Top 5 Kayak Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Finding the perfect place to store your kayak can be difficult, especially if you’re dealing with limited space. While it’s important to ensure your kayak storage solution is convenient and secure, it’s essential that you are able to maintain an organized and functional space at the same time.

In this guide, we’ll go over the top kayak storage solutions for your bulky, difficult-to-store watercraft. These kayak storage ideas are ideal for small spaces thanks to the racks’ compact designs, space-saving features, and use of out-of-the-way storage spaces.

1. Kayak Storage Hoist

The Teal Triangle Elite Kayak Pulley System is one of our top picks for space-saving storage. This innovative storage solution is designed to maximize your space by making use of one of the most overlooked storage areas: the ceiling.

This pulley system allows you to hoist your kayak to the ceiling, freeing up valuable floor space while keeping your floors clear. It’s ideal for garage storage because it eliminates the space waste of kayaks cluttering the ground level, giving you your space back for parking your car and freeing up your walkways.

Top Features

  • Overhead storage: By raising your kayak off the ground, you can take advantage of ceiling space that would otherwise go unused. This is especially beneficial for areas like garages or sheds where floor space is at a premium.
  • 2:1 mechanical advantage: Thanks to the use of the pulley system, lifting your kayak on a hoist is easier than it would be otherwise—the mechanical advantage makes it feel like you’re lifting half the weight of your kayak. For example, if you’re lifting a 100 lb kayak, you only need to use 50 lbs of force.
  • Ladder-free storage: Raise and lower your kayak with ease from ground level. With the hoist rope, there’s no need to get on a ladder when you want to get your kayak out.
  • High weight capacity: The Elite hoist system supports up to 150 lbs. This makes it ideal for kayaks of all kinds, from hefty fishing kayaks to long tandem kayaks to standard recreational kayaks.
  • Compact: The hoist itself has a small footprint. This means not only that you can raise your watercraft close to the ceiling, but also that you don’t have a large rack taking up wall or ceiling space.
  • Convenient: Although your kayak is out of the way when raised up to the ceiling, it’s also very simple to lower it again for use. With a hoist system, it’s easy and convenient to lower your kayak for an impromptu kayaking trip—and it’s just as easy to raise it up again.

The Teal Triangle Elite Kayak Pulley System is a truly compact storage system that organizes your space without taking it over. With overhead kayak storage, you regain control of your ground-level space while keeping your gear organized and accessible.

Shop the kayak hoist system.

2. Indoor-Outdoor Swivel Kayak Rack

The Swivel Kayak Rack is a weather-resistant, space-efficient kayak organizer that works just as well indoors as it does outdoors. The wall rack itself takes up minimal space, even folding down for extra space when not in use. With your kayak off the ground, it will stay in better condition for years of enjoyment—and your space won’t look half bad, either.

Top Features

  • Folding swivel design: When not in use, the Swivel Kayak Rack arms fold flat against the wall to save space. This makes it ideal for multipurpose spaces.
  • Indoor-outdoor: The rack is engineered for weather resistance. Use it in saltwater or freshwater environments knowing it’s designed to hold up against rain and rust.
  • Paddle storage: Store your paddles in the same place as your kayak. This rack does double-duty for kayak storage with the lower hooks designed for holding paddles.
  • Compatible with any stud spacing: Since the two sides of the rack are mounted independently, it works with any wall stud spacing: 16", 24", irregular spacing, and more.
  • Make storage out of unusable spaces: With the flexible mounting options, you can mount the rack in otherwise unusable spaces, like wooden deck supports.
  • Foam padding: The arms are coated in durable CR foam. This padding is weather-resistant and provides cushioning and grip to hold kayaks gently and securely.
  • Versatile use: The rack supports up to 100 lbs, making it compatible with a number of different styles of kayaks. Since you decide how far apart to mount the arms, it’s compatible with extra-long kayaks, too.

The Swivel Kayak Rack allows you to store kayaks off the ground. At ground level, it’s easy to grab your kayak and go at any time. With the added benefit of space-efficient folding arms, this rack is a perfect wall-mounted kayak storage option for people with limited space.

Shop the folding kayak rack.

3. Two-Level Freestanding Rack

The renter-friendly Teal Triangle Freestanding G-Watersport Rack allows you to store two kayaks without installing anything into your walls or ceiling. With a minimal footprint, it provides compact storage that is easily moveable for kayak organizing wherever you have available space.

Top Features

  • Freestanding design: The moveable design allows for the greatest flexibility in placement. You can put it anywhere —your garage, yard, shed, dock, beachfront, deck, and more. You can also relocate it as needed. With no installation required, your space will be free from holes from wall or ceiling mounting.
  • Adjustable levels: Tailor the height and spacing of the arms to perfectly match your kayaks. With the ability to store multiple items in a compact footprint, you can get the most out of your storage space.
  • Foam padding: The durable foam padding provides grip and cushioning for your watercraft, ensuring your kayaks are protected from damage during loading, unloading, and storage.
  • Weather-resistant: Engineered for outdoor use—put the rack anywhere indoors or outdoors knowing it’s made to withstand the elements. If you don’t have space indoors, it’s essential to have outdoor kayak storage you can trust.
  • Heavy-duty: The rack supports up to 200 lbs, providing powerful storage for all the watercraft you have, from kayaks to paddleboards. Make the most of your space by storing multiple items on one compact storage rack.

With placement completely up to you, the Teal Triangle 2-Level Freestanding Kayak Rack allows for versatile kayak storage in whatever space you have available—whether that’s indoors or outdoors.

Shop the 2-level kayak rack.

4. Two-Kayak Ceiling Rack

The Hi-Port 2 Kayak Ceiling Rack is an overhead storage solution for up to two kayaks. Take advantage of underused overhead space with a rack that can hold two bulky watercraft, giving you more space on the ground level.

Top Features

  • Make use of unused space: Free up space by storing your kayaks in the unused space on your ceiling. Depending on the layout of your garage, you may even be able to mount the ceiling rack over your garage doors, bringing function to a previously unusable space.
  • Adjustable: The vertical post is adjustable for more or less clearance under the rack. It accommodates kayaks up to 18" in height.
  • 90-degree rotational base: The part of the rack that mounts onto the ceiling can rotate 90 degrees to fit on any configuration of ceiling joists.
  • Slanted arms: Each arm has a slight slant, ensuring that kayaks aren’t able to roll off once they’re stored overhead.
  • Padding: The arms have foam padding for both cushioning and grip. Keep your kayaks in optimal condition with supports that hold them without causing damage.
  • Heavy-duty: The Hi-Port is made from strong, industrial-grade steel. The rack supports up to 150 lbs total—up to 75 lbs per side. That’s enough weight capacity to hold most types of kayaks.

Organize your garage without taking up wall space using the Hi-Port 2, capable of holding two kayaks on your ceiling. With its space-efficient overhead design, you won’t even have to think about your kayaks until you’re ready to use them.

Shop the 2-kayak ceiling rack.

5. 3-Kayak Vertical Freestanding Rack

The Triple Freestanding SUP & Kayak Rack stores your watercraft vertically, so you don’t need a ton of clear wall space to use it. In fact, with its freestanding design, you can tuck this compact rack just about anywhere.

Top Features

  • Vertical storage: The most efficient way to store kayaks—upright. Get the most storage with the least amount of space.
  • High-capacity: Store up to 3 kayaks while taking up a minimal amount of space. Whereas many other kayak racks offer horizontal storage, this Triple Freestanding Rack holds watercraft upright for optimal space efficiency. It can also hold up to 6 paddleboards.
  • Heavy-duty: The rack supports up to 250 lbs. Divided between kayaks, that means it can hold three kayaks that are around 80 lbs each. The rack itself is made from sturdy, powder-coated steel.
  • Indoor-outdoor: It’s designed for weather resistance—if you can’t find a place to store kayaks indoors, you can use this rack for outdoor kayak storage that doesn’t take over your yard.
  • Padding: Outfitted with strips of padding, this rack is designed to grip and cushion your watercraft during storage.
  • Secure straps: The rack comes with buckling straps to keep watercraft in place. With this extra security, you can be sure that your expensive water equipment won’t fall and be damaged.
  • Freestanding: No installation and no drilling needed. The freestanding design allows for flexible placement, since you don’t have to limit yourself to wall studs. It also protects your walls from damage, making it renter-friendly.

Store your kayak collection with a high-capacity storage solution that doesn’t take over your space. Indoors or outdoors, the Triple Freestanding SUP & Kayak Rack keeps your heavy gear organized yet accessible.

Shop the 3-kayak vertical freestanding rack.

Conclusion:

When you find the right space-saving kayak storage solution, your space with be transformed. Between wall-mounted, ceiling, and freestanding storage racks, StoreYourBoard has all the kayak storage options you need. The kayak rack that’s best for you depends on your space. When you find it, you can enjoy your newly tidied space knowing that your kayaks are securely stored and accessible.