How To Improve Storage and Organization in Your Garage

Few spaces are more prone to becoming cluttered than a garage. Whether it's your personal home garage or a working shop, it's just so easy for random items and tools to be strewn all over the place, while also becoming home to anything you don't have a better place to store. Over time, this can make it a real hassle to work in the garage, or just find things when you're looking for them.

One good option is to add the best slatwall system you can find since slatwalls are perfect for quickly organizing a garage or shop. However, that's just the start. There are plenty of ways to improve organization in your garage, and Garage Finisher is here to help!

Making The Most of Your Garage with Better Storage and Organization

1. Start by cleaning everything up

The best way to really overhaul a garage's storage is by cleaning it up as much as possible, so you have plenty of space to work with. So, start out by picking up everything you can, sorting it, and placing it aside while you clean up the space.

This is also an excellent opportunity to think about the things you have stored in your garage. You've probably got a lot of stuff that could be sold at a garage sale, given to charity, or simply thrown out. As a rule of thumb, if there's something stored in your garage you haven't used in at least a year or two, you probably don't need to keep it.

Then do a thorough cleaning of the space. Do some sweeping and mopping and try to clean up those stubborn stains if you can. This might even be a good opportunity to install better garage flooring, if your garage floor is too cracked, pitted or stained.

2. Invest in a great garage slatwall system

When looking into garage storage, cabinets are great - but so is slatwall when it comes to organization and accessibility. Everything is right out in the open, and ready to grab. You don't have to go rummaging around drawers and cabinets looking for something in particular.

The best slatwall systems are endlessly flexible and customizable. Plus, slatwalls are basically standardized, so just about any slatwall accessory should work in any basic slatwall installation. You can add hooks, baskets, small shelves and more. If you took the time to sort all your tools and accessories before, that makes it easier to decide on an organization system for your slatwall.

Of course, this isn't an all-or-nothing situation. You can easily pair large chunks of slatwall with cabinetry to hold larger/heavier items and create a highly attractive work space that also offers great organization. Cabinets are also capable of holding up heavy counters, and you'll probably want some working space for repairs and potting.

3. Leave room to grow

Don't only install enough slatwall or cabinetry to hold the stuff you have now. You're undoubtedly going to add to your collection over time - so look to the future. A full garage overhaul with plenty of slatwall and custom cabinets may start off with a lot of empty space, but you'll fill it up faster than you might think.

This is another reason that slatwall is such a good choice for garage storage. Since the hooks, baskets and other accessories can be moved around at will, you can always reorganize if you need more space in one area, or for certain types of tools.

4. Make good use of corners and other out-of-the-way spaces

We see a lot of garages where people essentially forget about the corners, often because they've just had random boxes shoved in there. Corners are great for storing tall objects such as ladders or window screens, so that they're out of the way, yet still easily accessible when you need them.

In addition, another space that's often overlooked in a home garage is the space directly in front of where your car parks. Many people tend to leave this area empty, out of fear of hitting it with the car, but how often does that actually happen? If you have kids, this could be a good place to store sports equipment, since they won't be harmed if the car does somehow bump into them.

5. Other options for adding storage to your garage

There are a few other ways of adding storage or making better use of the space you already have.

• Nets. Big net bags, hanging from your slatwall hooks, are another great way of dealing with sports equipment. Tossing balls into the net can be fun, and it's a clear case of "toys go here" which is easy to remember.
• Ceiling-mounted shelves. If your garage has a lot of headroom, that's a ton of space that's basically going unused. Adding ceiling-mounted drop shelves or motorized overhead storage costs a bit, but it can add a huge amount of extra storage space without taking anything away from usable space.

Garage Finisher Can Overhaul Your Garage

We're Ohio's experts in improving, upgrading, and finishing your garage. We offer top-quality garage slatwall systems, custom cabinetry, and the best floor finishing option you're likely to find anywhere in Ohio. Big or small, residential, or commercial, we specialize in taking existing garages and making them the best they can be!

Contact us to discuss your upgrade options.