What Are The Benefits Of Overhead Garage Storage

What Are The Benefits Of Overhead Garage Storage?

One of the best tools to keep your garage neat and organised is an overhead storage rack, as it makes use of an area of the garage that usually doesn’t get taken advantage of. 

It’s one of our top suggestions to keep your garage neat, but many people don’t think of all of the benefits it provides.

If your garage is currently serving as a storage unit for the overflow from your home, read on. 

If you have to dodge the clutter every time you drive your vehicle into your garage, or if you park your automobile in the driveway and avoid the garage altogether, you’re about to learn about the benefits of overhead garage racks.

Take a look at all the unused space in your garage. It’s located above. 

That’s right, the most underused area in your home is the space above your vehicle – or vehicles if you have a multi-car garage. 

There are multiple benefits of having overhead garage racks, but the main ones are helping you get organised and using your space more safely and efficiently.

As any homeowner knows, a garage can become crowded quite quickly. This is because it’s often used to house a wide range of equipment, including your car, your tools, any projects in process and anything you’d like to store for later.  Garage Storage Solutions features an innovative wall system with heavy-duty sliding wall components such as hooks, garage shelving and stylish, durable steel cabinets designed to hold your gear securely and neatly in place.

Even large garages can fill up quickly, with everything they’re supposed to hold. Luckily there’s a way to utilise garage storage that still leaves room for other things.

What To Do With All The Stuff?

You can get rid of some items you no longer need by donating or having a garage sale. 

If you still have a lot of items to store, no worries. The space on your garage ceiling is waiting for you to make the most of it.

There are a few things to take into consideration before you begin.

Why Organise?

A little money and effort now can head off a lot of trouble later.

The main reason to get organised is safety. Also, the reason a garage exists is to keep your car protected from the elements.

With items crammed into your garage, there’s a real chance you or your children could trip over them, fall on them, or things could fall or tip over, causing damage to your family and vehicle.

Take Stock Of The Items You Want To Store

As mentioned above, decide what you need to keep and donate or sell the rest. For example, seasonal decorations will find a perfect home in overhead garage racks since you only need to take them out yearly.

Also, you can store tools and hardware, outdoor furniture, sporting goods, including bicycles, skates, and the like. 

Measure the overhead space available to store all your belongings. Common rack sizes are 4’ x 8’, 4’ x 6’, 4’ x 4’, 3’ x 8’, and 3’ x 6’.

How To Protect Your Stuff

Get enough heavy-duty storage totes or boxes to pack all the items you want to keep, and be sure they have a secure seal. This helps keep out dust, insects, humidity, and pests. Avoid cardboard boxes because they break down over time.

For bulky or odd-shaped items, protect those by storing them in thick canvas bags that zip closed. You can tape over the zipper for added protection.

To quickly identify the contents, write directly on the containers with permanent markers or use masking tape and a title. Write large enough to see the words at a distance.

Benefits Of Overhead Garage Storage

What Are The Benefits Of Overhead Garage Storage2

When you install overhead garage storage, you can reclaim your garage for other purposes. There are many benefits to overhead storage, including savings, security and space.

Saves Money

While installing an overhead system will cost you, the benefits far outweigh the costs. It saves you money and the inconvenience of pursuing options such as storage units which are far more expensive in the long run, in addition to the inconveniences of having to go all the way to the team every time you need to retrieve an item.

Customisation To Your Preference

Overhead garage storage systems come in different sizes, and one can install several of them to create ample organised storage that completely frees up your floor space.

Keeps Things Out Of The Way

Some of the things that you store in your garage don’t need to be utilised every day. 

Things like towels for your car washes, luggage, and seasonal decorations are items you won’t be reaching for all of the time. 

An overhead storage rack is a great place to store those suitcases to keep them out of the way, yet easily accessible when it’s time to use them. 

Throw those towels in a bin, and store them above the car for the next time you have a car wash! 

By doing this, you’ll be freeing up space in the cabinets or along the wall in your garage, where you can store the tools and sports equipment.

Reclaims Unused Space

Overhead garage storage systems are simple yet ingenious innovations because they help you create or reclaim useless space and do not eat into your floor space.

Can Offer Plenty Of Storage

The beauty of an overhead garage storage system is that depending on the amount of space available and the installed configurations, it can absorb tons of items and safely keep hazardous materials out of reach. 

As a result, you can park your car inside the garage.

Added Floor Space

Storing things overhead can allow you to utilise your floor space for better purposes. 

If you’ve been parking your car outside in the elements, overhead storage can let you bring your vehicle back into the safety and security of your garage. 

You’ll also have more room for projects and easy walking from one end to the other.

The floor space in your garage is super important. Only your most important possessions should be stored on the floor in your garage. 

For example, if you live where the weather conditions are rough, make sure that your floor space is used for parking your car. 

Of course, this means that you will need to find a storage solution for the rest of your stuff. Fortunately, the overhead garage storage is the perfect solution.

Added Storage Space

When you store things overhead, you also open up more space for added storage, as you can use the floor space to hold other items you don’t use often. 

This increased space means you can also keep the inside of your home less cluttered.

By installing overhead garage storage, you can free up extra space and hold more things in your garage. 

Having this extra storage will also help you tidy up your room and allow you to assort stuff into different bins and boxes. 

Protection From Water Damage

Sometimes garages flood and even just a little bit of water can damage certain items. Overhead storage lifts your precious things out of harm’s way.

Garages occasionally have water leaks. You could wake up one morning and find puddles of water all over your garage floor. 

This flooding can damage delicate items that you have stored in your garage. 

With overhead storage, you can protect your delicate items from water damage. But, of course, don’t forget to have fail-safes in please to protect your car!

Easy Access

Easy overhead storage systems let you get to your items quickly. You can store up to 250 pounds in either a 4 x 4 or 4 x 8-foot model and lower and lift your objects with a sturdy crank or cable.

Saves On A Storage Unit

Overhead storage lets you keep your money in your pocket instead of spending money every month to store your things away from home.

Instead of piling up boxes on top of one another and having to sift through each one to find what you’re looking for, consider investing in garage storage that works. 

A licensed contractor can easily install your overhead storage unit so you can hang things with confidence. 

Have you run out of storage space in your garage? If so, then you have probably looked at renting a storage unit to house your stuff. 

With overhead storage installed in your garage, you can save money by not paying the monthly storage unit fee.

Keeps Items Away From Pests

People, especially pet owners, prefer to keep pet food and linens inside the garage. 

However, pests and rats are attracted to food and will attempt to get into the garage. 

If you want to store your food and linens in a place where pests and rats cannot reach them, then overhead garage storage is the best alternative.

We recently covered that keeping certain items in your garage, like pet food and linens, will attract pests like rats. 

If you’re going to store them in your garage, you’re much better off keeping them in a spot where the rats won’t be able to reach them.

That’s where the overhead racks come in. Put your towels in a bin, cover them, and store it above the car, where rats won’t be able to reach them. 

If you’re still going to store the pet food in the garage, putting it in a bin on the overhead rack will keep that out of reach of pests, too. These items are better kept elsewhere.

Frees Up Wall Space

By keeping these things up in a spot that you previously weren’t utilising, you’re going to reduce the clutter in the garage immediately. 

You won’t have to stack up things along the wall, pile them in the garage cabinets, or stack them on the tool bench. 

Keeping your garage clean is about designing a system that will keep things where they belong. 

You’ll have free space to use to organise the tools, keep the bikes along the wall, and you can even use this wall space to install Slatwall, where you can add bins, shelves, and hooks to design a wall that is custom-tailored to your garage’s needs.

Get Organised And Neatly Display Items

Getting organised is much easier with an overhead garage storage system because it provides plenty of space to take up loads of items. 

Because the bases of overhead units have ample depth of up to 4 feet, one can store larger containers and boxes. This means that more items can be stored safely.

When such boxes and containers are labelled or colour-coded, retrieval is accessible even months after storage. 

Bulkier sports equipment such as surfing boards and paddles or longer delicate equipment such as fishing rods can be safely and neatly tucked away without damage.

These units often have hooks on some edges, creating additional storage space that items such as bicycles can hang safely.

There is no better solution than overhead garage storage systems when it comes to getting your garage thoroughly organised.

Make Use Of Pulleys Or Crank

Overhead garage systems are a good option for people who can’t use ladders to retrieve items because of a medical condition or age.

For that reason, there are options of overhead garage units that utilise a pulley system or crank to lower the team low enough for loading and hosting it with cable or crank to its original overhead position. 

When correctly installed, these units are absolutely safe and very efficient.

Easy Installation

These types of storage systems come with all necessary installation materials. Detailed instructions also accompany it on how to go about the installation. 

Some units can be installed on a concrete ceiling, while others should be firmly attached to ceiling joists for proper reinforcement.

A number of the units include a link to a step by step installation YouTube video. Alternatively, one can hire the services of a qualified handyman to help with the installation. Garage Storage Solutions’ smart wall storage system (hooks, racks, baskets and shelves) can be used in unlimited configurations and be adjusted over time as your requirements change. They are making it a perfect investment for your garage.

What To Look For When Choosing Overhead Garage Racks

  • Overhead garage racks come in multiple sizes to fit your needs, space, and budget so that you can customise your storage space. Be sure to bring your measurements when you’re ready to purchase.
  • No two garages are the same, and no two houses have the same amount of items to store, so choose storage racks with adjustable vertical height. This way, you can adjust to any changing storage needs.
  • Do you want motorised or stationary racks?
  • Verify the product warranty. There should be one.
  • Many racks have colour options available on the powder coat if this is something you want.
  • Most racks are relatively simple to install yourself, but if you’d instead not do that, the stores that sell overhead garage racks can put you in touch with an authorised installer.

With your belongings off the floor and out of the way, you may be tempted to “get more stuff”. Could you not do it? For now, simply enjoy having a safe space to park your vehicle.

How To Build Suspended Garage Shelves

What Are The Benefits Of Overhead Garage Storage4

There is a lot of space above the garage door, so why not take advantage of it and add suspended garage shelves? 

These shelves are great for seasonal item storage and stuff you want to keep but do not need that often. The depth of the frames is 2-feet deep but can be easily modified for 3-feet deep.

Materials (For Each 8′ Long X 2′ Deep Shelf)

  • 4 – 2″ x 4″ x 8′ stud
  • ½ – sheet of ½” OSB or plywood
  • 2 – Simpson Strong-Tie® 20-gauge Rigid Tie™ RTR connectors
  • 4 – Simpson Strong-Tie® Rigid Tie RTC2Z corner connectors (1/2 workbench hardware kit)
  • 2 ½” Strong-Drive® SD #9 Structural Connector Screws
  • Simpson Strong-Tie Wafer-Head #8×1 ¼” screws
  • One ¼” brad nails

Cut List

  • 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 96″ wood
  • 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 92″ wood
  • 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 22 ½” wood
  • 3 – 2″ x 4″ x 21″ wood
  • 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 35″ wood – length may change depending on the garage door clearance
  • 2 – 2″ x 4″ x 6″ wood – optional

Determine The Distance

First, you’ll need to determine the distance between the highest movement of the garage door and the ceiling. 

Assemble The Frame And Shelf

The shelf is assembled with connectors supporting the front of the bracket to the ceiling. The shelf frame is made with corner connectors and secured to the garage wall through the back of the shelf.

On top of the vertical supports, install a 20-gauge connector and secure it with SD8 screws. 

On the bottom, attach a corner connector and secure it with SD8 screws, making the bottom of the connector flush with the bottom of the board. Make the corner connectors mirror each other on the two vertical supports.

Install a corner connector on the end of each 22 ½” board, mirroring each other, and secure with SD8 screws. 

On the 2″ x 4″ x 96″ board, measure and mark 2′, 4′ and 6′. Attach a 21″ board at each location and secure it with 2 ½” screws. Attach the corner connector to the respective ends of the 96″ board with SD8 screws.

Mount Supports On Ceiling Beam

Locate the ceiling support beams. 

From the wall, measure and mark over 24″. Next, install a vertical support 24″ from the wall, securing in place with 2 ½” screws into a ceiling support beam. 

If your beams are not visible, as in the photo below, be sure to use a stud finder. Then, install the second vertical support approximately 8′ from the first support in a support beam, again 24″ from the wall. 

Again, use a stud finder to ensure you are installing the screws into the centre of the beam.

Lift Shelf Frame Into Place

Lift the shelf frame into place, installing the sides into the corner connectors. 

Level and secure to the garage wall in the studs with 2 ½” screws. Secure the sides to the corner connectors with SD8 screws.

Install the 2″ x 4″ x 92″ board in the front, and secure to the front corner connectors with SD8 screws. Next, secure the 21″ panels to the front piece with 2 ½” screws.

Cut And Place Plywood

Cut a 4’x 8′ sheet of plywood in half the long way. Cut corner notches for the vertical supports.

Place on top of the shelf frame and secure with one ¼” brad nails or screws. The 2′ x 8′ plywood is just shy of overlapping on the side pieces. 

If your plywood needs support, add 2″ x 4″ blocks on the inside of the side pieces.

Enjoy your new garage storage space!

Conclusion

Staying organised is super important when you are limited on space. However, it is also essential if you have a lot of space and want to keep your house from becoming overly cluttered. 

You will never have enough space if you do not store your items away smartly. Having overhead garage storage installed can help you remedy this problem and restore order to your garage and home. 

Overhead garage storage systems are the ultimate solutions for garage storage. 

Keep things neat, tidy and spacious with so much ease. If you want to reclaim an order in your garage, this is the ultimate solution. Are you getting frustrated by your clutter and garage organisation? Here at Garage Storage Solutions, we offer extensive professional organising and declutter service.

Scroll to Top