We store many things in our garages – tools, lawn and garden supplies, sports gear, and often we store stuff we just can’t fit into the house. Organizing your garage has some significant challenges. Garages are generally big open spaces with no defined areas. Also, they are subject to fluctuations in heat and humidity, so we must consider that when purchasing organizing tools and equipment. However, with a little planning and effort, you can transform your garage from a chaotic dumping ground to a well-organized functional space.
C.L.E.A.R. Your Garage
Ideally, you would clear out your garage and sort what you want to keep, sell, or toss. Then, install organizing equipment and put back the items you’re keeping. However, that process is not always practical, especially if you’re working alone and have a large (and very full) garage.
Instead, I recommend that people clear a small area so they have space to work. For example, open the doors and remove some of the items. Use the five-step C.L.E.A.R. process for organizing your garage by:
C: Categorizing your possessions.
Put items into groups. If necessary, use space outside the garage. Seeing all the items in a category will help you decide what to keep and what to let go of.
L: Limiting the number of items you have.
Decide how many of each item you need. For example, you might find you have several garden trowels. Keep the best-quality one and discard the rest.
E: Evaluating the usefulness and importance.
Choose which items are essential to have in your garage. When you are in doubt and struggling, keep your goal in mind.
A: Allocating items to specific locations.
You need to choose where to keep everything you store in your garage. If you’re working in a small space at the beginning of the project, designate temporary locations until you sort through everything in the garage. For example, you may have a box of gardening tools and a bin of sports equipment near the garage door. Remember to clearly label your containers so you can continue to categorize, limit, and evaluate items you find.
R: Removing the things you no longer need.
Remove the items you no longer need or want as soon as possible. Put them into your waste stream (trash, recycling, transfer station) or donate them. Ideally, you shouldn’t put them back into the garage. However, you might need to store the items until garbage day or arrange for a charity pickup. In this case, store the items in closed boxes or bags, so you (or members of your household) are not tempted to return them to the garage.
Plan Your Space
When organizing your garage, it is essential to envision where you will store everything before investing in organizing tools and equipment. Here are some things to consider when creating your plan.
- What do you need the space for? You could park your car in the garage or use the space as a woodworking shop.
- What needs to be easily accessible? If you park your car in the garage, you need to be able to open the car door. Wood shops need a workbench and access to tools and electrical outlets.
- When do you need to access the items? Store frequently used items in areas you can easily reach. For instance, place your household recycling bins close to the door.
- Who needs to access specific items? Kids should be able to reach their toys, sports gear, and bicycles. They should not be able to access pool chemicals and gasoline cans.
Create Zones when Organizing Your Garage
Once you complete your plan, divide the garage into zones based on the item type and when and how you use it. For example, your gardening zone could be beside the lawnmower. Likewise, create zones for sports equipment zone, tools, and seasonal items. By grouping similar items, you and your family will know exactly where to find what you need.
Organizing and Storage Solutions
To make the most of your garage’s space, invest in quality, heavy-duty storage solutions that can withstand temperature and humidity changes. Here are some options for organizing your garage.
Slatwall System
I love WallTek’s slatwall systems. They are easy to install on any wall because the panels screw into the studs. The walls don’t even have to be “finished.” With a slatwall system, you can position the hooks, baskets, and shelves anywhere along the slats to create an adaptable, customized storage solution. For example, in the spring, you can move your winter sports gear higher on the wall and lower your summer gear, so it’s more accessible. Then, quickly and easily reverse the process in the fall.
Slatwall systems are ideal for gardening tools, snow shovels, sports gear and more. However, they may not hold heavier objects like winter tires on rims or building materials. Also, ensure you purchase the correct accessories for your slatwall system because some aren’t interchangeable between brands.
Heavy Duty Shelving
Invest in heavy-duty shelving for large tools, off-season tires, and utility engines (generators, compressors, etc.). Choose powder-coated or galvanized steel (rust-resistant) with adjustable shelves. Always double-check the measurements, and remember to anchor the shelving to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.
Cabinets and Cupboards
Ideally, you should keep toxic, corrosive, or dangerous items (swimming pool chemicals, pesticides, etc.) behind locked doors. Depending on the types and weight of material you must store, choose steel or plastic cabinets. There are various types to choose from, including wall-mounted (out of the reach of children and pets) and free-standing if you need to store more or taller items. For safety’s sake, choose a ventilated cabinet to store fuel and other combustibles.
Storage Workbench
If you enjoy doing weekend projects but don’t have space for a workshop, consider investing in a portable workbench cabinet. These heavy-duty steel units have drawers of various depths to hold all your tools, and the large, lockable wheels and built-in power bar mean you can work wherever you want. Roll your cart to the middle of the garage when you’re working, and push it back to the side when you need to park the car in the garage.
Bins and Totes
Store smaller items in rugged plastic totes that stack easily. Families with children might appreciate flip-top storage totes because the built-in lids don’t “disappear.” Use large totes to store lightweight bulky items and smaller ones to store heavier items. Additionally, consider keeping some items (e.g., tents, sleeping bags, etc.) in water-tight totes to prevent them from getting wet or damp. Some plastics become very fragile at cold temperatures, so handle them carefully in the winter.
Overhead Storage
Overhead storage racks do not take up any floor space, leaving clear access to park your car in the garage. These racks are ideal for items you access only once or twice a year, such as holiday decorations and seasonal tires. However, they are more challenging to install than shelving units, so you should hire a professional to do it for you.
Specialty Hooks and Holders
Specialty hooks and holders are ideal for organizing your garage. For example, bicycle racks and hooks keep bicycles out of the way in the off-season. You can get ones that mount into a wall stud or fit into a slatwall system.
A wall-mounted ski/snowboard rack means you will be ready to enjoy winter sports as soon as the snow falls. Tip: Install a tray/mat below the ski rack to prevent the snow from melting all over the floor.
Labels Are Essential
The process of organizing your garage is not complete until you label everything. Large, easy-to-read labels help people quickly locate items and ensure they put them back where they belong. Check out my in-depth look at labels to choose something appropriate for your project.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Unfortunately, organizing your garage is not a “one-and-done” project. Of course, zones and labelled bins and shelves help, but you must schedule routine maintenance. Ideally, do a quick weekly tidy. Garbage/recycling day is a great choice because all the trash is gone. Then, spend a few hours doing a more intensive organizing session every season.
Organizing your garage can be a lot of work, but transforming it from a cluttered catch-all to a streamlined, efficient space is worth the time and effort. However, if you’d rather spend your holidays enjoying the nice weather, call the Out of Chaos team. We can help you declutter and organize your garage so you can relax. Contact us today!
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