How to Install Overhead Storage in the Garage

Are you running out of space to store items in your home? We have a great way to get stuff off your floor and out of your way! We’re going to show you how to install overhead storage in the garage!

We have a good-sized storage space under our stairs.

It’s where we store all of our seasonal decor.

More importantly, it’s our safe place if we have a tornado warning.

These days, it’s so full we have to remove stacks of boxes if we have to use it as a safe space.

It’s time to find a better way to store our Christmas trees and seasonal items!

After doing some research we discovered overhead storage!

We can’t wait to install this system and gain storage space in our home!

Here’s how we did it!

Gather

• Fleximount 3’ X 6’ overhead garage storage kit or similar kit – Amazon
• Cordless drill
• Drill bit recommended by kit to drill pilot holes
• 24” bubble level (magnetic if possible)
• Laser Level
• Ratchet set
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Stud Finder

Prep

1. Read the instructions for your kit, make sure all the parts in the part list are present and nothing is missing.
2. Back out your cars from your garage and remove any other items in the way.
3. Set up a ladder or two to be able to reach the ceiling comfortably.
4. Make sure your area is well-lit.

Hang

Pick YOUR CEILING LOCATION

Decide the proper location in your garage to hang your overhead storage based on the dimensions of your kit. Our kit was a 36-inch by-72-inch unit.

Location will depend on your kit and the following:

• How the ceiling brackets mount to the ceiling
• In what direction your ceiling joists are running
• How far apart on-center the joists are spaced.

Our brackets must be hung perpendicular or across multiple joists. We discovered our joists were also 24 inches from the center of one joist to the next.

Find And MArK YOur CEILING JOISTS

Now we must find the starting ceiling joists our first bracket will span.

Use a stud finder to help locate your joists and mark all joist locations where you are hanging your overhead storage.

Our first joist location was easy because our garage door supports were mounted into it. Our instructions called for spanning joists and hanging the vertical support from the middle of each ceiling bracket.

Place FIRST CEILING BRACKET

I measured over from the wall parallel to my bracket(as a point of reference) for both mounting screws to be lined for the first bracket parallel to the wall.

Once I had the holes marked, I used the bracket template to line up the holes with slots on the template to see how to line up the bracket across the joists.

Make marks to line up the real bracket once the holes are drilled.

Also, make a mark halfway between your screw holes. This will be the approximate place vertical support will be attached and hung down.

I used my drill and bit to drill pilot holes to recommended depth listed in the kit instructions.

Hold the real bracket up in the same place as you had the template.

Hand-start each screw into the holes enough that letting go of the bracket will not pull them out. You can now use a ratchet sized to your screws and fasten your bracket to the ceiling.

Work one screw a little and then the other until both are almost tight.

Do not tighten all the way yet to allow for adjustment.

Locate the JOISTS FOR THE SECOND BRACKET

To find the next two joists to span for the second bracket, I measured the length of my kit (72 inches) from that mark made at the center of the first bracket.

This second middle mark will be the approximate spot where the vertical support of the second bracket will hang.

So now use a stud finder to find the ceiling joist that appears before reaching your new middle mark and mark the joist location for the first screw hole.

Find the first joist beyond your new middle mark and mark the joist location for the second screw hole.

Then I used a laser level on a tripod to line up the second bracket position once the joist locations were marked. The laser was set to run the length of the first bracket straight down the center of the first bracket and through each screw head.

You could then use the template or the actual second bracket. Hold it in place and mark the exact spot for the screw holes using your joist location marks, laser line, and openings in the bracket or template.

Once the hole locations were marked, I used a laser level to check the alignment of the first bracket holes with the marks for the holes of the second bracket.

SECURE THE SECOND BRACKET TO THE CEIlING

Before drilling holes, it is best to hold up the second bracket again and check the location of your middle mark.

Then with the help of a partner measure from this point to the center mark of the first mounted bracket. That needs to match the length of our unit( 72 inches).

Once satisfied with the second bracket location, use your drill and bit to drill pilot holes and mount the second bracket.

Hand-tighten screws then use the ratchet to screw in the bracket. Again don’t completely tighten the screws all the way.

LoCATE PosITIONs FOR OPPOSITE SIDE BRACKETS

Next, we need to find the locations of the opposite side brackets.

Our unit was 36” wide so we used the laser level and tape measure to find and mark screw locations for the brackets across from the first two brackets.

Measure 36 inches from the outside edge of the first bracket. Make a mark 36 inches out from each screw.

Line up the laser level with the first screw of the already attached bracket.

Hold the new bracket up on the ceiling and line up with your marks then mark the screw hole location where the laser level crosses the bracket. Do this for the second screw also.

Use your stud finder to double-check that your screw hole marks align with the joist. If not then your laser level could be off.

Move your screw hole marks if necessary so that they hit the center of your ceiling joists.

It is best to have one person hold the new bracket in position over the marked holes and then measure from the outside edge of the new bracket to the outside edge of the already mounted bracket across from it.

Verify it is the proper distance apart. In our case, that measure should be 36 inches.

Repeat the same procedure to position and mount your second bracket to the ceiling.

ASSEMBLE VERTICAL SUPPORTS

For our kit, the vertical supports were made of two pieces.

One slides into the other and is then secured with two bolts. This allows you to hang your storage from 22 inches to 40 inches down from the ceiling bracket.

We decided to hang them 24 inches down from the ceiling.

Our kit came with an Allen wrench/socket wrench to tighten the nuts and bolts. We also used a ratchet when possible.

Assemble all four vertical supports with nuts and bolts and set them all to the same height. Please tighten these completely.

HANG THE VERTICAL SUPPORTS

Find the center of each mounted bracket and attach the vertical supports per your kit instructions with nuts and bolts provided.

Do not tighten the bolts entirely yet.

ASSEMBLE the WIRE GRIDS

Now assemble the shelf wire grids per your kit instructions.

First, we used nuts and bolts to fasten the internal sides of all three grids together. Tighten all bolts with the included Allen wrench.

Next, we attached the side supports that bind the grids together into one solid shelf.

Lift the WIRE GRID SHELF INTO PlACE

Once assembled, we used short bungy cords to lift and suspend the shelf from one set of vertical supports.

We lifted the opposite end and attached it to the vertical brackets with bolts and nuts.

With one end secured, we can remove the bungy and lift the opposite end into place. Secure it with bolts and nuts.

LEVEL anD TIGHTEN UP ALL CONNECTIONS

Next, take a level and check the vertical supports are hanging straight down. Adjust as needed and tighten the bolts attached to the wire grid shelf and the bolts attached to the ceiling brackets.  Do this for all four vertical supports.

This was easier because my 24-inch bubble level was magnetic. I could just stick it to the side of the vertical support and then adjust and tighten the bolts without holding the level.

Make one last pass and tighten firmly all bolts that don’t feel snug.

Now you are done and ready to store items on your new overhead garage storage unit.

Now we have one more kit to install, and then it’s time to clean out the space under the stairs!

Installing overhead garage storage is a great way to gain storage space in your home!

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

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More Garage storage and organizing Inspiration

If you need to clean up your garage or find a way to store more items, check out these posts:

• Get Organized with Nine Excellent Garage Storage Solutions
• How to Install a Flow Wall System in Your Garage
• How to Organize and Maintain Tools in Your Garage
• Easy Way to Organize Your Garage Into Zones
• How to Update Garage Entryway Stairs

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