Look through the garage to determine what items should or can be stored together, such as:
- Gardening supplies and tools
- Sports and hobby gear
- Seasonal items, such as holiday decorations
- Household tools and hardware
- Automotive tools and supplies
- Paints and combustibles
- Garbage and recycling
For items that you’re getting rid of, sort into three piles: recycle, toss, and donate. After you’ve sorted, clean your garage from top to bottom. This is a great time to remove stains from your concrete floor. It’s also an ideal time to paint.
Planning
Use grid paper and note measurements, windows and doors, and utilities. Also, determine how much room you’ll need for your car.
Mark zones for storing your things.
- Garden tools work best near the door.
- Trash and recycling should be within easy reach.
- Seasonal items can be stored out of the way.
Keep in mind some zones might overlap with overhead storage or shelves.
Selecting Storage Options
Before starting this project, check the different storage solutions available, including:
- Cabinetry
- Shelving and support brackets
- Storage bins and boxes
- Tool hanging systems
- Bicycle hangers
Organizing
Once you have your plan, and you’ve selected your storage options, it’s time to start getting things back in order. Use a label maker and add tags to each bin and cabinet to quickly identify the contents.
Here are some ideas.
Keep lawn and garden tools off the floor with an adjustable K-rail wall system. To install the K-rail tracks, mark your studs, drill holes, and attach with screws. Then add hooks to hang tools. The open floor space underneath is a great spot for your mower or wheelbarrow.
If you’re still struggling for space, consider buying a garden shed and moving the yard tools and supplies there.
Use hanging rails for sports gear too. Baskets are available for balls, and hooks can be used for bats. Hooks are also great for hanging bikes out of the way during colder months. When summer rolls around, use a small rack on the floor so you can grab and go. The traditional workbench is ideal for weekend projects. Low level cabinets can be multifunctional by adding a top for use as a workbench.
Use versatile pegboard for a custom layout of hand tools and storage containers. Outline the tools on the pegboard to indicate when something is missing. Use drawers for small tools and cabinets for larger items. Some cabinets even have locks for added security and safety. If children are in the home, consider locking cabinets for storing combustibles or tools that could be dangerous.
Other items that you use frequently can be stored on open wire shelves. Just keep them at eye level or lower for easy access. Overhead shelving attaches to your ceiling joists with bolts, keeping less frequently used items out of the way. They’re ideal for seasonal items. When storing your belongings, you can select a color for specific categories (Red for Christmas items), or use transparent to see the content of your bins. Either way, you are keeping all items dust-free.