.Garage organization, so you can park in the garage!
Entry #43, March 17, 2010
Remember I told you about our kitchen remodel, as soon as we’ve moved in our house? Well, what I didn’t tell
you was how much stuff we have sitting in the garage! So this month is about organizing the garage, and actually getting our cars in it.
This weekend we’re having overhead storage racks installed from the ceiling. These were great at our last house for the Christmas decoration bins, and artificial Christmas tree boxes.
Here’s some tips for getting your garage organized:
- Organize by function: Take an inventory of your garage items. Figure out what items you need, and which can be thrown away. Once you’ve purged the old items, separate by usage. I.e., garden tools, car tools, house tools, and so on. Large items can also be sorted, like rakes, shovels, etc..
- Decide on a place: In a garage, rarely do we use every item on a continuous basis. Organize the garage
Everything has a place, Home Organization Solutions shows you how. walls by: size, function, and how often you use it. Home Organization Solutions has a sketch on how to have a place for all your needs.
- Recreational items: Except for large items, like bicycles, recreational items should have easy access for family members that use them. There are no rules, organize by your family’s usage. If your kids play football and basketball all the time, make them accessible.
- Garage has other functions? Is your garage going to also house a workshop? Gardner’s bench? Craft area? Consider having cabinets, storage, and work surfaces installed along the walls. Do-it-yourself cabinet kits are available at home improvement centers, or you can hire a professional. Either way, extra storage will help organize the garage, and will improve the value of your home if you keep them in good condition.
Tips: If you have a menacing amount of garage items, consider renting an off-site storage unit, or a portable storage unit. This way you can start with a clean slate, and purge unused items in one sweep. If there is a price tag associated with it (rental fee), it may make this garage organization take a lot less time than you think!
Also consider using Wholesale Plastic Bags, they can help you purge items, and haul off items easily.
For more garage organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.
I use plastic tubs of different colors. Seasonal things are stored related to color e.g. red for Christmas, brown or orange for fall, pink for spring etc….
For things I need to get to often, I stored in clear plastic tubs. They are stacked and organized according to the months of the year, making them easier to obtain.
Thank you Carol! The colored tubs idea is great.
Great ideas!
One of the most forgotten storage spaces in garages is the ceiling. Ceiling storage racks as well as hanging bike racks get items off the floor and help you utilize more storage space in the garage. Another favorite I use with my clients is rolling metal shelving units. Built in shelving units are nice, but they limit you. Costco carries a great rolling shelving unit.
Thank you Julie, I love your idea about the rolling metal shelving units!
With many options and tools for garage organizing today, one of the most important things to consider is what the space usually houses other than the vehicle.
Everyone’s usage of a garage space is similar however it is likely to be utilized with different habits.
For example: If recycling in your home typically makes it into the garage but not into the recycling bin because the bin’s location varies from week to week due to putting out the recycling or moving it from left to right in effort to pull the vehicle into the garage, then consider hanging the bins in close proximity to the entrance door into the house. Visit Canadian Tire for ‘Bluebox Buddy’
Or, if the winter tires are stacked on the floor taking up parking or movement spaces then install a tire rack unit and get those tires hung up making good use of upper garage wall space.
Hang hoses, shovels and garden tools at the front of the garage if possible leaving space to get in and out of both sides of the vehicle with ease.
Shelving is also very useful, and as Julie suggested, keep in mind fixed shelving can work for now but may not be the best long term solution. As life, seasons and activities change, the need for adequate storage solutions also change. There are many variations of garage systems that allow you to create useful shelving and storage along the walls and ceilings which have the capability to be adjusted and restructured quickly when needed.
Visit Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Rona for Garage systems including ‘Extend-It’, ‘Matrix’ and ‘Rubbermaid Fast Track’
Good Luck!
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