Are you sick and tired of having nowhere to put your tools and equipment and garage floors that look like a war zone? Putting up shelves in the garage is a great idea. Shelving can help you maintain your garage neat and give you much-needed storage space.
In this article, I will walk you through the process of putting up shelves in your garage. DIY newbie or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered. Everything from locating the wall studs to building and mounting the shelves will be discussed in detail. Now, let’s get going and make your garage useful and well-organized!
How Do You Install Shelves In A Garage?
Installing shelves in your garage is an excellent method to increase the amount of space available for storage and to better organise your tools, equipment, and other goods. The following is a rundown of the fundamental procedures involved in installing shelves in a garage:
Measure The Space
The first step in placing shelves in a garage is to measure the available space. You’ll need to measure the length, breadth, and depth of the area where the shelves will go. The space between the walls where the shelves will go is what you need to measure to get the width. You can use this information to figure out how long your shelves should be.
The distance from the floor to the ceiling at the location where the shelves will be mounted must be measured. The required height of the shelves can then be calculated. The distance you want the shelves to protrude from the wall is the depth. You can use this information to calculate the depth of the shelves you’ll need.
Taking precise measurements will guarantee that the shelves will fit where you want them and will give you the necessary amount of storage space. In addition, if you measure the area, you’ll know what kind and how much of a supply to buy.
Choose The Materials
Select the materials for the shelves based on the weight of the items you plan to store. For heavy items, you’ll need stronger materials like wood or metal. For lighter items, you can use plastic or composite materials. Selecting the materials means deciding on the specific supplies that will be utilised to build the garage shelves.
Several considerations, including use, cost, and individual taste, will influence the choice of materials. Wood, metal, plastic, and wire are just some of the most typical materials for garage shelves. The material you use for the shelves will determine their structural integrity, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. Choose materials that will hold up under the stress of your garage and the weight of your belongings.
Purchase The Materials
Buy the shelves, brackets, and screws that you need. You may also need a drill, level, and stud finder. The term “purchase the materials” refers to the action of acquiring the supplies needed to build the garage shelves. The first step is to measure the dimensions of the shelves to determine how much of each item will be needed and then to purchase the materials from a hardware shop or internet merchant based on that information.
To get the best results for your money, invest in high-quality supplies that meet your requirements. Wooden boards or planks, metal brackets, screws or bolts, paint, and finishing supplies are some of the most frequent things you might need to acquire for garage shelving (if desired).
Locate The Studs
Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you want to install the shelves. This will help you attach the brackets securely to the wall. Finding the wooden framing behind the drywall or plaster in the garage walls is called “locating the studs.” Studs are usually placed at regular intervals, usually, 16 or 24 inches apart, and are used to give support and stability to the walls.
You can use a stud finder tool or look for visible clues like electrical outlets, light switches, or nail heads to find the studs where your garage shelves will go. Once you find the studs, you can mark them with a pencil or tape measure to make sure that your shelf brackets are securely attached to the wall. Attaching the brackets to the studs instead of just the drywall is important because this will make the shelves stronger and more stable.
Install The Brackets
Mark the location of the studs on the wall and attach the brackets to the wall using screws. Make sure the brackets are level. Installing the brackets means attaching the support brackets to the garage wall so that the shelves will stay in place. You will need a drill and either screws or bolts, depending on the type of bracket and the material of the wall, to put the brackets up. Here are the main steps for putting the brackets in place:
- Mark the location of the studs: Using a pencil or tape measure, mark the location of the studs on the garage wall where you plan to install the brackets.
- Place the bracket on the wall: Hold the bracket up to the wall at the desired height, making sure it is level, and use a pencil to mark the screw or bolt holes on the wall.
- Pre-drill the holes: Use a drill to pre-drill the screw or bolt holes into the wall at the marked locations.
- Attach the bracket to the wall: Use screws or bolts to attach the bracket to the wall, making sure to fasten it securely to the studs. Repeat this process for each bracket.
- Check the level and stability of the brackets: Once all the brackets are attached, use a level to ensure that they are all at the same height and are level. Also, test the stability of the brackets by gently pushing on them to make sure they are securely attached to the wall.
By following these procedures, you can ensure that your brackets are properly installed and will give strong and stable support for your garage shelves.
Attach The Shelves
Place the shelves on top of the brackets and secure them with screws or other fasteners. Make sure the shelves are level and evenly spaced. Shelving is considered attached once the chosen shelf material has been positioned on the brackets and secured in place. These are the broad strokes for putting up the shelves:
- Place the shelf material on the brackets: Carefully place the shelf material onto the installed brackets, making sure it is level and centred.
- Mark the placement: Use a pencil to mark the placement of the brackets on the underside of the shelf material, so that you know where to attach the screws.
- Pre-drill the screw holes: Use a drill to pre-drill the screw holes at the marked locations on the underside of the shelf material.
- Attach the shelf material to the brackets: Use screws or bolts to attach the shelf material to the brackets at the pre-drilled locations. Make sure that the screws or bolts are driven straight and flush with the shelf material to prevent wobbling.
- Test the stability of the shelves: Once all the shelves are attached, test the stability by gently pushing on them to make sure they are securely attached to the brackets and wall.
If you follow these instructions, your shelves will be securely fastened and provide a sturdy option for garage storage.
Test The Shelves
The shelves must be tested to make sure they can support the weight of the goods you intend to store. To avoid injuries or property damage from shelves that aren’t properly attached or are excessively heavy, it’s vital to test them regularly. You can make sure the shelves are secure by placing light objects on them and seeing if they move about.
The shelves and brackets should be securely connected to the wall and should not move when shaken gently. Once the shelves are secure and strong enough to support the load, they are ready for usage. If the shelves are shaky or loose, check the attachment points and tighten the brackets or move them to a more stable location.
Label The Shelves
Putting labels on shelves means identifying the items therein so that they may be quickly located without having to sift through all of them. Labelling the shelves is a simple way to make the most of your storage space and maintain order. For help with shelf labels, consider the following:
- Choose the type of label: Decide on the type of label you want to use, such as adhesive labels, magnetic labels, or chalkboard labels.
- Select the information to include: Determine what information you want to include on the label, such as the name of the item, the category of items, or any relevant details.
- Place the labels: Place the labels in a consistent location on each shelf, such as the front edge or top of the shelf.
- Use clear and readable writing: Use clear and readable writing for your labels so that they are easy to read and understand.
By following these tips, you can label your shelves effectively, making it easier to find and access your items when you need them.
Conclusion
Installing shelves in your garage can help you stay organised and make the most of the space you have for storage. By following the steps, like measuring the space, choosing the materials, finding the studs, installing the brackets, attaching the shelves, testing their stability, and labelling them, you can make an effective and efficient storage system for your garage. Whether you need to store tools, equipment, or other things, properly installed shelves can help you keep your garage clean, organised, and easy to move around in.
To know more, hop to rent a storage garage.