1. Sort and Clean
The first step of garage organization is to look through the space and determine which items should or can be stored together, such as:
- Gardening supplies and tools
- Sports and hobby gear
- Seasonal items such as holiday decorations
- Household tools and hardware
- Automotive tools and supplies
- Paint and combustibles
- Garbage and recycling
Sort the items you’re getting rid of into three piles: recycle, toss and donate.
After you've sorted, clean your garage from top to bottom. This is a great time to remove stains from your concrete floor. It's also an ideal time to paint the walls, if needed. Finally, locate and mark stud locations. This information will be helpful if you're installing wall-mounted storage.
2. Create a Storage Plan
Now it's time to draw up a plan. Use grid paper to note measurements, windows, doors and utilities. Also determine how much room you'll need for your car.
Mark zones for storing your things.
Garden tools work best near the door.
Trash and recycling should be within easy reach.
Seasonal items can be stored out of the way.
Keep in mind some zones might overlap with overhead storage or shelves.
3. Select Storage Options
Now that you have an idea of what you're keeping and where it will go, start thinking about the best way to keep it organized. Consider the different storage solutions available, including:
- Garage cabinets
- Slatwall panel and rail storage systems
- Shelving
- Storage bins and boxes
- Bike hangers for the garage
- Overhead garage storage
Different types of items need different types of storage. For example, you might store tools and materials you want to secure in cabinets for a garage, while you can use an overhead garage storage system for items you use infrequently, like holiday decorations.
Below, we’ll give you some ideas for how to organize and store some common items.
Pay attention to weight limits for your storage solutions and don't overload them. Anchor items to the wall according to the manufacturer's recommendations to keep them from tipping.
Use a label maker and add tags to each storage container and cabinet to easily identify the contents.
4. Organize the Garage
Once you have your plan and you've selected your storage options, it's time to start getting things back in order. Here are some ideas.
Storage for Lawn and Garden Tools
Store lawn and garden tools off of the floor with an adjustable storage rail system or with slatwall panels. These garage storage systems mount to your garage walls so you can add hooks and hangers for your rakes, shovels and more. Looking for more storage rail and slatwall garage ideas? Rail and slatwall panel shelves and cabinet units are available, allowing you to easily customize your system for your storage needs and garage layout. Depending on your wall space, you may be able to set up storage at different levels. The open floor space underneath is a great spot for a mower or wheelbarrow.
What is slatwall? Slatwall consists of grooved panels you attach to your garage wall. The grooves allow you to fit hooks and other accessories to the panel as you would with a rail system, but the slotted wall gives you more options to position the accessories.
If you need more storage space, consider an outdoor shed to store yard tools and supplies. Take a look at our Storage Shed Buying Guide to see your options.
Sports Equipment Storage
It's easy for sports equipment to become a jumbled mess, but these tips will get your space organized in no time. Use hanging rails for sports gear and fishing rods. Plastic bins can hold extra baseballs, mitts, pool stuff and clothing. Bungee cords added to the bottom of a shelving unit can easily store balls. Need bike storage ideas? Bike hangers for garages include vertical storage racks, wall-mounted hanging rail hooks as well as stand-alone hooks and more to contain your bikes. You can also consider overhead garage storage for bikes with a bike hoist. This overhead bike hanger for a garage includes a support system you mount to a ceiling joist, as well as hooks, pulleys and a rope that allow you to lift a bike out of the way and lower it when it’s time to ride.
Tool Storage
Use versatile pegboard and pegboard kits for a custom layout of tools, shelves and storage bins. Keep the items you use the most in easy reach, and group similar items together so you can find them quickly. You can even outline the tools on the pegboard to indicate when something is missing. Add a work bench for your projects. If you prefer a quick DIY work bench, you can build your own or make low cabinets multifunctional by adding a top for use as a work bench.
Garage tool storage options, such as tool chests, tool cabinets for garages and standard storage cabinets and drawers are great for large items as well as small tools. Lockable cabinets for garages offer added security and safety; if there are children in the home, consider these for securing materials or tools that could be dangerous. See 7 Ways to Organize Your Tools for more ideas.
Should you choose freestanding or wall-mounted cabinets? Choose freestanding garage cabinets if you have the floor space and want to maximize your storage space. If you don’t have a lot of floor space, select wall-mounted garage cabinets to keep your items up and out of the way. You can also find cabinets that work for either floors or walls.
Household Item Storage
Other items that you use frequently can be stored on open wire shelves. Make sure the shelves are suitable for garage use, and keep items near eye level or lower for easy access. This may also be a way you can store some bulky items, such as paper products and storage bags, from your pantry. Save the highest and lowest sections of your garage shelving for items you don't use often.
Overhead garage storage is a great organization idea that saves floor space. Overhead garage storage racks and rails attach to ceiling joists, keeping items you use less frequently out of the way. Here’s an overhead garage storage idea for seasonal items. Look for racks that will fit storage bins or overhead storage rails that support bins. Consider using clear plastic storage bins so you can easily see what's inside and keep everything dust-free. Label the bins as needed.
You can also convert kitchen cabinets into custom DIY garage storage.
Trash and Recycling Bins
Place your trash and recycling bins within easy reach of the house. Keep a clear path to the outside so you can easily move them to the curb.
5. More Tips for Organizing a Garage
- Get help. A garage often contains heavy and unwieldy items. A helper will make the job quicker and safer.
- Give yourself time. While you can typically tackle your garage organization project in a weekend, assess the job before you begin, and be realistic about the time it will take. Once you start, keep going until you finish.
- Check the weather. You’ll likely need to move many of your items outside while you work. Plan for a time when they won’t get wet.
- Dress for the work. Wear work gloves and closed-toed shoes. You might also want a dust mask, long pants and a shirt with long sleeves.
- Plan for the future. Once the garage is organized, make plans to keep it that way. Get in the habit of putting items where they belong after you use them. Create a schedule for cleaning and organizing your garage and getting rid of what you no longer need. Regularly reassess your storage needs to make sure you’re making the most efficient use of your garage space.