Garage organization for some families, serves several purposes at the same time. It can be a functional place to park your vehicles and serve as a tool shop for DIY projects, while also being the go-to place to store items that take up too much space inside the home.
Playing so many roles also makes the garage highly prone to clutter and disorganization. To the point where some families will start parking their vehicles outside because there simply isn’t enough viable floor space inside the garage proper.
Thankfully, there are a lot of different ways to maximize storage in the garage, including tools systems and other simple DIY ways to keep the space organized.
Peg Hook Systems
Pegboard and hook systems have long been popular in garages. Especially if you have DIYer in your family or you have a child with a mechanical hobby. Most pegboard systems are easy to install. With another person to help, it’s the sort of thing you can tackle on a single Saturday afternoon.
The pegboard can be installed directly onto a wall. Just make sure that it’s connected to the underlying studs if you want to store heavy tools. Though you could just as easily cut it down into handy panel size with a circular saw to install it onto the sides or back of a workbench.
Peg hook systems and organizers have evolved in recent years to be more versatile than ever. Some use multiple holes to add superior load-bearing strength for holding tools or other heavy items. The great thing about these systems is that as your needs change, you can quickly swap hooks around to customize each panel.
A Portable Workbench
Most DIYers and crafters need a workbench to hold projects, store materials, and hold tools. Though a lot of projects have a knack for eating up much more space than the top of the workbench can store. Another problem is that once you’re done with a project, the workbench just sits there eating up precious square footage in the garage.
One way to reclaim some prime real estate on the garage floor is to use a portable workbench. There are custom-built workbenches that can be tailored to meet your specific needs and talents. Though you might be able to do it yourself by carefully installing heavy-duty casters into the bottom of an existing workbench. This way you can wheel it into a corner when you aren’t using the workbench to reclaim some prime square footage in the garage.
Free Standing Shelving Systems
Freestanding shelves have evolved in material build quality and engineering in recent years. This translates into an impressive load-bearing capacity per shelf. They are a great option for holding heavy tools and automotive parts.
Depending on the load you need each shelf to bear you might be able to find a unit for sale at a reasonable price in a box hardware store. There are even some that can have wheels attached to the bottom to make them more portable. Though this might bring down the overall weight per shelf to make it mobile enough for a person to move on their own.
Under The Shelf Basket Systems
Basket systems are increasingly popular. They’re a great way to store away loose or low-density items that would otherwise take up precious square inches on a workbench or the garage floor. There is even some basket system that can be attached to heavy-duty slides and installed under shelves and workbench tabletops. This lets you maximize the vertical space, while still keeping essential items close at hand.
Overhead Or Attic Storage Spaces
A lot of garages have empty, unused space up in the rafters of the attic. This is a great place for holding seasonal items like a holiday tree or other festive decorations. Though a lot of people forgo using the overhead space in the garage as it’s awkward or downright dangerous to haul around bulky items on a wobbly ladder.
The easy solution to this is to install pull-down shelves and compartments. Some are spring-loaded or use some other type of pulley system. This way you can operate the pull-down system from the safety of the garage floor, without having to step foot on a ladder or step stool.
This is the sort of thing that you might want to seek professional help installing. A licensed contractor can accurately assess the weight that your garage attic or stringers can hold, as well as help you understand the best mechanical lowering system for what you want to store.
Heavy Duty Stackable Totes
Tote bins are a very handy way to store away seldom-used items, seasonal decorations, and tools. Stackable totes with reinforced corners and heavy-duty lids can hold an impressive amount of weight. This lets you make the most out of vertical space in the corners of your garage or lesser-used floor space. Just make sure to label them with some basic inventory list. That way you can find what you want at a glance.
Installing Jars On Wooden Rails
In truth, jars are an age-old solution for holding small hardware components, fasteners, and other loose items. Chances are if you go poking around in your grandfather’s workshop, you’ll find an old peanut butter jar or two hanging under a shelf.
They are pretty easy to install. You just need to save up your jam, jelly, and peanut butter jars for a month or two. Ideally, you want jars that you can easily remove the brand label so you can see the contents.
When you are ready, you simply remove the lid, make a small pilot hole with a drill, and screw the lid into a 1 X 2 or 2 X 4 board. You can then turn the board over so the lids are right side up. You can put fasteners and other loose items in the jars and screw the jar into the lid.
With this configuration, you can hang the board just about anywhere under a shelf or from the ceiling. When you need what’s in the jar, you can simply unscrew it for quick access. It’s especially handy for keeping screws and nails off the garage floor and away from the sensitive rubber of your car’s tires!
