Garages are a storage space and a workspace. However, garages can become too cluttered for working if you keep everything and organize nothing. These four garage storage tips will help get your garage into working order.
Throw Out Your Junk
The first step in organizing any space is removing the trash. This includes things like fast food bags, broken shovels and parts for car that you no longer own. If you have things that you no longer use, try selling them at a yard sale or online or donating them to a charity. According to Create Your Garage Storage Plan you should draw up plans for your garage improvements. When deciding your new garage layout:
- Look at what you have to store.
- Think about the work you want to do in the space.
- Think about how to get the greatest amount of space.
- Think about the most convenient places to put things.
- Consider how to store sharp and poisonous items.
- Work out the tools, materials and storage that you will need.
A Wall for Tools
Hanging tools up on the wall gets them out of the way, and makes them easy to find when you need them. Divide your tools into categories. For example, put all your frequently used tools near or over your workbench. Put your summer and garden tools together near a door.
Pegboard is popular for garage walls because you can hang your tools from hooks in the holes and move the hooks whenever you want. In HGTV’s article, they suggested using wall mounts for things like surfboards and snowboards both to get them off the floor and to use them as wall decoration. They also suggested using slated walls for wall mounting and storage.
Roll Away or On Site Storage
In a Popular Mechanics article, they suggest using caster wheels on stools, cabinets and bench-mounted tools. This garage design rolls out the needed tools, benches, storage containers and seats when it’s time to work, and rolls everything back into their slots along the wall when the work is done. This makes it easy to create space for a car or a riding mower. “Also consider storage options from companies which can help you store large or off season items,” said AA On Site Storage.
Organizing the Rest
Now your trash thrown is out, your favorite tools and seasonal items hang on the wall, and your stools, cabinets and bench-mounted tools roll into place. What do you do with all the other stuff? Start by adding shelves for items that you use regularly. Group the items on the shelves by their use. Use clear container tubs for storage so you can see the contents, and use tackle boxes to organize your small parts, nuts, nails and bolts. Finally, you can use kitchen cabinets, old lockers, old card cabinets or old filing cabinets for storage as well. If you don’t have them in the attic or already in the garage, you can find them at yard sales and antique shops.
Finally, this article is focused on a working garage, but your garage can also be a place to hang out. If you plan to have friends over, you might want to finish or paint the walls. Tile floors look better than concrete and are still tough and clean up easily. A set of folding chairs and a folding table give you a place to sit, relax and talk without taking up too much room. However, keep televisions and videos games out of the garage. Once they move in, it will be much harder to get anything done.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by just the idea of organizing your garage, especially if you let it go for a while. Get started by just throwing out the trash and old junk, and congratulate yourself on that. After you’ve planned out the garage that you’ve always wanted, get started. There are many storage options. Chose what’s most convenient for you to use and maintain.
If you can’t spare the time, don’t give up, get help. A CBS news article shows what a professional garage organizer can do with a cluttered garage and lists the contact information of some professional garage cleaners.
