image by kd5ytx.
The garage just might be the most versatile part of the home. Designed for storing our cars, they are also expected to house an incredible range of other items. From kids’ toys to riding mowers to seasonal decorations, most garages are overflowing with stuff. It’s a wonder we can even fit our car inside any more.
Once you’re ready to start tackling that garage clutter once and for all it’s time to think creatively. Here are some garage storage ideas that will help you get things organized.
Take advantage of the entire wall with custom shelving and cabinets. Most garages have higher ceilings than the rest of the house. A typical home with eight foot ceilings inside the house will feature ten foot ceilings in the garage. That wall space along the ceiling is usually neglected, but now it can be put to work!
There are many shelves available that sit on the floor. The problem is that these units still require floor space while ignoring the wall space that’s available higher up. Try mounting your shelves or cabinets into the wall starting at about four feet high, and then taking them right to the ceiling. There are many benefits to this method.
• Items you use regularly can be placed on those shelves that are at waist and eye level.
• Items rarely used, but still needed, can be placed on the higher shelves. You won’t mind having to get a ladder to reach them if they are only used occasionally.
• The four feet of space on the floor just becomes storage for your lawnmower, seeder, and all other equipment that is too heavy to be placed on a shelf.
Shelves can be bought ready made, as long as they are designed to be mounted to a wall. Be forewarned that any shelving system mounted on L brackets will have a lower weight limit, so make sure it is designed to hold the proper amount of weight.
Wall-Mounted Garage Cabinets
Cabinets are an excellent option because it gives you the ability to close the door, completely hiding what’s inside. Lets face it, you probably don’t want to have to look at your Christmas decorations when you pull into your garage in the middle of summer. Garage cabinets can be mounted on the wall to a convenient height, and like open shelves they leave ample space on the floor to store your larger items. Many cabinets even come with locking doors so you can protect your power tools or other valuables.
While you can purchase specially-made garage cabinets at most hardware stores, one popular trick is to troll the local classifieds for people selling their old kitchen cabinets. These cabinets are usually still quite sturdy and should be perfect for your garage.
Hang them up around the garage on the upper walls, or install one corner with cabinets and open shelving on the rest of the walls. This way you will be able to secure valuable tools and keep dangerous chemicals out of harm’s way. No matter what you do with them you will love the clean, finished look they give the garage.
Whatever storage options you choose, remember to get them up off the floor. Taking advantage of that upper space will help you to finally get that garage organized!
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