Who Needs Garage Storage Solutions?
There is a lot of unused space hidden overhead in most garages and that will play a huge role in finding garage storage solutions for many people. It seems that garage plans are not on the top of the priority list for many home builders, or at least they weren't in the past. Learning how to make the most of that potential storage space can free up other parts of your living area that receive heavier use and the bonus is, there are plenty of products to help you do this without spending a fortune. This is what I've learned in my exploration of garage storage solutions. What follows is a couple of garage ceiling storage ideas that can really help to open up space without spending a fortune on the project.
Before you go crazy trying to suspend everything you own from the ceiling, realize that sometimes the best thing you can do, as far as getting organized, is to simply get rid of some stuff so that you can see what your garage design has to offer. Take a look at what you have taking up room in your garage. Is there anything that you haven't really had a use for in the past couple of years? Guess what? You will most likely just push whatever it is from side to side indefinitely until you finally tire of the game. Sometimes you don't need a storage solution, you just need a nudge to get rid of some junk.
I decided recently that the time has come to look into some innovative storage solutions. I used to sell alot of merchandise on eBay, and I also bought truckloads of estate sale merchandise that now take up way too much space. I haven't been doing any selling recently, but I have too much invested in what I do have to simply throw it all away. The idea of finding some type of garage storage units has been running through my mind for a while, and I finally decided to take some action. I've been doing some research on the types of overhead storage systems that are available for purchase recently. Some people like to build loft type structures themselves, but I'm not particularly handy when it comes to such things. Besides, I like researching and learning new things! What follows is what I have learned during my investigations of ceiling mounted storage. There are many different styles and types of overhead storage systems. Prices vary of course. Most people will look for a storage solution that does the job right without costing a fortune. I think that most people will mainly be considering these four things:
1. Price. The cost of these units is relatively low as home improvement type items go. I like to look around for the best prices both locally and online. I'll be examining two storage units that are both available on Amazon at reasonable prices. I really enjoy the convenience of having things delivered right to my door.
2. Material. You will probably want to purchase an overhead storage system that is as sturdy as possible. Metal is usually used in garage storage racks that are pre-fabricated, but some do it yourselfers prefer to work with lumber because it is easy for them to work with on their own for custom designs. That rules me out.
3. Capacity. The units I've narrowed it down to are both rated to hold 250 pounds, but you also have to consider how much space they actually save. Some people mount these units toward the back of the garage so that they are completely out of the way of the garage door. This allows you to get the most available storage space out of them as there is no need to worry about the garage door running into anything.
4. Accessibility. If you are able to get up and down using a ladder and you have a helper to hand things off to, you can usually go with something that stays in a raised position. Some people need to be able to raise and lower the storage unit for loading and unloading. This is certainly more convenient, but this added mobility does add to the cost of the overhead storage unit. Still, having a garage storage lift is very convenient if you have to put away large or cumbersome items by yourself.
Assuming that you have already done away with the things you don't really need, it is time to consider what to use to actually take advantage of all of that overhead storage space in the garage. The good news is, you can get a very good system put up for a relatively low cost. If you are a do it yourself type of person, you can build a rig of your own, but honestly, for what quality systems cost today compared to the cost of the raw materials you would have to buy, it might make more sense to go with a product that can be purchased. I'll be mentioning two products that perform similar functions here. The main difference is the ability to raise and lower the storage area for ease of access. Both products are sturdy and made to handle up to 250 pounds according to the manufacturers. I have narrowed the field down to these two units because they are both well constructed and relatively easy to install.
HyLoft 540 45-Inch by 45-Inch Overhead Storage System,
One great thing about the HyLoft 540 is that several of them can be used together to create massive amounts of storage space.
The HyLoft 540 system is one of the most popular overhead storage systems going. More than 200 Amazon users felt compelled to come back and comment on its performance, and it still manages to keep a 4 1/2 star rating out of a possible 5. That is pretty impressive when you consider that a lot of people are more likely to come back to complain rather than to pass along compliments. There are a few reasons that people are so sold on this product. First of all, it can hold a good bit of "stuff". It is rated at 250 pounds. It is also designed to accommodate several of the standard size storage totes that are so popular today among homeowners. The number of totes (or other items) that it will hold depends on how you decide to set things up. These units are adjustable. How adjustable? Well, you can adjust their height to go anywhere between sixteen inches and 28 inches. That one foot of play can help out a lot depending on how high your ceilings are and how much space you want to be available over your head. It also comes in very handy if you are installing the system in an area with a sloping ceiling (like an attic).
Many people like to use more than one Hyloft 540 unit in their garage to cover the entire width of the garage. Each unit is 45 inches inches wide. That is just under four feet, so if you are looking to have these span your entire garage, you could divide the entire width (in feet) by four to get an estimate of how many units you would need. Of course how much actual storage space this will provide also depends on how high or low you set them to hang. These are constructed of steel wire with a powder coating that is meant to keep it free from rust. That certainly is something to consider if you have a damp garage, but most people are mainly interested in how much storage space they provide.
Installing the Best Garage Storage Solutions
Of course you should follow the manufacturers instructions when it comes to installing this, or any, unit. Gravity is not a very forgiving force, so you'll want to make sure that everything is secure. One of the advantages of this model is the ease of installation. The maker touts it as a one person project, but of course a second set of hands never hurts. The Hyloft storage system can be mounted from both finished and unfinished ceilings and it does include the hardware needed to complete the installation. Before you roll your sleeves up on this project though (or any other ceiling storage project) make sure that you have a decent quality stud finder. If you are going to suspend 200 plus pounds from the ceiling, you want it to be secure. Some people are comfortable with finding their way around the edges of joists by driving in finishing nails, but I prefer making as few holes as possible. Although this storage system is built to be a little bit forgiving on the measurements, you certainly wouldn't want to mess up on the main points where you are mounting it.
Analysis: This is a very well designed garage storage solution that can be put up without a lot of muss and fuss. With a rating of 250 pounds, it holds its own against the competition and these units lend themselves very well to multiple installations across the entire ceiling which really maximizes your storage space. The price per unit is very reasonable. At the time I'm writing this, Amazon has it for sale at well under list price. You can click HERE to see the current price as well as over 200 user reviews. The downside of this product for some people would be the fact that it is not designed to be raised up or lowered. That is not a big consideration for some, but it could be the make or break point for others with personal mobility issues. For a unit that is meant to go up and down, consider checking out the...
Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
Why not let the Racor PHL-1R do the heavy lifting for you?
As I mentioned above, this is a unit that IS designed to be raised up and lowered down to accommodate people who either don't want to climb ladders or who have other issues with lifting heavy items onto and off of the storage unit. Because it does more (raising and lifting), this unit does cost more than the Hyloft model. It also require more precise installation. With that said, it is still one of the most popular units of its kind. It can be raised and lowered by using an attachment that fits onto a drill.
The installation of this unit seems to be its major downside. The joists need to be 48 inches apart or you could run into issues. I don't usually start writing about something by focusing on the downside, but I wouldn't want anyone to buy this without realizing that they may have to have some knowledge and a bit of patience to get the job of installation done correctly. Of course I suppose you could always pay for a professional installation, but I think that most people prefer being able to put things up themselves if at all possible. You can read some reviews related specifically to installation HERE.
Now for the upside. If you need an overhead storage unit that can be raised or lowered with relative ease, the initial installation may be worth any trouble it causes. This is a four foot square platform that can be raised and lowered up to eight feet. If you are not a math fan, that works out to 16 square feet of surface on which you can place up to 250 pounds. That isn't a bad load size, but you are definitely paying for the raising and lowering ability. The maker does not mention this, but it seems to me that this would also be nice for people who already have a loft area built in a 
large storage shed. It would certainly make getting heavy boxes into place much easier. I suppose that would be using it as an elevator of sorts.
Analysis: As I'm looking at what I've written, I'm sure my personal leaning toward the Hyloft design comes through. That is only because I am not in need of lifting and lowering capability though. The Racor PHL-1R is actually a very capable and well rated unit. It too has received multiple positive reviews on Amazon because it stands out among its peers. The installation of this unit is more involved because of what it is able to do when the project is done. It also has an overall Amazon rating of 4 1/2 stars out of a possible five with 183 people weighing in as of this writing. That is pretty darn good. Learn more about it HERE.
The unit you will decide upon will definitely depend a lot upon your personal needs. For me, the Hyloft 540 is a perfect fit. For my neighbor who has some trouble getting around, it would require making calls to relatives or friends any time he needed to get something down.
Some General Information About Overhead Storage
When I very first started looking into the whole area of garage storage solutions, I asked an acquaintance of mine for some tips. Their response is what follows. You'll notice that they are more prone to do it yourself projects. That is why I started doing my research. I am much more interested in something that is going to make my home life easier, not give me another project to complete.
Some garage doors are almost flush with the ceiling but most are not. Overhead garage storage systems are the perfect solution to make this space available for storage. Transforming this hidden space into usable storage is an easy DIY project that can be built from scratch or a kit.
To hang a bike from the garage ceiling, buy two large hooks from a local hardware supply store. Stand the bike on the ground and measure the distance between where the two wheels touch the ground. Space the two hooks this distance apart in a ceiling beam. Turn the bike upside down and hang it by the hooks from the wheels. This method can be used to hang many things from the ceiling if space allows. For heavy items like canoes, attach the hooks to a board and raise and lower the board with a pulley system. This also works for tall ceilings. Just remember to anchor the rope around a cleat or the items being stored will come right back down!
Other things that can be hung from hooks include garden tools, fishing rods and plumbing supplies. Two hooks hung parallel will hold anything long and thin. Hooks with rubber coating will protect the things in storage better than metal hooks.
To store large outdoor storage boxes or odd shaped items in the garage ceiling, build a suspended platform if you are handy enough. Use 2x6 boards to build a frame. Nail plywood or particle board over the frame. Use slotted steel strips or install another pulley system to attach the platform to the garage ceiling. The more weight on the platform the sturdier the support will have to be.
There are also storage kits available. Some of these attach directly to overhead beams while others employ the pulley system. Storage kits will cost bit more than things you build yourself but they will probably look more aesthetic.
If you are not really interested in doing any work yourself, then you may want to consider paying a company who will get you all set up with your overhead garage storage. Here is a video showing off some of the pre-fabricated garage storage solutions available to homeowners today.
