Organizing a Garage with Wood Walls and a Flat Ceiling

This is the easiest type of garage to organize as hanging shelves and from the walls is relatively easy when you have wood walls. Also, a flat ceiling makes it easy to utilize overhead storage.

Shelving

The first step to organizing a garage is choosing shelving. You can choose between freestanding shelving or wall mounted. You'll also have the choice between adjustable shelving and fixed shelving. You'll also have to decide how much time you're willing to spend on shelving. Making and installing your own shelves can be much cheaper, but usually takes a great deal more time to setup.

Free Standing Shelving Comparison

Sterilite 5 Shelf Shelving Unit$$0.00No5 Minutes36"18"75.125"31.375"15.75"$0.0020.19 sq ft
Seville Classics UltraZinc 5-Shelf Wire Shelving Rack with Wheels, 14 x 30 x 60"$74.99$NaNYes (1" Increments)10 Minutes30"14"60"28"Adjustable$NaNNaN sq ft
Dave Wirth's DIY Free Standing Shelving Plans$NaN$NaNNo180 Minutes96 in24 in84 in93 in17 in$NaNError sq ft
HDX 36 in. W x 72 in. H x 18 in. D 5-Shelf Plastic Ventilated Storage Shelving Unit$45.97$NaNNo5 Minutes36 in18 in72 in32 in14.75 in$NaNError sq ft
Edsal HC30127 Steel 7-Shelf Shelving Unit, 750 lb Capacity, 30" Width x 60" Height x 12" Depth$Error$NaNYes90 Minutes31 in12 in61 in29 inAdjustable$NaNNaN sq ft

Shelving Comparison

12" Wall Mounted Plywood Shelves$NaN

Storing Small Hardware

Storing small hardware is one of the more difficult things to organize in a garage. This article covers many different storage solutions depending on the amount of small hardware you have.

Comparison of Small Hardware and Parts Storage

Storex Literature Organizer Combined with Storage Containers$92.16$0.1372013.625"
Plano Molding 974 StowAway Organizer Rack$50.95$0.53969"
Akro-Mils 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware Cabinet #10164$0.00$0.00645.25"
Akro-Mils 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Cabinet + 48 Stack-On Drawer Dividers$26.88$0.241125.25"

Kayak Storage Methods Ceiling Mount

Kayak Storage Hoist$NaN
Standing Upright with Safety Chain from Ceiling

Plastic Storage Container Comparison

Lumber Storage Comparison

PORTAMATE PBR-001 Wood Storage Organizer Rack$ErrorError41 inError12.5
Fixed Shelf Bracket Lumber Rack$NaNError11.0 in

Ladder Storage Options

Hoist

A hoist is best for infrequently used ladders. 

 

Select Your Type of Ladder

Advantages

  • Saves Wall and Floor Space

Disadvantages of Ladder Hoist

  • Time Consuming to Store and Retrieve Ladder

Ladder Storage Hooks

Ladder storage hooks work best for storing step ladders or compact multifunction ladders vertically.

 Ladder storage hooks are best used with longer ladders horizontally.

Advantages of Ladder Storage Hooks

  • Easy to Store and Retrieve Ladder
  • Saves floor space

Ladder Storage Comparison

Harbor Freight Jumbo Ladder Hook$NaN50 lb
Racor LDL-1B Ladder Lift$44.99150 lb759
Tornado L2000 Ladder Hook, 2-Pack$21.9970 lb (Pair)323
Tornado 30 lb. Steel Ladder Hook #00525$0.0030 lb467
Everbilt Heavy Duty Padded Arm Hanger #18042$0.0050 lb