Garages often serve as catchall spaces for everything from garden tools to holiday decorations. But with the right storage solutions, your garage can be organized to store much more than just your car.
Here are some expert-recommended garage storage ideas to help you make the most of this often-overlooked space.
Expert Tips for Garage Organization
To effectively organize your garage, think vertically and utilize every inch of available space. Experts suggest adding hooks to hang equipment on the walls and incorporating clever storage options like benches that double as organizational features, helping to keep the garage tidy and free of dust.
Cabinets can significantly increase storage space while also enhancing the garage’s aesthetic appeal. For example, tall cabinets can be fitted with rods for hanging coats, while lockers can be equipped with shelves and hooks for storing sports equipment.
Maximizing Garage Space
One of the key strategies for maximizing garage space is to get as many items off the floor as possible. Using vertical space is crucial, especially in garages with high ceilings. Add hooks, shelves, or even full wall organization systems to keep items off the floor, protecting them from dirt, dust, and moisture.
Buying vs. Building Garage Shelves
While buying garage shelves is typically more cost-effective than building them, custom-built shelves offer the advantage of being tailored to your specific needs.
For instance, custom cabinetry can be augmented with features like rollout trays or inserts for golf bags.
Dyer notes that laminate is a popular material for garage shelves because it does not expand or contract like natural wood, ensuring a seamless design year-round.
Organizing a Two-Car Garage
To fully utilize a two-car garage, it’s essential to keep the floor space clear. La Fond suggests using wall and overhead storage to free up floor space, allowing room for both cars. If additional storage is needed, consider adding a shed outside the garage for bulky items like sports gear or gardening tools.
Steps to Organize Your Garage
1. Utilize Ceiling Space for Extra Storage
Maximize your garage storage by using ceiling space for items you don’t frequently need. Instead of relying solely on wall shelving, consider installing mounted overhead racks.
These racks are ideal for storing plastic totes and seasonal items, keeping them off the ground and out of the way. Available in various sizes, including corner racks for tight spaces, this storage solution can also be perfect for hiding holiday decorations.
2. Organize with Wall-Lined Bins
Keep your garage tidy by placing similar items in bins that can be lined up against the wall. This method not only gets objects off the floor but also adds vertical storage space.
Choose steel-frame bins for heavier items or opt for color-coordinated bins to organize specific item types effectively.
3. Make Use of Your Garage’s Drywall
Even plain drywall can serve as a functional storage area.
4. Install a High Shelf for Miscellaneous Items
Utilize the upper areas of your garage by installing high shelves for storing items like paint cans, power tools, or craft supplies.
Placing shelves above your workspace provides easy access to tools and materials you don’t need every day. A stepladder can be used to reach items stored on these elevated shelves.
5. Add Stylish Hooks for Easy Access
Hooks can be both functional and visually appealing. Choose a hook style that complements your garage’s aesthetic, ensuring that your storage solutions are both practical and attractive.
6. Consider Heavy-Duty Hooks
Heavy-duty steel hooks can support up to 265 pounds, making them ideal for holding items like extra party chairs or garden supplies in spaces where shelves might not be practical.
7. Install a Vertical Organizing System
A slatwall solution is another great way to get things up off the floor. These panels can be mounted directly onto garage walls, transforming unused space into valuable storage.
Once installed, you can enhance the system with hooks, cabinets, baskets, and shelves to organize everything from mops to extension cords.
8. Protect Patio Cushions
Store patio cushions in storage bags when not in use to keep them in good condition until the next spring or summer.
9. Opt for Open Industrial Shelving
Wire shelving is a practical option for organizing your garage, as it allows you to easily see and access your stored items.
By labeling bins and boxes, you can further streamline your storage. Incorporating industrial wire shelving units to store garden tools or seasonal items like holiday decor.
You can customize the height, width, depth, and number of shelves to maximize storage space. Adding accessories like S-hooks and bins can also help keep items protected yet accessible.
10. Organize Drawers with Dividers
Use dividers in every cabinet drawer to maximize space and organize handheld tools like hammers and other small items.
11. Choose Dual-Purpose Storage
A bench can serve as both a seating area for changing into garden boots and a storage solution. Place the bench near a door to contain any mud or dirt.
While it’s commonly used for shoes, this bench can also store cleaning supplies or sporting gear.
12. Select a Bike Rack with a Shelf
Opt for items that serve multiple functions, such as a bike rack with an integrated shelf. This particular bike rack from Gadroad not only keeps bikes out of the way but also provides storage for helmets and accessories.
13. Mount Bikes on the Wall
For smaller garages, Get items off the ground to save space. A compact bike rack allows you to mount bikes and helmets on the wall, freeing up valuable floor space.
14. Organize Clothing and Accessories
A bench organizer, like this one from Vasagle, can double as a seat while offering pegs for storing scarves, purses, dog leashes, hats, and more.
15. Utilize Space Above the Door
Install a shelf above the garage door to store lightweight seasonal items. Vertical spaces like this are perfect for items that don’t fit on wall shelving units, such as inflatable pools or large planters for growing tomatoes.
16. Opt for Stackable Bins and Containers
To maximize space, use large, stackable containers. Labeling these bins is a helpful way to easily identify and access your belongings.
17. Organize Cleaning Supplies
If your home has a washer and dryer in the garage, consider using a storage cart with wheels for detergents, bleach, and other cleaning supplies.
This makes it easy to move them between the house and the garage.
18. Store Garden Supplies in a Cabinet
A wall-mounted storage cabinet is ideal for keeping garden supplies organized and off the floor. Bulky items like snow blowers can be stored in the garage to keep them protected and dry.
19. Use Lockers for Kids’ Gear
A locker or locker-like cabinet is a visually appealing alternative to standard shelving.
It’s perfect for storing kids’ outdoor gear, like raincoats, keeping them dry and protected from moisture.
20. Gather Sporting Equipment in One Place
Consolidate all sporting equipment in one area. A sports equipment storage system that’s not only space-efficient but also mobile, allowing you to easily move it to the backyard for playtime.
21. Store Balls in a Mesh Bag
For frequently used basketballs or soccer balls, consider using a mesh storage bag. It can be attached to the wall, keeping the balls in place and easily visible.
22. Utilize Adjustable Hooks
Adjustable hooks on a pegboard offer a versatile storage solution for tools.
You can rearrange the hooks to accommodate different tool sizes and configurations as needed.
23. Choose Mobile Storage Solutions
Storage trunks with wheels are convenient for storing bulky items like extra clothes, paper towels, or toilet paper.
They can be easily moved as needed and offer ample storage space.
24. Find the Right Storage Cabinet for Small Items
For smaller items like fishing hooks, nails, or sewing supplies, use a storage cabinet with appropriately sized bins. This keeps all your small accessories organized and accessible.
25. Use Grab-and-Go Bins
Plastic bins, especially wall-mounted ones, are excellent for organizing cleaning products and tools.
They allow for quick and easy access, and the clear design helps you quickly find what you need.
26. Move Large Equipment to a Shed
To free up space in your garage, La Fond suggests relocating large equipment like lawnmowers, weed whackers, and wheelbarrows to an outdoor shed.
27. Utilize Traditional Milk Crates
Milk crates are a classic storage option for items that don’t need protection from the elements.
They’re large enough to store various items and can be stacked to create makeshift shelves.
28. Create a Portable Workspace
A mobile workstation can be repositioned to suit your needs. It’s versatile enough to function as a workbench, a serving cart for snacks or drinks, or even a mobile bar cart.
29. Increase Work Surface Area
Adding more countertops with a workbench expands your workspace.
You can store smaller bins or tools underneath, keeping everything organized and within reach.
30. Store Tools Vertically
Magnetic strips are a handy way to store hand tools vertically, either on a wall or within a vertical workstation.
31. Add a Hat Rack
A vertical hat rack behind the garage door is a convenient spot to store hats, whether they’re baseball caps or gardening hats, for easy access as you head out the door.
