Garage Storage Planning

How to Measure Your Garage for a Tote Storage Rack

If your garage storage has turned into a stack of mystery bins, the fastest first step is not buying more totes. It is measuring the space where a rack can actually live.

Start with the wall or bay width

Measure the clear width where you want the rack. Watch for outlets, steps, water heaters, garage door tracks, bikes, shelves, and anything else that eats into the real usable space.

Measure your tote, not just the label

Two “27 gallon” totes can have different lids, handles, and tapered sides. Measure the widest point of the tote with the lid on. A good rack design leaves enough clearance that bins slide in and out without scraping.

Check height and reach

Ceiling height matters, but so does comfortable reach. A tall rack is great for seasonal bins, but everyday items should stay at a height you can use safely.

Leave an aisle

For Utah County garages that also need to park cars, open doors, and store bikes or yard tools, aisle clearance can matter as much as rack capacity. Measure the space with the car parked if that is how the garage is normally used.

When wheels make sense

Wheels are useful when you need to clean behind the rack, move storage seasonally, or roll the rack out to load bins. They also change the final height, so include that in your plan.

Once you have width, height, tote dimensions, and delivery notes, use the rack builder or request a quote. A few good measurements make the final build cleaner and faster.