How to Organize Gear with Overhead Storage

A well-built overhead storage system can free up space in your garage, shed, or storage closets. (Fleximounts/)

Where and how to store equipment is an issue that all sportsmen face at some point or another. Too many toys with not enough room can lead to disheveled mounds of recreational gear and clothing and difficulty finding what you need when you need it. You don’t have to go all Marie Kondo to get organized. But a little tidying up can go a long way, and overhead storage racks are the perfect accessory to help get your sporting house in order.

Conserve Floor Space

A solid overhead rack can hold anywhere from 200 to 600 pounds. (MonsterRax/)

By tapping into the ceiling joists or roof rafters of your garage or basement, drop-down storage racks offer a perfect solution to getting gear off the floor. Made of steel, they normally hold anywhere from 200 to 600 pounds or more, depending on the size of the unit and the number of joist connections.

Bin Storage

Install your overhead storage before you buy bins so you know how large and how many you can fit. (HyLoft/)

Overhead storage racks are perfect for making the most of commercial storage bins. Just make sure you have enough drop on the vertical members to accommodate whatever bins you are using. Overhead storage racks usually have a mesh or wire-rack bottom, from which you can suspend other items, such as bicycles, tools, or lawn equipment.

Adjustable Height

Consider a rack with adjustable legs if you’re mounting it on a sloped ceiling. (Amazon/)

Adjustable struts are important not only for customizing the height at which you want to store items, but also for mounting on sloped rafters, where one set of struts has to be longer than the other.