How to Organize a Garage
Is your garage a mess? Join the club! The good news is you can get your garage in shape with products and projects that will get it organized and looking like a brand new space in no time. Learn how to organize a garage in this Lowe’s video:
In this video, the focus is on sports equipment, bikes and scooters, tools and woodworking, gardening and yard tools, bulk household supplies and seasonal items.
Start by clearing everything out of the garage so you can work with a blank slate. Bikes, scooter and sports equipment are used almost daily, so they should be easily accessible and up near the front of the garage doors. Tools and woodworking items will go towards the back to help keep kids away from potentially dangerous tools and equipment. Bulk household items should be close to the house entrance for easy access. Gardening and yard tools will go along the side wall. Bins and seasonal items will be divided between ceiling storage and wall shelves.
Tools and Woodworking Items
Organization starts with a workbench, some closed storage and a large pegboard area for really accessible tool storage.
Use standard size pre-painted pegboard with different attachments to hold all kinds of hand tools and even some small scale power tools. You don’t want to mount the pegboard flush against the wall, so install furring strips to the wall (if you have exposed studs, you can skip this step and go right into the studs), then install the pegboard.
Drills, hammers, utility knives and screwdrivers should be on the first row of the pegboard so you can get to them easily. A pegboard accessory kit and magnetic squares will help you attach different types of tools.
A sturdy workbench with a butcher block counter and backsplash is a good choice; the backsplash will prevent screws, nails and small tools from rolling off the back.
Use closed lockable storage for large power tools. Mobile storage is good if you are working on projects outside the garage. Wall cabinets help make use of vertical space.
Gardening and Yard Tools
Get everything off the ground with a wall track system. It has lots of different attachments like shelves, simple brackets and baskets.
Seasonal Items
The ceiling is the perfect place to store items you don’t need all the time, like seasonal clothing and holiday decor. Install a ceiling storage unit, making sure to keep it clear from the garage doors and tracks. Sort your items by type to determine how much storage you’ll need. When sorting, keep items together that you’ll likely want to access at the same time. Sort items by season so everything is in the same place.
Bulk Household Items
If you have a large family or entertain a lot, there’s a good chance that your garage is home to a second fridge and a pantry area for extra household supplies.
Start by gathering up all the food and bulk items. Organize your items by type and store them in clear bins with lids. Food products intended for longer-term use should remain dry, so storing food in a sealed container is a must. This also protects food products from dust and any rodents or animals that may make their way into your garage.
Having a second refrigerator in a garage is a pretty common thing, but it isn’t a great idea for everyone. It all depends on the climate you live in. Generally it’s recommended that refrigerators only be placed in rooms where temperature stays between 60-110 degrees F. Keeping your fridge well stocked helps it maintain its temperature without overworking. Storing gallons of water in there is a great idea if you have space.
Bikes, Outdoor Toys and Sports Equipment
Storing bikes, outdoor toys and sport equipment can be tricky because these items are oversized and come in strange shapes and sizes, but there are creative solutions that will take care of all of them.
Install a rail system with hooks for sports equipment. Take a utility shelving unit and hook four-foot adjustable bungee cords on the top and on the bottom, spacing them about six inches apart (far enough to get balls in and out but close enough to keep them in). Sort your larger equipment into clear storage bins. Stack everything on the shelves, hook everything on the hooks, and you’re done.
You can build a freestanding bike rack that sits on the ground, which is a better option for children than mounting them on the wall or ceiling. Cut several 2 x 4’s down to size and use a table saw to rip some of them down. Using the ripped down pieces, make 45-degree miter cuts on either end to make the front of a triangle. Create a 90-degree frame, then add the 45-degree pieces, spacing them out along the frame so bikes can wheel in between. Make sure to make the spacing large enough to accommodate larger bikes as the kids grow older. Add a quick coat of paint.
