 x 72 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Steel The 8 Best Electric Pressure Washers to Make Your Home Look Brand New Best Shelves TRINITY EcoStorage 6-Tier Wire Shelving Rack with Wheels Home Depot View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It Backstands ensure no items will fall off the back of the shelves. Keep in Mind You’ll want to store heavier items on the bottom to prevent tipping. Sturdy freestanding shelves are a quick and easy way to add storage to your garage. Whether you’ve got a spot in mind for them or you want the flexibility of wheeling them about the space, the Trinity EcoStorage is the best garage storage system with shelves. This garage shelving unit consists of six commercial-grade shelves measuring 48 x 18 inches, which is a generous size for storing all sorts of tools and items in your garage. If you keep them on the wheels, each shelf holds up to 133 pounds for a total of 798 pounds. However, when placed on its foot levelers, the Trinity EcoStorage can hold up to 800 pounds per shelf and 4,800 pounds total. The feature we love the most about these shelves is the handy backstands that prevent items from falling off the back of the shelves, so you can feel secure as you slide bins and other items toward the back of each shelf. The shelves are adjustable in 1-inch increments, so you can arrange them at the right spacing you need. Despite its strength, this storage system is easy to assemble, with no tools needed. Price at time of publish: $279 Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 48 x 77 inches | Mounting Type: Freestanding | Material: Not listed Best Workbench Storage Seville Classics UltraHD Rolling Storage Cabinet with Drawers Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sevilleclassics.com Why You Should Get It It offers a sturdy work surface. Keep in Mind It’s pricey if you have no intention of doing any DIY work in the garage. 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. This Seville Classics rolling storage workbench is the best garage storage system to keep your tools secure and at the ready while also providing a convenient work surface. With a loading capacity of around 300 pounds, this rolling workbench garage storage system is sturdy yet compact enough to earn a spot in your garage. The storage solution has four drawers to store tools and small items, as well as a stainless steel door that locks. Inside, you can adjust the shelf so that you have the storage height you need. On the outside, the ¾-inch thick hardwood surface is the perfect spot to work or rest tools while you’re working on a project in your garage—or you can roll it out into the driveway whenever you need more space. Price at time of publish: $270 Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 28 x 34.5 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding | Material: Alloy steel and wood Best Overhead Storage FLEXIMOUNTS Overhead Adjustable Ceiling Garage Storage Rack Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Fleximounts.com Why You Should Get It It’s got an integrated wire grid for better safety and stability. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $230 Product Details: Dimensions: 96 x 48 x 40 inches | Mounting Type: Ceiling | Material: Powder-coated metal Best Bike Storage Delta Two Bike Gravity Stand Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It Assembly only takes a few minutes, and you only need a screwdriver. Keep in Mind 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. Price at time of publish: $68 Product Details: Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 84 inches | Mounting type: Freestanding (non-permanent wall strap included) | Material: Steel The Bottom Line 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. What to Know About Garage Storage Systems Before Shopping Size 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. Material 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. Weight Capacity “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. Installation 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.” Your Questions, Answered How do I store heavy items in my garage? 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. What is safe to store in a garage? It’s easy to turn your garage into a catch-all, but there are certain things you shouldn’t store there, such as combustible materials like paint, oil, chemicals, and propane tanks. Alexa Justine Callada, also of Kostex Garage Repair, says to avoid storing gas-powered equipment, like lawn mowers, in the garage as well. They could cause an explosion if they leak, which is something to be concerned about if you plan to park your car and its combustible engine in there, too. Cleaning products should also be stored elsewhere, as they will either dry out or lose their efficacy over time, especially if your garage is prone to extreme temperature fluctuations. It’s also important to keep any products away from hot pipes or combustion areas, like your car. Kevin Huang, home improvement expert and CEO of Ambient Home, also says to find another place to store fresh food, paper products (they could get moldy), or anything that might lure rodents or other pests. How can I store more in my garage? “To maximize storage, create zones within your garage,” Litman says. “Give a shelf or cabinet a specific purpose.” As an example, she recommends storing car parts or tools together to make the most of the space. Who We Are Barbara Bellesi Zito covers home improvement topics for various lifestyle publications. To write this article, she researched dozens of the best garage storage systems on the market to find those that were easy and affordable for DIYers to assemble and customize garage storage space. Barbara also consulted several garage and home organization experts, including: Jessica Litman, Founder and CEO of The Organized Mama; Kevin Huang, home improvement expert and CEO of Ambient Home; Kirsten Fisher, certified professional organizer and founder and CEO of Imagine Home Organization; and Mike Baldicana and Alexa Justine Callada, both of Kostex Garage Repair. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit