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Seven Tips for Organizing Your Garage

Brandon Galloway | Apr 29, 2021

A well-organized custom garage can add value to your home and dramatically increase your usable square footage. But instead, that area of your house is usually a haphazard catch-all for tools, equipment, and things that just don’t fit anywhere else. Is there even room for your car in there?

Turn your garage into the most organized space in the house by doing the following:

Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Need
Plan Your Zones
Use Overhead Space
Creative Vertical Storage
Hang Bikes & Sports Equipment
Reuse and Repurpose
Invest in Cabinetry

Conquer your clutter and establish the safe, clean custom garage paradise that you’ve always desired. Read on to learn more!

Go Through Everything

Start off on the right foot by giving your garage a thorough once-over, and dispose of any obvious trash or dangerous items immediately. DIY Network suggests that you have plenty of trash bags and boxes for items to be donated. Make sure no winged or furry creatures have taken up residence, and open the doors and any windows to create some air circulation and let in lots of light.

The next step in getting your garage organized is to go through all the cardboard boxes and bags that may have even been lurking there since you moved in. Out on the driveway, create three piles - one for things that you need and will keep, one for things to sell or give away, and one pile that is definitely getting trashed. Be honest: if you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s probably not worth keeping.

The always knowledgeable folks at This Old House offer a reminder that certain things should not be stored in your garage at all. Extreme temperatures ruin paint, so find another place to put those cans. Paper products will deteriorate quickly and attract bugs and pests. Pet food bags and containers are a temptation for raccoons, possums, and other critters. Move any propane tanks outside and at least ten feet from your house, and make sure that you always have a charged and certified fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location.

Make a Plan

Once you’ve gone through everything, grouped like items together, such as sports equipment, lawn maintenance, and car care items - then develop a plan on how you would like your dream garage laid out. Creating “zones” will help you quickly figure out the best arrangement for your needs and allow you to determine what kind of storage options will work best. If you want to use an area for crafting or do-it-yourself projects, make sure you give yourself room for a nice big work table and plenty of light.

The experts at Unclutter.com mention placing items that you use a lot close to the door, such as keys and pet harnesses. Don’t plan to store anything on the floor permanently as those items might get run over, and will certainly make your garage look instantly cluttered again.

Things Are Looking Up

Your garage will usually have higher ceilings than the rest of your abode, so don’t be afraid to utilize that valuable space up high. Ceiling racks are affordable and easy to install, and they are ideal for storing clear plastic bins of items that aren’t often used. Perfect for tucking away holiday decorations and seasonal items that take up a lot of space but you can’t bear to part with.

It may seem easier to just keep things in cardboard boxes, but don’t fall into that trap. Those items will be forgotten about if they are not visible, and boxes can get squished or degrade over time, exposing your belongings to dampness or insects. Investing in sturdy, see-through bins to ensure that everything stays safe and dry will keep your garage in top form.

Never Overlook Vertical Storage

In addition to ceiling-mounted racks, you can definitely increase your available storage by using all of the vertical space on the walls, from floor to ceiling. Here are a few unique ways to take advantage of that valuable real estate:

Sturdy Racks for clear and labeled plastic bins
Magnetic Strips are a fabulous way to mount metal tools so they’re easy to reach
Slatwall Storage Systems are versatile, strong, and long-lasting
Hooks to hang items like shovels or garden rakes

These wall storage options can be configured in an endless number of ways to accommodate all of the accoutrements for you and your family’s current hobbies.

Grab It & Go

Another marvelous way to utilize the vertical storage concept is to hang your bicycles up and out of the way. This frees up floor space, keeps your bikes safe, and cuts down the chance that you’ll trip over them when you are trying to reach for something else. Iconic HGTV has several ideas for the best ways to safely store your ride in your newly upgraded garage.

If your family is more into hockey, skateboarding, or surfing, you can still install ceiling hooks or wall racks that will keep your expensive sporting equipment high and dry. Remember - put the items you use frequently closest to the door, and things you only need seasonally can be stored in plastic bins.

Upcycle

When you are making your “keep and ditch” piles, be on the lookout for items that can be repurposed - sturdy plastic containers or wooden boxes can serve many purposes. Unwanted furniture in another room like a desk or bookcase might be a perfect new craft table. Clean glass jars from the kitchen are ideal for keeping small things like nails, bolts, or screws in order. Reusable fabric shopping bags are strong and durable and can hold automotive supplies and small tools, like gardening implements. Old laundry baskets are great for storing baseballs, soccer balls, and other outdoor toys.

Cabinets Are Key

A major way to take control of your garage organization project is to bring in cabinetry. If you have sharp tools or chemicals in your garage, a locking cabinet will keep hazardous items from getting into the wrong hands.

Made from a variety of materials, they can be mounted on the ceiling, on the wall, or be freestanding. The top of a wheeled cabinet can double as a mobile workspace as well as storage and can be moved out of the way when not in use. Metal-faced ones will give you the added benefit of using magnets to hang smaller items on the outside. Add a pop of color by painting a few cabinet doors in a bright shade to add an eye-catching design element to your new garage.

Conclusion

Organizing your garage might seem like a Herculean task, but you can face this challenge with style by utilizing the above tips. Invite friends and loved ones to help, put on some high-energy music, and don’t be afraid to dance a little - your dream garage is within reach!