12 Awesome Overhead Garage Storage Ideas

If you don’t have much storage space at home or you simply own a lot of things, it’s a great idea to see if you’re truly maximizing the space you do have. An ideal place to start is your garage. It’s likely that once your vehicle is parked inside, there may not be much obvious extra room for storage. After all, you still need to move around freely and safely.

Overhead garage storage is a simple answer to this common problem. Your garage ceiling isn’t being used for much else, so why not utilize it as best you can? You could tackle a DIY project to save time and budget, or simply take a look at some of the best space-saving overhead garage shelving and storage solutions on the market.

Ceiling racks use adjustable metal brackets that affix to ceiling studs and can hold a lot of weight, sometimes up to 600 pounds. This type of overhead garage storage, like the Noell ceiling mounted rack from Wayfair, is tucked out of the way and requires a step stool or ladder to access. For this reason, it’s perfect for things you don’t often use, like holiday decorations.

Get the Rebrilliant Noell Ceiling Mounted Rack from Wayfair for $153.99.

RELATED: How to Hang Shelves

Slatwall panels act as a fantastic space saver in your garage. They’re ideal for smaller items and anything that you want to access instantly, from cleaning supplies to sports equipment or tools. Flowwall’s garage storage unit features six modular units that can be adjusted to the size of your choosing, making it a great option to maximize the space you have and accommodate changing storage needs. Bonus: The PVC panels are 100 percent recyclable.

Get the Flowall Modular Garage and Hardware Storage Set from The Home Depot for $572.39.

If you’re part of a big family who loves to cycle, or even if you have a few bikes of your own, you know that bike storage can be a challenge, especially in smaller garages. Ultrawall’s bike storage rack fits the bill perfectly: It mounts to the wall, has a 300-pound weight capacity, and holds up to six bicycles.

Get the Ultrawall Bike Storage Rack on Amazon for $59.99.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Bike Racks to Organize Your Garage

You may not have considered a very specific type of storage unit designed for your fishing rods. Perfect for keeping them clean, safe, and out of the way, this one from Etsy seller Oobjek is made in Florida from sturdy waterproof, weatherproof, UV-resistant Recycled Marine HDPE. It holds 21 rods and is super easy to install—you just need a screwdriver.

Get the Oobjek Fishing Rod Holder on Etsy, priced from $66.99. 

If you’re spending lots of time in your garage workshop, some indoor plants might make the space more inviting. Or, perhaps you’ve converted your garage to a guest room and need some extra storage space. Either way, this ladder from Etsy seller EdnaFayeCreations is perfect for holding plants or pots. Made with thick, rustic, sustainable wood with a vintage look, this ladder comes with a hanging kit.

Get the Walnut Stained Pot Rack and Plant Ladder on Etsy, priced from $174.

When you’re setting up your garage, you might not be able to predict too far ahead what you’ll be storing and how you’ll need to store it. A great solution to this is a multipurpose wall mount with adjustable storage and movable hooks, like Wallmaster’s garage storage tool organizer. Its hooks are long enough to accommodate garden gear, tools, and even stacks of folding chairs. When your needs change, you can quickly and easily reposition the hooks anywhere on the panel’s tracks.

Get the Wallmaster Garage Storage Tool Organizer on Amazon for $59.99.

A pulley system is a great way to get heavy items up and out of the way, such as bikes. For instance, this adjustable unit from Wallmaster holds up to 100 pounds and can be used on up to 12-foot high ceilings. It’s perfect if your bike is particularly heavy or you can’t lift it yourself. The rubber-coated hooks help save your bike from scratches or, worse, slipping out of your hands.

Get the Wallmaster Bike Ceiling Mount Lift on Amazon for $19.99.

RELATED: 10 Kayak Storage Ideas for Taking Back Your Garage

If you’re storing many smaller items that you don’t anticipate using too often, storage bins on overhead racks from Koova are worth considering. Look for a solution that’s durable and long-lasting. You’ll also need to consider how much weight the bins can support, especially if your items are on the heavier side. Finally, if you need to see what’s inside at a quick glance for easy retrieval, consider choosing clear bins.

Get the Koova Overhead Bin Rack for 3 Bins on Amazon for $134.99.

Just when you thought you were out of space, enter the corner storage unit. Perfect for providing shelf space for those items you want to grab easily and frequently, this type of garage storage can be very handy. This model from Fleximounts is made with a heavy-duty frame that holds more than 400 pounds and is simple to install.

Get the Fleximounts Corner Steel Garage Shelving 2-pack at The Home Depot for $179.99.

The days of disconnecting your car’s cargo box and hoping it doesn’t topple onto your head are over: HARKEN’s cargo box hoist can be operated by one person and suspends your Thule, SportRack, or other branded box from your garage ceiling. Ball bearing pulleys ensure smooth operation. Made in the USA.

Get the HARKEN Cargo Box Overhead Garage Storage Hoist on Amazon for $125.99.

Prices listed here are current as of May 28, 2022. 

If you or your family members are skiers or snowboarders, or if you happen to have other long items like pieces of lumber, rugs, or ladders to store, there are organizers that can help. This strong and compact 6-level unit from Bora holds up to 110 pounds per shelf. 

Get the Bora Wood Organizer and Lumber Storage on Amazon for $51.38.

RELATED: 15 Brilliant Garage Organization Ideas

This industrial shelving doesn’t strictly follow our “overhead storage” theme, but if you have super super heavy gear to stow you may want it where it’s more easily accessible. This DeWalt garage shelving unit from The Home Depot is ideal for smaller items since its dense wire grids prevent items from falling through. It’s easy to assemble and tough as nails, with a weight capacity 2,500 pounds per shelf.