The first thing to think about when installing garage storage is what future remodeling you might be doing to the space. Permanent fixtures allow for less flexibility with future garage upgrades. Next, consider what you’ll be storing. If you or anyone else will be doing carpentry work inside the garage—and if there is enough space to accommodate such grand ambitions—you should consider storage that incorporates a workbench. For those who decide to get one that’s separate from the storage, it’s a good idea to get the workbench first and plan the cabinet or shelf storage around it. Finally, don’t forget the primary purpose of this part of the house. Garage storage and organization should be secondary to the cars that will be taking up most of the space. Garage cabinet systems must allow for the easy opening and closing of both the garage door and the door leading into and out of the house. The point of the best garage cabinets is to make the space as functional as possible, not serve as barriers to such essential activities as using doors and getting in and out of cars.
Best overall: Bold 3.0 Grey 7 PC (48″ Stainless Top, LED Light, LED EXT, 48″ Back Splash)Best garage: FLEXIMOUNTS 2-Pack Floating ShelvesBest free-standing: Rubbermaid 72-Inch Four-Shelf Double-Door Resin Storage CabinetBest for tools: Power Tools Storage Organizers and CabinetsBest cabinet systems: Ulti-MATE 8-Piece Garage Cabinet Kit with Bamboo WorktopBest rolling: Seville Classics UltraHD 12-Drawer Rolling WorkbenchBest budget: Seville Classics Wall Cabinet Storage
Features to consider when shopping for garage cabinets
The hunt for the best garage cabinets isn’t as simple as buying a few storage cubicles and calling it a day. Start with a checklist of questions: Do you want metal garage cabinets, wood ones, or some other type of material? Do you prefer mounted garage wall cabinets or garage storage cabinets on wheels? Once you figure out what you’ll be storing in your garage, you’ll have a clearer idea of what kind to get.
Best garage cabinets: Reviews & recommendations
Best overall: Bold 3.0 Grey 7 PC (48″ Stainless Top, LED Light, LED EXT, 48″ Back Splash)
Specs:
18″ D x 108″ W x 77.25″ HWeight: 800 poundsMaterial: Alloy Steel
This storage solution from NewAge Products Inc. offers a combination of drawers and multi-sized cabinets that accommodate all your organizational needs. The 800-pound base is secured to the wall, but wheels on the tool-cabinet portion make allow for more portable work to be done around the garage. The worktop is made of stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about messy jobs leaving permanent marks. This unit also features LED lights which make it easier to see. All doors are lockable, so you can keep children out of your workspace.
Best shelves: FLEXIMOUNTS 2-Pack Floating Shelves
Specs:
2-PackColors: Black or whiteSizes: 2×4, 2×6Weight Capacity: 800 poundsMaterial: Heavy gauge steel
For people with more minimal storage needs, FLEXIMOUNTS storage bracket shelves are a simple solution. They are made to be installed solo using the materials included and can be secured to wall studs or solid concrete. The various parts can be arranged in assorted ways—parallel, pyramid, staggered, etc.—to accommodate different design tastes. If you’re looking for overhead storage, these are the way to go. Purchase hooks separately for extra hanging storage.
Best free-standing: Rubbermaid 72-Inch Four-Shelf Double-Door Resin Storage Cabinet
Specs:
8″ D x 36″ W x 72″ HWeight Capacity: 690 poundsSizes: Small, Medium, LargeMaterial: Resin, Polyethylene
This large Rubbermaid storage unit features five shelves inside, which cannot be adjusted or removed. They hold a maximum weight of 690 pounds, and the high-density polyethylene will not deteriorate—rot, rust, or dent—unlike metal and wooden cabinets. This makes these cabinets perfect for storing messier items like soil, paints, or cleaning solutions. The unit snaps together, making setup a breeze.
Best for tools: Power Tools Storage Organizers and Cabinets
Specs:
9.84″ D x 33.86″ W x x 17.72″ HWeight: 22 poundsMaterial: WoodWall-mountable
This was designed with variety in mind. It can hold small objects like hammers and clamps, power drills, and hanging tools, and the wood is moisture-proof and resists erosion. There are no drawers or doors, however, so all of your tools will always be in plain sight.
Best cabinet system: Ulti-MATE 8-Piece Garage Cabinet Kit with Bamboo Worktop
Specs:
141.8″ W x 21″ D x 82″ HWeight: 911 poundsAssembly requiredStationaryMaterial: MDF and PB cabinet construction, durable textured PVC laminate
Tipping the scales at a whopping 911 pounds, this system is unlikely to leave any storage need unsatisfied. It’s massive and a bit unwieldy, so a lot of space will be required to house it, and there are no rollable parts, so once you decide on a location for it, be prepared to stick with it. No matter if you’re storing tools, paint cans, planters, or just need extra storage for household items, this is a substantial system that won’t let you down.
Best rolling: Seville Classics UltraHD 12-Drawer Rolling Workbench
Specs:
72″ W x 20″ D x 37″ HWeight: 500 poundsFour 5-inch heavy-duty wheelsMaterial: Steel12 drawers
This is a fairly basic option that combines a variety of drawers with one storage cabinet and a workspace that you can move around the garage to wherever it’s needed. It weighs 276 pounds, so the wheels will come in especially handy when you need to relocate, and it will easily fit in with most garage decors.
Best budget: Seville Classics Wall Cabinet Storage
Specs:
24” W x 12” D x 24” HWeight: 25.9 poundsWeight capacity: 200 poundsWall-mountableLockable doorMaterial: Powder Coated Steel
This isn’t designed specifically for garages, but it can fit right into a space next to your automobiles. It’s two feet wide and one foot deep, so don’t think you’ll be storing your entire life in one of these. Still, it’s a great option for putting away tools and other smaller items, and at such a low price, you can get more than one to satisfy your storage needs.
Things to consider when buying garage cabinets
Should you get wall-mounted garage cabinets?
There are myriad benefits to getting wall-mounted garage cabinets—namely that they are more permanent fixtures than free-standing cubbies that sit on the floor. Depending on your taste and the space, these units can either be in the form of enclosed cabinets with doors or wall-mounted shelves. They are typically raised above ground level, so they make it easy to clean underneath the cabinets, and they make the space they are in appear less cluttered. Wall-mounted garage cabinets are also sturdier, and garage storage shelves require less bending than most standalone models. Both are less prone to wobbling around. This type of organizing system does come with a few downsides. They require installation, and they can’t be easily rearranged once they’ve been mounted to the wall. Also, they may not be as tall as standalone units, which may mean storing longer items elsewhere in the garage. And if you prefer things to be out of sight and out of mind when not in use, wall-mounted storage shelves won’t keep anything hidden. If the cons of permanent garage storage outweigh the pros, and you aren’t good with a hammer and other tools, make sure you consider the cost of hiring someone to install garage wall cabinets when comparing their price to that of other types of storage.
What about free-standing cabinets?
As previously mentioned, free-standing cabinets are a popular option for garage storage and organization that come with several limitations. If they sit on the floor, you won’t be able to clean under them, and you’ll probably have to do a bit more bending to retrieve items and replace them after use. Although they may wobble around a bit, they’ll likely be tall enough to store anything inside, and they’ll be easier to move around if and when you decide to give your garage a brand-new look.
What can you do about tool storage?
Steel cabinets work best for tool storage in garages. The drawers should be deep and fully extendable to permit the placement of bulky tools, and they should be padded to protect both the tools and the drawers and to stop the tools from moving around inside. Some come with convenience features like surge protectors, organizing trays, and USB charging ports. If you are adding tool storage to an existing garage storage system, consider stackable chests that you can place on top. Toolboxes, tool bags, and tool belts are decent alternatives to bulky tool storage, as are peg boards with multi-tool hangers.
Are garage cabinet systems worth the extra cost?
When choosing your garage storage, you can opt for individual cabinets or a full system. One of the big benefits of garage cabinet systems is that the slats or rails permit you to install them anywhere on the wall, rather than being limited to where the studs happen to already be placed. If you go for a full system, just be sure it will more or less be suited for whatever storage needs you might have in the future. Of course, if necessary, you can always complement it with one or two individual cabinets.
Do you want a garage storage cabinet on wheels?
If you want the ability to rearrange your garage storage without having to do any heavy lifting, garage storage cabinets on wheels are an excellent idea. If you go this route, though, you need to get a rolling garage cabinet with top-notch wheels that won’t break under the load of the storage space on top of them. This may sound like a pretty convenient arrangement if you need to occasionally move things around, or even if you are working on a project and you want to have everything easily accessible from your workspace. You’ll just have to be a bit more vigilant about keeping the floor space clean to prevent small items, like pebbles and twigs, from getting jammed in the wheels.
What you get for under $100
You can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on garage storage, depending on your preferences and requirements. Although you can splurge on garage furniture that’s as beautiful as it is practical, if you’re not willing to pay a four-digit price tag, you can still satisfy your basic storage requirements at a fraction of the cost and get something that won’t bring down the aesthetic value of the space. Best of all, you’ll have extra cash to spend on the car you’ll be parking in it. Here are the best garage cabinets we’ve found at a reasonable price.
A final word on shopping for the best garage cabinets
The best garage cabinets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can go with wall-mounted garage cabinets, free-standing garage cabinets, or garage storage cabinets on wheels, and individual cabinets and more expansive garage cabinet systems satisfy a wide range of storage needs. The latter can set you back thousands of dollars, but if you’re strapped for cash, you can find decent garage storage options for closer to $100.
