For large plastic totes in a garage, pick a shelf that's deeper than your tote's lid and rated for the combined weight of every tote you'll put on one level. The HOMEDANT extra-deep heavy duty shelf, at 24.1 inches deep and 47.7 inches wide, suits big totes best. The compact HOMEDANT HOUSE shelf fits smaller bins in tight spots.
What should you measure before buying?
Measure the totes first, not the wall. Shelf specs only help once you know what's going on them.
- Lid footprint. Measure front to back and side to side across the widest point, including handles and the lid lip. A tote deeper than the shelf hangs off the front edge, where it catches car doors and bike handlebars.
- Height with the lid on. Compare it to the clearance between shelves shown on the product page, and leave a little room so you can tip the tote out without scraping the shelf above.
- Packed weight. Stand on a bathroom scale holding one full tote, then subtract your own weight. Multiply by the number of totes you plan to set on one shelf, and keep that figure under the per-shelf rating.
- Totes across. If you want two side by side, add their widths together and check the sum against the shelf width.
Explore the products
Which shelf handles big, heavy totes?
The extra-deep heavy duty shelf (SS126018Z-5W) is the one built for this job. Its depth gives a large tote a full landing, and its width leaves room to line totes up side by side, depending on what your measurements show.
As shipped, the extra-deep heavy duty shelf holds up to 176 lb per shelf and 880 lb in total. If your scale check comes out higher than that for a single level, HOMEDANT's optional LiftBeam reinforcement bars (sold separately) are the fix. One LiftBeam installed under a shelf raises that shelf to 551 lb, and two LiftBeams under the same shelf raise it to 771 lb. With one LiftBeam installed under every shelf, HOMEDANT lists the whole unit at 2,755 lb total.
There are tradeoffs. The unit stands 71.3 inches tall, so the top level is better for light, rarely used totes than for anything you'd strain to lift overhead. The white frame has visible post holes, which reads as utilitarian. And that depth costs floor space, so measure from the wall to where your car door swings before you commit.
When the compact HOMEDANT HOUSE shelf makes sense
The HOMEDANT HOUSE 5-tier standing shelf is for narrow wall sections, like the strip beside the door into the house. It comes in black or white, with the post holes hidden for a cleaner look. The HOMEDANT HOUSE shelf holds up to 264 lb per shelf and 1,320 lb in total.
That per-shelf rating is higher than the deep unit's base rating, but the footprint is the limit. At 16.5 inches deep, it will leave a large tote overhanging if your lid measured deeper than that. Plan on one smaller tote or bin per level.
| Spec | Extra-deep heavy duty shelf | HOMEDANT HOUSE shelf |
|---|---|---|
| W x D x H (in) | 47.7 x 24.1 x 71.3 | 24.4 x 16.5 x 59.5 |
| Per shelf, standard | 176 lb | 264 lb |
| Total, standard | 880 lb | 1,320 lb |
| Optional LiftBeam, per shelf | 551 lb (one), 771 lb (two) | Not listed |
| Post holes | Visible | Hidden |
Frequently asked questions
Can I stack two totes on one shelf?
Only if the stacked height fits the shelf clearance and the two packed weights together stay under that shelf's rating. Put the heavier tote on the bottom.
Where should the heaviest totes go?
Use the lowest shelves. You lift less weight overhead, and the unit carries its load closer to the floor.
Do these units come with wheels?
No. Both are standing shelves, so plan a permanent spot where the totes can stay put.
