GARAGE WALL ORGANIZATION BUYING GUIDE

PLANNING YOUR WALL ORGANIZATION PROJECT 

Before you begin your search for garage wall storage, you’ll want to think about your goals for organizing and different types of wall organization. Keep reading to learn more about wall organization in the garage and how to achieve your garage storage goals. 

SET AN ORGANIZATION GOAL

There can be many reasons to set up your garage with wall organization. If you’re looking to maximize your wall storage or free up floor space, wall organization can be a great idea. Or, you may like the look of displaying your tools and equipment. 

Wall organization can help efficiently store your items, keeping your gear within reach and easily accessible. This can be helpful for bulky items like wheelbarrows, long handled garden tools, sport equipment or bikes. Consider the items you need to store and if wall organization is appropriate. Smaller items may work better on shelves or in baskets that hang off wall organization. Explore the wide range of Gladiator® hooks, baskets and bins to find what works best for you. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WALL ORGANIZATION?

Types of wall organization can include slatwalls, pegboards, shelves and cabinets. You can easily customize any of these wall organization solutions to fit your storage needs.

Gladiator brand offers garage slatwall, known as GearWall® Panels, along with GearTrack® Channels, shelves and cabinets. Gladiator brand GearWall® Panels can be added to walls, with the option to hang items directly to the wall or to use accessories to hang items. GearTrack® Channels are slightly shorter than GearWall® Panels, offering select-area coverage for precise organization.

Gladiator® GearTrack® Packs are a great all-in-one kit offering a variety of storage categories, such as lawn care, bike storage and even golf storage. You can also purchase a Multipurpose GearTrack® Pack to hang multiple storage categories at once. 

Another wall storage option is to use cabinets. These can also be mounted directly to the wall, or easily hung on GearWall® Panels or GearTrack® Channels, saving valuable floor space and keeping certain items out of reach. If you’re unsure what cabinet to get, read our garage cabinet buying guide. 

If you’re looking to store items without hanging, consider using garage shelving. These can be mounted directly to the wall or placed next to the wall using storage racks. Read our shelving buying guide to discover the best shelf for your storage needs. 

GARAGE WALL ORGANIZATION ACCESSORIES

In addition to wall organization, there are a number of accessories you can add to maximize your storage. Try using hooks to hang items like tools, bikes, chairs or even fishing rods. Or, you can add baskets and bins to store small, loose items that may not otherwise have a home. Check out Gladiator® wall organization accessories to see how you can elevate your garage wall storage. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING GARAGE WALL ORGANIZATION

Now that you know the different types of garage wall organization, you’ll want to think about a few other factors. Consider how much storage you’ll need, the quality of these items, the ease of installation, how it’ll match your overall garage style and, of course, your budget. 

HOW MUCH STORAGE YOU NEED

One of the most important steps in buying wall organization is determining how much storage you’ll need. Do you want to buy enough for what you currently have stored, or do you want to add a little more to accommodate future needs? 

As previously mentioned, wall organization can be a great option for bulky items that may not have a dedicated space, such as rakes, shovels and brooms. Smaller items may make more sense on a shelf or in cabinets. However, you can always add baskets or bins to your wall organization to help round up small items. 

GARAGE WALL ORGANIZER QUALITY AND DURABILITY

Next, you’ll want to think about the quality and durability of your wall storage. Poor craftsmanship can lead to damaging the items you’re storing, so it's important to choose storage that will protect your equipment and withstand changing garage temperatures and a high weight capacity, if needed. 

Gladiator® products are designed to last in various weather conditions, with a temperature range of -30°F to 150°F. These products are tested in high humidity, salt sprays and environmental extremes to last against changing garage temperatures. For more information on how Gladiator brand tests its products, read more about it here.  

Try to choose garage wall storage that can accommodate heavy items. Certain Gladiator® GearTrack® channels, also known as slatwall, can hold up to 75 lbs. per linear foot, while certain Gladiator® shelves can hold up to 50 lbs, like this 48" Solid Shelf. You should always check the load capacity of your wall storage before using it to store items. 

SLATWALL VS PEGBOARD

Beyond weight capacity, you can also choose between slatwall or pegboard panels for your wall organization. Slatwall tends to be a popular choice due to the grooves or slats throughout that allow you to easily hang items, and usually consists of medium-density fiberboard, also known as MDF. Gladiator brand offers both four and eight foot long garage slatwall panels to help fit your garage storage needs. 

Pegboard, on the other hand, has holes instead of slats so pegs or hooks can be attached. While most pegboard panels are made of wood, there are also metal options, which can help prevent warping that may happen with wooden materials. Pegboard can often sag if overloaded with items and may be unable to accommodate items as easily as slatwall panels.

EASE OF INSTALLATION

There are a few factors to consider when installing your wall organization. If you have unfinished walls, you can try building storage directly into your wall. You can also purchase wall organization that adds onto finished walls, such as slatwall. Gladiator® GearWall® Panels can be installed to concrete walls, wood studs or to drywall. Watch this video to learn how to install GearWall® Panels in your garage.

While you can easily install most wall organization yourself, you can consider hiring a professional for the installation. Be sure to refer to your installation guide before starting construction on your wall organization. 

STYLE

Once you’ve got your materials and overall storage plan, you can start thinking about the style of your garage storage. Slatwall tends to be more popular due to its sleek, seamless appearance compared to the often outdated and disorganized look of pegboard. 

You should also consider the overall look of your garage. If you have a color or theme going, try to find wall organization that fits it. Gladiator® GearWall® Panels come in Light Gray and Smoke finishes, offering sleek variety for your walls. 

BUDGET

Think about how much you can afford to spend on garage wall storage. You should also consider that quality storage is a long-term investment. While it may be a larger cost up front, purchasing quality storage can help you save money in the future by lasting longer than less expensive counterparts.

NEXT STEPS

Wall organization is just one part of organizing your garage. Workbenches, tool storage and overhead storage are more options to help arrange your garage. Depending on what you intend to use your garage for, you can find additional ways to store items that fit your needs. Get inspiration on how to design and use your garage here.