It’s Time to Finally Organize Your Garage
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Organization by Sort, Store, and Style, slat wall by Encore Garage.
Do you dream of a day when you can actually park in your garage or drive home without feeling overwhelmed by garage clutter? Or do you wish you could find your tools without tripping over lawn equipment and storage boxes? With a little planning and, yes, just a few hours of hard work, you can eliminate the chaotic clutter of your garage to create a more organized and functional space.
Here are some of our best tips for achieving the garage of your dreams, or at least for making the garage of your nightmares a thing of the past:
Take Everything Out, Sort, Edit (and Clean)
As with any organization project, sorting and eliminating what you no longer need is step 1. If the weather is cooperating, we take everything that is moveable out onto the driveway and sort in categories. These categories will soon translate into zones (more on that below).
Make sure to have a “trash” and “donate” pile. You will likely quickly realize that 1) you don’t need or use everything you have; 2) you have multiples of the same thing; and/or 3) you have items that are really of no use anymore. After your organization day is over, you will need to properly dispose of all of these items, either by donating them if possible, putting them in the trash, or taking them to your local recycling center.
Before loading everything back in, make sure to use a shop vac or sweep your floors (and powerwash if necessary or desired), wipe down shelves, and sweep corners and ceilings for cobwebs. It’s always good to start with a clean slate, and, let’s face it, you’re unlikely to clean your garage again for a while.
Create Zones
To maintain a well-organized garage, establish specific zones for different purposes:
Parking Zone: Clear and dedicate an area for vehicle parking only.
Workstation: Set up a designated workspace for your DIY projects or hobbies.
Storage Zone: Use shelves, cabinets, and racks for storing items like tools, seasonal decorations, and camping gear.
Kids’ Zone: Allocate space for kids’ toys, bikes, and sports equipment, making items accessible and organization easy to maintain.
Sports Zone: Set aside an area for golf clubs, tennis racquets, balls, fishing equipment, etc. Bikes may go here as well.
Beach or Seasonal Activity Zone: If you live near the beach for example, you may have a lot of beach accessories; or if you’re near the mountains, perhaps winter sports are your thing. These activities often involve a lot of gear and may require their own zone.
In smaller garages, you may have to combine zones, but always be conscious of creating separation between categories.
Storage Solutions
Once you figure out what you have and the zones you’ll need, determine whether you have sufficient storage solutions. Storage solutions that you may find helpful include:
Overhead Racks: Overhead racks are a fantastic way to utilize the often-neglected vertical space in your garage. These sturdy systems allow you to store items like seasonal decorations, camping gear, and rarely used items safely above your head, freeing up valuable floor space. Ensure that you install these racks securely for safety, or, for peace of mind, hire a professional who installs these regularly.
Custom Built-In or Modular Cabinets: If you have the budget, custom-built cabinets provide a sleek and organized solution for storing tools and other supplies. You can work with a designer to make sure the cabinets fit your specific needs, from shallow cabinets for small tools to deep ones for larger equipment.
More budget-friendly, modular cabinet systems are available from home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot, or from club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. You can also shop these systems on Amazon and other online retailers. If you’re going this DIY route, make sure to measure your space and figure out your layout before you buy a system that may be too big for your garage.
Slat and Rail Systems: Slat wall and rail systems offer flexibility in organizing your garage. Attach hooks, shelves, and baskets to these systems, allowing you to arrange tools and accessories in a way that suits your workflow. This works well for people who like to see the tools and equipment they have, as opposed to those who like things hidden away behind cabinet doors.
Tool Storage
There are a variety of tool storage solutions, from tool chests and pegboards to magnetic tool bars.
Tool Chests and Cabinets: Invest in quality tool chests and cabinets to keep your power tools and smaller items organized and secure. You can find tool chests and cabinets to suit any size tool collection.
Pegboards: Install a pegboard for easy access to frequently used hand tools. There are many pegboard options available, from basic ones that you can DIY by buying hooks separately to kits that include hooks for tools along with bins for nails and screws.
Magnetic Tool Bars: Attach magnetic bars to your workspace for holding metal tools and keep them within arm’s reach. These are best for people who use these tools frequently.
Bicycles and Sporting Equipment
Bike Racks: Vertical bike storage, wall-mounted racks or ceiling-mounted racks help keep bicycles off the floor, saving space. When trying to settle on a solution that will work for you, if you have kids or have physical limitations on lifting, decide whether they will be able to use the system to put their own bikes away or whether you will have to help them. Having to hoist a heavy bike on a hook is no easy feat, so you may ultimately decide that it’s better to just neatly store bikes on the floor or against a wall.
Sports Equipment Cubbies: Install cubbies or purpose-built sports equipment storage units to store balls, bats, helmets, and other sports gear neatly. There are a variety of storage solutions for specific sports like fishing, golf, or skiing, so search on places like Amazon or Pinterest for ideas that are right for your specific needs.
Labeling
Clearly label bins or shelves to help everyone in your household quickly find what they need and, just as importantly, where to put items away. Labeling is key to maintaining any organization system. A basic labeler is always a handy tool to have around and is useful for these type of projects, or if you prefer, you can always buy custom labels on sites like Etsy or from local crafters.
If you’ve been thinking about tackling your garage project, now—during the cooler fall months—is the perfect time to do so. As with any organization project, getting yourself motivated to start is half the battle. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a professional organizer. We will do the thinking (and sweating!) for you, and soon you will just drive in, park, and enjoy your organized garage.