Garage Storage Buying Guide

Has clutter overtaken your home? Is your garage the nesting place for all your extra belongings? It could be time to check into the vast array of garage storage solutions available to consumers. There are many storage systems available to choose from. There are some unique arrangements available. If you need lots of help for many different pieces of equipment, or if you need only a bit of help, there is a garage storage system right for just about any home.

There are several different styles to consider when choosing garage storage solutions. All of these aid in saving space, but each does so in its own unique manner. Buyers can choose from wall mounted solutions, free standing units and even ceiling mounted pieces. In each of these categories, consumers will find a large array of solutions. There are storage racks, bins, baskets, shelves, drawers and hoppers to take into account.

Wall Mounted Storage

There are many styles of wall mounted storage solutions available. There are wall mount shelving units of almost any size imaginable. The smallest storage solutions can help shoppers to organize the smallest items, which can so easily clutter any work space. Bits and pieces such as screws, nails, nuts and bolts, and so many others of the smallest items can find a home in smaller storage units. These units often have small compartments designed to organize these small objects.

Wall mounts also make great tool organizers. Consumers will be able to find several styles of tool racks to help arrange these gadgets. You can find racks which allow tools to be slid into their proper places. Tools are easily seen, making it simple to pick out the tool needed as well as being able to quickly and almost effortlessly replace the tool when not in use. Another unique approach to tool racks is the new magnetic tool organizers. Both large and small tools are held in place by powerful magnets on these organizing racks. This also allows for open visibility of tools. In addition, the magnetic rack allocates space for easy removal of the proper tool, making it a quick job to grab the proper tool needed, and then to quickly put it away again.

There are wall mount solutions for many specialized pieces of equipment. Consumers can find baskets, bins, shelves and racks specially made to hold almost any specific sports paraphernalia. One of the most unique designs sports a shelf system designed so that the homeowner can park his/her car beneath the lowest shelf. There are baskets designed to hold a number of balls of all shapes and sizes. Bat and ball wall mounted holders are widely available. Shoppers can find ski racks designed to hold a pair of skis and poles while others are intended to hold up to four pairs. Other wall mounted organizers are built especially to hold one or two bicycles. Among smaller wall mounted organizers, customers can locate hooks that will help organize any number of tools and gadgets. The smallest hooks allow single tools to be hung where desired. There are even special mounts that allow bulky items like wheelbarrows to be mounted to the wall. You can find tool hooks that flip up, hang a ladder, or even organize your household implements like mops and brooms. Also available are lawn and garden tool organizers which help to keep rakes, hoses and other accouterments in place.

Standing Organizers

Standing garage organizers are a popular choice in garage storage solutions. When looking to purchase standing organizers, customers are faced with cabinets, shelving units, baskets and bins, racks, lockers and specialized equipment organizers. Buyers can find small, mid-sized, large and even deluxe models of cabinet style organizers. These may be open shelves, or enclosed cabinets. They may have doors, drawers or both. Other standing organizing equipment may be designed for specific tools or gear. Shoppers can find free standing bike racks, ball bins, and even golf organizers.

Ceiling Mounted Organizers

When searching for the ability to use every inch of space, a unique design available is ceiling mounted storage. Ceiling organizers allow homeowners to utilize otherwise wasted space by storing unused items above the head. Some of the most popular ceiling mounted organizers are bike racks and overhead rafters. The bike hooks and racks allow a bicycle to be stored by hanging it from the ceiling. The overhead rafter is a set of shelves designed to be hung from the ceiling, allowing the buyer to store boxes or other items along the shelf system.

Storage Cabinets

Storage cabinets may present the largest group of garage storage solutions available. Storage cabinets are made from a variety of material including wood, metal, and coated resin. Storage cabinets may be little more than a shelving unit, either open or enclosed. Some may have sliding doors while others have doors that pull open. Many have adjustable components to make storage solutions more personalized. Cabinets can be found with varying numbers of shelves and/ or drawers. Garage storage cabinets come in all sizes, from very small to deluxe. Steel lockers are even finding a new life as garage storage solutions.

Space Needed, Space Available

Organizing a garage can be a daunting task. Fortunately there are many solutions available to help make this job a little easier. There are several factors to consider before purchasing garage storage units. Of course, one of the foremost considerations is space. Do you need a small unit? Or is the deluxe cabinet what you need to provide your garage with all of the space saving ability available? Consider also how you might best utilize the space you have. Would wall mounts add to the compactness of the undertaking? Are ceiling mounted racks and rafters an addition that would be of best use? Do you have room to store items in free standing organizers or are wall mounted solutions what you really need?

Another factor to consider is just what items do you most need to organize. Do you have lots of small odds and ends that would store nicely in an open hopper bin? Do you need a better way to organize your hand tools? Do you have sports and hobby equipment that you need up and out of the way when not in use? Do you have big, bulky, unsightly items that you cannot deal with?

In addition to considering how much space a particular garage has, customers may also consider just how many belongings need organizing. Is a large assortment of a variety of organizers what is most needed? Would a deluxe sized storage unit answer all of your storage needs?

Durability

An important determining factor in choosing garage storage units is durability. Most customers do not want to have to be back buying new storage solutions within a few months or even in the next couple of years. Making sure to understand the material that storage compartments are made from as well as the amount of items and weight they can hold will help with the impact of this feature. Most storage solutions are designed to store particular items. One would not want to knowingly store heavy equipment such as a bike onto a hook or shelf not designed to hold that amount of weight. This would not only defeat the purpose of the storage solution, it may create a bigger problem as well. Certain materials will last longer than others. Buying items that are designed to last can be a great selling point for many shoppers.

Design

One factor that many people take into consideration is the look or design of the item to be purchased. If a customer already has a number of metal cabinets in the garage, he or she may prefer to continue purchasing new items to match the ones already in place. Some units may come in colors more attractive than others. Some may have a certain style that pleases the customer. The look of garage storage pieces might be no less important than other factors to many buyers.

Affordability

Last, but most certainly not least, price is often a deciding factor in most any purchase. Getting a garage organized is indeed a great undertaking, but the purchase of many of the larger items could put quite a dent into some consumer's pocketbooks. On the other hand, most of the smaller to mid-sized storage units are affordable and work nicely into many people's budgets.

Prices for garage storage solutions can vary a great deal. This can be attributed to the huge variance in size among organizing tools and units. Because some organizers, such as hooks and racks, are so small in size, their price tag can often be just a few dollars. When talking about the largest sized storage cabinet systems, the price can be the opposite extreme, with prices ranging up to $1000 or more.

Wall Mounted Storage

Wall mounted storage usually has many affordable pieces. Tool organizers and racks can begin in the $5 price range, with larger racks and magnetic tool holders running up to $30. Sports ball racks can begin at $11 and baskets and bins can then range up to $17 or more. Bike racks for single bikes begin at $29 and range up to $120 for double bike mounts. Ski racks for a single set of skis can be found for as little as $9, while racks for storing up to four sets run up to $62. Tennis equipment can be stored for as little as $14. Wall mounted organizers which can hold and organize household tools and utensils, lawn and garden paraphernalia or the unique above car shelving unit also have a large price variation. These can range in price from $40 up to $400.

Standing Organizers

Standing organizers can have a large price variation, due to the differences in size among these units. Shelving units have been found to be affordable in a range from $10-$44. Other styles of cabinets can run up to $239. The large open hopper bins can cost in the range of $549-$599. Metal lockers start at a cost of $169. Special equipment units for items like bicycles run in the range of $34-$119. Ball and bat bins can range from $17-$48. When beginning to look at the largest, deluxe cabinet systems, customers can expect to pay between $999 and $1800.

Ceiling Mounted Organizers

Ceiling mounted organizers are a unique solution to garage storage. Among these solutions very affordable racks and shelves can be found. Single bikes can be hung from a garage ceiling starting at $29. Overhead rafters can be hung for as little as $30 and range up to $109. The above-car shelving solution can run a little more with the price hovering at $400.

Storage Cabinets

A huge price difference can be found among garage storage cabinets. This is usually due to the differing sizes of the cabinets available and may at times be attributed to the material from which specific cabinets are constructed. Laminate built cabinets can be found for $66 while other similar styled cabinets can run up to $239. Resin cabinets can be purchased at affordable prices starting at $60 with the taller versions selling for $145. Metal cabinets run a gamut from $169-$499. Open bin hoppers can be a solution for many home owners. Those opting for this solution can expect to pay from $549-$599. Deluxe cabinet systems are among the largest garage storage solutions. These systems combine many cabinets, drawers and shelving units. These can range from $999-$1800.

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