The Shelf-Help Guide: Measuring Your Space for Top Tier Shelving

This page provides a step-by-step guide for measuring your space for Top Tier Shelving. A tape measure is required and a stud finder would be very helpful. Remember: If you need help, Top Tier Shelving Customer Service would love to help. You can also use the Top Tier Designers to get you a free 3D design for your garage.

Another FREE gift is this PDF Shelf-Help Measuring Sheet. Download, print, and use it to record your measurements!

Video (coming soon!)

Shelf Help Guide form Top Tier Storage is the starting point that you need know what you need to clean your garage

What is your starting point?

Every garage tells a story. Some are a blank slate - freshly built, recently purchased, or just cleaned out. Others are a little more...lived in. Whether you are staring at empty walls or navigating around piles of holiday bins and other stuff, set some goals about what you want to store and where.

If your garage is empty or nearly empty...

You are in the best possible position. It's easy to measure, plan, and install shelving that meets your needs now and in the future. It's time for you to now set your goals.

If your garage is cluttered or full...

That's okay - and Top Tier Shelving is here to help. Many people come to us when they've had enough of tripping over stuff or wasting weekends digging through plastic tubs.

1. Start by clearing out one section of floor near where you suspect your first shelf will go.

2. Group and organize items into what you want to keep, toss, or donate. (Go ahead and toss your "toss" items. Don't let them sit around or get moved several times. Some for donate items.)

3. Consider your goals for the entire garage, but don't get "analysis paralysis". Start with one section - one goal that we can accomplish.

How to Measure Your Garage Wall

Grab a Pencil and a Piece of Paper (or your phone)

You will need a way of quickly recording these measurements. If you like, you could even do a quick sketch of the floorpan of your garage. It doesn't have to be perfect (or even proportional).

You can be as precise as you like, but rounding to the nearest 1/2 inch is sufficient for the majority of designs.

Ceiling Height

Measure from the floor to the ceiling. Most garages have floors that slope downward from the back wall toward the garage door. We recommend measuring the ceiling height at the back wall of the garage and at only one place.

Record that measurement.

Wall Length

Measure the horizontal length of each wall where you might need shelving AND where you might not. You may be starting in a corner or in the middle of a wall. Look out for obstacles like windows, doors, water heaters, and garage door rails. Measure those obstacles as well.

Pro Tip: When it comes to doors and windows, it's not generally desirable to install shelving directly next to them. Trim moulding may hinder your access to the stud, but most people don't want a shelf right there when you open a door.

Another Pro Tip: If you are planning a corner shelf, measure from the actual corner along each wall. Later, we will need to take into account which way to turn a corner and the depth of the shelf.

Above the Garage Door

Find the item in your garage that is highest above the garage door. In most cases, it is the bracket and drive chain that pull your garage door up and down.

If the motor for your garage door is mounted on the side, the spring bar may be the highest item.

Either way, measure the distance from the top of that item to the ceiling. This is the limit of the vertical clearance available there and could impact your decision on which shelf size to install.

Know the BASICS of Top Tier Shelving's Products

  • Top Tier Shelving Co. Large Garage Storage Shelf Dimensions Depth and Height Vertical

    Large

    The flagship product offering more storage volume than any other shelf on the market. Store large totes perpendicular to the wall.

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  • Top Tier Medium Garage Storage Shelf Dimensions depth and vertical height

    Medium

    Perfect for shelving in garages with lower ceilings or if you simple don't need the large.

    View Product 
  • Top Tier Shelving Small garage storage shelf dimensions

    Small

    Shelves that are lower than head height, regularly used items, and very low ceilings are the perfect scenarios for the Small shelf.

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Shelf Depths and Corners

There are FOUR Top Tier Shelving sizes:

Large: 34 inch shelf depth and 26-1/8 inch vertical.

Medium: 27 inch shelf depth and 20-1/4 inch vertical.

Small: 20 inch shelf depth and 14-3/8 inch vertical.

Compact: 13 inch shelf depth and 8-1/2 inch vertical.

All Top Tier Shelving depths are sold in lengths of 4 feet. Whatever your measurement, remember to round to the nearest 4-ft increment.

Consider the Corners

Corners are the most efficient places for Top Tier Shelving. Remember to measure both walls, then account for the shelf depth along one of those walls.

For example, if you have an 8-ft wall and a 7-ft wall: Install the 8-ft shelf on the 8-ft wall, then subtract the shelf depth from 7 feet. In the picture shown here, it is a LARGE with a depth of 34 inches. 7 feet minus 34 inches is 4-ft and 2-inches. perfect for a 4-ft extension. Read more about corners below.

More on Corners
How to choose which top tier shelving is right for your garage storage solutions

Review, Ask Questions, and Order

Now that you have planned where you would like to put Top Tier Shelving, review your plan one last time. Ask questions (we love to help) by calling or texting (919) 624-8525 -or- email us at designers@toptiershelving.com.

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