With the changing of the seasons comes the opportunity for cleaning and organizing throughout the home. While living spaces will likely be your first target, you should also consider going through your garage organization system and optimizing storage there as well.
The garage is often the first line of defense when it comes to clutter. When your garage gets overrun, your home will often soon follow. We’ve got the garage organization tips you need to get your garage in order - and by extension your home itself.
Once you’re ready for a complete garage overhaul, you need to:
- Start by clearing everything out.
- Create categories and stick to them.
- Don’t neglect your wall storage.
- Take advantage of vertical space.
- Don't forget overhead storage.
- Remember that storage bins are your friend.
Now that you know the basics of getting your garage in order, let’s go in depth on each one of these garage organization tips.
Start by Clearing Everything Out
As with any other organization overhaul project, it’s best to start this process with a clean slate. You might think it would save you time by just doing minor adjustments to your existing system, but it will become that much harder to make and stick to any necessary, larger changes.
Clear everything out from your garage and do a deep clean of the walls and floors. This is also a good opportunity for you to get updated measurements if you plan to add in new shelving units, cubbies, or any other type of organization solution.
Create Categories and Stick To Them
Once you’ve cleared out your space and figured out the dimensions that you have available, it’s time to get everything back in - but optimized this time. One of the easiest ways to do this is by creating distinct categories for all of your things.
You might designate one spot for all of your power tools, another for gardening supplies, and still another for household appliance storage. Whatever the categories you use, separating your things in this way will make it easier to keep things organized and to know exactly where everything is.
Don’t Neglect Your Wall Storage
Better Homes & Gardens recommends wall-mounted hooks to increase your options when it comes to storage and organization. Too many homeowners neglect their wall space, leading to clutter throughout the garage and difficulty finding what they’re looking for.
Not only do wall hooks give you space back that you wouldn’t otherwise have, but they also make it easy to see your tools at a glance and grab what you need without having to sift through drawers.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
Most garages have ample vertical space, and this presents the perfect opportunity for storage solutions like vertical-optimized cubbies, cabinets, and even a wall-mounted Slatwall system to keep all of your things organized.
It’s best to organize by type here so that you can grab what you need without much hassle. Sliding drawers offer a great solution for all your bits and bobs - from nails and screws to hand tools and more.
Don't Forget Overhead Storage
There's plenty of real estate overhead, and it's great to take advantage of that ceiling space with overhead storage racks.
These aren't for items you'll want to access on a regular basis; the best use for overhead racks in the garage would be for seasonal items, such as holiday decorations. This way, they're up and out of the way most of the year, and you only need to access the bins twice yearly: once to bring them down and once to put them back up.
Remember That Storage Bins Are Your Friend
When in doubt, plastic storage bins work great for catch-all storage in your garage. It’s best to opt for sturdy plastic containers with lids that click securely into place, especially if you’re planning on storing anything fragile or delicate.
Since these will be harder to get into, especially if you’re stacking them vertically against a wall, it’s best to save these for those items that you know you won’t be using for some time.
Conclusion
Once you’re ready to overhaul your garage, you’ll need to get a system in place and stick to it. By following these super simple garage organization tips and adjusting to suit your specific wants and needs, you should have a garage that’s as beautiful as it is tidy!