How to Organize Your Garage - 10 Tips & Tricks

Searching high and low for that tool you know you have, but with no luck? Does the very thought of sorting and tidying your garage make you want to run away—fast? Maybe your fingers are itching to spring clean your workbench space, but you just don’t know where to start.

Approximately 50% of homeowners confess their garage is the most disorganized area of their home. Insult is added to injury when you realize that the average garage door opens and closes around three to five times each day (or 1,500 times per year). You—and your neighbors—are constantly being reminded of the clutter. How can this be resolved?

We’re all about inspiring your inner creative to tackle tricky home improvements. Here are 10 handy tips that’ll have you organizing and sprucing up your garage like a pro.

Empty it Out

This may sound incredibly overwhelming, but Japanese tidying-up guru Marie Kondo’s Konmari Method helps you get rid of garage clutter fast. The best way to assess what—and how much—you have in your garage is to empty out all your existing boxes, cabinets, and shelves, and pile it on the floor.

By viewing all your items in one place, you’ll have a much better idea of what you’d like to keep in the garage, throw away, store elsewhere, or donate. It can be both liberating and nostalgic. You’re guaranteed to come across items you haven’t used--or even seen--for a long time. After you’ve eliminated the clutter, you can figure out how to best store what you’ve decided to hold onto.

Remove Potentially Hazardous, Harmful, or Prone to Damage Items

Your garage might feel like a “one room fits all” solution, but there are some things that should not be kept in there--especially not long-term. Consider discarding or moving these items elsewhere immediately:

• Paint: Fluctuating temperatures can compromise its quality, so paint should always be stored in a temperate room.
  
  
• Paper: Paper can become damp and attract cockroaches and other bugs. (Ew.) Shift your paper to an indoor cabinet for safekeeping or toss it into recycling.
  
  
• Pet food: Prevent ants and other potential scavengers from enjoying it before your pets do. Keep pet food inside your house in a sealed container.
  
  
• Propane: One small spark could start a huge fire. Keep your propane tanks indoors.
  
  
• Refrigerator: Garage-bound refrigerators are huge electricity suckers, especially if there’s no AC.

Add Industrial Floor Mats

There’s nothing worse than annoying fluid leaks from cars that stain your garage floor. The solution? Industrial or roll out garage floor mats. Soak up spills in no time and protect your floor from other daily wear and tear. 

Apart from enhancing your garage’s appearance instantly, industrial floor mats are practical and durable. Plus, installation is easier than you think! In just four easy steps, you’ll transform your entire garage from the floor up.

Install Some Shelves

Think up! Vertical storage is both functional and neat. Remember to put your most used items in the lower rows for quick and easy access.

Garage shelving possibilities are endless, from wire baskets and plastic stack bins to wooden storage cabinets or corner shelves. Consider what tickles your fancy and makes the best use of your space.

If you’re missing the tools needed for this DIY project, don’t forget that you can easily and economically rent them through Sparetoolz!

Use Clear Plastic Boxes

To quickly identify your tool collection, stackable clear plastic bins with lids are your solution. You can label them, but knowing at a glance what’s inside saves you time and effort. 

Build Your Own Workbench 

Keen on carpentry? Every garage needs a sturdy working surface. You could go the fancy (read: expensive) route by purchasing a pre-made bench with built-in drawers, but why would you do that when you can craft your own?

For something simpler, repurpose an old desk by adding a thick piece of custom cut wood on the top as an extra surface for heavy-duty work.

Create a DIY Pegboard Storage Wall

Imagine a pegboard panel to host all your power tools, step stools, wire bins, and more. Measure out the size you’ll need, decide on a color (if you’re not a fan of the standard utilitarian wood or white look), and install! This looks great AND keeps your garage looking neat and well organized. 

Maximize Overhead Storage Space

If you’re sick of bumping into or tripping over bulky items, stow them safely up above by creating overhead storage space. Construct a simple rack using 2” PVC pipes and fittings. By bolting the straight pipe to the ceiling joists, you’ll be able to support heavy loads easily. 

To stabilize the rack, screw the angled pieces from the wye fittings into the cross brace. An added benefit? PVC is smooth, making packing and accessing your heavier items a breeze. 

Hang Up Your Bikes

Overhead bicycle storage isn’t always the most practical option, but maneuvering around your bikes each time you need to cross the floor of your garage can also become tiring. 

Simply nail a bike rack to your wall, and all your bikes, scooters, and even riding equipment will have an accessible new home. Fewer bumps and scratches and more floor space--hooray!

Make Your Own Ceiling Track

If you’re looking for a place to store large bins of holiday decor, camping gear, or other light-to-medium weight items, consider installing a sliding storage system! You’ll immediately benefit from extra floor (and storage) space. 

Organizing your garage will probably be more satisfying than you expect. In addition to creating space, you’ll reduce the chance for damage to your vehicle--or be able to park it in the first place! Plus, you’ll enjoy the benefits of your smart and workable storage system for years to come.

If you’re feeling inspired but don’t have the tools, we can help.