Over time, under the roof of any car garage, a whole arsenal of various household supplies and household items accumulates, which have no place either in the home or in the pantry.
To prevent the formation of a chaotic dump, the space inside the garage must be properly organized. And this can be done using a homemade shelf and rack system. It will allow you to carefully and rationally place things stored in the garage and thereby create the most comfortable conditions not only for car care, but also for solving everyday household problems.
Principles and possibilities of arranging a car garage
The main purpose of a garage is to store a car. This means that first of all, the car owner must eliminate possible attacks on the property stored inside, that is, ensure the safety of the latter. An equally important issue is the correct climate regime in the garage space - the condition of the car should in no case depend on the vagaries of the weather or the appetites of harmful microorganisms such as fungus or mold. Another principle of organizing the situation in the garage - ergonomics - says that everything under the roof of the structure should always stand, lie or hang in its place, without interfering with the passage, travel, cleaning or car care process. With all this, it is imperative that the premises be clean and orderly, which are the key not only to the health of the car owner, but also to his safety when visiting the garage and performing all kinds of business or repair operations.
In accordance with these principles, at the first stage of arranging a garage you will need:
- Install a reliable locking system on gates and windows, if any.
- Insulate the structure of the structure or organize high-quality heating of the interior during the cold season.
- Carry out interior decoration with reliable, durable and easy to clean materials.
After completing the finishing work, you can begin the final stage of arrangement - organizing the interior of the garage. To do this, you need to draw up a detailed plan of the premises and determine what and how exactly will be stored in it, in addition to the car.
Garage plan for a car with estimated dimensions
As a rule, the wall farthest from the entrance to the garage is allocated for racks and shelves. If the dimensions of the room allow, it is advantageous to equip the side walls with shelves. If there is a lack of free space in the garage, special attention should be paid to the space under the ceiling, as well as above the car itself. Shelves equipped on the upper level will allow you to relieve the lower part of the room by storing things that need to be used from time to time.
Wooden shelves on a metal frame under the garage ceiling
The configuration and dimensions of the racking system depend on the size of the garage and the needs of its owner. The materials from which the shelves will be made must be strong enough to support the weight of the items being stored. For example, tiers can be made of thick plywood or boards, and the frame can be made of metal pipes or corners, but other options are also possible.
Wooden shelving system for a garage
The method of assembling and installing the racking system depends on the material used to decorate the garage, as well as the design features of the structure itself. In many cases, shelves are hung on the walls, and racks are installed directly on the floor. However, shelves can also be hung from the ceiling, while to increase the stability of a separate rack, its frame is often equipped with fastenings for walls, floors and ceilings.
Open Hanging Garage Shelving System
When calculating the parameters of a racking system, several points should be taken into account:
- The distance from the bottom shelf to the floor is taken to be at least 20 cm. This significantly simplifies the process of cleaning in the garage.
- The width and height of the shelves must correspond to the dimensions of the items being stored.
- It is advisable to perforate the shelves in order to improve ventilation, as well as to avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt.
Self-production of shelves and racks for the garage
You should thoroughly prepare for the arrangement of the garage space. For this you will need:
- perform structural calculations;
- select and prepare materials;
- collect the tools and equipment necessary for design, assembly and installation.
When planning a shelving system, first of all you need to make at least an approximate list of items stored in the garage, not forgetting to estimate their weight and dimensions. You should also draw a plan of the garage, on which, on a scale accurate to the centimeter, you need to indicate the design parameters of the structure (height, width, thickness, pitch and number of shelves). Afterwards, it remains to carefully consider the method of assembling and installing and fixing the shelves or a separate rack.
Please note: The choice of the type of shelf and rack system and the method of its installation and fastening largely depends on the properties of the materials from which the garage is made. So, if the walls of the latter are metal, you will have to tinker a lot with hanging shelves, while the simplest attached shelving will save the garage owner from complex manipulations with fasteners, garage insulation, etc. The most convenient option is plastered brick walls. In such a garage, you can give free rein to your imagination and install a combined shelving system with many useful functions for your household.
Material Selection: Key Points
Materials for creating a shelving system for a garage are selected based on considerations of ease of assembly, as well as reliability and practicality in operation. So, for shelves intended for storing heavy and large items, you will need a reinforced frame, for the creation of which a metal corner or a profiled pipe is best suited.
But in this case, the garage owner cannot do without the skills of cutting, drilling and welding metal. In addition, the latter needs protection from corrosion, and this is associated with additional financial costs.
Wooden blocks 40–50 cm thick can also be used as a frame for garage shelves or racks. Working with wood is much easier than with metal, but you still have to take care of protecting the material from mold, rot, humidity and other aggressive operating factors.
As for the material for making the shelves themselves, the most practical solutions include:
- boards with a thickness of 2 cm;
Edged board is one of the cheapest and easiest to use materials. Garage shelves made from planks will last for many years. But to increase ease of use and increase their service life, they must be sanded and covered with an antiseptic and paint, which will protect the material from mechanical damage, pests and rotting.
- multilayer plywood;
Plywood is a practical and inexpensive material with high strength and durability measured over decades. Working with this material is not difficult, however, when making shelves it should be sanded with fine sandpaper and covered with a protective layer of paint or varnish. This will prevent the plywood from getting wet, drying out and cracking under the influence of dampness, temperature changes and aggressive chemicals.
- particle boards.
Chipboard is a cheap and easy-to-use material, but difficult to use. When making shelves from chipboard using varnishing or painting, it is necessary to protect not only the working (upper) and lower planes, but also the ends, as well as holes for bolts and perforations, from damage and aggressive influences. At the same time, the latter require increased care when performing due to the structure of the material.
Please note: A quick but rather expensive option for arranging a garage is to purchase ready-made plastic or metal perforated shelves with factory fastenings or a prefabricated shelving frame. In the absence of sufficient funds, the most reasonable solution would be to independently manufacture the structure from materials prepared at the discretion of the garage owner.
Design calculation
First of all, it is necessary to determine the location of the racking system. If we are talking about several small shelves, you can make a sketch directly on the wall, while drawing a frame shelving will have to be done on paper.
Sketch of hanging shelves on the garage wall
When planning the structure you should consider:
- dimensions and weight of items placed on shelves;
- the necessary amount of free space for passage;
- the dimensions of the spaces between sections and the vertical spacing of the shelves;
- methods for attaching shelves to the walls or ceiling of the garage;
- the need to attach the racking system to the floor or ceiling.
Calculation of an attached shelving system for a garage
If a rack is installed in the garage, it is advisable to select its height according to the height of the room. As for wall or hanging shelves, it is convenient to calculate them from top to bottom. If the dimensions and layout of the garage allow, the width of the shelving tier is selected along the entire length of the wall with a margin of 5–10 cm for ease of installation. The optimal depth of the rack is 50–60 cm, although for large items (car tires and wheels, spare parts, boxes, etc.) it would be wise to provide wider shelves.
Closed Hanging Rack for Garage
The height of the tier can be different and is selected according to the needs of the garage owner. It is practical to place the widest and deepest shelves at the bottom. It is more convenient to store heavy and bulky items here, which are easy to reach if necessary. On the other hand, deep shelves can also be installed under the garage ceiling. After all, on the upper tier it is very convenient to store large but light items or rarely used items. In addition, it is convenient to divide individual tiers into sections, which will facilitate sorting of stored goods.
Drawing of a simple shelving system for a garage
Please note: It is undesirable for the width of the shelves, especially those made of thin material, to exceed 1–1.5 m. This will lead to a decrease in structural strength and sagging of the tiers. As for the length, it is convenient to start from a size of at least 60–80 cm, otherwise the shelves will be inconvenient for storing long items. The vertical pitch of the racking system is taken according to the required storage height. For example, the height of the lower tier can be taken as 70 cm and used for storing car tires, rims, large containers, etc. If you add another 2 tiers of 50 cm each, the total height of the rack will be 1.7 m. In a garage with a ceiling height of 2.5 m, the topmost shelf of this design will have a 60 cm pitch, taking into account the 20 cm distance from the floor to the lower tier .
Tools and auxiliary materials
To independently manufacture, assemble and install a racking system, you will need a considerable arsenal of tools, as well as auxiliary materials. The tools for completing the task contain:
- building level;
- tape measure and marker;
- screwdriver;
- electric drill with hammer drill function;
- jigsaw;
- circular saw with metal blades (if the frame of the rack is made of steel angle or profile pipe);
- welding machine (for welding elements of the metal frame of the rack);
- hand tools (construction angle, pliers, hammer, screwdrivers and wrenches).
Please note: A welded rack frame is difficult to manufacture, so bolted connections are often preferred to welding.
The list of auxiliary materials should include:
- dowels or anchors (for attaching a wooden or metal frame to garage structural elements);
- self-tapping screws for wood or metal or bolts with nuts (for attaching shelves to the frame);
- drills for concrete, wood and metal;
- primer and paint for metal and wooden structural elements;
- priming brush;
- sanding paper.
Please note: In some cases, it is more convenient to fix wooden shelves to the frame using special glue.
Making your own shelving system
Self-construction of shelves or racks for a garage is carried out with subsequent assembly. The operating algorithm is as follows:
- Using a circular saw or jigsaw, frame elements are cut from a steel angle, profiled pipe or wooden block: racks, transverse and longitudinal beams, amplifiers.
- Markings are made on the vertical posts of the rack to install transverse and longitudinal crossbars under the shelves.
- If we are talking about shelves, on the horizontal crossbars that will hold them on the wall, the attachment points are marked with dowels or anchors. Next, they need to be transferred to the wall and holes of the appropriate diameter and depth must be made with a hammer drill.
- On the frame elements for bolted connections, holes of the required diameter are made using a drill with a metal drill.
- If the choice fell on a welded frame, the elements of the latter must be joined with neat seams.
- The metal frame is sanded, primed and painted. It is also advisable to sand, prime and paint the wooden base of the shelving system to protect it from mold and rot.
- Shelves of the required size are cut out of chipboard, plywood or boards, after which their surface must be perforated.
- The shelf frame is attached to the wall or ceiling of the garage, after which the shelves are fixed to it using glue, screws or bolts.
- Assembling a separate rack is carried out in several steps:
- installation of side racks;
- fastening of transverse and longitudinal crossbars, as well as amplifiers;
- installation of shelves on the frame.
Homemade shelving system with a metal frame and chipboard shelves
How to make shelves yourself
If there is not enough free space in the garage to install a separate rack, the room is equipped with shelves. The latter may be:
- hanging;
- mounted.
It is rational to install hanging shelves in rooms whose walls are made of materials that are difficult to process or are unable to bear additional loads. In this case, the shelf frame, which is usually made of metal, will be attached to the ceiling. The latter must be strong enough to withstand the weight of not only the entire structure, but also the things stored on the shelves.
Please note: To reduce the load on the ceiling, it is advisable to equip the structure frame with wall fastenings.
The production and installation of hanging shelves is carried out in several stages:
- After taking measurements, three elements should be cut from a metal corner or profile pipe: the main longitudinal beam, vertical posts and horizontal crossbars.
- Holes are made on the main longitudinal beam for fastening to the ceiling or side walls of the garage.
- Horizontal crossbars are welded to the vertical posts or secured with bolted joints.
- Using welding or bolting, the frame is attached to the main supporting beam fixed under the ceiling.
- Horizontal crossbars that rest against the wall are equipped with fasteners (corners) for reliable fixation.
- Shelves are cut out of boards, plywood or chipboard according to pre-calculated dimensions. Before installation, they must be perforated and equipped with holes for fastening to the frame.
- Using bolts, the shelves are mounted on the frame.
Hanging shelf system with a load-bearing beam fixed to the garage walls
Please note: If the garage ceiling is made of concrete or other material of sufficient strength, the load-bearing beam can be dispensed with. But in this case, you will have to attach each of the vertical frame posts to the ceiling plane.
Installation of a shelf frame on a concrete ceiling
Wall shelves are made in the following way:
- After taking measurements, horizontal load-bearing beams for each shelf, vertical posts and horizontal crossbars are cut out of a metal corner, profile pipe or wooden beam.
- Horizontal crossbars are equipped with mounting holes and fixed to the supporting beams.
- The beams are mounted on the wall using anchors or dowels.
- Shelves cut from boards, plywood or chipboard and pre-sanded and painted are fixed to the installed frame using bolts or self-tapping screws.
Wooden wall shelves made of wood mounted on a brick wall
Please note: To mount the shelf frame on the wall or ceiling of the garage, it is convenient to use special brackets that are sold in the store. The wooden base of the rack is additionally reinforced at the nodes with the help of metal corners or spacers.
Video: self-production of a racking system
Additional amenities in the garage
If the garage is spacious enough, it can be used not only as a warehouse for spare parts, tools, building materials and all kinds of household rubbish, but also as a home workshop. To do this, you need to add devices to the environment that greatly increase the convenience of performing various technical operations. Such devices include:
- Workbench;
Homemade workbench for working in the garage
A workbench is a very useful piece of furniture in a garage, which is a table equipped with drawers, shelves, bedside tables and technical devices for performing various household or repair work (vises, electrical outlet, local lighting, etc.).
- washing;
Sink and hob in a car garage
A sink is a practical and useful solution that will ensure an uninterrupted water supply in the garage, necessary not only for washing hands, but also for car care, as well as activities related to indoor cleaning.
- inspection hole;
DIY garage inspection pit
An inspection pit is an extremely necessary device for a garage in which the car will not only be stored, but also repaired.
- vegetable storage (cellar);
Cellar (vegetable storage) in the garage
If there is not enough free space in the house, the garage can be equipped with a vegetable storage facility, in which it is convenient to store vegetables, pickles or foods that require special temperature conditions.
- closet;
Wardrobe built into shelving system in garage
A cabinet built into the shelving system in the garage will not only allow you to neatly place various small items, tools or spare parts, but also limit access to them.
- ventilation, heating, etc.
Ventilation and heating in the garage are necessary if the room is used all year round, not only for storing cars, but also for performing repairs and household work.
Please note: the arrangement of a garage space entirely depends on the needs and financial capabilities of its owner. At the same time, almost any of the necessary devices for car care or housekeeping can either be purchased ready-made, or made and installed with your own hands, significantly reducing cash costs.
Solutions Gallery
A universal wall for storing tools, auto parts and household equipment in the garage. A wooden shelving system for arranging a garage space. 
Storing power tools in the garage on a special shelf
Many useful ideas are born directly in the process of arranging a garage. For example, the racking system can be made collapsible, some of the tiers can be equipped with sides or sections for storing various small items. It is noteworthy that it is very difficult to immediately plan everything that may be needed in the process of car care and solving household problems in the garage. Therefore, it’s worth starting with the most necessary things, for example, with shelves or a rack, a workbench or a cabinet, which will optimize the space in the room and make it easier to carry out everyday work on car and household care.
Let's look at how to make shelves in the garage with your own hands to store the necessary auxiliary equipment and a variety of tools for car care.
Garage racks - a wealth of design choices
Shelves in the garage make it possible to compactly place in a limited area many parts and tools for servicing a vehicle, as well as various household belongings that do not have a place in the apartment. For this reason, every car enthusiast installs racks in their “car home.” They keep your garage organized and allow you to find the item you need in seconds.
You can equip a car hangar with purchased shelves. Such designs are sold today to suit every taste. But even very expensive and “sophisticated” racks will not always satisfy your individual needs. It is much wiser to make shelves in the garage with your own hands, choosing the optimal sizes for such structures.
According to the installation option, racks for car boxes are divided into the following groups:
- collapsible;
- stationary;
- mobile;
- mounted;
- rotating.
Collapsible shelves can be mounted anywhere in the garage and their location, width, height and layout can be changed if necessary. Stationary structures are created for installation in any specific area of the room. They are installed once and for all, fixed to the ceiling, wall or floor surface. In terms of strength indicators, stationary racks are more reliable than collapsible ones.
Mobile-type structures are equipped with rollers that allow them to be moved throughout the garage. They are essentially a small cart. It's comfortable. But you should understand that such racks are not able to withstand extremely high loads. Therefore, they cannot store bulky and heavy equipment.
Wall shelves are rarely installed at home. They need to be suspended and secured directly below the ceiling surface, which can cause serious problems. Although theoretically this is quite possible. Rotating structures can also be considered a rare phenomenon. Visually they look like CD racks. On such mini-racks you can store all sorts of small things - screwdrivers, keys; they are not suitable for larger tools.
You will have to choose the number of shelves on the racks and their geometric dimensions yourself. Professionals advise designing the structure for the garage in such a way that all the tools used in servicing the vehicle can be placed on the shelves. In other words, it is advisable to make the racks spacious.
The most popular materials for making garage shelves are metal and wood. If you plan to install the structure for a long time, it is better to use metal products that are durable and maximum strength. If you want to save on materials and not delay installation work, make a rack in the garage with your own hands from wood. Working with lighter wood is many times easier than working with metal.
Also, shelves these days are made of plastic (they can be bought in a store) and combined - made of steel and wood or plastic and metal.
Like any relatively complex product, the rack should first be designed on paper. This can be done using ready-made drawings. It’s easy to draw up a sketch of the future design yourself, indicating the parameters of the shelves in it. In this case, the rack will be ideal for your garage.
It is usually recommended to place the shelving along one wall of the room. The optimal height of the structure is from the floor to the ceiling (no car enthusiast wants to lose a single square centimeter of free space). Of course, if your garage is very high, the shelves can be made not to the ceiling surface, so as not to have to worry about climbing the stairs to the very top for some detail.
The lower shelves are always made more spacious and taller. They are designed to store wheels and large tools. The shelves that are located at the top of the structure are best made low. You will store all sorts of light little things on them. This will ensure good stability of the rack.
At the bottom, it is necessary to leave a gap of 15–20 cm between the structure and the floor covering.
It will give you the opportunity to easily sweep the floor under the rack. In addition, the pros advise drilling small holes in shelves for tools, canisters, and wheels. They will serve as natural ventilation for stored items, thereby protecting them from rusting, and will also allow you to easily sweep small debris and dust from the shelves.
The length of the rack is usually also made to span the entire width of the wall, leaving about 8–10 cm of free space on the sides of the structure. This will make it easier for you to carry out installation work. Choose the depth of the shelves yourself. At the same time, remember that too narrow niches are not suitable for storing large tools, and too deep ones are inconvenient to use (try to get something with your hands from a shelf about a meter deep). The recommended depth of niches for garage shelving is approximately 60 cm.
The most common shelf width (meaning the distance between two vertical supports of the structure) is 100 cm. You can make the width 30–50 cm larger if the shelf is intended for storing large (for example, wheels) or heavy metal products.
Making a metal rack with wooden shelves
A popular option for arranging garages is a structure with a metal frame (it will stand without exaggeration for decades) and wooden shelves. You can make the vertical racks of such racks from rectangular profiles with one side measuring 4–5 cm, or from a corner with a shelf 3–5 cm.
The frame itself is made from a corner with a 1.5–2.5 cm shelf and is bolted to the vertical guides or welded to them. The welded connection holds the structure as firmly as possible, making it faster and easier. There is more hassle with bolts, but you get the opportunity to change the height of the shelves if necessary.
The shelves are made of boards 1.5–2.5 cm thick. In this case, they will be truly durable. You can also make them from regular or laminated plywood or wood chip products. Before installation, wooden shelves must be protected from moisture and fungus - they are oiled and painted.
Thus, the scheme for preparing components for the rack, and then assembling and installing them is as follows:
- Using a grinder, we cut metal blanks to specified sizes.
- We mark the vertical position of the racks and immediately mark the places where the shelves will be fixed.
- We weld (take on bolts) the corners (here it is important to control the horizontal arrangement of the elements).
- We apply a primer to the frame and paint it with a corrosion-resistant compound.
- We cut wooden shelves and “try on” them, placing them across the frame. You can install boards lengthwise, but in this case they can sag under the weight of large tools and spare parts.
- We impregnate (paint) wooden products and attach them to a metal frame. It is advisable to fit the boards to each other as closely as possible.
The rack is ready. If you are not entirely sure of the high stability of the structure, you can additionally attach it to the garage wall with steel brackets.
Wooden shelving - it's very simple
Garage shelves made of wood are cheaper. In addition, they are easier to make and install. Therefore, many car owners decide to acquire just such designs. Here, however, it is worth remembering that wooden racks are used for less time than metal or combined ones.
It is optimal when the shelves are made of hard wood, such as oak. But pine boards are also quite suitable - inexpensive and accessible. It is important that they are well dried and free of large cracks and knots, deep wormholes and traces of mold.
The racks (vertical) are made of timber 10x5 or 10x10 cm, the shelves are made of particle boards or ordinary boards, the crossbars are made of timber of a smaller section or even from boards (but their thickness must be impressive).
- We cut boards and beams to specified sizes and treat them with an antiseptic composition.
- We assemble the structure using eyelets, tenons, wood glue or self-tapping screws to connect the individual parts.
- To give the structure a larger area, we reinforce the joints with metal corners.
- We paint the finished rack (it is advisable to paint the ends in several layers).
In approximately the same way, you can make structures for a metal garage. But, naturally, it will be much more difficult for you to cut to the required sizes and mount heavy racks, as well as other elements of the rack.
I was tired of paying rent for a storage unit and I wanted to get my garage in order, so I decided it was time to make some shelving. At first I thought about purchasing them, but after calculating how much they would cost, I got the idea to make them myself.
Shelving design
In between working on two projects, I tried my best to come up with the most functional design. About two weeks later I had an idea. I started by measuring the garage, calculating how many shelves I needed and how to divide the space between them. My garage is 5.5m long, but given local lumber size standards, the decision was made to make a 5m rack. The distance from floor to ceiling was 2.75 m. The closest board length to this measurement was 2.45 m. Naturally, I didn't want to leave a 30 cm gap between the top of the rack and the ceiling, so I will use a 3 meter board , cutting it to the required length. While deciding on the height of the shelves, I thought about the main purpose: storage drawers to keep things more organized. My drawers are 42cm high but I wanted to leave some space at the top so the shelf height was chosen at 45cm.
I also need to store some equipment (for climbing, diving, hiking), and I wanted to place it on a rack. To avoid piling one thing on top of another, I decided to make one shelf 30 cm high.
At the moment, like most homeowners, I have accumulated a lot of different things (rakes, shovels, snowboard, wetsuit). I also needed to find a place for all this. So I needed a compartment where I could hang hooks and hang everything there or just hide it.
At this point, my tool collection had grown from a small red box to three boxes and one tool bag. I wanted to make a workbench for them so I could work in the garage where it was dry and warm. Ideally it should be 1.5 m wide.
I also have a dog who loves to chew everything. My little friend also needs a small place where he can hide and stay warm. The entire lower left part of the rack was assigned to him.
What you need for a wooden shelving unit
After I made the drawing, I needed to calculate how much lumber I would need.
I counted:
- 8 boards 5 x 10 x 500 cm.
- 23 boards 5 x 10 x 300 cm.
- 6 sheets of plywood 1.2 x 2.4 m.
- Screws.
Let's start making the rack
A couple of months ago I leveled the walls because the previous owners did a good job of making them look terrible. After puttying and painting, they began to look pretty good. When I started working, I realized that I hadn't thought through everything enough about where or how I wanted things to be placed. I had good thoughts, but overall I was poorly prepared. The plan was to secure the shelving beams to support beams in the wall. In general, I did not know how to easily determine their location. Luckily, one of my neighbors had a special electronic device that he shared with me for one day. First, we screwed three 500 cm beams: one under the ceiling, another a meter from the floor and the third at the very bottom. After that, we took 300 cm of boards and cut them to the height of the ceiling. We cut them at one time so that they would definitely come out the same length.
Making the outer frame
After securing the inner frame, we began making the outer frame. Since its structure was the same, we used the inner one as a template.
Once the outer frame was complete, we pulled it out to find that the ceiling was sagging a bit and was resting against it. Using a hammer, the frame was positioned in the right place, where we secured it to the ceiling. Next, the lower part was installed using a level so that the racks stood vertically.
Fastening the shelves
After the frame was level and vertical, we secured it securely in the ceiling, floor and in the middle.
Now the difficult part of the work remains - turning my project into reality. I had to give up 30 cm of the shelf, since when attaching the beams, at least 10 cm of height is lost for each.
After installing the shelf brackets, notches were made in the boards near the walls so that the plywood would fit snugly and nothing could fall behind the shelf.
Addition
Now that everything was assembled, I didn't want to spend any more money and didn't buy the doors I originally planned to install. The idea is that you can install doors with horizontal fastening on beams. And when the garage is open, nosy neighbors will not see my collection of things.
Spacious, practical garage shelving is essential for storing numerous tools, spare parts and equipment. You can purchase them or make them yourself. Only you can decide what is better to save: time or money. You can order from furniture manufacturers or private craftsmen. In any case, several factors need to be taken into account:
- room dimensions;
- product design;
- dimensions of the rack, number of shelves and their area.
Draw a drawing or plan to understand exactly where the new storage system will be located in the garage.
Pay attention to non-standard solutions. For example, hanging and folding structures can significantly save space in a room. Collapsible shelving for the garage is a plus for mobility.
Materials
The strength of the rack is the main quality, and it must be at its best. The best modern options: metal, plastic, wood, combined materials. Let's tell you more about each.
Metal
Metal structures are breaking records for strength. Car enthusiasts prefer such garage racks as they are very durable. Their main enemy is moisture. In the absence of a high-quality coating, rust will quickly destroy the entire structure.
Under normal conditions and with careful handling, metal shelving will last forever. No special care is needed - just wet cleaning from time to time to maintain its appearance.
The disadvantage of the material is the rather high price. However, many people have a lot of metal elements in their dachas and garages that are difficult to adapt somewhere. Pay attention to them if you are planning to make a shelving unit for your garage with your own hands. Usually the parts are simply welded together. If you do not have sufficient experience in handling the device, you can get by with simpler fasteners. For example, racks made of profile pipes with bolted connections will last no less than welded ones.
Wood
Another classic material that costs much less than metal. Wood makes excellent hanging storage systems due to its light weight. The material is easy to process by hand and looks beautiful. The following species are well suited for shelving: birch, pine, oak. There are many different fastening elements for wood:
- The simplest one is nails. An excellent choice for temporary structures. But they are not suitable for constant use; after a few years the rack will become loose.
- Wooden plugs. Fastening with glue on both sides. More reliable than nails, but inferior in strength. With active use they wear out quite quickly.
- Self-tapping screws. One of the best options. With the right approach, the result is a fairly durable structure that can last more than 5 years.
- Bolts. Another great option for long term use. Make sure they are not subject to corrosion.
You can buy wood everywhere and it is inexpensive. The only downside is that it’s difficult to care for. You need a special impregnation so that the wood does not rot, and a coating so that it does not get dirty. If you are not satisfied with this, you can simply update the hanging shelves in the garage and other wooden elements once every 5-10 years.
Plastic
A modern, inexpensive material that boasts durability, but low strength. The vast majority of structures are not capable of supporting over 100 kg. Light weight, the ability to manufacture different systems, good design and mobility - these are the advantages of plastic shelving.
Not recommended for storing metal tools or parts. It is better to place wooden or fabric blanks and various little things on it. Here you can save money and not buy an expensive metal structure.
Combined shelving for the garage
There are different combinations, for example, wood and metal. Using several materials, you can diversify the design of your garage and get a structure with good functionality. It will take the best qualities from two or more materials and become a compromise.
Order or do it yourself
If you have the skills to use hand tools or a welding machine, making your own shelving will not be an overwhelming task. If you make your own garage shelves, you will get several advantages:
- You create a structure with a unique design. For many craftsmen, this is an opportunity to stand out from those who prefer to simply buy a ready-made solution. A beautiful storage system can transform a room. And on the Internet you will find many ideas.
- It's really simple! Even with minimal work experience, it is enough to pick up a few tools and get started.
- The manufacturing process will not take much time. Craftsmen can complete one rack within an hour, or even faster. It all depends on the dimensions.
- You plan yourself a place for each thing in your garage with a reserve. And only you can know which shelves you need and why.
- It is cheap. Buying materials and tools is cheaper than hiring a craftsman.
The only downside is that you have to work. And here everyone decides for themselves whether it’s worth it.
The main difficulty is planning the future storage system.
We recommend laying out the parts and tools, sorting them and calculating how much space is needed for different groups of items. It is necessary to make shelving for the garage with a reserve. Your collection of tools and spare parts will surely grow.
Manufacturing instructions
First you need to buy tools. The choice depends on your budget. Manual ones are cheap, but the manufacturing process will take longer. The following set will be sufficient for the rack:
- wrenches or (screwdriver), or hammer;
- grinder (metal hacksaw) or jigsaw (wood saw);
- welding machine if necessary.
The set of materials depends on what exactly you have chosen. Let's move on to step-by-step instructions.
Step 1. Site preparation
To make a rack with your own hands from wood or metal, you will need a lot of space. Clear out the garage, drive the car away for a while. There will be a lot of dust during operation. Be sure to cover tools and expensive items with plastic wrap. Place your tools in a visible place so you don't have to search.
Remember safety precautions. If you work with a grinder or welding machine, make sure that there are no flammable or explosive substances and materials nearby. Protect your hands with gloves and your eyes with goggles. It is better to work in an apron made of thick fabric.
Step 2: Planning
Drawings and diagrams for DIY shelving are an important step. On a simple piece of paper, draw up a plan for your garage. This should include the main objects: a car with a margin of 0.8 m on each side, existing racks and shelves and other objects located throughout the entire area. Based on this data, you will get free space that can be used. Do not forget that the storage system can also be represented by hanging shelves. Use all available space.
It is separately recommended to draw up a schematic drawing of each shelf. Determine a place for each thing, even if it is a long task, it will pay off handsomely. Allow some reserve for future tools and parts.
Place the tools on the side of the car, they should be there, on the other side there will be spare parts. Do-it-yourself tool shelves in the garage should be made in accordance with the sequence: from the hood to the rear bumper, so that you do not have to stretch far. At the end you can equip a space for machines.
Step 3. Preparing parts
For each rack, according to the drawing, make all the necessary parts: cut the frame elements, corners, crossbars and platforms. Depending on the material, use the required tools. Mark the parts so that they are easier to assemble later. As you work, group all the elements for individual shelving.
If working with wood, drill holes for bolts or wood plugs. You can immediately attach it to self-tapping screws or nails. When working on metal, you can immediately move on to welding if you have the skills to operate the machine.
Step 4. Assembly
Assemble the rack from the elements in the following order:
- side racks;
- crossbars;
- amplifiers for shelves;
- shelves.
Check the rack for strength, carefully inspect the welds and threaded connections for defects.
All that remains is to give the racks an attractive appearance. Everything you have enough imagination for is used. You can look for ideas on the Internet. Popular solutions: artistic forging, wood carving, varnish or paint. This is just one of the possible options. For example, you can see how to weld a rack from a corner. All in your hands!
Shelving from old furniture in the garage - video
First, let's figure out what types of racks there are and what materials they can be made from.
By type of design, racks are divided into:
- Not mobile (stationary) shelves. Such shelves are “tightly” attached to the garage wall and can stand for a long time. This is the most stable type of shelving that can support the heaviest items and tools.
- Modular shelving systems. Such shelving systems are sold in many construction and furniture stores. They can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. You can also add new segments to them if you wish.
- Mobile (movable) racks on wheels. They are small in size and have limited weight. They are convenient because they can be moved to another place at any time without dismantling the rack.
- Hanging shelves. Mounted on walls or under the ceiling. Not intended for storing heavy items.
- Small rotating racks. They are very convenient for storing small tools, parts, cables and other necessary “trifles”. But you can rarely find them on sale.
Watch a video of what homemade garage shelving looks like:
Garage storage systems can be made from different materials:
- metal. The strongest and most durable type of shelving. They are not afraid of temperature changes, do not burn and can withstand any weight;
- tree. Such racks are cheaper than metal ones and less durable due to frequent changes in temperature and humidity levels inside the garage;
- plastic. Structures with shelves made of this material are the cheapest and lightest in weight. Designed for storing light items;
- combination of several materials. For example, a wooden frame and plastic shelves.
The required type of structure is chosen based on the weight of things and the amount of free space for storing which shelves and racks are made in the garage.
What do-it-yourself garage shelving looks like - photo:
Optimal dimensions and distance to the car
The dimensions of the storage structure depend on the number of things designed for storage and the size of the garage itself. Small garages often have just a few hanging shelves for storage. In large and spacious garages it is advisable to do large rack occupies one of the walls.
Below we present the most optimal dimensions of a garage rack:
- Width. The most common and convenient shelf width: 1 meter.
- Height. Recommended height of each shelf: 30-50 centimeters.
- Depth. 50-60 centimeters will be quite enough to accommodate objects of different sizes.
Place shelves where they belong won't interfere passage and restrict movement. Also Necessarily take into account that the minimum distance from the rack to the car is 1 meter.
Do-it-yourself shelving in the garage: preparation before production
So, you've decided to make your own garage shelving. Before you begin making shelves from any material, you must carry out the necessary preparation for this.
Preparatory stage. Taking measurements and making a drawing.
First of all, decide on the size of the structure and then take all the necessary measurements.
- start by measuring the height and width of your future shelving;
- then consider the required number of shelves and their height;
- decide on the material of the shelves;
- Draw on paper the desired appearance of the finished structure. Having a drawing in front of your eyes will make it easier for you to make a shelving unit.
How to make shelving in the garage with your own hands - photo drawings: 
How to make shelving in the garage: metal and wood?
You have decided to make a shelving unit out of steel and have already drawn up a drawing. Now let's move on to the next stage.
Stage 2. Purchase of materials.
Make a list of the quantity of materials you need and their sizes, then feel free to go to any hardware store. To make the frame you will need a steel channel and corners. If you want to make a completely steel structure, then buy the required number of sheets of metal. If your plans are to make wooden shelves on a metal frame, then you will need blocks of wood, plywood or chipboard.
Stage 3. Preparing tools.
To make shelves you need the following tools and equipment:
- electric drill;
- angle grinder (grinder);
- screwdriver;
- if you want to weld rack parts, you will need a welding machine and electrodes;
- hacksaw;
- hammer;
- bubble or laser level;
- screws, bolts, nails, dowels;
- construction tape;
- pencil.
Stage 4. Metal cutting process.
In accordance with the dimensions and drawing, we carefully and slowly cut the metal vertical (supports and sections) and horizontal (shelves) parts of the rack.
Stage 5. Assembly of the structure.
At first we fix And install the frame. For greater reliability, you can attach it to the wall and ceiling using dowels or special screws.
After installing the vertical racks, proceed to attaching the shelves. You can bolt them on or weld them to the frame. Don't forget to use a level when doing this.
Stage 6. Painting.
To prevent the rack from becoming rusty over time, it must be prime And coat with special anti-corrosion paint.
If you want to make wooden shelving for your garage for storage and already have finished drawing, then you can move on to the next step.
Stage 2. Purchase of materials.
The most common wood garage shelving materials are: oak And pine. Vertical and transverse racks are made from timber of different sizes, and for shelves you can buy boards, sheets of plywood or chipboard.
Important! Consider the wood carefully before purchasing. It should be dry and without visible defects.
Stage 3. Necessary tools and construction equipment:
- electric tools: drill, grinder, screwdriver;
- wood hacksaw;
- hammer;
- tape measure and pencil;
- level;
- nails, screws, self-tapping screws, bolts.
Stage 4. Cutting wooden parts.
Adhering to the required dimensions and drawing, we cut all the wooden supports and racks, and then the shelves. Processing all details are special antiseptic, intended for wood.
Stage 5. Assembly of the structure.
First, we assemble and secure the entire frame, after which we attach the shelves to it using metal corners and M5 bolts. Checking strength of the finished structure and once again measure the evenness of all surfaces and corners with a level.
Stage 6. We carefully and without haste paint the structure to prevent it from rotting and the formation of mold on it. We wait for it to dry completely, and then install it in the chosen place. That's it, your rack is ready!
How to make a garage rack with your own hands from a profile: 
So, now you know how to make wooden or metal garage shelving with your own hands. At first glance, this is enough difficult process having a lot nuances.
But, nevertheless, to make a rack - everyone can do it. All you have to do is take all the measurements correctly and without haste and follow the step-by-step instructions. A DIY shelving unit will serve you well long years.
Useful video
How to make a wooden shelving unit for your garage with your own hands, see below: