Make the most of your garage with storage solutions to suit every lifestyle

Many homeowners agree. The garage is one of the most flexible spaces in the house. It can be used as a workshop or training space, or a place to start a business, maintain a hobby, or support your child’s sporting dreams. Some people use it as a place to store their vehicles. Garage organization is not an issue for some people because they don’t consider the garage to be part of the house. But experts say keeping things neat and tidy can give you peace of mind and save you time and money by making it easier to find when you need it. An organized garage also has many more benefits. When you enter your home through the garage every night, it sets the mood when you arrive. “It’s a mindset,” says Brent Sparks of Ideal Garage Solutions. For example, let’s say you had a stressful day at work or had a tough commute. “[Then] Even if you open the garage, you can’t even put your car in there. It doesn’t solve the situation,” Sparks says.

The most common garage complaints

In the midst of COVID-19, many people have turned their garages into hobby spaces, giant closets, and home gyms. Now they want that space back. Or at least you want to be able to walk there or park your car while still having space for your accumulated items. “Our clients are most often looking for help with organizing their children’s activities or with items that have been around for years,” says Garaginization’s Jon Lee. “The most common organization issue we hear about is simply improper use of the garage.” Sparks agrees, adding, “Because they trip over things or have trouble getting out of the car. , are finally looking for a way to declutter. They’re just tired of dealing with it.”

Find a space you didn’t know existed

Keeping your garage organized is more than just putting things in the trash. It’s about finding spaces you didn’t even know you had, prioritizing easy access to the things you need most often, and finding a place to put everything that makes sense. “The quickest and most effective solution for garage organization is wall shelves or ceiling-mounted racks,” Lee says. “Most of these will be installed in the garage area. [currently] Not used at all. This allows homeowners to quickly and confidently declutter without taking away space already used for other purposes. ”

Sparks recommends reserving ceiling-mounted racks for longer-term storage, such as seasonal decorations that only need to be accessed once a year, or using shelving for frequently used items. I am giving advice. “A lot of people have Costco paper towels and toilet paper sitting there,” Sparks said. “We put them on a shelf so you can manage them a little bit better without having to get on a step stool or ladder.”

Slat walls are another example of how to create storage space in previously unused areas. Hang power tools, cleaning supplies and more on the wall with hooks that can be reconfigured to suit your needs. You can also hang a basket and put fishing rods or other awkwardly shaped items in it to keep it out of the way.

The garage is also a space where you can organize before you even enter your home. More and more people are recognizing the benefits of taking off their shoes before going indoors, but not every home has a mudroom space. “A similar solution in your garage will give you space to put items you don’t actually want in your home. …Kids’ backpacks, bike helmets, shoes and boots, etc. You can organize a lot of items,” Lee explains.

Sparks agrees, offering innovative ideas for storing things kids might bring home from practice or playing outside. “We’re making cabinets like lockers. So they have a sitting area, and… you can put [away] your sports equipment. So it looks very clean,” he says.

Add value to your current home or your next home

In addition to the practical benefits of organizing your garage, there are also financial benefits. “From our conversations with real estate agents over the years, we’ve found that a typical garage renovation can return you about 75% to 80% of your investment,” he says. . Custom What if he loves his garage system and doesn’t want to part with it? Then don’t do it, says Sparks. “We actually get some calls asking us to reinstall it. [the customer] They say, “Hey, I don’t want to sell this with the house.” So we removed them all, transported everything to a brand new home, and reinstalled it. ”