Garage Shelving – Storage Direct Top Tips

How do you use your garage? Ok, the obvious answer would surely be to store your car. But in the 100 years since garages first appeared next to domestic properties, the way we use them has completely changed.

According to the RAC more than half of the estimated 11 million garages are now used to store anything but a vehicle – whether that’s DIY equipment, garden tools or additional space for items we don’t want to throw away but can’t fit into our homes.

The problem is, although we’ve got this extra space, we’re not using it wisely. It’s that old saying ‘out of sight and out of mind’ and our garages have become a bit of an unorganised dumping ground. But, with the right solution it doesn’t have to be this way!

Organised Garage Storage Systems

Where to start? First, you need to get organised and work out what you’ll be keeping in the garage and how to plan your space.

Work out what you need to store and what you might put in your garage in the future. Create zoned areas for different items, for example an area for painting and decorating items, one for DIY tools and a space for storage boxes? Keep items such as seasonal goods that are infrequently accessed on higher, more difficult to reach shelves while regularly used tools should be kept closer to hand. Finally, try to keep the floor clear. Not only will it reduce damage to your stored items but it will also create a safer place to work.

Garage Shelving

In most cases, some sturdy shelving will provide the perfect solution for your garage. Here are our top five tips on what you should look out for:

1. What is it made from? The frame might look like a few bits of metal, but does it perform the critical job of holding everything together. The quality and thickness of the metal used in the frame is important – too flimsy and it may not last the test of time. For example, the steel on our Stockrax Shelving systems is about 50% thicker than other systems found on the market which makes them an incredibly sturdy option.
2. What weight can it support? Shelves are designed to carry different weights and you want to roughly work out what you are storing, how much it weighs and then add on a bit for additional items in the future. You can then choose a shelving system that has been designed to meet the load. Our Galvanised Standard Duty Garage Shelving can carry loads of 68kg while our Heavy Duty Garage Shelving can carry up to a staggering 650kg UDL (Uniformly Distributed Loads)*. That’s a lot of stuff!!Things can get a bit messy in the garage and you might want to consider a shelf with a wipeable surface such as melamine. It makes it much easier to clean up any accidental spills. Again, think about the items you are storing, if the thickness of the shelf is too thin it might sag under the weight! Ideally choose a shelf that’s about 18mm in depth.*please note: when stocking maximum loads the weight must be evenly spread across the shelf.
3. How flexible is your shelving? Every garage space is different and a one-size-fits all solution isn’t going to work. You need flexibility in the size of your shelving. A solution that is available in two different heights with widths spanning from 900mm all the way up to 2400mm should work almost anywhere. Our shelving is also available in five different depth options starting from as little as 300mm up to 900mm. We’re pretty sure you can find something to suit!
4. How easy is it to put together? New shelving that you can’t easily put together is not going to be any good. Go for a boltless structure which is created by simply tapping the structural beams into tapered ‘P’ slots to create a rigid and stable framework with no cross bracing needed. These same slots should also work for the shelves but for maximum flexibility check how close the adjustment increments are, about 38mm should do.
5. How safe is your shelving? Lastly, keep everything secure. If the height and depth ratio of your shelving ratio exceeds 4:1 then you will need to fix it to the floor with a footplate. If you’re creating a run of two or more shelves, then we recommend Bay Links which will connect the units and create stability in the structure. If you’re not sure it’s always best to check with our advisors can.

Garage Organisation

Of course, having a system that gets everything onto a shelf is one thing but creating an organised solution is something else altogether. A few carefully chosen accessories will make everything much easier to find. Plastic containers, like our LinBins, can maximise the most limited of spaces and are perfect for those smaller bits and pieces. They are available in a range of sizes and can either sit individually on the shelf or stack to optimise the space. Plus, they’re also available in different colours so you can organise items into different areas.

Finally, why not add a Louvre panel to your Shelving or the wall of your garage? It’s the perfect space to neatly hang your tools or even LinBins.

Garage Workbench and Cupboards

If you’re planning to use your garage as a workshop, consider investing in a Workbench or Workstation to provide a safe and secure space to work. If you want to go for a clean, finished look think about cupboards with doors, which is available with a wide range of shelf options. They also come with a lock for that added bit of security!

Contact Storage Direct

Whatever you plan to use your garage for there are a whole host of from Shelving, Cupboards and Accessory options available. We have over 75 years’ worth of experience designing and manufacturing storage solutions. Plus, our products are also manufactured in the UK, which is not only supporting the economy, but it also means it should get here faster (no delays waiting for it to be shipped from abroad!) Why not speak to one of our advisors today who can help you get the most of your storage system, even in the smallest of spaces.