The Best Garage Shelving Units for 2022
/
Best Garage Shelving Units
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are affiliate links in this post. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. I will only ever promote the products and services that I trust and 100% recommend. You may read my full disclosure policy for more information. Thank you for supporting my business in this way.
These versatile shelves are a must-have to keep your workshop, garage, shed, and storage spaces organized. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best garage shelving units currently available.
UPDATED: August 5, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Seville Classics 5-Tier Shelving because it features durable steel construction with a corrosion-resistant zinc coating, adjustable shelves, and a 1,500-pound total capacity.
A quality shelving unit needs to be both functional and durable to stand up to the rigors of the garage environment. In addition, the overall dimensions need to actually fit within the floor, wall, or ceiling space you have available. So whether you will be using them to store paint, boxes, dry goods, Christmas decor, tools, or all of the above, there are many features to consider when making a selection.
Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a model of shelving:
Types of Shelves
There are a variety of shelving options available, the specific type you choose will depend on what you are storing and the space you have available. The most common shelf is the standard self-supporting multi-tiered shelf. This is the simplest option since it usually requires minimal assembly and sits on the floor up against a wall. The number of shelf tiers typically ranges from three to six and can provide adjustments up and down for a custom fit for the size of your items. A variation on this type of shelf is the DIY option that includes just the connection points and you provide the supporting structure and shelf surfaces with wood.
Another option is wall-mounted shelving, which has the advantage of not taking up floor space and can use otherwise unusable upper wall areas. However, it does require a more involved install process, is more difficult to move, and usually can’t support as much weight as a floor shelf.
Overhead-mounted shelving is another way to use space that is not being effectively utilized. These shelves mount to the ceiling of a garage or room to provide storage. In addition to using space that wasn’t being used already, it doesn’t take up valuable floor or wall space. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to access without a ladder making it hard to place and retrieve items. For these reasons, I recommend using this type of shelving for long-term storage of items that are not regularly needed such as seasonal items.
See also: 7 Simple Garage Storage Ideas
Materials
The most common material for constructing the structure of these types of shelves is steel. This offers a strong solution for supporting heavy loads in addition to providing rigidity. The individual shelves are also often made from steel mesh which helps to keep the weight down but also allows for airflow under the items on the shelf which can help to resist mildew.
A material that is becoming more common is the use of polypropylene resin. The use of resin components offers the best of both worlds because it has the benefit of being lightweight but also strong and sturdy.
RELATED:
The Best Garage Door Openers
The Best Portable Folding Workbenches
Adjustable Feet
Some self-supported shelving units come with adjustable feet. These simply screw in and out to individually change the height of each of the shelf legs. This setup helps to create a level shelf even if the floor it is sitting on is uneven. Be sure to verify why the floor is uneven to be sure it is capable of supporting the shelf and its items. For example, a damaged or rotten wooden floor may collapse under the load.
Load Capacity
The load capacity is simply how much weight the shelf can support and can vary widely depending on the design and materials. There is an important distinction to make when discussing the load rating of a shelving unit. There is the individual shelf capacity and the total capacity. These should be provided as two separate values by the manufacturer.
The individual capacity is what a single shelf can support, while the total is what the entire shelf unit can support. For example, a 5-tier shelf with an individual shelf capacity of 100 pounds will have a total rating of up to 500 pounds (5 shelves x 100 pounds per shelf). Think carefully about what you plan on storing on these shelves to determine which option to go with as the total weight can add up quickly.
Note that the total weight capacities are assuming that the weight is evenly distributed and the shelf is located on a level surface. Also, using casters will reduce the total capacity of the shelf.
Portability
Some shelving units will include casters that can be mounted to each of the supporting feet. This allows you to easily roll it around and reposition it to another part of the garage or room. Please do not roll the shelf if it has items on it, this can easily cause it to tip over and cause harm. Be sure to remove any items before attempting to move the shelf to another location. Obviously, wall or ceiling-mounted systems offer much less portability compared to units that sit on the floor.
Anchor Bracket
All tier shelves should include a wall-mount anchor bracket that attaches to the shelf. This is a safety feature that prevents it from tipping over in the event it becomes off-balance.
Assembly
Depending on how comfortable you are with putting things together I have included a range of options. Some of the shelves require very little assembly and no tools while others require involved assembly, mounting, and basic tools.
Now, on to the individual products. Each unit included below has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection. I have included a range of types so you can find the one that will help solve your particular storage needs.
So here is my list of The Best Garage Shelving Units for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Wire Garage Shelving
The Seville Classics features a steel wire construction for durability along with a zinc coating for rust and corrosion resistance.
Equipped with adjustable shelves that move in one-inch increments to customize the heights to the items being stored.
Features leveling feet that allow for adjustment on uneven surfaces for flat storage surfaces.
Equipped with removable casters, two that lock, to easily move the unit around the room or garage.
Features an easy assembly that does not require tools.
Features a capacity of 300 pounds per shelf on leveling feet and 130 pounds per shelf on casters.
Offers a total maximum capacity on leveling feet of 1,500 pounds.
Runner-up: AmazonBasics 5-Shelf Garage Shelving
The AmazonBasics 5-shelf system features a capacity of 350 pounds per wire shelf for a total weight capacity of 1,750 pounds (evenly distributed).
Offers the ability to easily create custom-height shelves without the need for tools.
Features two-part black plastic sleeves that clip around the posts to set the desired shelf height.
Allows higher or lower adjustments in one-inch increments.
Constructed from steel for long-lasting durability and stability.
Equipped with adjustable leveling feet to keep the unit level on uneven floors.
Overall dimensions are 36 inches wide by 14 inches deep by 72.5 inches high.
Best High Capacity: DEWALT Garage Shelving
The DEWALT shelves feature three metal wire grid decks that can each support up to 1,500 pounds for a 4,500-pound total capacity.
Offers the ability to join multiple racks together vertically or horizontally.
Features a powder-coated finish on the steel uprights, support straps, and crossbeams for long-lasting durability.
Features shelf adjustment in 2.35-inch increments for height customization.
Each shelf is equipped with five support straps to prevent twisting or spreading when the shelves are loaded.
Equipped with a wall-mount anchor bracket and locking pins for the crossbeams for safety.
Includes fiberglass-reinforced nylon feet to prevent movement and damage to the floor.
Comes with four clips per shelf to prevent warping.
Best Wall Mounted: HyLoft Garage Shelving
The HyLoft wall-mounted shelves can support up to a combined 200 pounds.
Features a low-profile design that provides a total of approximately nine square feet of storage space.
Offers the ability to mount the shelves side by side or stack one above the other.
Constructed from steel with a powder-coated finish for long-lasting durability.
Includes all required mounting hardware.
Offers a simple installation procedure that can be completed by just one person.
Each shelf has a dimension of 45 inches by 15-inches.
Best DIY: Hopkins Workbench and Garage Shelving
The Hopkins 90164 features a do-it-yourself system to create a custom size up to 8 by 4 feet.
Offers a completely customizable design by using your own lumber.
Uses sheets of plywood and 2x4s to construct the bench and shelves.
Includes all of the required hardware needed to complete the shelf and bench.
Includes instructions and cut lists to complete the construction of the unit.
Note: the wood to construct this is not included and must be purchased separately.
Best Value: Amazon Basics Aluminum Garage Shelving
The Amazon Basics medium-duty shelving is constructed with an aluminum structure with an anodized finish to resist corrosion.
Equipped with five adjustable shelves for a range of storage options.
Features an individual shelf capacity of up to 800 pounds.
Provides a total capacity of up to 4,000 pounds.
Uses a rivet-lock system that offers a quick and easy assembly.
Equipped with press-board wooden shelves.
Features an adjustable design that allows the shelves to be moved up or down in 1-1/2-inch increments.
Best 6-Tier Option: Meet Perfect Garage Shelving
The Meet Perfect system features a total weight limit of 2,100 pounds when equally distributed on foot levelers.
Features an individual shelf capacity of up to 350 pounds.
Equipped with adjustable feet to keep the system level on an uneven floor.
Includes casters that can replace the foot levelers for easy maneuverability.
Note: this will reduce the total load capacity to 500 pounds.
Offers adjustable heights by moving the four sleeves.
Includes six shelves that measure 48" long by 18" deep.
Best Budget Option: Gracious Living Garage Shelving
The Gracious Living shelf features a resin construction for rust, corrosion, and dent resistance.
Offers the ability to be used indoors or outdoors.
Constructed from heavy-duty high impact resin.
Equipped with ventilated shelves help prevent mildew.
Provides a shelf capacity of 100 pounds for a total of 400 pounds.
Offers a fast assembly that does not require any tools.
Best Overhead: Fleximounts Garage Shelving
The Fleximounts overhead storage rack takes advantage of unused space to create a storage solution off of the floor.
Constructed from steel that has been powder-coated for durability and corrosion resistance.
Features a total load capacity of up to 600 pounds.
Equipped with an adjustable height system that moves from 22 inches up to 40 inches for a range of storage options.
Features a frame and wire system that creates rigid supports for storage.
Offers a simple installation procedure.
Whitmor Supreme Garage Shelving
The Whitmore Supreme features a five-tier shelving system that allows for easy organization.
Provides a 350-pound shelf capacity for a range of applications.
Offers the ability to position each shelf in one-inch increments for customized spacing.
Includes adjustable leveling feet have rubber protectors to protect floors from scratches and damage.
Provides a simple assembly that does not require tools.
I hope this list of the best garage shelving units was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
