Is your garage cluttered and full of junk? Are you looking for a way to organise it but don't know where to start? Well, consider buying some garage cabinets! They can help you get organised and make more use of your space.
But before you buy, there are a few things you need to consider. Keep reading to learn more. If you're looking for things to outfit your entire garage, GarageSmart® got you covered.
How To Choose Garage Storage
Most of us have turned our old kitchen cabinets into garage storage cabinets. They may help us conceal part of the mess, but they are better suited to the harsh conditions of the garage.
Investing in the correct garage cabinets might be a long-term solution to various issues. The appropriate cabinets for your project can be found by following the six suggestions below.
Check That Your Cabinets Can Survive The Conditions In A Garage
Your garage cabinets will take a beating from the weight, moisture, and abrasive materials stored there.
Since the garage is a high-traffic area, it is essential to have storage cabinets that can withstand the elements. In the long run, the homeowner will spend more money fixing the garage because they chose the cheaper, thinner pressboard material. The recommended measurements for your cabinets are 34" thick for the carcasses and 1" for the shelves, bottoms, and tops.
If You Want Your Cabinets To Last, You Should Inspect The Backs
Companies often save expenditures and save money by not employing a backing board or using a very lightweight backing. Every expert carpenter knows, however, that a cabinet's backing bears the brunt of the load. To reduce the load capacity by even more than half, we use nailer supports and 14" inch backing that is parentage into the sides.
Find Out How Much Damage Your Cabinets Are Doing To The Planet
Homeowners and their families can benefit from the highest possible level of indoor air quality by insisting on a cabinet maker that requires Zero or Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) cabinetry for all lines.
Don't Worry; Your Cabinet Won't Rip Or Come Unattached From The Wall
Having a solid cabinet is essential, but more is needed. The second half is securing the cabinet to a wall and ensuring that it stays put so that it doesn't come crashing down and cause damage to your vehicle or, worse, you or even a family member.
Search For A Warranty That Lasts Forever
Don't settle for a warranty with small text or restricted coverage.
Things You Should Never Leave On Your Garage
- Many folks still choose to keep their paint inside the garage despite our repeated warnings against doing so, and we're not the only ones to make this recommendation. But why shouldn't one keep paint in a garage? Is it likely to explode? Will it create a new kind of mutant rodent? Maybe not, but we should verify that. It will split by becoming unusable if kept in extremely cold temperatures for an extended time. Keeping it in a garage for several years amounts to slow-motion trash disposal.
- Most people don't see a problem storing a few extra cases of canned food in the basement or attic. Canned food, after all, doesn't go bad very quickly. As a matter of fact, no. Both high temperatures (above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which many garages reach in the summer) and high humidity can cause food to rot in a can (which describes many garages in both summer and winter). The best advice from food experts is to keep canned items in a cold, dry place.
- Most families nowadays still keep boxes full of old photographs capturing pivotal moments in their history. Some of these pictures get put into albums, while others get put back into the box to be dug out on rare occasions of nostalgia. This is a huge mistake, but these crates sometimes end up in the garage. If you leave them in the car together, they'll eventually fade or stick to one another, bringing about their destruction.
- Everyone has a friend or family member with garage refrigeration experience. Because a refrigerator functions most efficiently around Fifty and Eighty degrees Fahrenheit, those who buy one typically incur astronomical energy costs to keep it operating. Any time the temperature in the garage rises or falls above or below that range, the refrigerator has to work harder to keep a constant temperature, which drives up energy costs. Using the refrigerator in this manner will also drastically reduce its lifespan. Put that second beer fridge in the cellar if you need one.
- Instruments and gadgets that use electricity When consumers upgrade their electronics, they commonly store the old devices in the garage. The expectation is that one of the family members will one day find a purpose for the old gadget. This is possible, but putting electronic items in a garage almost guarantees their demise. Store your sensitive devices somewhere that doesn't get too cold or too hot, like the garage, and you won't have any problems. They also don't like damp places like the garage.
- Under no circumstances is it acceptable to keep a propane tank inside the house, even the garage. A small crack in a gas cylinder can release enough gas into a contained environment to pose a significant risk of an explosion. Moreover, the fire could be sparked by something as simple as turning on the automobile or picking up the phone. Propane tanks must be kept outside, preferably in a ventilated, safe shed.
- Even though keeping firewood inside the garage during the winter months may seem like the pinnacle of practicality, the reality is that bugs will congregate anywhere there is wood to burn. Storing firewood in the garage invites pests into your home, including centipedes, pills bugs, spiders, carpenter ants, and termites. Firewood must always be stored in an outdoor area away from the house, on a rack or platform raised off the ground and covered with a tarp.
The garage was never meant to serve as a dumping ground. Wait to put something in there until you've checked to see if it can handle the garage's temperature and humidity levels. Only some objects will be capable of this. With GarageSmart® Storage Solutions, you can have the perfect garage for your needs without all the hassle.
Garage Storage And Cabinetry: The Do's And Don'ts
Today's garages serve as the backbone of the home, and as a result, storage space for the plethora of sporting goods, motorcycles, lawn equipment, garden tools, and children's toys is more precious than ever. Smart, well-designed storage options, such as a third garage bay, constructed shelving, or a "cram-it-all-in" strategy, are essential for homeowners looking to declutter their treasured possessions.
Learn To Recognise Problem Areas
What is the current garage layout like, and where are the bottlenecks? Do you need your garden or lawn equipment, or do you prefer to work with your hands? Explain the frequency with which each item is used, and identify which ones are utilised year-round versus sometimes. What belongs on the floor as a convenience, and what can be moved up and out of the way in cabinets or shelves? Keeping these things in mind, craft your overall design.
Space-Saving Options Should Not Be Disregarded
Stop letting your garage hold you back and make it accomplish what you want instead. Great storage options can be found in seemingly impossible places, such as ceilings, unfinished walls, and even corners.
However, you will waste time and space if you hunt for a creative storage solution to fit into the space you have. Instead, you should hire a professional closet & cabinet designer to assess your space and create a storage solution that makes the most of it.
Think About Tailor-Made Options
Cabinets and garage storage systems designed specifically for the homeowner provide the best adaptability and convenience.
A garage built for a passionate bicyclist will look different from one built for a green thumb, or vice versa.
Built-in storage solutions, such as corner cabinets, overhead racks, shallow-depth choices, wall-to-wall cabinets across a free-standing wall, and specialised drawers, bins, and lockers, are all possible thanks to customisation.
For example, the homeowner's height might be considered while deciding on the best type and placement of storage.
Insist On Longevity
Look for professional-grade materials that can resist extreme temperatures, humidity, dampness, and daily use to safeguard your garage storage investment.
Consider the beauty of the design, the durability of the material (wood vs. steel), whether or not protective coatings are needed, and how easily countertops can be damaged. A locking device can be used to protect pricey possessions further.
Consult A Qualified Expert
Although DIY approaches have their appeal, they usually only provide temporary relief. Using an overhead compartment that gets in the way of the garage door or, even worse, scrapes the roof of your car can be a costly mistake. The expertise of professional closets or cabinet designers can provide a long-lasting answer to the problem of disorganisation.
You will no longer need to have many sets of tools around just in case you can't find the one you want when you need it or deal with bikes leaning against walls or buckets of sand toys overflowing. Instead, a professional can help you maximise your garage space in ways you never imagined, with solutions like directional lighting, concealed waste bins, and electrical outlets for your equipment and gadgets.
GarageSmart® Storage Cabinets are perfect for any garage. With a range of sizes, colours, and styles to choose from, you can find the perfect cabinet for your needs. Plus, all of our cabinets are customisable to fit your specific needs.
Conclusion
The right garage cabinets could be an investment that pays off in the long run by resolving a number of problems. Garage cabinets will be subjected to extreme conditions due to the heavy loads, high humidity, and abrasive items kept in them. It is crucial to have weatherproof storage cabinets in the garage because of the high volume of foot activity. If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to locate the perfect set of cabinets for your undertaking. If paint is exposed to extremely cold temperatures for an extended period of time, it will crack and become worthless.
Moisture and heat above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can ruin canned food. Experts recommend storing canned goods in a cool, dry environment to extend their shelf life.
The refrigerator's lifespan will be shortened significantly if used in this way. Homeowners who want to get rid of clutter could consider installing a third garage bay, building shelves, or employing the "cram it all in" method to store items in the garage.
Garages are the backbone of the modern home, and as such, having enough room to store all of the bikes, lawnmowers, and gardening tools that people now own is more important than ever.
The ceiling, unfinished walls, and even the corners of a room can all be excellent storage choices. Finding an innovative storage solution that works with the available space is a waste of time and energy. In its place, you should contact a professional closet & cabinet designer to evaluate your area and develop a storage solution tailored to your needs. A specialist can help you make better use of your garage than you ever thought possible. Think about the aesthetics of the design, the longevity of the material (wood vs. steel), the necessity of any protective coatings, and the susceptibility to damage of the countertops. A permanent solution to clutter might be found with the help of a skilled closet or cabinet designer.
Content Summary
- The majority of us have repurposed our old kitchen cabinetry as garage shelving.
- The right garage cabinets could be an investment that pays off in the long run by resolving a number of problems.
- The perfect cabinets for your project can be discovered by following the six ideas below.
- Make sure your cabinets can handle the humidity and temperature extremes of a garage.
- The heavy loads, wet conditions, and abrasive materials housed in your garage cabinets will eventually wear them down.
- It is crucial to have weatherproof storage cabinets in the garage because of the high volume of foot activity.
- Shelves, bottoms, and tops should be 1" thick, while carcasses should be 34".
- Companies sometimes cut expenditures and save money by not employing a backing board or using a very lightweight backing.
- Nonetheless, as any skilled woodworker will tell you, a cabinet's back takes the bulk of the pressure.
- By requiring a cabinet builder to use Zero or Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) cabinetry for all lines, homeowners and their families can enjoy the best possible indoor air quality.
- A strong cabinet is necessary, but it's not enough on its own.
- It will split by becoming unusable if maintained in excessively cold conditions for an extended duration.
- Putting stuff in storage for a long time is just a sluggish way to throw trash away.
- To most individuals, storing a few extra cans of food in the attic or basement isn't a big deal.
- As a matter of fact, canned goods keep for a long time.
- Experts recommend storing canned goods in a cool, dry environment to extend their shelf life.
- This is a major mistake, but these containers sometimes find up in the garage.
- They will be destroyed by fading or sticking to one another if left in the car together for too long.
- Anyone who needs help with their garage refrigerator has someone they know who can help them.
- The refrigerator will use more energy to maintain a consistent temperature if the garage temperature is above or below that range.
- Similarly, the refrigerator's lifespan will be significantly shortened by such use.
- If you really need a second refrigerator to store your alcohol, put it in the basement.
- Electrical appliances and tools When consumers make technological upgrades, they often put their previous equipment in storage.
- This is feasible, however storing electronic items in a garage nearly insures their destruction.
- Keep your delicate equipment in a cool, dry place like the garage and you won't have any issues.
- Also, the garage is too damp of an environment for them.
- Under no circumstances is it appropriate to store a propane tank inside the house, even the garage.
- Tanks of propane must be stored in a well-ventilated, secure outside building.
- It may seem like the height of efficiency to store firewood inside the garage throughout the winter, but insects will flock to any location where there is wood to burn.
- It's a bad idea to keep firewood in the garage since it attracts insects like centipedes, pill bugs, spiders, carpenter ants, and termites.
- Firewood must always be stored in an outdoor area away from the home, on a rack or platform lifted off the ground and covered with a tarp.
- Using the garage as a dumping ground is not what it was designed for.
- Put nothing in the garage unless you've determined that it can withstand the typical year-round heat and dryness.
- However, only specific types of items will have this ability.
- Storage space in modern garages is at a premium due to the proliferation of vehicles, recreational equipment, lawn and garden tools, and children's playthings.
- Homeowners who want to get rid of excess clutter can invest in well-thought-out storage solutions, such as a third garage space, custom shelving, or a "cram it all in" approach.
- Make your overall plan with these considerations in mind.
- Constantly consider your space needs and don't overlook any solutions that will help you save
- Do something useful with your garage instead of letting it hold you back.
- The ceiling, unfinished walls, and even the corners of a room can all be excellent storage choices.
- Finding an innovative storage solution that works with the available area, however, will consume valuable time and resources.
- Instead, have a professional closet and cabinet designer take a look at your space and come up with a storage solution that maximises your available square footage.
- When it comes to cabinets and garage storage systems, the most versatile and user-friendly options are the ones that are customised for the individual homeowner.
- The ideal bicycle enthusiast will have different needs than a gardener, and vice versa.
- When selecting where and what kind of storage is appropriate, a homeowner may take into account factors such as the person's height.
- To protect your garage storage equipment, look for high-quality materials that hold up well against heat, cold, humidity, and rain.
- Think about the aesthetics of the design, the longevity of the material (wood vs. steel), the necessity of any protective coatings, and the susceptibility to damage of the countertops.
- In order to provide an extra layer of security for expensive items, a locking mechanism might be implemented.
- You could damage your car's roof or the garage door if you use an overhead storage unit and it gets in the way.
- A permanent solution to clutter might be found with the help of a skilled closet or cabinet designer.
- You won't need to store multiple toolkits in case you can't track down the one you need when you need it, or leave bikes leaning against walls or sand toys in overflowing buckets.
- Instead, a pro can help you make the most of your garage in ways you never thought possible by installing things like directional lighting, hidden trash cans, and electrical outlets for all of your tools and electronics.
FAQs About Garage Cabinets
What Kind Of Cabinets Are Best For Garage?
Aluminium and stainless steel garage cabinets are the best options for a busy workshop, with a heavy, durable design that can hold all your tools while withstanding the bumps and abuse of a working garage.
Are Garage Cabinets Worth It?
But in order for the garage to be an effective workspace, it's essential to keep it organised and tidy. That's why having a garage cabinet is necessary. These cabinets are a wonderful tool for keeping your tools tidy and safe, providing convenience when all of them are in the same place.
What Gauge Should Garage Cabinets Be?
Steel gauge uses a retrogressive scale, which means the lower the gauge number, the thicker (and stronger) the steel will be. Cheap garage cabinets found in a lot of retailers often use steel gauges in the 20-24 range. Something in the 20 and lower range is ideal.
Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy Garage Cabinets?
So, to answer the question, of course, it's going to be cheaper to build your own garage cabinets – only if you already have everything it will take to do so. If you have zero experience, then buying them already built and having an expert install them is your only option.
Why Are Garage Cabinets Off The Floor?
Getting the cabinets off the floor is a simple solution. It keeps stored items safe from moisture and mould growth that can potentially cause health problems for the inhabitants. Wall-mounted cabinets offer a slew of benefits, but installing them can be tricky.