Most of us work on our projects and store things in the garage. This means your garage needs shelving or a storage system for your items. Without it, your garage will be cluttered and messy. 

Want a nicely organized garage? If you want a neat, well-sorted-out garage, you should take your shelving seriously. Fortunately, this article will cover the best five garage shelvings your money can buy. Read on.

This page contains affiliate links.

Our Top Picks

Best ValueBest PriceBest Feature
Great performance, with a great price

Raybee Heavy Duty Storage Shelves
Most wallet-friendly option

AmazonBasics Adjustable Steel Shelving Unit
Best performance, with prices secondary.

Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Shelving

How Do We Select The Garage Shelvings?

We select the garage shelvings based on considerations such as size, type, installation, design matches, and cost. The idea here is to cater to as many requirements as possible and ensure the shelvings fit into most large or small garages.

When we scour the market for suitable garage shelvings to recommend in this article, we try our best to cater to as many tastes and requirements as possible. 

This means taking into account things such as design and size. We know that costs may hinder some, so we recommended some affordable but fantastic shelvings. 

Size

Not all garages are the same. Some are massive, able to fit in a collection of cars. At the same time, many small home garages barely fit a car or two. 

On top of that, not all the walls of your garages are clear to install shelvings. You may already have cabinets installed, or you are reserving the wall to hang things such as your tools, bikes, etc. 

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED INBest Garage Cabinets

This means different garages may need shelving solutions of different sizes too. 

We consider this and ensure that when we recommend shelving, we consider the size. Some shelvings are small, and wall mounted to free up floor space. Some shelvings assume you have the floor and wall space to slot in real, sturdy shelvings.

Materials

Aside from size, we also understand that you may have different ideas about what to place on the shelves. 

If your passion is woodworking, you may need rugged shelving to store power tools, or heavier machinery such as a miter saw, table saw, and more. This may mean you need solid, thickened steel shelves.

However, Suppose you use your garage to tinker with computer parts. In that case, you only need shelvings to store hand tools and maybe some equipment for wiring and soldering. 

In this case, thick steel shelves would be overkill and overinvestment. A wood-based shelving with MDF or particle shelving board would have been enough.

As a result, when you view the shelvings we recommend in this list, we cover shelves across the toughness spectrum, from ultra-tough, to light shelvings.  

Installation

Depending on the type of space you can allocate for shelvings in your garage, you may need shelvings that can be installed differently. There are three main ways to install shelvings:

Freestanding: These are the classic shelves you see everywhere. Freestanding shelves are easy to assemble and use but occupy walls and floor space. They can stand independently and remain steady as you load things onto them. 

If your garage is already running out of floor space, freestanding shelves may not be a good idea.

Wall-Mounted: If you are not willing to allocate floor space but have ample wall space, you can get some wall-mounted shelvings instead. 

These shelves are bolted into your garage walls, creating a flat surface on that you can load your things. The best thing about wall-mounted shelves is that they do not occupy floor space.

However, wall-mounted shelves tend to be a little cumbersome, as you need to drill holes into the wall and bolt in the brackets before you lay in the shelving boards. Wall-mounted shelves are also not as strong, so you cannot store heavy things with them.

Ceiling Mounted: Shelvings that are ceiling mounted can be an option, as it does not occupy wall space, nor does it need floor space. The only issue with ceiling-mounted shelves is accessibility. They tend to be hard to reach. 

In this article, we recommend the best freestanding and also wall-mounted shelves. We decided not to recommend any ceiling-mounted shelves here as we have recommended some ceiling-mounted racks in another article.

Design Matches

This may not make sense to everyone, but some garage owners like things to match in their workshops. They may prefer only Black & Decker power tools, while some prefer only Craftsman shelving and cabinets. 

Even if the brands are not similar, they will ensure things are color-matching. For example, since Craftsman tools and cabinets are usually black and red, they will try to get something in a similar color. 

We understand this obsession with organization and having a themed garage. As a result, we recommend shelvings that come in different color combinations to suit your aesthetic preferences.

Pricing & Cost

Many of us use our garages to store and organize our equipment. Some of us will use our garages to indulge in a passion and get on some vanity projects. As a result, our garage is unlikely to help us make money.

We also recognize that to indulge in your hobby, you may need to invest in more tools and equipment for your garage. This means you should spend more of your money there. 

You probably want some shelving to store your things, and that’s it. In fact, you want the cheapest shelving that you can. As a result, we understand that you may not overthink about shelvings.

However, you may also belong to those who care about everything you buy, including shelves. You want good material, high weight ratings, excellent finishing and rust protection, and all the bells and whistles. 

Recognizing these preferences, we recommended shelving units from all sorts of budgets in affordable, medium, and high-end ones.

Best Garage Shelvings

ShelvingsProsCons
AmazonBasics Adjustable Steel Shelving Unit-Most affordable.
-Steel frame with black chrome finishing.
-Height adjustable Shelves.
-Leveling foot caps.
-Total load weight of 1400 pounds (approx. 635KG).
-Multiple sizings.
-Pay more for the wheels.
-Wired shelves.
Check
Prices
Fleximount 2X6 Feet Garage Shelvings-Wall mounted.
-No floor space required.
-Accessories available.
-Comes with installation template and bubble level.
-All steel construction, with black or white powder coating.
-Multiple sizings.
-Cannot be mounted to metal walls.
-Load weight of 800 pounds (approx. 363KG).
-Most expensive.
Check Prices
Black & Yellow 4-Level Shelving Unit-Part of a set of storage solutions.
-Colorful black and yellow design.
-Interlockable and Expandable.
-Adjustable Leveling Foot.
-Easy assembly.
-Low total load weight of 800 pounds (approx 363KG).
-All plastic construction.
-No wheels.
Check Prices
Raybee Heavy Duty Storage Shelves-All steel construction.
-2000 pounds load weight (approx. 907KG).
-Solid and adjustable shelves.
-Leveling foot.
-Comes with gloves and a rubber mallet.
-Heavy shelves.
-No wheels.
Check Prices
Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Shelving-Food grade safe.
-All steel construction.
-Chromed steel finishing.
4000 pounds total load (approx 1814KG) on leveling feet.
-Comes with wheels.
-Food grade safe.
-Adjustable shelvings.
-Multiple sizings.
-Wired shelves.Check Prices

AmazonBasics Adjustable Steel Shelving Unit

Heading the list is the no-frills, easy-on-the-wallet shelves from AmazonBasics. We believe these shelves would be your go-to if you want a simple, affordable storage system that still looks good and performs well. It is also the cheapest shelving unit on this list.

The shelves come in multiple configurations. You can choose between tiers (3, 4, or 5-tier shelves) and sizes (normal or narrow). You can also decide between two colors for finishing, black or white. 

The largest configuration, the 5-tier, normal-size shelves, measuring 36 inches in length x 14 inches in width x 72 inches in height (approx 91 CM length x 36 CM width x 182 CM height). The shelves also come with leveling foot caps that you can use to ensure your shelves stay steady.

One good thing about the shelves is that it comes with all-steel construction. This means the shelves are sturdy and robust. This may be why each shelf can hold up to about 280 pounds (approx 127 kg) of weight, giving the shelves a combined load weight of 1400 pounds (approx. 635 kilograms). 

That is some serious loading capacity, allowing you to pile things onto the shelves. 

We may be nitpicking here, but we think some of the issues with this shelving system is that it uses wire shelves. This means things may fall through, and suppose you are unlucky to have something spilling out from the upper shelves, the items on the lower shelves will also be affected. 

One more issue is that the shelves have wheels, but you need to pay extra to get them. However, this may be a minor annoyance as not all need wheels for their shelves. 

Why We Like This: This is probably the shelving system that gives you the most bang for the buck. It is affordable, has four adjustable shelves, and is made of steel. The chrome finish also gives it a premium look, which means the shelves can look natural not just in the garage but also in the kitchen or office. 

Pros
-Most affordable.
-Steel frame with black chrome finishing.
-Height adjustable Shelves.
-Leveling foot caps.
-Total load weight of 1400 pounds (approx. 635KG).
-Multiple sizings.
Cons
-You need to pay more for the wheels.
-Wired shelves may not hold smaller things well.

Fleximount 2X6 Feet Garage Shelvings

If floor space is an issue in your garage, you may consider wall-mounted shelving solutions like this. 

Fleximount shelvings come in two configurations, allowing you to fit them into the spaces available in your garage. Choose between a standard 2 x 6 feet (approx 61 x 183cm) or a smaller 2 x 4 feet shelf (approx 61 x 122cm). You can also decide whether to have the shelves powder coated in black or white. 

Since the shelving units are wall mounted, feel free to experiment with how you intend to lay them out. People commonly bolt the shelves on the higher reaches of the garage wall and place the shelves side by side. This forms a long line of storage space.

You can also mount them from the top to the middle or bottom of the wall for a more accessible layout. 

To make your installation job easier, Fleximount also throws installation templates and a level bubble to help you with the job. The template guides you on where to drill holes in your wall, while the level bubble ensures your shelves are even leveled before you bolt the shelves in. 

You can also purchase accessories, such as hooks to hang your things under the shelves, adding up to more storage options. 

Fleximount shelvings are not all roses, however. You cannot mount the shelves to a metal wall but only to wood, concrete, or other suitable walls. This may be limited to some garage owners. 

On top of that, it is also the most expensive shelving solution, which may not appeal to everyone’s wallet. The costly pricing may make even less sense when you factor in the more complicated installation work. 

Why We Like This: This is an affordable wall-mounted shelving that you can easily mount and create storage space for your garage. It is sturdy and comes in multiple sizes and colors. The shelvings are also refined enough to look natural in offices, kitchens, laundry, or commercial spaces.

Pros
-Wall mounted.
-No floor space required.
-Accessories available.
-Comes with installation template and bubble level.
-All steel construction, with black or white powder coating.
-Multiple sizings.
Cons
-Cannot be mounted to metal walls.
-Expensive.

Black And Yellow 4-Level Shelving Unit

Who says storage shelves have to be boring and drab? This Black & Yellow shelving unit shows how to make garage shelvings colorful and cool. 

It is a mixture of black and yellow color, which in some ways may remind you of Bumblebee from the Transformers. If your garage has a collection of tools and furniture that is black and yellow (such as DeWalt or Kärcher), this shelving unit will match them well. 

The shelvings are made of sturdy and rigid plastics and can be interlocked. This means you can purchase several of these shelves and lock them together using the special clips given. This helps you to form a larger shelving unit, which will be much more stable. 

This option allows you to maximize the shelving space to what you have in your garage. A shelving unit measures 55 inches in height x 48 inches in width x 20 inches in depth (approx. 140 cm height x 122 cm width x 51cm height.)

Another thing about this Black & Yellow shelving is that it is part of a complete set of storage solutions offered by the company. If you care about color coordination and perfect fit, consider picking up boxes and containers from the company. 

These storage containers also come in black and yellow colors and fit perfectly into the shelves. You will get a very organized and coordinated look, which should satisfy your inner OCD.

The shelving unit also has a leveling foot that you can adjust to ensure your shelves are not wobbling. The shelves can be easily assembled without tools. Stack up the frames, and slide in the shelvings as you go along.

Our concern with this shelving unit is that it is made of plastic, with no metal parts. No matter how tough plastic is, it may not outlast steel. This is especially so when the shelvings are exposed to sunlight or extremely hot or cold temperatures. 

One more point to consider is the lower load rate, perhaps due to the plastic construction. The shelving unit can take only 800 pounds (363 kg), which is the lowest in the range here. You will be sacrificing the load rating for the looks.

Finally, the Black & Yellow shelving unit does not come with wheels, so it will be a problem if you plan to have a mobile shelving system. This may be a dealbreaker for you as well.

Why We Like This: This storage solution offers a different look to shelvings. It sports a black and yellow combination, which may appeal to some garage owners. It is also interlockable and expandable.

You can also purchase their storage boxes and accessories for a full, themed look.

Pros
-Part of a set of storage solutions.
-Colorful black and yellow design.
-Interlockable and Expandable.
-Adjustable Leveling Foot.
-Easy assembly.
Cons
-Low total load weight of 800 pounds (approx 363KG).
-All plastic construction.
-No wheels.

Raybee Heavy-Duty Storage Shelves

Suppose you are looking at getting the toughest possible shelving unit to handle the massive weight you plan to load. In this case, look no further than the Raybee shelving unit. 

It has a complete steel construction, from the frame to the shelves. The steel frames are made of dual-layer steel, which gives it a better toughness. 

As a result, the Raybee has an excellent load weight rating of 2,000 pounds (907 kg). This shelving unit can really take on some load here. 

The adjustable shelves are also made of thickened steel, which adds to their toughness and strength. The shelves are solid, which means they are not made of wire or have holes. This helps protect the things on the lower layer should you spill on the upper layers. 

Each shelving unit measures 32 inches in width x 16.5 inches in depth and 63 inches in height (approx. 81 cm width x 42 cm depth and 160 cm height). The shelving unit comes in an all-black, powder-coated finish.

The shelving unit also comes with a thick metal leveling foot to ensure your shelving unit remains stable and can take on the weight happily without any wobbling. To help you with the installation job, the shelving also comes with gloves and a rubber mallet. 

If we are to complain about this shelving unit, it would be that it only comes in black color. As much as black is popular, you may want something less gloomy, such as gray or white. 

The shelving unit also does not come with wheels. If you are keen to pick up this shelving unit, you need to accept that you cannot just push this shelving unit around like a cart.

Why We Like This: The Raybee shelving unit screams one word – tough. It is built on a dual-layer, all-steel construction, which means it can handle a lot of weight thrown on it. It also comes with gloves and a rubber mallet for easy assembly. The load weight is 2000 pounds (approx. 907 kg).

Pros
-All steel construction.
-2000 pounds load weight (approx. 907KG).
-Solid and adjustable shelves.
-Leveling foot.
-Comes with gloves and rubber mallet.
Cons
-One color only.
-No wheels.

Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Shelving

Suppose AmazonBasics’ shelving unit focuses on value, Fleximount on installation, and Raybee on toughness. In that case, the Seville Classics shelving unit focuses on flexibility and aesthetics.

Why do we say so? The Seville Classics shelving unit probably looks the most refined on the list, which makes it able to look fine beyond your garage. 

The shelving unit achieves a fantastic look using an all-steel construction with chrome plating finishing. This gives the shelving unit a light sheen, which may remind you of professional kitchens or high-end steel products. The shelving unit is also food-grade safe.

As a result, you can easily place the Seville Classics shelving unit in your kitchen, laundry room, or office. The shelving unit will not look out of place. 

The shelving unit also has adjustable shelves and comes in many options. Choose between 4, 5, or 6-tier shelving units, as well as different sizes and dimensions:

  • 24 inches length x 18 inches depth (approx. 61 cm length x 46 cm depth)
  • 36 inches length x 18 inches depth (approx. 91 cm length x 46 cm depth)
  • 48 inches length x 18 inches depth (approx. 122 cm length x 46 cm depth)
  • 48 inches length x 24 inches depth (approx. 122 cm length x 61 cm depth)
  • 60 inches length x 18 inches depth (approx. 152 cm length x 46 cm depth)
  • 60 inches length x 24 inches depth (approx. 152 cm length x 61 cm depth)

Best of all, the shelving unit has optional wheels you can install or remove. This gives you more flexibility in terms of mobility and control. 

It is not just a looker. It can also load some serious weight. If set up without wheels, the shelving unit can take up to 4,000 pounds of weight (approx 1814 KG). This means it is the best-performing shelving unit on the list. 

With wheels, however, the load rating drops to around 500 pounds (approx 227 KG). This is because the shelving base will not be as stable, and you may find it difficult to move 4,000 pounds around.

If we were to pick an issue with the shelving unit, it would be that it comes with wired shelves. This means there will be a lot of holes in the surface, which means you cannot place small things on the shelves. 

Plus, if there is a spill on the higher levels of the shelving, the spill will also affect things placed on the lower levels. 

The Seville Classics shelving unit is also one of the most expensive shelving units on the list. This means it would not be the most friendly option for your wallet. 

Why We Like This: This shelving unit may be the most elegant. It will look fine in garages, the kitchen, the laundry, and even the office. It is made from food-grade steel and is also finished in chrome for a nice sheen and rust protection. The shelving unit also comes with wheels and has a good load rating.

Pros
-Food grade safe.
-All steel construction.
-Chromed steel finishing.
-4000 pounds total load (approx 1814 KG) on leveling feet.
-Comes with wheels.
-Food grade safe.
-Adjustable shelvings.
-Multiple sizings.
Cons
-Wired shelves.
-Only in chrome finishing.

What To Look For When Shopping For Garage Shelvings?

When shopping for garage shelves, take note of things such as type, finishing, size, load rating, installation, and mobility. These features ensure you pick the suitable shelving unit for your storage needs.

Suppose you are in the market, looking for a garage shelving unit. When shopping for one, ensure you take note of the following characteristics to select the best garage shelving possible for your needs. 

Material

Garage shelving units are commonly made with steel, plastic, or wood. Depending on your requirements, you may need shelvings made of different materials.

Steel: Steel shelves are the toughest and should be able to take on anything you can throw on it. Steel shelves should also require little care and should be able to handle temperature fluctuations in the summer or winter. 

Steel shelves, however, are heavy. This means they can be hard to move around, even with wheels. They are also more expensive. 

Plastic: Plastic shelves are generally cheaper than steel or wood garage shelves. Plastic garage shelvings are commonly made with hardy plastic formulations, which makes them durable and capable of taking on loads. 

Unlike steel or wood shelves, plastic shelves do not rust or rot.

The issue with plastic shelves is that they do not have a weight load as good as steel or wood, and plastic shelves may deteriorate faster if exposed to the sun. You may want to consider this when selecting a plastic shelving unit. 

Wood: Wood shelvings may be a balance between steel and plastic. They are hardier and sturdier than plastics, yes, more affordable than steel shelves. Wood shelves also do not rust, unlike steel, although you want to avoid humidity, as molds can form, and the wood parts can rot. 

Finishing

Depending on the materials used to make the shelves, you may get different finishes. Steel shelving units may be powder coated, while more expensive units may be chrome plated for a more elegant finish. 

These finishes are applied to aesthetically enhance the shelves’ look and protect them from rust.

Wood shelves may also be painted or given a natural finish. With wood shelves, the key is ensuring the finishing helps protect them from rotting away due to humidity. Proper finishing on wood shelves can also protect them from termites and mold. 

Plastic shelves generally do not need much finishing. However, some shelving unit makers add color and embellishments to enhance its aesthetics. If you are looking for color-themed shelves, you may find something you like from plastic shelves.

Size

Shelvings come in different shapes and sizes, and depending on your storage needs, you may need to do some measurements to ensure you picked the right size for your shelves.

Fortunately, most shelving units mention their dimensions very explicitly. You can use the information to measure if they will fit into the space you have in your garage. You can often find them on the packaging or online. 

Depending on the type of shelving you purchase, some may come in an expandable format. This allows you to interlock and join several smaller shelves to form a bigger one. This may be handy when you need a more customized solution to fill your storage space.

Load Rating

You may have different reasons to get a garage shelving unit. You may want some shelves to store some of the small items you have lying around at home. You could also look for a shelving unit to load up on heavy equipment and tools you may not use. 

This means when shopping for a shelving unit, you need to take a good look at the load rating. The higher the number, the more the shelves can take. 

Generally, steel shelves tend to carry higher load ratings than plastic or wood shelves. However, adamant ones may be heavy to set up and install. They may be more expensive as well.

If you want to save money and do not need shelves with high load ratings, you can get plastic or wood shelves instead. 

Installation

Your storage needs may be different. Perhaps you are looking for a shelving unit to place things you frequently need access to. You could also be looking for a way to store items away long-term, hopefully, to keep them out of sight. 

If you belong to the earlier, you may want to think about freestanding shelves. This is because they are within your height level, meaning you could reach your things more straightforwardly. 

However, freestanding shelves, not just your wall space, will be used up. But also your floor space as well. 

If floor space is at a premium, and you do not mind having a lower load reading, you can consider wall-mounted shelvings. These shelvings bolt right to the wall, meaning it does not require legs. As a result, they do not occupy floor space. 

Wall-mounted shelves are also an excellent way to store things long-term, as you can bolt them high up on the walls of your garage and place your stuff on them. The main issue is that installing wall-mounted shelving units may be more elaborate than installing a freestanding shelving unit.

Mobility

One major issue to think about is also mobility. Depending on your storage needs, you may want to be able to move your shelvings around. 

For example, you prefer to use your shelving to keep your tools, and you plan to work on the car driveway one summer day. This means you need to push your workbench and shelving unit outdoors. 

READ MORE: Best Workbenches For Home Garages

If you want mobility on your shelves, get those with wheels or castors on them. They should help you to move your shelving unit easily. 

The main issue with installing wheels and castors is that you will sacrifice the load factor on your shelving unit. If you want to be able to push your shelves around, you need to accept this. 

Individual Shelves

One last thing you want to note when shopping for garage shelvings is the shelves themselves. These surfaces will eventually hold your things, so they should matter a lot to you. 

You may see shelvings made of steel plates, steel wires, solid wood, particle wood, or plastic. As a result, they may have different load ratings and also performance.

Steel plate shelvings should be the best since they are tough and have a high weight load. It is also completely closed, meaning if there is a spill on higher levels, the spillage will not drip into items on the lower level. This is something steel wire shelves cannot do. 

Wood shelvings are also quite tough, although they may deteriorate over time from humidity. Your wood shelvings may rot over time if exposed to too much moisture. The worst enemy of wood shelves, however, are termites. Ensure you apply pest treatment on your wooden shelves to be safe. 

Wood particle boards may smell odd from the glue used to make them. They may lose strength and bend downwards if you load too much weight on them. They also may become moldy and soften when exposed to too much moisture.

Plastic shelves may be a good trade-off in cost, and some plastic shelves can also be rather tough. The issue with plastic shelves is to ensure they are not exposed to the sun or extreme temperatures, as these may cause the plastic shelves to become brittle.