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Don't let that space high overhead go to waste! Our editors tested the best products to maximize garage ceiling storage space. Metal Shelving
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A garage is one of those places we tend to use as a dumping ground for things we don’t know what to do with. Optimizing the lofty forgotten space takes planning and a couple of clever storage ideas up your sleeve.
So, where do you start decluttering and neatening the garage? Just look up! The best DIY garage storage projects are ones that create or reclaim overhead garage space for stashing. Plus, the best garage ceiling storage clears up floor space, so maybe now you can actually park your car under a roof. When your neighbors ask how you got so organized, say you had help from space-saving storage solutions you can either purchase or make yourself.
Available in black and white, this wall-mounted shelf from NewAge Products is a 2-foot by 8-foot wall-mounted steel shelf that holds up to 600 pounds. “I’m not going to lie—it took a few hours to read the manual, lay out all the parts and put it together, but the result was so worth it,” says senior editor, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick. “Not only does it look sleek, but it’s compact enough that it doesn’t prevent my husband or I from still parking our cars in our garage.”
This garage storage shelf has heavy-duty holding power, and you’ll be surprised by how much this unit can hold with just a 2-foot width. “From a pizza oven we use in the warmer months to containers of Halloween decorations, it feels good to get those pieces off the floor and secured at eye level,” says Fitzpatrick. If you’re looking for a piece that truly feels sturdy and has an impressive amount of storage, this NewAge Products pick is a smart choice.
Need an inexpensive solution to maximize your garage storage? The Smartology heavy-duty hanging hooks might just be the answer. For around $15, you’ll get a set of eight steel J-hooks, which come with a 12-month warranty. Each hook is able to support up to 60 pounds, so you can feel confident storing everything from golf clubs to kids’ bikes without a hitch.
“These hooks come in a non-descript plastic bag (sans instructions), so be prepared to look up an instructional video of your own,” says senior shopping editor, Caroline Lubinsky. “Luckily, they aren’t difficult to install, but you do need to purchase your own drywall anchors separately since the hooks need to be placed in studs.”
No garage ceiling storage idea is more versatile and cost-effective than rubber-coated garage hooks. Screw the hooks into ceiling rafters or wall beams to hang anything from bicycles to tools to golf bags.
If you’re looking for storage solutions for a small space, then these slender tracks offer an updated, space-saving solution to pegboard storage. The Gladiator GearTrack Channels are compatible with other Gladiator garage storage systems, and they’re only 4 feet long, so they’ll fit just about anywhere. Shopping editor, Mary Henn, tried them in her own garage, and they were easy to install with a stud finder and power drill.
“Each channel holds an impressive 75 pounds, and I was shocked to find that I could hang anything from lightweight yard rakes to heavier power tools, like handheld blowers,” shares Henn. “The channels can be mounted on bare wood studs or drywall, and stacked side by side or on top of each other, depending on your storage needs. I was a little surprised to find that hooks are sold separately, so I found myself making another trip to The Home Depot to grab Gladiator storage hooks.”
No need to climb a ladder when you can bring stored items down to you with this garage ceiling storage hoist. It uses heavy-duty straps and a pulley mechanism to raise and let down larger items, such as boxes, roof carriers and paddle boards. Simply lower them using the hoist to access your items when adventure calls.
Content director, Nicole Doster, says, “This pulley-style kayak ceiling hoist gives you the flexibility to rig your kayak high above cars and walkways, but also easily lower it down using gravity and a set of ropes. What’s great about it is the brake plate that locks the rope into place, keeping your water sport equipment (up to 150 pounds) secure.”
The kit includes two pulley plates, rope, straps and mounting hardware. “I was initially worried that the rope rigging would prove difficult to install, but the included instructions were simple to follow, and the company provided video tutorials with clear step-by-step instructions,” Doster says.
During testing of this product, Doster noted that the pulley rope needs to be installed to an adjacent wall cleat, so this might not be the best solution for kayaks that need to be installed in the center of a garage.
File this product under the top must-have bike accessories. If you have a heavy bike or lack the strength to lift it over your head, try this Delta Cycle bike hoist. “It changed my life, or at least how much stuff I can pack into my tiny one-car garage,” says associate shopping editor, Sheri Kaz. “I now have room to store my lawn mower under the bike. It’s easy to use and stays secure with the auto-lock, cord cleat and sturdy hooks.”
If you need a space saving solution to stash your toys, don’t hesitate to grab this budget-friendly item. It’s an outstanding garage bike storage option for clearing up floor space.
The first step to streamlining your garage is to assess the mess and exactly how much space you have to work with. If you’re working with limited floor space or want to keep garage floor space open for cars, then high-ceiling garage storage solutions are the way to go.
You’ll also want to consider how much weight your garage ceiling can support and choose a durable material that’ll keep your stuff suspended without tearing, warping or breaking. Additionally, you should consider how easy it will be to access your things once you’ve hoisted them into storage. A pulley system or storage system at eye level are often the best way to go if you have to remove items from storage frequently.
Family Handyman editors tested all the garage ceiling storage products listed above. That’s right—we put them in our own garages to deliver the most honest and in-depth product reviews. In fact, we installed each storage system ourselves to tell you how easy or difficult the process was.
Plus, each of our editors tested every product for over a month to store real tools and equipment to determine how they perform. In the end, we didn’t recommend any garage ceiling storage solution that we didn’t test and love in our own homes.
Beyond rigorous product testing by our team of Family Handyman editors, we also researched the best garage ceiling storage solutions on the market right now. We sifted through countless product reviews and features to determine which products were worth testing. We looked at ease of installation, price point, overall quality and value to find the best garage ceiling storage solutions for a variety of needs.
Overhead garage storage is safe if done correctly. Unless you’re a contractor or a very experienced DIYer, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to help with the installation.
That depends on various factors, including whether your garage has a floor above it or not and the size and type of lumber used for the joists or trusses. Most experts say that unless your garage ceiling is specifically engineered for holding extra weight, how much your garage trusses can support should be determined by a structural engineer.
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