Vehicles are best kept in garages. However, most garages seem to be more like storage sheds than places to keep cars.
Having children guarantees that you will amass a great deal of "stuff," much of which will either not fit in your house or will be stored in the garage because of its size or lack of designated storage space.
I mean, there's certainly nothing wrong with utilising your garage for such purposes.
The problem is that it's all too easy for garages to become disorganised hoards of random items in the process of getting rid of them, so they fill up much more quickly than they should, and you can never find what you need there quickly.
There is strong demand for houses that have garages.
Realtor.com found that garages, along with larger homes, quieter neighbourhoods, and large backyards, are some of the most desired features for homes sold in 2021.
If a spacious garage is an important feature when looking for a new home, planning ahead can help you make the most of the space you have.
All too often, a car can no longer fit in the garage, and other items become inaccessible due to the accumulation of clutter over time.
But with some easy measures and storage options, you can keep your garage from becoming a dumping ground.
Storage or parking?
Numerous families make use of garages as a dumping ground for unused items.
Your second-biggest investment (after your house) is probably just sitting in your driveway or, worse, blocking traffic.
The paint job on your car could suffer if you left it out in the elements for an extended period of time.
Also, leaving it in the driveway or on the street makes it more vulnerable to theft.
Not only are you wasting space in your home by not putting your car in the garage, but you're also wasting money.
Garage storage wars
A car is the most vital thing you could possibly keep in your garage.
Several of the following are commonly found in the garages of people living in the same area as the sample garages:
- Containers for trash and recyclables
- bicycles, sports gear, seasonal tyres, and other items that didn't sell at the last garage sale.
- items that have been neglected for years (like a broken artificial Christmas tree) gardening equipment that hasn't been used in years
- things that can't be stored in the house's primary refrigerator or freezer but are still kept cold (and some stuff that is)
- a set of picnic baskets and a tent
Garage Storage Tips to Maximize Space
Declutter the space
As a first step in your do-it-yourself garage storage project, get rid of anything you won't be using or needing.
The hockey equipment should be donated if the kids have stopped playing.
It's time to give that old lawnmower away or drop it off at the recycling centre if you haven't worked on it in the last year.
Consider hiring a private removal service if you have a lot of trash but no room in your dumpster.
A large canvas bag can be purchased from a hardware store, then used to collect trash until a scheduled pickup time is reached.
However, for a small fee, services like these make it easy to clean out your garage.
Install a pegboard
A pegboard can serve as a variety of purposes, making it one of the most adaptable options for garage organisation.
A pegboard mounted to the wall provides a convenient location for storing and displaying a wide variety of hand tools and other small devices.
Invest in some wire brackets to hold your essential tools in place and a few pegboard-compatible baskets to store your tools in.
Perfect for keeping small items like nails and glue bottles in order.
Add a folding table
Garage space can be limited when a car and a motorcycle need to be stored there.
When you're not at work, where do you typically hang out?
Make a foldable table that can be stored away easily.
The table's legs can be folded under, and the whole thing can be folded up against the wall of the garage when it's not in use.
Hang cans of spray paint
A hanging shoe organiser from a department store is perfect for storing spray paint in the garage, especially if you have a lot of it.
Utilize the space above your garage doors
The area above carport entrances is typically wasted.
As part of your do-it-yourself garage storage plan, think about installing wire shelves that attach to the ceiling.
GarageSmart® Storage Cabinets, Draws, & Work Benches are the perfect way to organize your garage! With GarageSmart®, you’ll have plenty of storage space for all of your tools, sports equipment, and other belongings.
Another option is to construct some garage shelves yourself. Before attempting to store anything on the shelves, check to see if they are properly fastened.
Make sure the shelf will fit in the designated area by measuring the area, and stock up on sturdy tote bags in the right dimensions to fit on the shelves.
It's perfect for stowing away holiday decorations and other items you'll only need once a year.
Hang a utility rack
Tools like rakes, shovels, hoes, and brooms aren't exactly compact. Use a utility rack from a home improvement store to safely store your long-handled tools instead of leaning them against the wall, where they could cause you to take a tumble.
It is possible to purchase separate hooks and mount them in small areas, such as the space between garage doors, above a workbench, or in a hallway.
If you need more suggestions for how to clean up your garage quickly, this video has you covered.
What to Know Before Building Storage in Your Garage
DIY garage storage solutions can be dangerous if attempted without first checking the structure's load bearing capacity.
Any given garage has a maximum load that its roof and walls can withstand.
Keep in mind that joists in an older garage may only be able to support 25 pounds per square foot, while joists in a newer garage may be able to support 50 pounds per square foot.
If your garage wasn't built by you, you should ask the contractor who did or consult the plans, if you have them, to find out how much weight the roof and walls can support.
Maximizing Your Garage Storage Space In 6 Steps
Step One: Clear Out the Clutter
There is no such thing as a "standard" garage, and therefore there is no "standard" method for organising one.
If you want to get your garage in order, clearing out the clutter is a good place to start.
Make use of your driveway as a sorting zone when cleaning out your garage.
Create garage storage stations by creating piles of like items; for example, you can categorise your sports equipment, tools, fishing supplies, car cleaning products, painting supplies, and other household items into distinct piles.
Sorting your belongings into neat stacks will help you determine how much space you have and what kind of garage storage solutions you require.
Step Two: A Clean Sweep from Garage Floor to Ceiling
Your garage floor and any existing garage shelving or storage areas can be cleaned now that everything is in its proper place.
Move downward from the ceiling.
Get down on the floor after you've swept the cobwebs off the garage shelves.
A garage with an epoxy floor is easy to keep clean; just mop it or spray it down with the hose.
When organising anything in your home, a clean surface is the first and most important step.
Step Three: Think Up
When it comes to overhead garage storage, you can choose from a number of different options.
With a few 2x2s and some screws, you can create a track system in your garage for labelled Tupperware bins that slides in and out of the ceiling frame.
Garage cabinets and shelves can be built into a custom garage from floor to ceiling.
When deciding where to put things, keep in mind that less frequently used items should go on higher shelves and more frequently accessed ones should be placed lower.
Long-term storage, seasonal items, and holiday decorations are best kept on the highest shelves and in the deepest garage cabinets.
Step Four: Garage Storage Walls Save Space
One of the simplest and most practical approaches to cleaning up and organising your garage is to make use of the walls.
Garage shelving, cabinets, hooks, baskets, and more are just some of the options for personalised garage storage.
The garage wall racks can be configured in countless different configurations to best suit your needs. If you're the inventive type, you could put up a slatwall or use a foldable workbench.
Heavy-duty garage hooks are useful for storing gardening tools like rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and edgers when you're not using them.
Imagine turning that cluttered, dark space into a bright, elegant area of your home. With GarageSmart, it’s easier than you think. Our team will help you create the perfect garage renovation for your needs and budget. You won’t regret choosing us as your partner in this project!
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Garage shelves, hooks, and cabinets, along with a workbench, can bring items out of boxes and into easy reach. Dedicate an entire wall to storage.
Step Five: Quit Monkeying Around - Get The Garage Organized
Garages with Monkey Bars installed can store items safely and securely off the ground.
Monkey Bar storage systems, constructed from industrial-strength steel, are up to the task of meeting any and all of your vertical storage requirements.
You can alter the size and number of hooks or bars to meet your unique storage requirements.
A great advantage of the Monkey bar system is its adaptability, allowing you to make adjustments as your storage requirements evolve.
Step Six: Make It Work with a Custom Workbench
Any DIY enthusiast who also uses their garage for storing items and parking cars would benefit from having a custom workbench built for them.
In order to keep your most frequently used tools in one convenient location, it is advisable to have a workbench that is tailored to your garage storage system.
You can keep all of your hardware and supplies in one convenient location when you get a custom workbench that includes drawers and cabinets.
Don't be afraid to tinker, fix, and construct!
How to Clean & Maximize Your Garage
During your spring cleaning, take it to the next level by learning how to thoroughly clean and optimise your garage.
Use Your Walls
Use all that wall space to your advantage; garages typically have lots of it. Homeowners often use hooks to store larger items like garden tools, antiques, and even bicycles, while shelving units are installed for smaller items like hand tools and auto care products.
This eliminates unnecessary items and makes use of previously wasted floor space.
Wire shelving is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to organise your garage. Shelves in the garage can support a surprising amount of weight once you've secured them with strong brackets.
Shelving in the garage is a great way to keep frequently used items neatly stored and out of the way.
Garage shelving units come in a wide variety of sizes, allowing you to make the most of your storage space by putting them in previously underutilised areas.
A pegboard is another great way to put unused wall space to good use.
Since everything on the boards is in plain sight, they are perfect for keeping cords and tools neat and tidy.
You can maximise both your storage capacity and the usable space in your garage by hanging shelves and racks on the walls.
An organised garage is a more functional garage, and a garage wall storage system is a great way to make the most of your garage's vertical space.
Open Mystery Boxes
No, we're not talking about the "mystery boxes" you find in video games that contain hidden bonuses. What we really mean is that you should label each box so that you know what's inside, whether it's something you can use around the house or a priceless relic.
In this way, you can see what's inside each box and decide whether to keep it, donate it, or throw it away.
Clearly and visibly labelling each box before returning it to storage can save you a lot of time and effort during the next decluttering session.
Endurance can help you get ready to clean out your garage in the future and protect your car from costly repairs and maintenance.
There is a wide variety of auto protection plans available, so you can rest assured that your car, truck, or SUV will be safeguarded against unforeseen breakdowns and costly repairs.
To top it all off, the Advantage auto protection plan can save you up to $3,500 on necessary maintenance for your vehicle, such as oil changes, brake inspections, and more.
Look Up
Clearing Clutter in the Garage When your garage is already housing a large vehicle, like an SUV or a van, you may find that you need more vertical and horizontal space to store your belongings.
Overhead storage racks and other garage organisation systems may be worth the investment in this case.
Garage ceiling storage systems maximise the vertical space above the garage's ceiling to provide substantially more storage area.
If you have sturdy rafters or racks installed overhead, you can increase your storage capacity by a factor of two without taking up any additional room on the ground.
Even if your home doesn't have a huge attic, you can still use the space for storing seasonal decorations or camping equipment you don't use every weekend.
In general, ceiling storage is a good option for storing boxes, suitcases, and other items you need to keep but don't need to access frequently.
Consider Cabinetry
One of the best ways to make the most of your garage's storage space and wall space is to instal garage cabinets.
Tall free-standing cabinets and compact wall-mounted units are just two examples of the many garage storage cabinet layouts available.
Investing in some storage cabinets is a great way to increase the amount of space you have in your garage, give your belongings a measure of protection from the elements, and maintain a neat and tidy appearance.
Toxic materials that could endanger the safety of children or pets can be safely hidden away in cabinets.
As an added bonus, they can hide unsightly items like cord bundles and jars of nails/screws so that children and pets don't get into them.
If you don't have the time or money to invest in custom cabinetry for your garage, consider picking up some plastic bins or other stackable storage bins.
If you've recently added new cabinets and shelves to your garage, it may be time to organise a thorough garage cleanout.
Learn how to maintain your garage's fresh appearance by reading our organisation guide.
To maintain order in your garage throughout the year, you should include it in your annual "spring cleaning" routine.