How to Organize Your Garage
/Are you parking in the driveway or street because clutter has taken over your garage? If so, you’re not alone, about 1 in 4 Americans claim to have the same dilemma. The garage becomes the drop zone for just about everything—tools, toys, sports equipment, even the trash. Once that door is closed, it’s out of sight, out of mind. With home projects and wish lists galore, the garage isn’t often a top priority. If you find yourself frustrated with the mess and chaos, it’s time to get organized and reclaim those parking spots.
When it comes to garage organization, everyone’s needs are going to be a little different—maybe you have a preschooler and the sidewalk chalk and bubbles have taken over, maybe you’re having trouble corralling all the sports equipment needed by your young athlete, or maybe you enjoy DIY projects and need more space for tools and supplies. I’ll show you how to maximize your storage space while keeping those frequently used items within reach. Let’s implement an organizational system that will get your garage in order and be simple to maintain.
Step 1: Sort + Purge
Like most home organizing projects, start by getting rid of the items you no longer need—like outgrown toys and broken equipment. Sorting everything into categories allows you to easily identify duplicate and unwanted items. Be realistic about what you need to keep. Unless you run a landscaping business, you probably don’t need two weed-eaters or five shovels.
Trash or recycle the items that are broken. Donate or sell the items that might be of use to someone else.
Step 2: Clean it up
With the items you no longer want out of the way, it’s time to clean up—knock down the cobwebs, sweep the floors, and wipe down any shelves that are staying in place. Now is a good time to patch existing nail or screw holes and apply a fresh coat of paint, if desired.
Step 3: Choose an Organizing System
There are lot of garage organizing systems available—The Container Store’s Elfa Utility line, Rubbermaid Fasttrack, Gladiator Garage Organization—you can choose whichever product line you prefer. They all work about the same. If you’re handy, you could even build a similar storage system.
Personally, I recommend the Rubbermaid Fasttrack system. It’s affordable, simple to install, and you can completely customize the configurations—even after the initial setup—to get the best storage for your needs. Plus, additional components are only a trip to Home Depot or an Amazon click away.
Step 4: Create a Plan
Make a list of all the items you need to store—each shovel, broom, bike… you name it.
Draw out the walls of your garage and plan the best place for each item. This works best if you use graph paper to draw everything out to scale. This step ensures that everything gets a designated place. It’s much easier to erase and redraw than to remove screws and patch drywall to reconfigure the setup.
It’s tempting to install two rows of storage to use the most wall space, but sometimes a single row is the most effective. Carefully consider the best height for the items you need to store.
Keep like items together—yard tools in one area, kids toys and gear in another. Use storage bins to group and contain small items—plan for shelving or bins that mount directly onto your system.
Don’t forget to account for the large items that need floor space, like mowers and trash cans, but aim to keep the floor as clear as possible by taking advantage of the vertical storage your walls can provide.
Yard tools and lawn equipment…
Count the number of products that need hung. Be sure to select the best hook for each item.
Tools…
Base cabinets create a workbench. Adding upper cabinets proves additional storage. Wall panels or pegboard in between keeps tools organized and accessible.
Sports equipment…
You could shop individual hooks and bins that mount directly onto your track system, or shop equipment organizers that can handle a variety of sports gear in a small space.
Bikes…
Vertical bike hooks are a great way to save space. Be careful not to mount the rail too high, or it will be difficult to access your bikes.
Storage bins…
Make sure to hang plenty of shelf space for storage containers. For out of season or infrequently used items, you could install storage shelves above the track system. Keep frequently used items on shelves that are easily reached.
Step 5: Put it all together
Once you’ve mapped out where everything will go, it will be easy to make a shopping list of the components needed to create your organizational system.
Install the system and organize your items according to the plan you created. The Rubbermaid Fasttrack is simple to install, but if you’re not up to the task, call a local handyman.
To better ensure things make it back to the right spot—label the hooks, shelves, and bins.
When everything has a designated space, maintaining order is simple.
Want help?
Does creating an organizing plan feel overwhelming? I’d love to help! Submit photos and dimensions of your garage, and I’ll create your custom organizing plan.
With your virtual plan and personalized shopping list, you’re sure to have everything you need to get your garage organized.
