Hasta La Ideas

Maybe you’re designing a garage for end users who wants to actually put their cars in their garages, along with all the other stuff they’re storing there. Or maybe you’d like to create a shop, but you also need storage space for non-shop items. One way to solve that problem is to create some overhead ceiling storage.

One obvious way to do that is to install some racks. The racks from Monkey Bars, hold either 500 or 750 pounds, depending on the model. The height is adjustable, so there’s a lot of flexibility regarding what gets stored, and where. There’s a 2-inch lip around the edge to help ensure things stay in place, without making it too difficult to lift a bin into place.

And as you can see with these racks from NewAge Products, users can add hooks (if vertical space allows) to create even more storage.

Not everyone is going to want to climb up on a ladder to get things down from a ceiling rack. Some people will have issues with balance; others may have heavy items which can be tricky to handle on a ladder. In such situations, a lift system might be a better approach. This is a general-purpose lift from Racor. The pulley systems lowers the rack eight feet from the ceiling; it can hold 250 pounds.

Designers have also create lifts to deal with specific items often stored in garages. For example, here’s a bicycle lift. This one can be installed on ceilings as high as 14 feet. While end-users generally agree it’s a good design, many of them have complained about the quality of the rope. It’s a good reminder to properly consider the cost-vs-quality tradeoff for a product’s components.

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