Garage cabinets are an excellent way to organise your garage and make it more functional.
They allow you to store all of the items in your garage, from tools to sporting equipment, without taking up valuable floor space.
If you’re looking for a new cabinet or have some extra time on your hands this weekend, follow these steps when choosing one: Can I find garage storage cabinets to match my style? Absolutely! Even the cabinets in the garage should reflect your unique tastes and style. Garage Storage Solutions offers stylish storage in a variety of materials and finishes.
Important Factors To Consider When Buying Garage Cabinets
What’s Your Budget For Buying Garage Cabinets?
You’ll need to work within your available budget to determine what type and quality of garage cabinets you’ll buy. Just remember that age-old saying – “you get what you pay for”.
Buying an inexpensive garage cabinet system from a big-box store may be quite tempting if your budget is limited.
Just be aware that many of these cabinet systems compromise significantly on the quality of the cabinets’ construction materials.
Typically, they’ll be made from plastic or inferior quality steel to achieve that low price.
Cheaper garage cabinets can leave a lot to be desired when it comes to functionality and durability.
Do you want to be replacing your garage cabinet system in just a few years when it starts rusting or falling apart? At that point, you’ll know that it pays to spend a little more to get a higher quality product that lasts longer.
Expanding your budget for new garage cabinetry will open up a wider range of higher-quality options.
The construction materials and craftsmanship will be at a higher grade, and they’ll likely look better (don’t underestimate the value of garage cabinet aesthetics).
Cheaper garage cabinet systems also don’t offer the chance for customisation. You’ll have limited choices for colours, styles, and extra custom features, like adding a countertop to the top of your base cabinets to create a workbench.
Garage Cabinet Usage
Knowing how your cabinets will be used within your garage will be a major factor in what type of cabinet system you end up buying.
For example, take a homeowner who’s looking for a general-purpose cabinet system that’s primarily needed for extra storage space. Higher-end garage cabinets, such as our Custom Steel cabinets, probably aren’t the right fit for their needs.
The amount of space you have to work with will also be a factor when choosing a cabinet system.
If your garage layout has unconventional angles or wall obstructions, a custom-fit system will be easier to fit within the space.
What’s Being Stored In Your Garage Cabinets?
What you’ll be storing in your garage cabinets will also play a role in your buying decision. Certain items are more suited to being stored in a specific type of cabinet, so you’ll need to choose accordingly.
For example, choosing a cabinet system that gives you an option for locks on the doors and drawers might be wise if:
- you want to keep expensive hand and power tools secure
- your garage has a lot of sharp tools you want to keep your kids safe from
- there are a lot of chemicals and hazardous materials kept in your garage
The weight of items you’re storing also needs to be taken into consideration. If you’re holding heavy power tools or car parts, a flimsy cabinet system made from plastic just won’t cut it.
You’ll need something sturdier, like a garage cabinet system made from 18-gauge or even stronger 16-gauge steel.
Maybe you plan to use your garage cabinets for storing longer items, such as coveralls, or you want to keep your large collection of cleaning supplies all in one cabinet.
If so, your cabinet system design will probably include one or more tall locker cabinets.
For those who have a lot of tools to store, an ample number of tool drawers to keep everything organised will be a priority for their cabinet system for storing all those easy-to-lose screws, nuts, and bolts would also be a smart addition.
How Important Are Construction Materials, Durability, And Looks To You?
The materials used in your cabinet system’s construction will be the biggest factor determining how long it lasts.
Construction materials and craftsmanship will also affect how your cabinet system functions. For instance, how smoothly do the cabinet doors and drawers open and close?
The harsh demands of a garage environment should also be taken into consideration with your garage cabinets. This includes changes in temperature, moisture, and everyday wear and tear.
To prolong the life of your cabinetry, look for models with a powder-coated finish. Powder coating involves the application of multiple layers of dry powder to the surface of the cabinets. This helps protect against scuffs, scratches, and rust.
Garage Storage Planning Secrets
Key Considerations
The key to a great garage is planning out how you want to use the space and then creating storage for everything that needs to go into it. Things to consider include:
- Who uses the garage? How big are the cars and how many of them are there? Don’t forget to take into account space for the walk paths around the vehicles.
- How is the garage used in the Summer/Spring vs. Winter/Fall?
- e.g., Car stays outside in spring…
- Different things are stored year-round (boats, snowblowers, grills, patio furniture…).
- What things occupy floor space? Count the bikes, garbage cans, lawnmowers, snowblowers, recycling bins, etc. and allow room for these items.
- What needs to be contained?
- Use shelving for: shoes, paint cans, gasoline, gardening/potting supplies, tools, household chemicals, miscellaneous storage, etc.
- Baskets can be used for toys, pet supplies, sporting goods, various storage.
- Drawers can be used for tools, screws and fasteners, gardening supplies, various storage.
- What can be hung on a wall?
- Gardening tools, shovels, sporting goods, skis, golf clubs, bikes, and ladders.
- Will it also be used as a mudroom? If so, plan for mudroom organisers for jackets and boots near the entrance to the home.
Measure Carefully And Be Mindful Of All Obstacles:
Windows, doors, outlets, timers for sprinkler, water faucets, the gas curb, baseboards, light switches, garage door opener, track for the garage door, attic access, alarm boxes, windows must all be accounted for in the planning.
Sketch out the room and mark where they are located so that you don’t accidentally block access with your new shelving or garage cabinets.
Measure the dimensions of all the larger items that need to be stored in the garage. e.g. Measure the size of the bike, the lawnmower, the boat etc.
Step-by-step Garage Storage Planning
- If the floor needs to be resurfaced, that must be done first before building any cabinets or other storage. Even old oil-stained pitted floors can be repaired with an epoxy or polyurea floor finishing system to look like new. But leave this to the professionals. They can clean and resurface your garage floor in a matter of hours. The results last for decades. And you won’t have to worry about the paint chipping off in harsh weather.
- Complete an inventory assessment of everything you need to keep in the garage. Consider donating or discarding items you no longer use to free up space.
- Determine how much wall storage is required and where it should go.
- Determine where garage cabinets will go.
- Will you need storage grade or garage grade cabinets? Garage grade cabinets can handle a lot more weight, but not everyone needs them.
- Decide if you will include a workbench.
- Will you need lighting? Lighting is the last step in the garage design, but it is very important. A workbench will most certainly benefit from some task lighting. However, the interiors of the cabinets and drawers can also be illuminated using a simple LED closet lighting system. These low voltage systems can make finding things in an otherwise dark garage — especially one with no windows. Complete your garage organisation plan by getting your gear off the floor with Garage Storage Solutions’ smart shelving and basket storage.
Garage Cabinet Customization
If creating a personalised garage space ranks high on your list of priorities when it comes to a garage makeover, custom cabinets are a must.
The ability to customise your garage cabinets gives you significant flexibility to truly create a dream cabinet system.
Custom-fit cabinetry also makes the most of your available space. Underutilised corners can become more useful with the addition of custom cabinetry.
If you have a free wall in your garage that’s unfinished, have a seamless wall-to-wall cabinet system designed. That can take care of your storage needs and provide a more finished look for your garage interior.
Custom cabinetry can also be designed to accommodate best how you’ll be using your garage cabinets.
If you’re a hobbyist, the upper and lower cabinets around your heavily used countertop area can be designed to store your most frequently used tools and items. That way, they’re always conveniently close at hand.
Here are just a few of the specialty options that can be included with custom garage cabinets:
- numerous colour choices
- sink units
- power bars with USB charging ports
- backsplash
- pot lighting and valance lighting
- TV cabinet enclosure
- utility drawers with organising bins
- a dedicated space for hiding garbage and recycling bins
What Size Of A Garage Cabinet Should I Choose?
When choosing appropriate garage storage cabinets, it can be easy to overlook the need to size your cabinets properly.
Unfortunately, getting some storage space means giving up floor space, so you’ll need to know exactly how much space you have available and how much you’re willing to sacrifice.
When ordering your new storage cabinet, try marking out spots on your garage floor that you think would be good spots for your wardrobe.
Once you have a couple of ideas, use a measuring tape and some masking tape to map out the space your cabinet will take in 3-D.
Of course, your aim isn’t to construct a 3-D model but to measure out width and depth on your floor and height along the nearest wall.
Having a 3-D estimate can help clarify your decision-making since it will be obvious which cabinets will work and which won’t.
What Type Of Garage Cabinet Is Best For Me?
If you’ve completed the measurements recommended in the previous tip, you may have discovered that floor space could be a tricky situation. Mapping things out tends to reveal areas of potential conflict, like a wall socket or door being blocked.
Maybe you were never interested in having a cabinet take up floor space in the first place.
Either way, it’s the perfect time to start considering whether you’ll be ordering a wall-mounted or freestanding cabinet.
Wall-mounted Cabinets
Wall-mounted cabinets are an ideal choice if you expect your toolset to grow over time. Most wall-mounted cabinets come with a mounting system that allows for additional cabinets as time goes by.
The process can be as simple as sliding one cabinet to the side to make room for another, with the only considerations being how much room is left on your mount and how much wall space you’re willing to surrender.
Wall-mounted cabinets avoid the issue of sacrificing much floor space, so you won’t have to worry about obstructing electrical outlets or needing to shift objects to make working space regularly.
Of course, you’ll still have to consider clearance around head height, but installing wall-mounted cabinets over countertops or workbenches eliminates the need for any head height measurements.
The biggest drawback to wall-mounted cabinets is their relative permanence. In addition, wall mounts can be inconvenient to move from wall to wall, should you decide to relocate your cabinets.
Wall-mounted cabinets are also somewhat limited in terms of vertical expansion. Given how close they can be to most ceilings, bigger cabinets tend to stick “out” rather than go “up”. This can lead to feelings of being cramped and head clearance issues.
Free Standing Cabinets
Freestanding cabinets allow for a far greater deal of freedom as far as location goes, but they also inevitably sacrifice floor space.
Where wall-mounted cabinet systems allow for expansion over time, freestanding cabinets usually do not. Instead, freestanding cabinets tend to come as a single unit with several compartments designed for storing a large volume of tools.
What Materials Should My Garage Cabinet Be Made Of?
The choice you make in materials will determine how much weight your cabinet can hold and how long you can expect your wardrobe to withstand the test of time. Let’s take a look at the most common choices.
Steel
Steel storage cabinets typically have incredible shelving weight capacity, with some models holding over 300 lbs spread across their shelves.
As strong as steel shelving can be, it can fall victim to rust over time. Luckily, a regular application of rust prevention aerosol sprays or solutions can prevent this.
Steel cabinets also tend to lack a variety of options when it comes to finishes and style. Most cabinets made of steel will be finished in a simple black or silver finish, with more emphasis placed on function than style.
Plastic
Plastic storage cabinets are sturdier than you’re probably assuming. Many modern models have a shelf weight capacity of over 100 lbs and come with various styles and combination options.
Plastic has the additional benefit of being naturally resistant to water and can withstand a wide range of temperature fluctuations.
Lower quality plastic shelving can become brittle in cold weather, so you’ll have to be mindful to verify the quality of your cabinets with the manufacturer beforehand.
You can also consider using the search function to quickly sift through online reviews to double-check for this specific issue.
Manufactured Wood
Unlike steel and plastic, wood has several “natural enemies” that already exist within your home, namely, humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Manufactured wood can be especially vulnerable to these things, given the way it is typically constructed.
Manufactured wood panels are normally made from plywood or MDF cores, then covered with veneers for appearance.
Manufactured wood cabinets offer more than both plastic and steel as far as aesthetic options go.
Manufactured wood can be finished with natural wood grains, hardwood veneers or simply black, white and grey tones, making them a good option if you have a décor you’re hoping to maintain.
What Features Should My Garage Cabinet Have?
Now that we’ve covered the absolute essentials, here are a few extra features worth considering in your new storage cabinet.
Customisable Shelving
Default shelving options in your cabinets can be a hassle; having too much space for some things and not enough room for others is not an issue you should have to deal with.
This is why we recommend purchasing a cabinet with customisable shelving so that you can create the ideal storage for your circumstances.
Locking And Child Security Options
Theft of tools and other hardware from your garage is an unlikely threat in your home, but keeping young children away from dangerous power tools can be of unbelievable value.
If you live in a home with curious kids, having a simple built-in lock or childproofing mechanism is an easy way to keep your peace of mind intact.
Wheels
Sometimes simple things can make a world of difference in the quality of our lives. For example, if you’ve ever spent any length of time working with power tools, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to walk back and forth between your workstation and cabinet, lugging heavy tools the whole way there.
Having wheels on your freestanding cabinet can be a simple solution to this problem. Instead of going back and forth, a simple cabinet movement before starting your work can save you a lot of walking.
Tip-Over Restraint Device
Also known as a furniture anchor, a tip-over restraint device is intended to keep your shelf upright and prevent falls that can be dangerous or deadly. If you’ve ever had a full garage storage cabinet, you know just how heavy they can get.
Freestanding models are normally well balanced, but it’s not entirely uncommon for us to misjudge just how full our top drawers can be, which can lead to dangerous falls.
A tip-over restraint device is an accessory that prevents your cabinet from tipping over by anchoring it to a wall or the floor, eliminating the need for you to worry about overfilling your storage space.
Of course, we strongly recommend expanding or upgrading your cabinet once you begin nearing your storage capacity.
Conclusion
It seems like everyone has a garage these days. And with the rise of urban living, it’s becoming more common to live in an apartment or condo without access to off-street parking for your Car.
This means that many people are forced to store their cars in their garages and use them as storage spaces instead of vehicles.
`If you have a small space, then this is not ideal because you will need to find ways to make everything fit together nicely so that there is no wasted space left over.
Not only can having too much stuff take up valuable room, but it also makes things difficult when trying to get around! So what do you do? First, we recommend planning your garage cabinet before spending any money on expensive pieces. Garage Storage Solutions has a range of easy-to-install storage options to help transform your garage from a dull storage room to an organised space that’s there to be utilised!