The garage. Often a dumping ground for everything from your sports gear to Christmas decorations. If you're reading this it could well be your garage has descended into chaotic mess.
With a little planning and the right tools, you can transform your garage into an organised and usable space.
In our first guide at Select Hardware, we're going to take a look at a step-by-step approach to sorting out the clutter and reclaim your garage space.
Photo by: @lifeinjeneral
Let's get started...
Step 1: The Purge
Before you start organising, you're going to need to declutter. It might be wise to choose a good weather day to make a start.
First, take everything out of your garage and sort it into three piles:
- Keep
- Donate or sell (we have an eBay pile for precisely this)
- Bin
Be ruthless! Get rid of anything broken, expired, or no longer used. Keep anything sentimental (of course), although this might be a good time to enlist the help of family or friends just to make sure you don't end up keeping everything.
Step 2: Create Zones
Once you've decluttered, it's time to create zones. Divide your garage into dedicated areas for different categories of items, such as:
- Sports kit
- Garden tools
- Car related items
- Christmas / House decorations (old tubs of paint)
- Tools and Hardware
Consider the frequency of use and accessibility when assigning zones.
Your frequently used items should be easy to access (and find!), while seasonal items can be stored in less accessible areas.
Step 3: Up and Off the Floor
One of the key principles of garage organisation is to maximize your vertical space and keep things off the floor.
This not only creates more floor space for parking but also prevents items from getting damaged or lost in piles. A garage floor can be a ruthless, perhaps damp place. Try to avoid!
Now you have some nice clear space you can start thinking about your storage layout:
Shelving: Install sturdy shelves along the walls to store bins, boxes, and larger items. Adjustable shelves are ideal for accommodating items of varying sizes.
Wall Storage: Use wall-mounted systems like pegboards or Slatwall panels to hang tools, gardening equipment, and sports gear.
Garage Hooks are essential for hanging bikes, ladders, and other large items.
Overhead Storage: Don't forget about the ceiling! Overhead storage racks or hooks are perfect for storing bulky or seasonal items. Just ensure there's enough clearance for your garage door and car. Take a look at these screw in heavy duty garage ceiling hooks for ideas.
Step 4: Contain and Conquer
Invest in various storage containers to keep your belongings organized and protected. Clear bins allow you to see what's inside, while labelled boxes make it easy to find what you need.
Step 5: Maintain the Order
Once you've organized your garage, it's important to maintain the order. Regularly declutter and reorganize to prevent the space from becoming cluttered again. Make it a habit to put things away after using them.
Extra Tips for Success
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Create a floor plan: Before you start, sketch out a floor plan of your garage to visualize the layout and plan your zones.
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Use clear containers: Clear bins and jars make it easy to see what's inside, saving you time and frustration.
- Label everything: Labels help you quickly identify the contents of bins and boxes.
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Maximize vertical space: Use wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and overhead storage to keep items off the floor.
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Don't forget the small stuff: Use drawer dividers, small bins, and organizers to keep small items from getting lost.
- Make it a family affair: Get everyone involved in the organising process and (try!) encourage them to maintain the order.
By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can transform your garage from a chaotic mess into an organized and functional space.
Interested in how to fit our garage hook range? Take a look at this video: