Garage Storage
Headache or Easy Solution

So you are getting everything in your life organized; time to think about your garage and decide if you really want to be able to park your car in there or not. If so, then let’s talk about garage storage space and how to organize it.

First of all, if you can see the walls in your garage or touch them, then you are ahead of the plan. Most people at this point cannot even get to their walls, let alone see most of the walls. If you are in the last group, sorry, but there is a good bit of work to be done before you can put up shelves of any kind.

Garage Organization

It’s time to order a dumpster and the recycling bins. You must realize that you have to start tossing boxes that are marked tax returns from 1970-1972. Really, the IRS does not go back that far and your kids will not care to go through such papers. Bank papers that are twenty years old, are probably no longer needed. If you are hoarding magazines from the last century and they are not valuable, the public library would love to have them. You see, they are in the business of collecting old books, magazines and papers (you shoule not be). Just be sure not to throw away any family photos, or we both will be in trouble.

Storage Containers

Start organizing the things that you will be keeping. You can start with boxes from the store you know which ones I mean. Pick the sturdy boxes that will work, just to start organizing. Mark the outside of the boxes so anyone can figure out where to put that still packaged towel rack or unused junction box if you are not there when they decide to help. You do realize that you cannot continue to use cardboard boxes for your real storage solutions. You will need to buy containers that you can either see through (such as plastic boxes) or containers that you can formally label. Use your computer to print large font labels for the outside of containers, It makes it easier to find things in six months when you have forgotten where you put some particular item that you wanted to keep forever.

Overhead Storage provides one excellent solution for seasonal items or important records and other items that are not accessed frequently.

Decide what your goals are for the garage. Where is the car(s) going to be parked? Do you want to have a treadmill out here or a dart board? Do you have a tool bench where you work on projects or what about wood working area? Don’t forget that a garden shed would make a perfect work space for hobbies and home projects.

Garage Shelving vs Cabinets

If the garage is going to be primarily for parking and storage then the choices are easier for the space. Garage cabinet systems work well for certain type of things to be stored and makes a much cleaner appearance but are more expensive. I personally like the steel or chrome wire shelving I have written about on Chrome Shelving . I love the fact that I can move the shelves around, no matter what I have loaded on them. And I load those shelves up with as much as they will hold. Have I mentioned that I can move them around easily - because they are on wheels! Garage storage is not rocket science; it is more about organizing and shelf space.

Garage Floors

Don’t forget the floor of your garage. Epoxy paint is a great thing but it smells bad – so if you use it, do so on a nice day where you can have the doors open. It does help to make the garage look more finished and organized, even if it is not. So work on your garage storage with your uses in mind and then enjoy the space that you have as you get out of your car.

Garage Storage Tips

There is a site called Garage Storage Tips that is devoted to inovative garage storage ideas. There you will find some great ideas, photos and usable tips that you may not have considered for organizing and streamlining your garage storage. There is one tip that shows you ways to take advantage of space that you probably didn't know you could use for storage.