What would you do for shelving/storage here?
Discussion
Over the weekend I experimented with parking the car the other way round from what I would normally do to see how much space it opens up, and it seems quite a lot.
So, the question is what would be my best option for storage/shelving/cabinets etc in this space? I don't have too much stuff that will actually need storing beyond what you can see (there are a few bits and bobs in the wooden drawers), although the recent acquisition of a Big Green Egg means I will be storing a few of the accessories in this garage space as well.
Assuming the wooden chest will be going, please do let me know any thoughts and ideas on what I could put on the walls to smarten things up a bit? I am clueless as to whether the best route is open shelves, closed cabinets, mixture of the two.....
So, the question is what would be my best option for storage/shelving/cabinets etc in this space? I don't have too much stuff that will actually need storing beyond what you can see (there are a few bits and bobs in the wooden drawers), although the recent acquisition of a Big Green Egg means I will be storing a few of the accessories in this garage space as well.
Assuming the wooden chest will be going, please do let me know any thoughts and ideas on what I could put on the walls to smarten things up a bit? I am clueless as to whether the best route is open shelves, closed cabinets, mixture of the two.....
The world is one's lobster with that kind of space. You could take out a second mortgage and fill it with bespoke garage cabinetry or pick up a used kitchen on eBay.
Personally, I'd baton with some hefty wood between the brick pillars at the right height to run a set of tall wall cabinets much of the length and then fix a pair of 3m lengths of cheap working surface to the wall using hefty hinges and then hold them horizontal with a suitable wood frame that allows easy box storage underneath the worktop but the ability to drop them flush to the wall if the need arises to have a load of working space etc.
Personally, I'd baton with some hefty wood between the brick pillars at the right height to run a set of tall wall cabinets much of the length and then fix a pair of 3m lengths of cheap working surface to the wall using hefty hinges and then hold them horizontal with a suitable wood frame that allows easy box storage underneath the worktop but the ability to drop them flush to the wall if the need arises to have a load of working space etc.
Doofus said:
If you don't need a workbench, then open shelves (Clarke/Big Dug etc). A concern with cabinets is the space needed to open doors etc. OK for eye level stuff, less so at floor level.
Agree and cabinets above eye level are a danger if you leave the door open - have the wounds/scars to prove. However, cabinets with doors keep stuff cleaner, open shelves mean things collect dust and things can fall off damaging whatever is below (Expensive cars and paintwork.I like twin slot shelving.
The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
Keep the floor clear, DIY some high level cantilever shelf, made to measure for whatever clear storage boxes you desire.
I got some beefy Whelan racking from Costco, biggest mistake I made with my garage I think. Brilliant for storage, but takes too much out of the length of the garage, and if I turned it 90 degrees it would take up too much width.
No idea what I'd do with all the stuff that's on there, and one of the selves doubles up as a workbench (when it's not used as a dumping ground).
I got some beefy Whelan racking from Costco, biggest mistake I made with my garage I think. Brilliant for storage, but takes too much out of the length of the garage, and if I turned it 90 degrees it would take up too much width.
No idea what I'd do with all the stuff that's on there, and one of the selves doubles up as a workbench (when it's not used as a dumping ground).
Chipstick said:
I like twin slot shelving.
The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
I was going to say this; maximum flexibility with minimum cost. 5 minute trip to B&Q has the whole thing rearranged.The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
Dr G said:
Chipstick said:
I like twin slot shelving.
The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
I was going to say this; maximum flexibility with minimum cost. 5 minute trip to B&Q has the whole thing rearranged.The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
https://www.diy.com/departments/songmics-shelving-...
UTH said:
Dr G said:
Chipstick said:
I like twin slot shelving.
The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
I was going to say this; maximum flexibility with minimum cost. 5 minute trip to B&Q has the whole thing rearranged.The beauty of it's design is that you can move shelves around as you begin to find what you wish to store there. Brackets vary in length so you can have a mix of deep and narrow shelves.
It's cheap too. Dearest part of it is whatever you choose to use for the shelves themselves.
https://www.diy.com/departments/songmics-shelving-...
As me how I know.
Strangely Brown said:
Do not be fooled into thinking that the 4mm MDF shelves provided will hold any weight. In very short order you will notice that they have sagged rather a lot and are no longer "flat". You will then find yourself replacing them with something more substantial.
As me how I know.
Certainly very prone to moisture. I have a room behind the garage racked out with this stuff and it's fine but in between house moves they spent a year in a shipping container and all the boards warped a bit. As me how I know.
If using in an actual garage then I'd aim to replace the mdf exactly as you suggest.
Ok good to know. TBH I hadn't even thought of free standing units like this, certainly saves trying to drill things into the walls etc.
When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
UTH said:
Ok good to know. TBH I hadn't even thought of free standing units like this, certainly saves trying to drill things into the walls etc.
When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
The clip-together shelves are generally ok because the mdf is supported along all four sides. If they get wet, they will swell, though.When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
Replace as necessary with OSB or ply.
Strangely Brown said:
UTH said:
Do not be fooled into thinking that the 4mm MDF shelves provided will hold any weight. In very short order you will notice that they have sagged rather a lot and are no longer "flat". You will then find yourself replacing them with something more substantial.As me how I know.
DonkeyApple said:
Strangely Brown said:
Do not be fooled into thinking that the 4mm MDF shelves provided will hold any weight. In very short order you will notice that they have sagged rather a lot and are no longer "flat". You will then find yourself replacing them with something more substantial.
As me how I know.
Certainly very prone to moisture. I have a room behind the garage racked out with this stuff and it's fine but in between house moves they spent a year in a shipping container and all the boards warped a bit. As me how I know.
If using in an actual garage then I'd aim to replace the mdf exactly as you suggest.
As above though some taller kitchen cabinets at high level for storage with some hinged pieces of kitchen worktop to make workbenches that can be folded into the wall for space when not in use.
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
Indeed, I replaced mine with 18mm chipboard as I had several pieces left after doing the loft - normally I would use 12/18mm ply or OSB.
As above though some taller kitchen cabinets at high level for storage with some hinged pieces of kitchen worktop to make workbenches that can be folded into the wall for space when not in use.
Or a combination of a rack either side of a drop down worktop. As above though some taller kitchen cabinets at high level for storage with some hinged pieces of kitchen worktop to make workbenches that can be folded into the wall for space when not in use.
I'm a bit of a neat freak and everything on my racking is in plastic storage boxes. Works brilliantly for me.
In the garage I have some old Billy bookcases as these are ideal for all the car bits and the doors keep the mice and dust out. Plus some of that plastic racking which is bases with tubes that can be built to any height. These are great for storing liquids and grubby stuff.
UTH said:
No, this stuff - https://www.twinslotshelving.co.uk/twin-slotNot necessarily from there, it’s available from most DIY places.
As someone else said, decent fixings required but will take a decent load fixed in to brickwork.
Whats the use of the space for, will you work on cars in it (so therefore need floor/wiggle room), or just storage?
If you want racks/freestanding shelving, just buy better units, BigDug will sell them with proper wood for the shelves.
My last garage I basically installed kitchen units with space for an additional fridge and freezer under it. Lovely big solid wood worktop to smart car parts on (and a vice) then down 1 side it was shelving like above with the last 1/2 having nothing so I could get half the car in to work on 1 corner if needed. Above the counter I put a pegboard, but it annoyed me, so wouldn't do it again.
ETA: the shelving is great for boxes (which keep dust off stuff), and lose items.
If you want racks/freestanding shelving, just buy better units, BigDug will sell them with proper wood for the shelves.
My last garage I basically installed kitchen units with space for an additional fridge and freezer under it. Lovely big solid wood worktop to smart car parts on (and a vice) then down 1 side it was shelving like above with the last 1/2 having nothing so I could get half the car in to work on 1 corner if needed. Above the counter I put a pegboard, but it annoyed me, so wouldn't do it again.
ETA: the shelving is great for boxes (which keep dust off stuff), and lose items.
UTH said:
Ok good to know. TBH I hadn't even thought of free standing units like this, certainly saves trying to drill things into the walls etc.
When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
Big Dug do a wide variety of types:When you say replace the MDF, what with? Aware that suddenly it's not quite as cheap as it looks if I'm already planning on replacing the shelves.
I don't really see myself putting much stuff on the shelves really, although perhaps those are famous last words. Wondering if the MDF the provide would do the job for my limited requirements. I guess I'm aiming for something that just tidies the area up a bit more than serious storage facilities.
https://www.bigdug.co.uk/shelving-c4505/garage-she...
The higher rated types have thicker 6.5mm MDF shelves. There's a January sale on of course.
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