Get Your Parking Spot Back with These Garage Organizing Tips

Get Your Parking Spot Back with These Garage Organizing Tips
It's been estimated that only a mere 30 percent of us actually store our cars in the garage. And the reason, of course, is because we have too much stuff. Often the dumping ground for whatever doesn't fit inside the house, the garage can quickly become a clutter magnet, making it nearly impossible to find what you need, much less park your car. Spring is the perfect time of year to tackle a garage organizing project. Here are a few smart space tricks to help you regain some extra square-footage and get your garage in order.

PEGBOARDS FOREVER

Pegboards have been used in garages and workshops for decades, and they're still one of the best ways to organize tools and other small hangable items. You can purchase pegboards in many different sizes, colors, thicknesses, and materials, making it easy to find the perfect solution for your garage.

 

MAGNETS

Knife magnets from a big box store are another way to wrangle tools and are also a great trick for allowing paint brushes to dry.

GO VERTICAL

Ceilings and walls are a garage organizer's best friend. Leaning bicycles against the walls just won't cut it if an organized garage is your goal. Clear up floor space by hanging bicycles and other bulky sports equipment from ceilings and walls.

 

OVERHEAD STORAGE

For things you don't need to access regularly (like holiday decorations), go way up. Hang storage bins over the garage doors to get them off the floor and well out of the way.

 

 

SLAT WALLS

Slat walls provide panels you can stick hooks between to hold up a variety of items in your garage. They come in a variety of materials and colors and can be mounted to any hard wall. From bikes and sporting equipment to tools and cleaning supplies, these paneled wall coverings allow you to hang thin items up and out of the way.

SHELVING

Wall shelving can organize other bulky items that aren’t ideal for hanging or cabinet storage. You can build and hang shelves yourself that are perfectly capable of supporting anything you need to store on them. To prevent bowing, secure the shelves with steel brackets, such as our Large Shelf Bracket.

CABINET & CLOSET STORAGE

While cabinets and freestanding closets take up some floor space, they are excellent for getting organized if your garage is large enough. Consider repurposing used kitchen cabinets, or combine old dressers and tabletops to create a budget "workbench."

Now that you're inspired to declutter your garage, you'll want to maximize your organization and accessibility. This six zone system suggested by EasyGarage is an excellent guide for getting started.
  1. Transition Zone: Stuff you grab before leaving the house, like shoes, jackets, bags, dog leashes go in a spot that's right by the door
  2. Need It Now: Everyday items like dog food, cleaning supplies, and recyclables can go on shelves placed close to the entrance to the house.
  3. Long, Tall, Thin Storage: Anything that's long, tall, or thin like rakes, shovels, and  ladders should be hung on the walls
  4. Large Item Storage: Large, rarely used items like holiday decorations and camping gear should be placed in an area that's up high and out of the way. 
  5. Frequently Used Items: Place outdoor gear and sports equipment near the garage door for easy access
  6. Workspace: This is a place to create a center for your favorite hobby.

While dealing with a cluttered garage can seem overwhelming, having a good plan with the right storage solutions will put you on the path to having a clean and functional area – with room to park your car! 

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