Reclaim Your Space: Tips to Help You Organize Your Garage
If your garage has turned into a cluttered storage zone, these garage organization tips can help you reclaim your space. Over the years, it’s easy to accumulate piles of “junk” or stash away mysterious boxes filled with long-lost belongings. Eventually, the space can become musty and even attract unwanted pests. However, with a little planning and strategy, you can transform your garage into an organized and functional area. To get you started, we’ve put together some essential organization tips and creative storage ideas.
6 Essential Garage Organizing Tips
The idea of organizing your residential property is simple. Just take things out, clean them up, and put them back… in an orderly way. However, the task often requires a bit more effort than that. You’ll need to set aside enough time and find strategic ways to maximize your available space. This can be especially tricky in a garage, as you’ll probably need most of the space for your car. Luckily, people are quite creative, and there are a ton of innovative options to help you organize your garage without sacrificing valuable floor space.
Divide, Declutter, and Donate
The first thing you need to do before getting your garage ready for storage is to remove everything. Yes, it sounds counterintuitive, but you’ll probably want to give things a thorough clean before getting ready for organization. To avoid wasting time moving things back and forth, designate a weekend or a day when you don’t have to work to tackle this and start in the morning. It might not be the most fun day off, but it will be worth it.
While you’re removing items, make piles. You’ll likely find a few things you no longer need or maybe have multiples of. This is a great time to get rid of things you don’t use or simply declutter in general. You can sell unwanted items or take them to your local donation center.
Once everything is removed, thoroughly clean your garage from top to bottom. Get rid of any cobwebs, check for signs of pests, and sweep all the debris out of the corners. When you’re done cleaning, you can begin organizing your garage. You may need to gather some supplies beforehand, so make sure you’re prepared to get the job done before you get started—otherwise, you may have to repeat a few steps.
Get Things Off the Garage Floor
One of the best ways to reclaim the space in your garage is to get things off the floors. Aside from the garage doors, there’s ample wall space within the garage. Regardless of its size, consider a few DIY projects to help you make the most out of your storage. Some of the best options include:
Pegboards — Pegboards are a great, affordable option to help store and organize everything from garden tools to sports gear. The boards can be mounted directly onto your wall, and then you can add several different bins, shelves, hooks, and clamps to keep things off the floor and make them easy to access. Just be careful with the pegboard’s weight limit, and always ensure it is securely fastened to the wall.
Built-in Cabinets — If you want something that’s a little more concealing, closed cabinetry is a great option. The cabinets provide a bit of protection between you and whatever’s being stored, which is preferable for many homeowners who will park their cars inside. There are plenty of options, from basic garage cabinets to fancier panelized systems, so research and find something that works for you.
Shelving — Another great option is traditional open shelving. You don’t have to line your garage walls with shelf brackets, but adding a few here and there to complement a pegboard or even built-in cabinets is great for keeping items you often use easily accessible. You will want to ensure they’re installed correctly and avoid overloading the weight limit to reduce the risk of accidents.
Utilize Ceiling Space
A great thing about garage space is that even the ceiling can be used for long-term storage. By installing strategic rafters or shelves above the floor space, you’ll give your belongings a new home without worrying about wasting valuable parking space.
Adding ceiling storage to your garage is a great home improvement project that may even increase the value of your property over time. Still, it needs to be done correctly in order to remain safe and reduce the risk of injury to you, your family (or friends), and your vehicles. If you’re unsure how to safely install overhead storage, it’s best to consult a professional. This will give you extra peace of mind and ensure you make the most out of your garage space.
Label Any Closed Boxes
If you decide to put some things in storage bins and keep them suspended from the ceiling or inside your built-in cabinets, don’t forget to label them. You don’t need anything fancy; a piece of masking tape with a few words will do. However, adding a label can help save you a ton of time and effort in the future. When it’s time to get something out, you won’t need to waste your energy opening each box to confirm what’s inside. Instead, check for the correct label and easily find what you need.
Get Creative
There are many ways to get creative, depending on what you’re keeping in your garage. All you need to do is think outside the box. Some great examples of effective (yet odd) storage solutions to use in your garage include:
Use a foam swimming pool noodle with slits cut out to store fishing rods upright along the wall.
Install corner shelves to take advantage of every square inch of space.
Place large concrete-forming tubs along the walls to keep sports equipment, long-handled tools, or other items organized and out of the way.
Use a ball corral to hold all your sporting balls and allow for easy access for the whole family.
Make a storage rack for recycling bins on the wall using a few pieces of plywood and some screws.
Install shelves that slide out to maximize efficiency and keep smaller items well-organized.
Use hooks to store lawn chairs on the wall.
Consider installing a customizable system that allows you to change your storage solutions as your needs evolve.
Store bicycles on a pulley system or along the ceiling to help keep them in great condition for longer.
Store bins and baskets on the underside of joists along the ceiling.
There are plenty of amazing storage solutions that you can use in your garage, all of which can help you reclaim your space and make the most of in-home storage. Try a few of these ideas out yourself, or consult a professional to help.
Consider Alternative Storage Options
As a homeowner with a garage, you probably also own a car. For those who live in places with temperamental weather, keeping your car inside the garage can help reduce the risk of damage and make your mornings a bit more comfortable. While there are still ways you can utilize your garage space with a car inside, you may also want to consider some alternative storage options. Building a nice little shed in the backyard is one option, great for gardening tools, sports equipment, and more. You can also utilize any attic or basement space as needed. Work with the space you have and try a few different storage solutions if you find your garage is a bit too cramped with the cars inside.
If you find that you and your family are outgrowing your home and need more space, partnering with a seasoned real estate agent can help you find a new home that fits your lifestyle. At First Star Realty, our team of realtors will help you navigate the housing market to find a home with plenty of storage space and room for your vehicles.
First Star Realty is committed to providing five-star realtor services to Northwest Arkansas and can help you sell your home—or find a new one. Our team of real estate professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service to our clients. Call us today at 479-267-1600 or fill out a contact form today.
