As any homeowner can attest, a garage tends to become overcrowded quite fast. We use our garages to store our cars, tools, boxes, and seasonal furniture. Some of us also use it to perform other projects such as woodworking. So, even if you have a large garage, you will find it full within no time. While installing side racks helps you to organize the garage, you will see it takes too much space. This is doesn’t have to be so with overhead garage storage systems.
When you think of it, overhead space is often idle. There is an ingenious way to tap into this potential without having to build side shelves. The overhead garage units are sleek, functional and hang from the ceiling. This means you will still have free space underneath. Installing these units will help you organize your garage while still using the space underneath the storage unit. This means you can still park your car or work on your projects. To assist you in finding the right overhead storage system, we have done extensive research. Through our findings, we narrowed down to a list of seven best overhead storage units for your garage.
Best Overhead Garage Storage Racks In 2022
Best Overall: HyLoft 00540 Overhead Storage Rack System
Are you running out of space in your workshop, garage, or shop? Well, have you ever considered using your overhead space without having to sacrifice your wall and floor space? The HyLoft overhead storage system combines durability and flexibility to assist you in utilizing the idle overhead space. With a decent capacity of 250 pounds and 30 cubic feet, you can store seasonal gear, tools, as well as other stuff crowding your corners.
HyLoft 00540 rack comes with an adjustable height from 17 – 28 inches, enabling it to accommodate larger boxes. It is also easy to configure to an L design allowing you to store more stuff. When it comes to construction, the rack is crafted from sturdy steel which is powder coated for enhanced durability. Both its side and front is open allowing for easy access. More importantly, this unit boasts of an easy installation.
Pros and Cons
- Easy to install on both vaulted and flat ceilings
- All steel construction to ensure durability
- Height adjustable for simple customization
- Compact design that doesn’t take overhead space
- No side hangers
Best Runners Up: FLEXIMOUNTS 4×8 Overhead Garage Rack
Are you tired of having a garage that is full of clutter? Well the FLEXIMOUNTS 4×8 Overhead Rack is designed to help organize your garage neatly. Unlike other models, this unit doesn’t use your floor or wall space. Instead, it utilizes the idle overhead space. It is crafted from heavy-duty steel for enhanced stability and capacity. Boasting of 600lbs weight capacity, you will get a safe and convenient area to arrange your stuff. Plus, this unit comes with a height adjustable design allowing you to customize its size depending on your needs.
The rack measures 8 feet long and four feet wide. This is a large footprint for storing tools and large boxes. Additionally, this unit hangs down up to 40 inches from the ceiling. This offers a large clearance to load tall or multiple boxes. Additionally, you can add hoods around the edges. This will assist you in hanging various items such as skis, bikes, and yard tools.
Pros and Cons
- Large footprint offers plenty of clearance for stacking boxes
- Durable construction that resist wear and tear
- Protect your items from water damage
- Huge 600 pounds capacity
- Comes in a large design making it a bit hard to install
Best Convenience: Racor Ceiling Storage Heavy Lift
As you probably know, it is hard to get bulky items onto and off an overhead storage rack. However, this doesn’t have to be so with this storage rack from Racor. This overhead system alleviated the issue of having to lift the heavy load by equipping it with a pulley system. The rack comes with a simple pulley system that lets you lift weights of up to 250 pounds. It is designed to lower 8 feet from the ceiling making it easy to store and access your stuff. You can either raise and lower the rack using a hand crank or simply attach it to your power drill.
This rack creates an impressive 16 square feet of additional space without sacrificing the wall or floor space. By so doing you will have convenient storage space for that bulky stuff that takes most of your floor surface. The best thing about this unit is that you don’t have to worry about breaking your back while lifting the heavy boxes. You can store almost everything including outdoor furniture, large tools, tires and many more.
Pros and Cons
- Heavy-Duty Lifting Capacity for Heavier Items
- Safety Lock Ensures Safety and Stability
- Impressive 250 pounds capacity
- Lowers to eight feet down, no need to climb
- Requires professional installation
Best Value: NewAge Products 40151 Garage Storage Rack
The NewAge Products 40151 storage rack is an innovative solution that helps you free up your workshop or garage space. Safe and durable, this rack is crafted from extra strong 14 gauge steel t with a powder-coated finish. Thanks to the heavy-duty frame, this rack can support up to 600 pounds. It also offers an ample storage space of up to 104 cubic feet.
Coming in a large footprint, this rack is quite large to fit most of your tools. It is also incredibly easy to install. The unit also comes with an adjustable allowing you to maximize your space while still providing clearance for your doorway. More importantly, this unit includes a hanging bar and hooks. This brings additional space making this unit exceptionally useful.
Pros and Cons
- Adjustable height allows it to hold larger boxes
- Impressive 600lbs weight capacity
- Powder coated steel construction ensures maximum durability
- Includes multipurpose hooks and hanging bar
- Heavy, requires 2 or more people for installation
Best for Compact Space: SafeRacks 4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack
Designed to assist you to utilize the idle overhead space in your garage, the SafeRacks helps you organize your garage efficiently. With this rack, you can get all your tools and boxes that crowd your garage. You be surprised to see how much space this unit helps you clear. Besides clearing your floor space, storing your equipment off the floor can also prevent water damage. This unit boasts of cold rolled 14-gauge steel, which withstands a weight of up to 600 pounds.
Gift your garage with the much-needed change and attention by equipping it with this unit. We love the customizable drop-down distance allowing you to store larger boxes. Additionally, you will not need professional assistance when installing this unit. This goes a long way in saving your hard-earned cash.
Pros and Cons
- Customizable ceiling drop-length
- Holds up to 600 pounds
- Easy systematic instructions guide
- Quality grade steel construction
- Some users may find it narrow
Best High Capacity: Quick-Shelf Hangers Overhead Ceiling Mount Storage Unit
If you have many boxes, suitcases, tools, and machines, you need plenty of space. Large tools are often heavy; this calls for sturdy storage units. This is where the Quick shelf hangers storage unit comes in. Designed to accommodate a whopping 1400lbs, this unit brings you the best versatility. Contrary to what many might think, this storage unit comes in a basic design. It includes sets of sturdy metal frames that you install to the ceiling. To complete the set up insert a 24W” by 19L“plywood to complete the setup.
Different from other models reviewed, this unit comes with a lightweight design. This makes it one of the easiest models to install. For added convenience, this unit comes with installation tools and easy to follow steps. This means you don’t need to ask for professional help when installing this rack.
Pros and Cons
- Easy and quick to install
- Best in class weight capacity
- Heavy-duty construction
- Compact design that fits most garages
- Frame only needs a 24W by 19L inches plywood or melamine
Best Height Adjustable: MonsterRax 4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack Heavy
Most often, you will have a shortage of space in our garage. Working with tools and machines calls for plenty of floor space. The MonsterRax overhead storage rack is designed to make use of the wasted ceiling spaces. This will free your floor space making it easy to maneuver around the garage. By doing so, you will also organize your garage space neatly, keeping your machines from kids reach. With an impressive 600 pounds capacity, you can store large boxes, heavy devices, large tools and much more.
The rack is crafted from industrial grade steel boosting its stability and durability. This also contributes to the overall safety. Additionally, the rack comes with a drop down length of anywhere between 24-45 inches. This enables you to customize the size allowing it to hold larger boxes.
Pros and Cons
- Customizable Ceiling Drop-Length
- Industrial Strength frame that is powder coated
- Large storage capacity
- Elegant design and easy installation
- No hanging hooks included
Benefits of Overhead Garage Storage
Overhead garage storage does a great job when it comes to assisting you to reclaim your garage for other purposes. Below are some of the main benefits that make these racks stand out from other models.
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Free up your floor space
The mains advantage of these racks it that they will free up your floor space. If your garage is cluttered and you can’t find enough space to keep your second car, this rack is a perfect choice. Besides, cleaning the floor space makes your garage neat. You can also use the extra space for more projects, such as woodwork.
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Offers more storage space
Even if you have wall cabinets in your garage, you will still find yourself running out of space. The best thing about these racks is that they utilize the overhead space. In most case, this space is often idle. By adding more storage space to your garage, your home will be less cluttered.
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Protect your stuff from Water Damage
Sometimes your garage can flood due to a torrential downpour or leak inside the house. Even if there is only a little bit of water, it can cause extensive damage to some of your stuff. However, with the overhead storage, you don’t have to worry about water damage.
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Easy access
Overhead storage also offers easy access. Some innovative units come with a pulley system that lifts and lowers your stuff. This is a great choice, as you don’t have to do the heavy lifting.
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Save on a storage unit
Sometimes it is tiring to go through multiple boxes especially when stacked to each other. To prevent this, most people opt for paying for an extra storage unit. However, with an overhead storage rack, you can cut down on these costs. Installing two or three overhead garage storage racks helps you store stuff that can fill a small room.
Final Verdict
An overhead garage storage system is an essential unit for clearing the clutter and freeing up your floor space. This makes it easier to park your car or create space for woodworking projects. Each of the above-reviewed models is crafted from high-grade materials to ensure durability. They are also sturdy enough to hold more than a hundred pounds. Besides, installing any of the above models will make it easy to find the stuff you are looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are overhead storage units challenging to install?
A: Provided you to have the right knowledge, tools, and skills, installing overhead storage are not tricky. However, we don’t advise doing it if you are not sure of what to do. Remember the unit holds hundreds of pounds. Imagine a situation where improper installation causes an accident in your garage? To avoid this, get certified experts to do the installation for you.
Q: What if my ceiling is low and very little room is left above my garage door?
A: Well, it is a common misconception that overhead storage units are supposed to be installed above the garage door. Your garage has plenty of space where these units can be installed.
Q: How will an overhead garage store unit help me organize my space?
A: These racks come with a large footprint that helps you store your items neatly. This unit will not only help you in freeing your floor space but also enables you to fit your car in your garage back.
