How to Choose the Right Depth of Top Tier Shelving for Your Garage

When homeowners start planning their garage shelving, the first big questions that comes up is: What depth should I choose?

At Top Tier Shelving, we offer three sizes (at the moment!): Large (34 inches deep), Medium (27 inches deep), and Small (20 inches deep). Each one is designed to hold 650 pounds per 4-ft section, so you aren't sacrificing safety or strength no matter which you choose. Soon, we'll also be introducing a new, smaller size for even the tightest spaces. Check back regularly for updates.

Every garage is different, and every garage already has the perfect solution waiting. Before we jump in, remember that the Top Tier Designers can design a perfect system for you, complete with 3D images of your garage.

Start with Your Goals for the Space

Before you pick a shelf depth, think about what you want your garage to do for you.

• Are you hoping to park both vehicles inside and never scrape frost off the windshield again? 
• Maybe you want to carve out space for a dream workshop.
• Perhaps a home gym or fitness area is your goal.
• If you have an at-home business or just too much stuff, your garage may need to transform into a complete storage and business area.

Your goals guide the best shelf depth: Deeper shelves can hold more volume, but shallower shelves have a lower profile for more open space. Ceiling height and vehicle clearance are an important part of this decision.

• Measure and record the height of the vehicle(s) that you want to park in the garage.
• Measure and record the total height of your ceiling.
• Consider the height of the people who will be moving around in the garage.

For TALL CEILINGS of 9 feet 6 inches or higher, you'll likely have plenty of clearance for our Top Tier Large Garage Storage Shelf.

For STANDARD CEILINGS of 8 feet 6 inches to 9 feet 6 inches, the Top Tier Medium Garage Storage Shelf is usually the sweet spot. It gives you lots of storage volume without crowding the car or workspace.

For LOWER CEILINGS, the Top Tier Small Garage Storage Shelf shines here. More headroom for vehicles, more breathing room for workouts or projects, and still plenty of storage.

Top Tier LARGE Garage Storage Shelf (34" Deep)

Boasting the most storage volume of any garage shelving system on the market, the Large Shelf is the king of storage (and our top-selling depth). It is designed for large storage totes, large coolers, Christmas trees and other large items that you want up and out of the way until you need it.

The best characteristic of the Top Tier Large Shelf is that it can hold large totes PERPENDICULAR to the wall. That means double the storage capacity of most other shelving systems on the market. In fact, there is no other shelf on the market that has more storage volume than the Top Tier Large. 

• Ideal for: Large totes, seasonal items, and garages that need the most storage.
• Suggested ceiling height: 9'6" or higher
• Recommended tote: Sterilite 30-gallon EZ-carry Plastic Storage Bin

Top Tier MEDIUM Garage Storage Shelf (27" Deep)

Medium is the "just right" option for many garages. It's big enough for heavy-duty totes, but it doesn't hang quite as far into the space. That balance makes it a strong choice for homeowners with standard ceiling heights of 8 or 9 feet.

One of the many great uses of the Medium Shelf is installation above a garage door. Sometimes there is limited room up there due to the height of the garage door hardware. In fact, my own garage has only 24 inches above the garage door hardware, but I can still store a tremendous amount of stuff up there with my Top Tier Medium. (I can still store standard totes perpendicular to the wall - no problem.)

Another scenario where the Medium Shelf shines is when the homeowner simply doesn't need or want the incredible volume of the Large. If you don't have as much stuff to store and want your shelving to have a lower profile, the Medium is an excellent choice. 

• Ideal for: Standard totes, standard ceiling heights, and spaces where the Large Shelf simply isn't needed.
• Suggested ceiling height: 8' to 9'6"
• Recommended tote: XL Attached Lid Tote from Milk Crates Direct

Top Tier SMALL Garage Storage Shelf (20" Deep)

Our Small shelf is proof that less depth doesn't mean that we sacrifice strength. The small shelf is perfect for garages with lower ceilings, or for areas that are not above your head. Create storage for shoes, paper towels, or bottled water next to the doorway.

My favorite use of the Top Tier Small Shelf is underneath the garage door rail. This area is often wasted in garages and it is a shame. This area is perfect for "grab-and-go" things that you use often, like herbicides, pesticides, fuel for lawn equipment, and car-washing liquids. (Additionally, I also store my miter saw and air compressor on the Top Tier Small Shelf near the garage door because I use them frequently.

Also, if you have a few large storage totes that need storage but you don't have a Top Tier Large in your garage, you can store them parallel to the wall on a Small shelf. 

• Ideal for: Commonly-used fluids and tools, shoes, and things bought in bulk like paper towels and bottled water.
• Suggested ceiling height: Lower than 8' -or- spaces in your garage that are lower than head-high.
• Recommended tote: Rectangle Milk Crate from Milk Crates Direct

Budget Considerations

Here's the honest truth: deeper shelves contain more material, so they cost more. The goal is to get the best shelves for your garage, but every garage is different and everyone's needs are different. Every Top Tier Shelving depth has the same weight capacity and lifetime warranty. That means if your ceiling height points you toward a Medium or Small Shelf, you are not missing out on quality. 

Top Tier is the smartest garage storage shelving ever made, strong and durable, and made in the USA. We put craftsmanship into every size of storage that we make. With your hard-earned money, you aren't getting an overseas-made rack or wire eyesore: You're getting the GOOD STUFF. 

Coming Soon: A New Size Option

We're excited to share that prototypes and testing are complete on a new addition to the Top Tier Shelving Co. line of products. The smaller Compact Shelf sized at 13 inches deep. It's designed for ultra-tight spaces near garage doors, above entryway doors and windows, and a few interior spaces too. 

It's not officially available yet, so check back regularly for updates. It's the next step in making Top Tier Shelving fit in every space.

The Right Shelf for Every Garage

When it comes to depth, we want you to choose what's best for your garage and your needs.

• Top Tier Large is 34 inches deep and works best with tall ceilings and big totes.
• Top Tier Medium is 27 inches deep and works best with 8' to 9'6" ceilings and standard totes.
• Top Tier Small is 20 inches deep and is excellent for lower ceilings or places where shelving is needed at lower than head-high.
• The soon-coming Top Tier Small will be 13 inches deep and is meant for interior spaces and the tightest spots in your garage.

Every Top Tier Shelf is made in America from Aerospace Aluminum, built to hold 650 pounds per 4-ft section, and backed by our incredible Lifetime Warranty. 

If you are ready to reclaim your garage with the smartest garage storage shelving ever made, contact us for FREE 3D drawings and designs RIGHT NOW.