10 Things to Consider When Planning Garage Storage

Use your garage's architecture to your advantage, advises professional organizer Lisa Mark. “Most garages have a huge amount of vertical space and ceiling space. A good storage system definitely allows one to use that space to the best (and safest) advantage.”

• Triple measure the space(s) before moving in any storage solutions. Nothing is more frustrating than moving a shelving unit into a space that is a just a smidge too small.
• Brush up how to utilize storage spaces like a pro with the Guide to Maximizing Storage Spaces.
• Don't store anything that weighs a ton too high -- eventually you’ll have to ease it down and that may be dangerous.

Before purchasing storage, professional organizer Mary Hoff recommends her clients answer the following questions:

• Do they have a finished garage?
• Do they want something that is built in or portable?
• Should it look like furniture?
• Or is wire shelving OK?

Once you have settled on a look and feel, establish a budget and buy the best product you can in your price category.

If you are not spatially-inclined and a professional organizer is out of your budget, many stores like Home Depot, Lowes or the Container Store will work with you to plan your space.

Is there anything in your home that can be used? Think: A shelving unit collecting dust in your basement or an old office storage cabinet that is tall and skinny enough to fit into your garage?

• Clean off anything you’re re-purposing before you begin loading it down with items.
• Also, make sure storage units are structurally sound.
• Don’t store items in cardboard, recommends Mark “Cardboard doesn’t hold up all that well to the elements or against animals that might gain access to the space, chew through the boxes, and leave a mess.”

Could you use more space? There are ways to create it without pulling out the old credit card. Think about going vertical and using overhead storage to create more room for the car, lawn chairs and tools.

Continue reading about How to Create More Garage Storage Space

I interviewed three professional organizers and they gave me their best tips for garage storage like containerizing toys and locking up potentially dangerous cleaning supplies.

Continueing reading Garage Storage Tips

This is always the first step in any organizing or storage-seeking scenario for three reasons:

1. Decluttering frees up space;
2. it prioritizes what you need to store; and
3. it helps clarify what zones items should be organized into when you organize the garage. Dedicate a couple hours over a weekend to decluttering this space, then move on storage and organization.

Continue reading about How to Declutter the Garage

There are two considerations when choosing what not to store in the garage:

1. Anything that doesn’t stand up well to the elements. If it can’t handle dampness or extreme heat, better to store it inside the house where you can better control temperature and climate. Examples:

• Food
• Artwork
• Cardboard boxes
• Wooden furniture

You get the idea.

2. Could be dangerous to have that close to your home

The other no-no is anything that could be dangerous to your home. Examples

• Propane tanks
• Grills
• Chimineas or fire pits
• Fireworks

Anything you regularly use outside that doesn’t fall into the above category:

• Lawn furniture
• Sporting equipment
• Tools
• A smoke detector. You might think of this as an outdoor area, but it still needs the same safety precautions as the inside of your home does.
• Store chemicals locked up or out of the reach of children and pets.

There are a lot of products on the market for garage storage including the following:

• Bike storage solutions
• Garage cabinets
• Garage shelving
• Garage Systems
• Overhead storage options Use pegboards to hang tools and other odds and ends.

It's important to think about how you use this space before making a purchase. Systems look great, but will the entire system work in your space. Often times we're better off mixing and matching storage solutions. Do your research!

Continue reading about Garage Storage Solutions

I love the concept of organizing in zones for spaces like the garage, attic, basement and utility closet. Think of a department store when you organize the garage: tools, storage, recycling and garbage area, etc.

Continue reading about How to Organize the Garage Into Zones