Clutter all over the garage, hardly any space to move around, or get anything productive done in the garage can be really annoying. We get it.
One of the best ways to organize your garage is by using a drop down garage ceiling storage. It’s such a simple invention, and yet it’s still one of the most beneficial ones.
Whether you’re a fan of systems with a pulley or sliding mechanisms, you’re in the right place. Down below, we’ll show you how to find the best drop down garage ceiling storage systems and also show you the picks we’d gladly use in your garage.
Best Drop Down Garage Ceiling Storage
Sometimes it’s not about how many things you have but how you store them. On the other hand, it’s never a bad idea to have a little bit more storage, right? That’s why we’re a big fan of ceiling storage, which creates storage the moment you install it. Here are some of the best ceiling storage systems.
-
PROSLAT Garage Gator Lift Rack
This garage gator eliminates your ladder and can help you store up to 220 lb. overhead (including the platform). If carrying heavy boxes or trying to store them in the attic is an ongoing problem, PROSLAT makes the right choice.
The platform weighs only 50 lb., so you can load up to 170 lb., which allows you to store a variety of things.
PROSLAT can handle boxes, bins, coolers, decorations, and anything else that fits the dimensions and weight. Once you load everything on the platform, all it takes is a press of a button to move all your storage up and off the floor.
We’ve seen plenty of “creative” storage approaches, and some of them included lawn chairs, tools, heavy-duty equipment, lawn mowers, and other seasonal items.
The platform is 3 ft. wide, 6 ft. long, and it can lift 12 ft. in height. With a lifting speed of 30 ft./min, it quickly reaches its limit of 12 ft. in lift height in less than 30 seconds.
Hiding seasonal items or items that keep cluttering your garage has never been easier, right?
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s a smaller platform of 3” x 6” if this one is too big for your garage or storage needs.
Click Here for the Price of the PROSLAT Garage Gator!
-
PROSLAT Garage Bicycle Gator
Do you feel that bicycles take up a lot of space in your garage, taking valuable space you could use better?
One or two bikes might not be a lot, but if you’re dealing with 4+ bikes, this garage bicycle gator might be a good option for you.
PROSLAT garage bicycle gator helps maximize your floor space, thanks to its heavy lifting ability, to make garage organization much easier. We and our customers are big fans of this exact garage gator because it can handle up to 8 bicycles (or 220 lb. of your gear).
Being easy to install and even easier to use, there’s no doubt you’ll start loving your garage and organization much more. While the installation is easy, if you prefer having someone else install it for you, that’s also an option with the purchase since we’ve partnered with Assembly Help to ensure installation is never an issue.
Of course, if you don’t own 8 bicycles, you can store golf bags and any other sports equipment that safely fits in the gator.
With 8 storage hooks and a key lock for safety, a push-button wired controller (15 ft. long) takes care of the lift, lifting your bicycles up to 9 ft. in the air.
Click Here for the Price of the PROSLAT Garage Bicycle Gator!
-
Garage Gator Dual Power (Kayak & Canoe) Lift Storage System
Bulkiest items always take up the most space and can feel like they’re overtaking your garage much more easily than smaller items.
That’s why this garage gator with dual power is ideal for handling the bulkiest and some of the heaviest items you have in your garage. If storing outside the garage isn’t an option, this garage gator will help lift heavy equipment like kayaks and canoes to move them out of the way and clear the floor space.
Being ideal for 9 to 15 ft. ceilings and lifting items 12 ft. in height, you won’t have to worry about the overhead space, even when your bulky items are stored. For safety, this gator’s weight capacity is locked at 220 lb. It comes with a 12 ft. strap and 2 motors that are controlled with a touch of a button using a remote controller, which is 15 ft. long.
Click Here for the Price of the Garage Gator Dual Power!
-
PROSLAT Garage Gator (Water & Snow Sport) Lift Kit
Storing seasonal equipment can take a lot of effort. No matter how well you store it in your garage, it’s as if it always feels like it’s taking up more space than it should.
Owning quality water and snow sports equipment is much better and cheaper than renting it, so the most ideal solution in this situation is this exact gator lift kit.
This PROSLAT garage gator lift kit is customized for storing sports equipment, so it includes 8 storage hooks, a 9 ft. lift hook bar, 12 accessory bars, and 4 vertical supports.
The gator lift kit can handle up to 220 lb., ensuring you can easily fit a canoe, 3 pairs of skis, and the following equipment. You can also store paddleboards, snowboards, and more.
All the necessary installation hardware is included, and the installation process is fairly simple. However, if you prefer having someone install this lift kit in your garage, you’re in luck. We’ve partnered with Assembly Help for this exact reason, which is available to you at the point of purchase.
Click Here for the Price of the PROSLAT Garage Gator Lift Kit!
-
PROSLAT Roof Lift Kit
Having a Jeep and a removable roof is amazing, until you have to take it on and off or store it in your garage.
That’s exactly why PROSLAT made this roof lift kit, which helps not only store the roof out of the way when you’re not having it attached to your vehicle, but it also helps with the installation/removal of the roof.
It’s important to mention that this roof lift kit is ideal for all types of roofs and is versatile thanks to straps and hardware that make lifting smooth and easy.
Click Here for the Price of the PROSLAT Roof Lift Kit!
How to Choose the Drop Down Ceiling Storage
When choosing the best drop down garage ceiling storage system, it’s important to consider a few factors that depend on your needs and your garage.
These factors include:
-
Your storage needs
-
Your garage’s structure
-
Weight and space requirements
-
Selection of the right model
Your Storage Needs
While most of these gator lifts are versatile, some are customized to come with accessories and hardware that help accommodate specific storage needs of bulky or heavy items, as well as specific sports equipment.
Therefore, even before selecting the right drop down ceiling storage system, it’s important to determine your storage needs.
What is it that’s taking up too much space in your garage and that’s constantly being in your way? Answering this question should help many people understand specific storage issues they need help solving.
Some of you will know right away, while others might want to go for a safer option and get versatile lift systems, as your storage needs might change over time.
Your Garage’s Structure
When you know what storage issues are bothering you the most and what you would like to lift up, it’s time to pay attention to your garage’s structure.
This is important because most gator lift systems are designed to mount to joists that are 16 or 24 inches apart. If you’re not sure, we highly recommend locating your joists using a stud finder. This will be crucial for the selection process, as well as the weight and space requirements.
You’ll also need 3 ft. of space from the nearest walls to mount the system, and not in the way of any obstructions that could prevent it from properly lifting your items.
Weight and Space Requirements
Quality storage lifting systems can handle loads up to 220 lb. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the platform-type systems usually weigh about 50 lb, so lifting systems with a platform allow you to store up to 170 lb. of storage.
With different types of storage lift systems, you should also consider the size of the items you’d like to lift and store. If you have smaller items, going for a gator lift system with a platform is the best way to ensure you don’t have to worry about additional accessories and hardware.
Selection of the Right Model
When you know the key factors that will help ensure you have enough space in your garage, the correct joist distance, and the items you’d be storing, only then can you start browsing the systems.
Platform lifts are ideal for sorting all sorts of items, ranging from the smallest to medium or medium/big items.
However, if you have specific bulky items such as sports equipment you’d like to store, finding a customized storage lift system that already comes with necessary hooks, straps, and additional accessories is the best choice.
Can You Install Hidden Ceiling Storage Systems In a Garage?
Hidden ceiling storage systems are ideal for homes where climbing to the attic is difficult, and yet you want to take advantage of all the available storage space up there.
However, these systems are not suitable for all garages. If your garage is a part of the home and you have an extra space above the garage area where the space can be used for storage, you might be in luck. In this case, it might make sense to take advantage of the garage to easily lift up items and store them safely in the area above the garage.
If your garage isn’t attached to your home and you don’t have an extra room (area) above the garage, drop down ceiling storage systems might be your best option. While they won’t be hidden, you’ll still get to clear the garage space and take advantage of the full floor space.
However, if your garage is high, lowering the ceiling to achieve a space where you can install a hidden garage ceiling storage is not a bad option. You’d still rely on the retractable storage rack platform that’s remotely controlled, and the only difference is that the stored items would be out of the place and the platform would be almost unnoticeable as a part of the lowered ceiling.
If you can’t hide everything in your garage, combining tall cabinets, upper and lower cabinetry, and drawers might do wonders. Anything must be better than not having any sort of storage organization.
Conclusion
Drop down garage ceiling storage can fit almost every garage, as long as there’s space and there’s a way to install the hardware properly without any safety issues.
While retractable storage racks and platforms are still visible in the garage, you’ll free up all of the space that would usually be crowded with bicycles, sports equipment, and other items and accessories.
With plenty of options, you can choose a system that comes with a platform so you can store as many different items and equipment as you like, or go with customized systems that come with accessories, hooks, and straps for specific types of usually large and bulky items.
What is your garage like, and what type of a drop down garage ceiling storage would work best for you?
If you need help choosing the right storage system or if you have any questions, please leave a comment below!
