Let’s face it – your garage ceiling is currently wasted space. You’re not using it for anything, or perhaps, you think there isn’t any way to utilize the space. But the thing is, it’s a good position for an extra storage solution for the garage.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves often rule when it comes to garage storage. But hanging shelves from the ceiling is another viable option. It doesn’t only add flair to the space, but more importantly, it serves as a convenient spot for storing your stuff. If your garage walls have gone crowded, suspended shelves from the ceiling work ideally.
Overhead garage shelving also has many other advantages:
- It takes out floor clutter in your garage, no risk of tripping over stuff
- It keeps delicate materials, tools, and equipment off the ground, keeping them safe and secure from elements
- It keeps garage tools from possible stains and damages
- It keeps everything safe from floods or spills
There you have it – ceiling shelves that make a better garage storage alternative, designed to give you extra storage space, keep things off the ground, and make good use of your neglected garage ceiling space. Many of these ceiling shelves offer a high level of versatility and can support large amounts of weight.
Now, before you go buying standard shelf hangers and hardware, check out some methods and ways how to hang shelves from the ceiling. Plus, some of the best ceiling shelves in the market that we could recommend you consider.
How to Hang Shelves from the Garage Ceiling?
No space is useless, even your garage ceiling. These methods for hanging shelves from the ceiling can convert that neglected space into unique and useful storage spaces.
Swinging Rope Shelf
A simple combination of wood planks and thick, sturdy rope can give you a quick and simple garage shelving solution. You don’t even have to purchase new shelf boards. If you have old planks of wood lying unused at home, they will work well. It might even give your garage ceiling a nautical or barnyard-like flair.
How To Do It:
- Shelf boards
- Rope
- Eye Hooks
To install a swinging rope shelf on your garage ceiling, drill a pair of holes at both ends of your shelf boards or wooden planks. Feed the rope into the holes, then tie the ends at the bottom of the shelf tightly. You can use a single thick rope for this or multiple thin ropes. If you have climbing ropes, that will work great as well.
Hang the shelf using the other ends of the rope on the ceiling using eye hooks. Ensure that everything is tight and secure. The idea is to create an old-fashioned plank swing where you can store all sorts of stuff.
This step makes a single plank swinging rope shelf, but you can always do multiple shelves to make a ladder effect.
Modern Chain Link
Suspended shelves from the ceiling using a chain link adds a delicate and industrial look to your garage. And because it’s garage shelving where you can store many of your car items and other stuff, it serves a double purpose.
You can go for delicate, small types of chains for smaller shelves. But if you want to think or go big and create ceiling shelves that can carry a considerable amount of weight, go for thick, sturdy chains. If aesthetic is a priority, you can choose many other chain link styles: think of fine-colored and brass chains.
The idea here is to choose the type of chain link that can support the weight of what you might put on the shelf it’s going to carry.
How to Do It:
- Shelf boards
- Chain link
- Eye hooks or eye bolts
Like the swinging rope shelf, attach four pieces of the same length of chains on each end of the shelf board. But instead of drilling holes, use eye hooks or eye bolts to attach the chain on the board instead. Then, using the other end of the chains, hang it to your garage ceiling using eye hooks or eye bolts.
If you are using thick, heavy chains for hanging shelves from the ceiling, it’s ideal to use the eye bolts as they can support heavier weights. But for simple, lighter overhead garage shelving, eye hooks may do.
You might also want to extend the chains and fasten them into the floor with an eye bolt for added stability. It is a smart extra step if you live in earthquake-prone areas as the shelves in suspended chains can sway during earthquakes.
Industrial Cable Wire
Besides rope and chain, you can also use the industrial cable to hang wood planks from the ceiling to create an instant shelving unit in your garage. It’s simple, and the process is essentially the same as above.
How to Do It:
- Shelf board
- Cable/wire rope
- Screw eyes, screw hooks
- Wire clamp
Drill and install the screw hooks into the ceiling until it’s tight and secured, then attach four screw eyes on each end of the wood plank or shelf board. Next, attach a wire clamp on one end of each pre-cut cable or wire rope to create a loop.
Now, you should have four cable wires with one end looped and the other non-lopped. Get the non-looped side and attach it to the screw eyes you previously installed on the shelf, then attach a wire clamp to secure. Do the same for all screw eyes on the shelf.
Once done, you’re ready to suspend the shelf board on the screw hooks on your garage ceiling.
Suspended Storage Systems
Another option how to hang shelves from the garage ceiling is by installing suspended storage systems. The simplest way to install this system is to get yourself a trapeze-style system that can support heavy-duty shelves.
This overhead garage shelving mounts into the ceiling using heavy eye bolts, then trapeze below the shelf boards to support its weight, plus all stuff you’ll place in there. You can make a DIY suspended shelving using simple materials.
How to Do It:
- 2×4 lumber
- Threaded rod
- PVC pipe
- Shelf board
- Corner brackets
Start by installing a length of a 2×4 lumber perpendicular to your garage ceiling beam, then attach a shorter length of lumber vertically at each end. Use corner brackets to fasten and secure the two. Attach a threaded rod horizontally at the bottom ends of your newly installed vertical lumber. Once done, slide the same length of PVC pipe over the rod.
It should be sturdy enough to handle the board on top of the PVC, among other items you’ve stored on it.
Overhead Garage Shelving Items – Where to Get Them?
Thinking of utilizing your ceiling space to have extra garage storage? Take a look at some of the best overhead garage shelving items and accessories you can use. They come with various weight capacities, durability, price tag, and installation ease to fit your overhead garage shelving needs.
Retractable Storage Lift by Syzzor Loft
State-of-the-art overhead garage shelving doesn’t need to be expensive. This retractable garage storage lift is a favorite for many reasons. It has a massive 800-pounds of distributed weight capacity, two to three times more storage weight than other systems.
What’s even better is it’s not as expensive as many retractable storage solutions, and it doesn’t even require electricity or any power source – no wires, no power cables, no motors, no hassle, and no additional electric charges.
Besides capacity, this retractable unit has excellent stability. It doesn’t swing, making your stuff safe even during earthquakes.
4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack by FLEXIMOUNTS
Keep your garage items away from water damage with this simple-to-mount ceiling drop-down rack. What we like best about it is the wire deck and frame welded together, making the system more stable and sturdier – better than units with separate wire and frame.
This suspended garage shelving can carry up to 600 pounds which isn’t bad at all. There’s also an option to hang clamps and hook at the wire deck to hold items like power tools and even a bike or two.
Two-Way Adjustable Hooks by Lehigh
Hanging shelves from the ceiling have never been easier with a two-way adjustable hook. It only needs to get mounted on your garage ceiling using a couple of screws, then attach the wood plank or shelf board, and you have an instant overhead garage shelving. It can hold 50 to 100 pounds, ideal for smaller garage items.
It’s a great concept if you need a quick storage solution for things cluttering your garage floor. The steel material with zinc coating is also sturdy enough for a typical garage environment.
Garage Ceiling Storage Rack Lift by Racor
Take advantage of your unused garage ceiling space and create an instant 16 square feet of extra storage. This storage lift is convenient for storing bulkier items without compromising your garage floor and walls. It has a unique pulley system that can lift loads of up to 250 pounds, perfect for storing boxes, toes, large tools, tires, outdoor furniture, and about anything else.
What’s the best thing about this unit? It can carry more items than you can lift. It lowers eight feet from the ceiling, which means you don’t have to carry items up to the top. This unit will do the heavy lifting for you.
4×8 Overhead Rack by MonsterRax
Constructed using industrial-grade steel, this overhead garage rack can handle up to 500 pounds of storage weight. It’s sturdy and designed to last for a very long time.
If you are on a tight budget, it’s one of the best ceiling shelves we found that has excellent storage capacity. The 32 square feet storage space is not something to scoff at. It can fit almost any garage item that you need to keep off the floor. What’s even better is you can customize the ceiling drop length to accommodate larger items.
Tote Slide Overhead Garage Storage by EZ Storage
If you are looking for a more innovative garage shelving system for the garage, this solution is perfect compared to other open shelving options we mentioned above. It’s a closed garage shelving using tote bins to keep items safe, secure, and protected from dust – suitable for garages that also sideline as your workshop.
The installing of this ceiling mount is also DIY, simple, and quick enough to do in less than an hour. Plus, it’s built for high-level durability suspended storage, perfect for heavier items, and it also supports different tote bins.
Ceiling Shelves for Garage FAQs
Are overhead ceiling shelves and racks any good?
Yes. They allow you to organize all sorts of items that would otherwise clutter your garage floor. They are especially a great storage place for your seasonal items like holiday decorations. Overhead ceiling shelves are also fantastic for items you need to keep off the ground for safety and security purposes.
Are ceiling shelves safe?
Hanging shelves from the ceiling is extremely safe as long as they were installed properly, only carries items as much as the system can support, and your garage ceiling can support all that weight. Ceiling shelves typically have weight limits from the manufacturers, so it’s best to check that out before you purchase.
How much weight can hanging shelves from the ceiling carry?
It depends on what kind of suspended shelf system you are using. For instance, a DIY overhead shelving with rope wouldn’t hold much weight than several pounds, lesser if you used a flimsy type of rope. Some racks can support 50 to 100 pounds, while a larger system can hold up to 600 pounds or even more.
If you’re buying an overhead ceiling shelf for the garage, it’s always smart to check out the specs to know how much it can carry.
How much do suspended shelves from the ceiling costs?
There are endless ways to hang shelves from the ceiling, options that fit all kinds of budgets. Smaller overhead ceiling shelving units typically cost under $100. But if you are looking for larger, heavier-duty models that carry a considerable amount of weight, you might be looking at shelving units around $250 or up.
