Is your garage more like a chaotic storage zone than a functional workspace? If so, a well-designed garage shelving system could be what you need to transform it. But the big question is whether you should build custom garage shelves yourself or go with the convenience of store-bought options.
In this post, we break down the benefits and drawbacks of both DIY and store-bought shelving, helping you make the best choice for your space, budget, and garage storage goals.
Choosing the Right Garage Shelving Units for You
Selecting the right shelving for your garage involves more than just grabbing the first set you find. Do you need shelving to handle heavy tools, or is it mostly for light seasonal decorations? Are you looking for flexibility with pre-made shelves, or do you prefer the customisation that comes with building your own?
And, of course, consider the layout of your garage: do you have plenty of floor space, or would maximising vertical storage be a wiser choice?
Below, we’ll walk you through some key factors to consider that can help you decide which route suits you best:
Garage Shelving Types
Garage shelving units come in many styles to meet a range of storage needs, each crafted with unique features for easy organisation and accessibility.
Here are some popular options:
Corner Garage Shelving
Corner shelving units efficiently maximise storage space by utilising often-overlooked corners of your garage, increasing capacity without taking up extra floor space.
At Racking Solutions, our corner garage shelving units boast a high load capacity, with each shelf being able to support up to 275kg, making them suitable for a wide range of items, from storing tools to household supplies. We sell a wide range of corner shelving, including economy corner shelving and metal corner shelving.
Galvanised Garage Shelving
If your garage is prone to dampness, galvanised shelving is a game-changer. Galvanised shelves are easy to assemble and built to last. They are treated to resist rust, making them a long-lasting option for garages, and you won’t have to worry about corrosion weakening your storage.
Heavy-Duty Garage Shelving
Designed for strength and durability, heavy-duty shelving is the top choice for storing bulky, heavy loads like automotive equipment, garden supplies, and large tools.
Usually made from high-strength materials like steel or reinforced wood, heavy-duty shelves provide stability that can handle substantial weight loads. At Racking Solutions, our heavy-duty racking can hold up to 400kg per shelf.
For all these reasons, these shelves are a reliable solution for garages with more robust storage requirements.
Garage Shelving Materials
As we've already hinted at, in addition to shelving type, garage shelving units are available in various materials, most notably metal and wood:
- Metal garage shelving: Known for its strength and durability, it's ideal for heavy-duty use and handling heavy loads without sagging. It’s also resistant to wear and damage, making it a reliable choice for long-term garage storage.
- Wood garage shelving: Offering a classic look and high customisability, wood shelving is the perfect solution for DIY enthusiasts who want a specific fit for their space. While wood isn't as moisture-resistant as metal, wood shelves can be cut to suit any space and add a warmer aesthetic to the garage.
Your Garage Storage Needs
Start by identifying the types of items you need to store. Tools? Gardening machinery? Sports equipment? Whatever it is, knowing what you need to store will guide your garage shelving choice.
Start by measuring the volume of each item you plan to store, including length, width, and height, to understand how much space they'll occupy. This helps you visualise and plan your storage needs more effectively.
Once you have these measurements, you can confidently select suitable garage shelving that meets both your spatial requirements and storage goals.
Pro Tip: Adjustable garage shelving is an excellent choice because it allows you to modify the height of each shelf to accommodate items of various sizes. This flexibility means that larger, bulkier items, like storage bins or equipment, can be placed on lower shelves, while smaller items, like tools or cleaning supplies, can fit comfortably on higher shelves.
Weight Capacity
It's also essential to consider the weight capacity needed to support your items securely. From lightweight products like toiletries to bulkier supplies, like boxes of office paper that can quickly add up in weight. You need to ensure your garage shelving is robust enough to carry the load.
Understanding the weight of your items ensures you select a suitable shelving material so you can store everything confidently and keep your garage organised without risking damage to your shelves.
DIY vs Store-Bought Garage Shelving Units: Making the Right Choice
Choosing between DIY and store-bought garage shelving boils down to cost, customisation, and convenience. Each option offers distinct benefits and drawbacks, making it essential to align your choice with your needs and skills; let's take a closer look:
DIY Garage Shelves: The Pros
- Customisability: One of the main advantages of DIY garage shelving is the ability to tailor your shelves to your specific needs. You can adjust the dimensions, materials, and design to fit unique storage requirements or an irregular garage layout.
- Cost efficiency: Building shelves yourself is often more budget-friendly, especially if you have leftover materials or already have access to the necessary tools. For the cost-conscious DIY enthusiast, this can be a huge plus.
- Quality control: By constructing the shelves yourself, you have complete control over the quality and durability of the materials, potentially resulting in a longer-lasting solution.
DIY Garage Shelves: The Cons
- Time-intensive: Building your own shelves can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not experienced with carpentry. From planning to sourcing materials to assembling, the DIY route may require more time than some are willing (or able) to invest.
- Skill level: This kind of DIY project requires a certain skill level. A miscalculation in measurements or improper installation could lead to an unstable setup, possibly resulting in damage or injury.
- Tools and equipment: If you don’t already have the necessary tools, you may need to purchase or rent them, adding to the project cost and complexity.
- Inconsistent quality: Unlike store-bought shelves that are factory-made to specific standards, DIY shelves may lack the same uniformity and durability. This could lead to shelves that don’t hold up well under pressure or over time.
- Limited adjustability: Once DIY shelves are built, they’re typically fixed in place, offering little flexibility for changing needs. Unlike store-bought shelves, which often come with adjustable features or modular designs, DIY shelves may need to be completely rebuilt or heavily modified if your storage needs evolve. This can lead to additional time, effort, and expense down the line, making DIY shelving a less adaptable option in the long term.
- Aesthetic concerns: Without professional finishing, DIY shelves may lack the polished look of store-bought units, potentially clashing with the overall aesthetic of your garage.
Store-Bought Garage Shelving: The Pros
- Convenience: Store-bought shelves come pre-manufactured and often include all the necessary hardware, making installation straightforward and relatively quick. This can be a lifesaver for those who are short on time or lack DIY skills.
- Durability and stability: Many store-bought shelves are designed specifically for heavy-duty storage and undergo quality testing, providing peace of mind when storing heavy loads.
- Wide selection: With various sizes, styles, and materials available, finding shelves that fit both your garage space and aesthetic is easier than ever.
- Warranty protection: Many commercial shelving units come with manufacturer warranties that provide coverage if something goes wrong.
- Known weight capacity: Store-bought units typically come with clear weight limits per shelf and make it easier to store items safely.
- Standardised parts: If a component breaks, you can often order replacement parts directly from the manufacturer.
- Professional finish: Factory-made units usually have better paint or coating applications, potentially offering better rust resistance and a more polished look.
Store-Bought Garage Shelving: The Cons
- Higher cost: Store-bought garage shelving, especially heavy-duty options, can be more expensive than DIY projects.
- Limited customisation: Although store-bought garage shelving offers many options, pre-made shelves have set dimensions, which can be limiting in a garage with an irregular layout.
- Assembly may still be required: Although more straightforward than DIY construction, store-bought garage shelving often requires assembly, which might still need tools, time, and patience. However, at Racking Solutions, our racking is easy to assemble and boltless.
DIY vs Store-Bought: Which Is the Winner?
When it comes to garage shelving, store-bought options win hands down over DIY solutions. These shelves are built for durability and safety, offering greater weight capacity and stronger materials than most DIY setups.
With easy-to-follow instructions, they’re quicker to install and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. Plus, many store-bought units are adjustable, so you can quickly adapt them as your storage needs change.
Why go through the hassle of building your own when you can get a reliable, long-lasting solution that’s ready to go? That's why we always advise saving yourself time, stress, and effort by going for the store-bought option!
Find Your Perfect Garage Shelving Solution Today!
Ready to bring order to your garage? While DIY shelves might offer some flexibility, nothing beats the quick convenience and reliability of store-bought units. With pre-made shelving, you get a professional-grade solution right out of the box.
Just remember to consider your storage needs, budget, and time investment to make the best choice for your goals. With proper planning and installation, allow your garage to evolve from cluttered chaos to a functional, well-organised workspace.
If you're ready to find the perfect solution for your garage, shop our wide range of garage shelving and storage now.
