Planning Your Garage’s Organization
Planning Your Garage’s Organization
Step 1
Look through the garage to determine what items should or can be stored together, such as:
- Gardening supplies and tools
- Sports and hobby gear
- Seasonal items like holiday decorations
- Household tools and hardware
- Automotive tools and supplies
- Paints and combustibles
- Garbage and recycling
Good to Know
Use a label maker to easily identify items that are in bins and cabinets.
Step 2
Make a sketch of the clean garage and create storage zones that match what you have, what you expect to have and the handiest location for the items. Include:
- Accessible storage
- Visible storage
- Out-of-sight storage
Step 3
Take measurements of your garage to help you when purchasing or building storage components as needed, referring to your plan. Now it’s time to take your measurements and shopping list to Lowe’s.
Selecting Your Storage Options
Step 1
Before starting this project, visit Lowe’s and check out all the different storage solutions available, including:
- Cabinetry
- Shelving and support brackets
- Storage bins and boxes
- Tool hanging systems
- Bicycle hangers
It might help to sort through items outside of your garage, such as on your lawn or driveway. Just be sure to check the weather before you begin, and don’t leave valuables unattended.
Cleaning Your Garage
Step 1
It’s time to sort through your items. It might help to do this outside of your garage, such as on your lawn or driveway. Just be sure to check the weather before you begin. And make sure you don’t leave valuables unattended.
Step 2
When sorting through items to be discarded, make three groupings:
- Recycle
- Throw Away
- Donate
Step 3
Now it’s time to clean the garage. Wipe down the ceiling, walls and floor. Use a broom, shop vacuum or clean rags.
Good to Know
If needed, patch or paint the walls and ceiling. Depending on the condition and use, consider finishing the floor with a concrete sealant followed by concrete paint.
Organizing Your Garage’s Contents
Step 1
Common Storage
Install shelves, shelving units or cabinets that can store less-used items, like paint or automotive supplies. If children are in the home, consider locking cabinets for storing combustibles or tools that could be unsafe.
Hardware and Tools
Purchase a tool box or cabinet for all tools. Organize tools by type, depending on how many you have. Make sure that tools are easy to see and access. If you’re storing tools on pegboard, outline the tools to make it clear if something is missing.
Lawn and Garden
Most people use these tools frequently so it might be best to store them where you have easy access. Wall organization systems are handy, and they help get tools off the floor, creating more storage space. You may also consider buying a garden shed and moving the yard tools and supplies there.
Seasonal Storage
Install shelving for holiday decorations, seasonal clothing and toys, and other seldom-used items. These are best placed on higher shelves that normally are unused.
Sports and Recreation
Install one of the many types of shelving from freestanding units to ones that mount on the wall. Clear plastic bins are great to keep shelves organized and help to see what’s inside. Specialized sports storage units are available at Lowe’s that help organize shoes, balls, bats and golf clubs. Bicycle hoists and hooks can be installed to keep bikes out of the way.
Trash and Recycling
Include containers for trash and recycling. Stackable bins are useful for sorting recycled items. Make sure that trash and recycling are easily accessible from the house.
Good to Know
Low cabinets can be multifunctional by adding a top for use as a workbench.