Do you ever look at your garage and wonder what happened? The garage tends to be a repository for a lot of things we don’t know what else to do with. It can also be easier to put off dealing with a cluttered garage because we can, at the end of the day, shut the door and forget about it for a little while.
Eventually, you find it difficult to navigate the garage when you need to find your camping equipment or you can’t even open the car doors without toppling a bike. With a little time, hopefully some help, and clever storage solutions, your garage can be everything you want it to be and maybe even more. Keep reading for a plan to make it happen.
Don’t drive yourself crazy by expecting a garage transformation to happen on one Saturday morning. Dedicate a bit of time to the task so you can complete the job and begin reaping the benefits of your new de-cluttered garage. Give yourself a weekend if you can spare the time.
Round up some help, whether professional or your family members or friends who owe you a favor. Don’t be afraid to call in the professionals to help you, if not at the clean-out phase, then when it’s ready to design storage.
Take everything out of the garage that isn’t bolted down and put it on the driveway. Clean the floor, scrub up any spills, and take an honest look at all the things that have been filling up your garage.
Before you put anything back into the garage, make an honest assessment of your things: what should be thrown away, recycled, donated, sold, and kept.
As you put things away, think of your garage like a store with sections: sports equipment, tools, lawn games, beach toys, etc… As much as possible, group like with like. Bulky items, like that SUP, and infrequently used things, like winter holiday decor, should be stored out of the way.
Now that you’ve culled the clutter and thought about how to use the space, it’s time for thoughtful, well-planned garage storage like laminate cabinets and wire shelving systems. Aim to get everything off of the floor that you can. No more rakes and shovels leaning against the wall waiting to fall onto the hood of your car. No more baseballs rolling free trying to trip you when you step through the door.
Talk to a pro or peruse your options online. Laminate cabinets can help you achieve a more put together look where things are hidden behind doors. Locking doors are also a good idea for chemicals, expensive tools, or anything else you don’t want little hands on.
Wire systems, or some combination of wire shelving and laminate, can offer strong, low-maintenance shelving that’s versatile and budget friendly.
Aim to get everything off the floor – go high with your shelving and put infrequently used items out of easy reach. Corral small or awkward items like sports equipment in between studs in the garage with bungee cords or use wire bins. Keep sidewalk chalk and sand toys on a low wire shelf in organized baskets.
Consider a pulley system to let larger items off of the floor. Kayaks, rooftop cargo boxes, out of season bikes and large holiday decorations could all be whisked up up and away with hooks or pulleys, freeing up valuable space for cars or storage.
Once you’ve made a dent in the disorder that used to rule the garage, you might find yourself with more potential than you thought you had. Have you always wanted a workshop space in the garage? Wanted to use the garage to store and stage items for outdoor entertainment? Now might be the perfect time to make it happen.
Carve out a workshop by installing a bench and system to organize your tools for easy access. The system can be as easy as a pegboard and wire organizers or you can customize a laminate system to suit your needs. Think about ventilation if that’s a necessary part of your work or whether you need to update your electrical capabilities.
To make your garage an integral part of your outdoor entertaining, consider rolling storage that can be moved in or out as necessary. Finish everything up by cleaning and sealing the floor for a clean look. Add heat and insulation to enable the good times or the projects to continue throughout the cold winter months.
Whether you’re considering options or ready to move ahead, Harkraft is ready to help you make your garage a workable, successful part of your home. We can design and install laminate systems, wire shelving, and finishing touches and workbenches. Talk to our team today to find out more.
