What Size Garage Storage Cabinets Do You Need?

Start with what you need to store

Size follows contents. A cabinet that is too small ends up with bins stacked in front of it. One that is too big eats floor space you may need for a car, a bike or a workbench.

Before you look at any dimensions, sort your gear into rough groups. This tells you how much shelf space, how tall the shelves must be and how much weight each shelf will carry.

• Long items such as rakes, shovels and pipe need tall, open space or a wall rack instead of a cabinet.
• Paint cans, chemicals and fertilizer need sturdy shelves and a door that locks, especially around kids and pets.
• Hand tools and power tool cases need moderate depth and a decent shelf rating.
• Seasonal bins need standard-height shelves, ideally adjustable ones, so the bins fit without wasted gaps.
• Small parts and hardware are better on a pegboard or in drawers than on deep shelves.

Width: match it to your wall, not your wish list

Width is the easiest size to plan because you can measure it exactly. Lay out the wall you want to use, and subtract any space taken by outlets, a water heater, a breaker panel or a door. A cabinet should never block a panel or shutoff.

Among the models on our best garage storage cabinets page, widths run from 25.59 in to 130 in. The small end suits a single narrow gap. The large end is a multi-piece wall system.

For a single freestanding cabinet, 31 to 36 inches is a common middle ground. It holds a good amount without needing a full wall. If you have more space, two cabinets side by side are often easier to move and assemble than one very wide unit.

Height: use the wall, but watch the ceiling

Tall cabinets use vertical space well. Many popular models are about 72 to 75 inches high, which keeps the top shelf within reach for most adults while leaving room above.

Measure your ceiling height, and check for garage door tracks, openers, lights and rafters. A cabinet that fits the room can still hit a track or a light fixture once it is assembled and set on adjustable feet.

Also think about reach. If you cannot comfortably get to the top shelf, use it for light, rarely used items. Keep heavy things between knee and chest height. Use a stable step stool for the top shelf, never a chair or a bucket.

Depth: the number that affects your car

Depth is where garage cabinets cause the most trouble. Every inch of depth comes out of the space beside your vehicle. Cabinets in our comparison range from about 13.78 in deep up to 19 in for the large set, and a 20 in model sits at the roomy end.

As a rule of thumb, 15 to 18 inches deep works for most tools and bins. Go deeper only if you store bulky items and have plenty of clearance. Very deep shelves also make it easy to lose things at the back.

To check your clearance, park the car where you normally do. Open the driver and passenger doors fully. Measure the gap between the open door edge and the wall. The cabinet, plus the room you need to walk past, should fit inside that gap.

Real size examples from published specs

The table below uses numbers from the product data on our comparison page. It shows how different cabinet sizes line up. Sizes are as published, and we have not measured them ourselves.

Shelf ratings are per shelf where the listing gives one. A blank means the specs do not list it.

Measure before you buy: a quick checklist

A few minutes with a tape measure prevents most sizing mistakes. Write each number down, and compare it with the cabinet's listed width, depth and height, plus a little extra for doors and feet.

Door swing matters as much as the footprint. The Yizosh doors open 180°, which helps in tight spots, but most doors still need clear space in front. A cabinet that fits on the wall but cannot open fully is hard to use.

• Measure the wall width and subtract outlets, panels and doorways.
• Measure the ceiling height at the exact spot, checking for tracks and lights.
• Measure how far your open car doors reach from the wall.
• Check the cabinet's door swing and leave room for it to open.
• Allow a few inches of slack for leveling feet and uneven floors.
• Plan a clear path to carry the boxed parts in and room to assemble the cabinet.

Rolling cabinets, wall mounting and safety

If you want a cabinet you can move, look for casters. Remember that wheels add a little height, and a loaded rolling cabinet is heavy. Among the models we list, cabinet weights such as 75 lb and 80 lb are published for the rolling units, and that is before you load them.

A tall cabinet can tip, especially with heavy items on the upper shelves. Wall mounting is a good habit for tall cabinets, so pick one with pre-drilled mounting holes where you can. Anchor into studs or use hardware rated for your wall type, and follow the maker's instructions.

Load the heaviest items low, and keep each shelf under its rating. Store paint, fuel and chemicals according to their labels, away from heat sources and water heaters. Wear gloves and eye protection when you cut cardboard, drill into walls or assemble sharp-edged steel panels. If you drill near wiring or pipes, check the wall first. Get a second person to help lift tall panels.

When you are ready to compare specific sizes and features, our garage storage cabinet comparison puts the dimensions, shelf ratings and mounting options on one sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 72 inch cabinet too tall for a standard garage?

Usually not, since many garage ceilings are well above that. Still, check for door tracks, openers and lights near where you plan to place it, and measure the actual spot.

Can I put two narrow cabinets instead of one wide one?

Yes. Two smaller units are easier to carry and assemble, and you can place them around obstacles like outlets or a doorway. Just leave room for each door to swing open.

Do I need to leave a gap between the cabinet and the wall?

Not unless you want to. If you plan to wall mount, the cabinet should sit flat against the wall so the pre-drilled holes line up. Leave a small gap only if you must clear a baseboard or an uneven surface.

Should shelf size or shelf strength come first?

Think about both. Choose a size that fits your space, then pick a shelf rating comfortably above your heaviest load, since tools and paint add up quickly.