A garage often becomes a catch-all space for things that we don’t want to store inside our homes. Sports equipment, out-of-season clothing, and holiday decorations are out of the way in an attic or a garage. Because the garage is also a place to park vehicles, the area can become cluttered and cramped. Here are a few garage storage solutions to make better use of your space.
To stay organized, designate a specific place for every item that is stored in the garage. Keep items together by using storage options such as plastic totes, cabinets, and shelving.
Keep Your Workspace Organized
If your garage doubles as a workshop, purchase or build a workbench with drawers or cabinets to keep things organized. There are many different styles to choose from, but a customizable option allows you to personalize the space to suit your needs. A quality workbench should be solid and stable. Shop for one made of wood or galvanized steel. A plastic or particle board workbench may be inexpensive but will not last.
Overhead Storage Solutions for Your Garage
Overhead storage makes the most of your garage space and keeps things off of the floor. There is a lot of space overhead, especially if your garage has exposed rafters. This provides perfect places to store larger items such as bicycles and kayaks, and seasonal items, like holiday trees and decorations. Mount an overhead rack to the ceiling of your garage to store belongings up and out of the way.
Create an Area for Essential Items
If your garage doubles as a mudroom, create an entryway area with a bench and plenty of hooks for coats, hats, and umbrellas. Install a shelf or add a basket for storing items you may need as you leave the house. Hang pet leashes, store rain boots, and keep scarves and mittens within reach. A bench provides a place to remove muddy or damp footwear before heading into the house.
Invest in Storage Cabinets
A storage cabinet will keep any kind of gear organized and out of sight. Install cabinets in your garage to hold extra toiletries, paper products, and house cleaning supplies. If you have emergency supplies, your garage cabinet provides space to store non-perishable food, extra batteries, flashlights, and gallons of water. You might also keep garden tools, paints, and lawn chemicals in the cabinet. Add a lock to babyproof the cabinet if you have small children.
Garage Storage Solutions: Shelving
Shelving is an easy way to keep any area organized, no matter how big or small. Add shelving to the walls and corners to maximize use in the space. Corner shelves are convenient for making use of an often-unused storage place. If you’re storing heavy items, purchase an industrial shelving unit. This type of shelving is strong and often has adjustable shelves to store various size items.
Large plastic totes are an easy way to store groups of items on your garage shelves. There are many sizes and colors of totes to choose from, and it is a good idea to have a variety of sizes for different items. Clear totes are a great choice because you can see what’s in them without having to open them or use labels. When purchasing totes, get matching ones that you can stack easily.
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