Getting the garage organized with shelves and racks
Garage shelving should be anchored into studs, sized for the weight it will hold, and secured against earthquakes. Wall rails with hooks are great for tools and bikes, and freestanding metal shelves should be strapped to the wall. Keep heavy items low.
Many Rosemead ranch homes have attached or detached garages that do double duty as storage, workshop and laundry room. Good shelving turns a crowded garage back into usable space.
Bikes, ladders and tools
Wall hooks and rails get bikes, ladders, cords and yard tools off the floor. We place them so car doors can still open.
Planning the space
Start by deciding what must stay: cars, the water heater, laundry, the electrical panel and any access to the attic.
Keep clear space in front of the electrical panel, roughly 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep, and around the water heater. Then sort what you store into everyday, seasonal and long-term.
Wall shelving
Freestanding metal or plastic shelf units are easy but can tip in an earthquake. Anchor them to the wall studs with straps or brackets. Wall-mounted shelving on standards or heavy-duty brackets keeps the floor clear.
Most garage walls in Rosemead homes are drywall over wood studs, often 16 inches apart. Fasten brackets into studs, not just drywall.
Overhead storage
Ceiling racks hold seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear. They hang from ceiling joists with lag screws, and their weight rating depends on correct installation into solid framing. Leave clearance for the garage door, opener and its rails, and the car's roof.
Some garage ceilings have a finished drywall layer; find joists before drilling.
Ceiling racks use space above the car. They must be fastened into ceiling joists and stay clear of the garage door track and opener.
Pegboard and slatwall
Pegboard holds tools and is inexpensive. Mount it on furring strips so hooks fit behind it. Slatwall panels are stronger and hold heavier hooks, baskets and shelves. Track systems mount to studs and let hooks and shelves slide along a rail.
Our steps:
- Clear and measure the walls and ceiling
- Locate studs and joists
- Plan shelf heights for items stored
- Mount standards, brackets, tracks or racks into framing
- Anchor freestanding units
- Load heavy items low
Heavy items
Store heavy items like paint cans, tools and bags of soil on lower shelves. Keep chemicals out of children's reach and away from the water heater. Avoid storing gasoline in the garage when you can, and never near a water heater or furnace flame.
Bikes and long items
Ladders hang on brackets. Lumber and long pipes store on cantilever brackets. Garden tools fit in wall racks.
Workbench
A sturdy workbench along one wall, with shelves above and below, organizes projects. Add lighting over the bench; see LED light fixture upgrades. Garage outlets should be GFCI-protected; see garage and patio outlets.
Heat
Rosemead garages get very hot in summer. Do not store paint, adhesives, candles, or electronics where heat damages them. Weatherstripping the garage door helps keep dust out; see weatherstripping exterior doors.
Earthquake safety
Strap tall shelves, put lips or bungee cords on open shelves, and keep heavy items low. See furniture assembly and anchoring.
Laundry areas
Many Rosemead garages hold the washer and dryer. Shelves above the machines keep detergent close. Leave room behind the dryer for the vent duct, and clean the lint out of the duct yearly. A folding counter over front-loading machines helps.
Keeping it up
Once shelves are in, label bins and keep heavy items low. A yearly cleanout keeps storage useful.
Cabinets
Closed garage cabinets keep dust off and hide clutter. Wall-hung cabinets free floor space. Base cabinets add work surfaces.
Metal cabinets handle moisture and heat better than particleboard. Mount cabinets on a cleat or rail secured to studs. Locking cabinets keep chemicals and tools away from children.
Floor space
Mark a parking zone on the floor so storage does not creep into it. Mount a parking stop or tennis ball on a string to guide parking.
Bins
Clear plastic bins let you see contents. Same-size bins stack and fit shelves evenly. Label each bin on the end facing out.
Avoid cardboard boxes in garages; they collect pests and moisture and fall apart.
Pests
Garages invite rodents and spiders. Seal gaps around the garage door and pipes, and keep pet food and birdseed in sealed containers.
Leave a path at least three feet wide to the door into the house, the panel and the water heater, so nobody has to move boxes in an emergency.
How we put up garage shelving
We plan the layout with you, assemble shelving units, anchor everything into framing, install rails and hooks, and mount overhead racks. See mounting and assembly.
When you want it done for you, our mounting and furniture assembly page lists the jobs we take and what to send for a quote. More on the houses themselves: repair notes for postwar Rosemead homes.
Need a hand with this?
Call or text (310) 628-9399, Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM. A photo is usually enough for a free estimate.
Call or text for a free estimate