Adding storage space to a garage is a great way to organize and free up some room in your garage.
Before you begin adding anything new to your garage, you will first need to organize it by sorting your things and drafting a floor plan. Once your garage is organized, you can build some shelving and install other vertical organization systems. You can also clear some space by hanging things from the ceiling or placing them in cabinets and plastic bins.
1. Sort Your Things
Go through the things in your garage and organize them according to function or utility. As you sort, you should also create three other piles for things that you want to recycle, throw away or donate. Once you have sorted everything and removed the things you want to get rid of, you should have a better idea of what your needs are going to be. If there are some items you want to keep but you do not have enough space at home to keep them, rent a storage unit to keep your items safe and sound.
Be sure to responsibly dispose of any chemicals or other hazardous materials in your garage. Do not simply throw them in the trash or pour them into the drain. Contact your local hazardous waste site about disposing of these substances.
2. Group Similar Things Together
When sorting the things in your garage, determine what items will be stored together. Keeping similar things in groups will make it easier for you to find them later. It will also help you determine what kind of storage system to invest in.
For example, put all of your gardening supplies in one group and your sports gear in another.
3. Draft a Floor Plan
Once you sort everything, make a floor plan of your garage. With a tape measure, register the measurements of the garage, paying particular attention to the windows, doors and any utilities. You should also figure out how much space you will need for your car. After you have all your measurements, plot out the dimensions of your garage on grid paper and highlight the areas where you can store things.
4. Determine Where You Want to Place Things
Using your floor plan, consider the types of storage space you will want to add and the space requirements of each item. Some shelving and vertical storage space systems will allow you to maximize your wall space without giving up too much floor room. Things like plastic bins and cabinets will take up more space, but they are useful for storing things in the long term.
- Remember to keep garden tools, bikes, and other frequently used outdoor gear near the garage door.
- Make sure that the trash and recycling bins are easily accessible from the door to the house.
- Keep your seasonal items in the hardest-to-reach places, like the top of a shelf.