32.976 million home-owners in the US openly admit that the state of their garage is wanting. Despite investing a great deal in other rooms and other spaces, the former are greatly frustrated by the level of clutter in the garage. Individuals mostly think of them when they require a tool, surplus storage space or when they intend to park or head out.
Is it possible to improve this state?
The garage is the one single place that acts as storage to a ridiculously large number of items
ranging from tools and equipment, off season clothes, sports gear, car supplies to chemicals. It is therefore prone to clutter in one way or another. The challenge is limiting clutter levels.
Organization is the key to controlling clutter levels. Here are some exemplary ideas;
7 Tips on How to Organize Your Garage
1. Organize the space into sections
As mentioned earlier the garage plays storage to various items. In other cases garage spaces tend to incorporate work benches, home offices and libraries just to mention a few.
The most basic and important tip in organizing the garage is coming up with sections for each group of tools and activities. Identify a section for; sports gear, tools and equipment, trash, clothes storage and whatever else is preserved here.
Secondly identify the respective areas for various activities that may include laundry zones, work benches, libraries and the like.
This makes it much easier to eliminate clutter and clean up the spaces. This also helps in proper
preservation of possible harmful items such as paint and pesticides. Most importantly it forms a basis for organized structure.
2. Utilize overhead and ceiling spaces
It is possible to underestimate the impact of overhead spaces but it is surprising to see the difference it brings.
Fitting hooks and suspended shelves provides extra space to store otherwise risky items like
extension ladders and harmful products. Stronger screwed hooks form an efficient bike storage system. Seasonal items and clothing are also a good fit for overhead spaces due to their occasional use.
It is however important to note that overhead storage systems require close supervision during installation due to the risk they may pose in case they break down.
3. Use sliding Roll out shelves
Vertically placed roll out shelves are incredibly remarkable in saving space. Their design makes them strategic in holding loads of items in a limited space.
They are mostly strategic in storing tins, boxes, bottles and mostly packaged items. They are also
well designed to safeguard items that may require supervised used.
It may be a challenge to come up with DIY roll out shelves but given their increased popularity it
easier to acquire one at a relatively affordable price.
4. Introduce suitable lighting, garage refrigerators and proper electrical systems
Arguably these are the most neglected factors according to homeowners. Most people fail to appreciate the role of a proper lighting system in the garage under the assumption that it is a rarely used space or it is just an alternative store.
Garage refrigerators are super useful not only in storage especially off season food storage, but
also in wading off unwanted pests, insects and any unwelcomed rodents. Most people can bear witness on the number of times they have hard to wash away termites and dead animals in the garage. A garage refrigerator serves to kill two birds with but one stone.
Lastly strategic electrical systems make it easy to adjust the space to accommodate various other
activities. Not to mention their role in limiting electricity related accidents.
5. Investing on pegboard walls
The beauty of peg board walls is that they provide sufficient space to support numerous items, both light and heavy.
Vertical cardboards are preferably convenient. There are those made out of metal sheets whereas others are made out of cardboards. It is easy to come up with DIY pegboards.
You will require a pegboard strips. Attach them to a stronger support and fasten the strips
conveniently to support various weights.
6. Organize your bin and disposal plans
This is mostly for individuals who maintain bins in the garage. Experts advise that it is recommendable to come up with organized bins. Have one specifically designed to hold recyclable materials and another for non recyclables.
This makes it easy to collect trash conveniently, however be mindful of space. Fitting bins on
vertical shelves or peg board walls saves on the floor space.
7. Use open box shelves
Box shelves are very efficient is saving space. You may choose to mount them on the wall or
strategically arrange them on top of each other vertically.
Box shelves are cheap and easy DIY. You will probably require planks of wood or boards and a nail puncher and you are good to go.
Open box shelves are preferable to closed shelves as they encourage users to maintain a tidy arrangement of items contained. This is different in closed shelves since they easily conceal disorganization.
On That Note
Garages are high traffic spaces. To maintain their organizational structure it is important to frequently restore items that may be wrongly placed. The space should be tidied as frequently as any other room.