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25 Top Tips and Tricks For Organizing Your Garage

When it comes to organizing our home and making it much more efficient, the garage is one of the last places that you think about instantly. It is generally a space that is left to accumulate stuff and over the years, everything that you do not need ‘immediately’ is just tucked away into the garage without thought. This summer though, it is time to give the old garage a brand new makeover and do it without splurging a fortune. From simple organizational tips that get the task done to DIY projects that help in maximizing space without any fuss, this is a look at the 25 best garage organization tips, tricks and DIY ideas around –

DIY-garage-workbench-with-ample-storage-and-even-a-pegboard-option
DIY garage workbench with ample storage and even a pegboard option!

Maximizing Space Inside the Garage

Start by making sure that you put away everything that you do not need; an idea that automatically makes your garage a whole lot more spacious. Do not accumulate trash over time and if you use the garage for DIY projects, then stick to one at a time. Place the old supplies and other crafting materials in proper bins and give maximize the wall space. (Something we will get to in detail down the line)

Garage-organization-ideas-and-tips-that-clear-away-the-clutter
Garage organization ideas and tips that clear away the clutter

The idea of using bins and baskets for a more organized interior is not one that needs to be relegated to the kids’ room or the adult bedroom alone. This approach works beautifully in the garage as well. Here you see an extensive wall full of bins, baskets and tubs supported by a simple metallic framework that can be crafted at home. Adding labels makes everything just so much better!

Shelving-bins-and-baskets-along-with-right-labelling-can-keep-things-organized-in-the-garage
Shelving, bins and baskets along with right labeling can keep things organized in the garage!

If the walls do not come to your rescue in your garage or there simply isn’t any to space, then the ceiling can be a boon indeed. This custom-built sliding ceiling storage system is one that you can make over a weekend and it definitely makes the garage a whole lot more organized.

Sliding-storage-system-for-the-garage-ceiling
Sliding storage system for the garage ceiling

There is no need to stick to just one DIY idea or storage system in order to sort out the mess in your garage. Try the multi-pronged approach with different wall-mounted storage systems, hangers and other units that work in sync with one another. The inspiration below should give you plenty of ideas!

Use-multiple-organizational-idea-to-clean-up-the-garage-appeal
Use multiple organizational ideas to clean up the garage appeal [From: Golden Gate Garage Storage]

Putting that extra room in the garage to good use is all about understanding what you exactly need and how you can get it done. A series of homemade shelves along with a bench and few hooks can shape the mudroom setting in the garage; a space where everyone in the family can hang their raincoats and place their boots. Perfect for the soggy winter day!

Use-the-garage-also-as-your-mudroom-with-smart-shelving
Use the garage also as your mudroom with smart shelving

An idea from The Family Handyman, it is wire bins that help make a gorgeous storage wall in the garage. This idea relies on using a series of simple bins to add as much space as needed. This is a modular system of sorts and you can expand it as needed over time.

Using-wire-shelving-in-the-garage-for-a-more-organized-interior
Using wire shelving in the garage for a more organized interior

One of the smart ideas to add more space to the garage and to improve its organizational ease is by replacing the traditional doors with carriage doors that take up absolutely no swing room. Since they just swing out, you can pretty much use every inch of space on offer. Of course, this does not mean the garage is turned into a complete storage space, like the one below! And always ensure that you have a wider range of storage options in the garage, making it a flexible setting that can change with time.

Carriage-doors-help-in-maximizing-space-inside-the-garage
Carriage doors help in maximizing space inside the garage
Create-a-custom-garage-storage-wall-using-shelves-bins-and-baskets
Create a custom garage storage wall using shelves, bins and baskets!

Making Most of Wall Space

Who knew simple medicine cabinets in red could make such a big impact in the garage! You can use reclaimed shelves and old cabinets with weathered finish from other rooms to the home to give wall storage option that clear up square footage in the garage. Here the red along with the plumbing pipe next to it add that something different to the garage without trying too hard.

Clever-use-of-open-medicine-cabinets-in-red-for-the-garage-along-with-a-plumbing-pipe
Clever use of open medicine cabinets in red for the garage along with a plumbing pipe

The easy wood clip board is probably the easiest of all the DIY on display today and even our kids could make one of these in no time. Beyond this particular creation, this is an idea that should spur you to try out different ways in which you can expand garage storage options and do so without spending too much of energy on it.

Easy-Wood-Clip-Board-for-Garage-Storage-DIY-Idea
Easy Wood Clip Board for Garage Storage DIY Idea

The tool rack in wood is something you can make at home with a few planks of wood or you can just use the pallet wood base to make things easier for you. All those small tools and garage accessories can be easily placed on this rack and as you go along, another rack or two is pretty easy to add as well.

Easy-to-craft-hold-everything-tool-rack-in-wood
Easy-to-craft hold-everything tool rack in wood

Finding additional space in the garage means you can use this new area for something that you can enjoy. The garage can multi-task in here and be it a home studio or even your music space, fitting in stuff becomes a lot easier when you have the space to spare. The idea below should give you some inspiration in this direction.

Find-space-in-the-garage-for-your-interests
Find space in the garage for your interests!

A storage wall in wood that allows you to hang up those bicycles with ease is one that we just love! Maybe it is because of the sense of drama that it brings. Maybe it is because we see wheels in the air! But this is an idea that you can recreate without much fuss. Another easy-to-make idea is that of the tool hanger that takes even lesser effort and once again, you just need a blank wall to put this one up. A couple of storage shelves next to it and you have the complete setting.

Make-a-store-wall-that-holds-all-the-bikes-with-ease
Make a store wall that holds all the bikes with ease
Make-your-own-cleaning-tools-holder-for-the-garage
Make your own cleaning tools holder for the garage

There are plenty of ways that allow you to maximize wall space in the garage. But few are as charming, simple and easy to embrace as the pegboard. The pegboard instantly cleans up half the garage with its sheer presence! Everything from the tiniest item to the giant shovel can become a part of the pegboard. Minimum effort and maximum returns! And once you have the functionality of it sorted, add in a splash of color to make your garage storage wall even more special.

Pegboard-wall-is-the-perfect-way-to-organize-the-garage-with-ease-and-quickly
Pegboard wall is the perfect way to organize the garage with ease and quickly
Add a bit of color to the garage organization wall
Add a bit of color to the garage organization wall

A Garage that Does It All!

There is plenty you can do with the garage once you found additional space by cleaning things up. A small thing like the slim screwdriver shelf made from wood not only keeps it organized, but you d not have to go running around, looking for things next time you need them for urgent repairs. This DIY is a must-try for everyone of us!

Perfect-way-to-store-everything-from-screwdrivers-to-small-garage-tools-with-ease
Perfect way to store everything from screwdrivers to small garage tools with ease

We are big on maximizing corner spaces, be it in the living room and bedroom or the kitchen and the garage. A corner holds plenty of organizational potential and a simple idea like the one below can turn even the tiny garage into a space that can hold plenty. A pegboard wall section, cabinets on wheels and a rack that is wall-mounted for everything else – it is hard to find a fault with this design!

Put-the-corners-to-good-use-in-the-small-garage
Put the corners to good use in the small garage

When it comes to a clean and planned garage, wall-mounted racks are a big help. Be it the small and space-savvy wooden rack for the gardening tools or a more striking bicycle rack made using a monkey bar – a lot depends on the things that you use on a regular basis. So pick a project that suits your personality best.

Simple-and-easy-DIY-garage-tool-rack-made-out-of-wood
Simple and easy DIY garage tool rack made out of wood
Space-savvy-bike-rack-in-the-garage-with-a-monkey-bar-and-some-cool-labels
Space-savvy bike rack in the garage with a monkey bar and some cool labels!

Much more delicate equipment like your cherished set of fishing rods need a space for themselves and in this garage, it is a DIY that maximizes the ceiling that comes to the rescue. The idea ensures that rest of your garage is left unoccupied and there are no unforeseen accidents that damage the rods.

Turn-to-the-ceiling-to-store-the-fishing-poles-in-the-garage
Turn to the ceiling to store the fishing poles in the garage

There might be a wall of old paint buckets in your garage and each of them just have a smidgen of paint and a bit to spare. This happens with all of us and a space-savvy solution to this is to just transfer them into smart mason jars.

Using-mason-jars-to-store-extra-paint-in-the-garage
Using mason jars to store extra paint in the garage

If you fancy taking on a big DIY project and love working with wood, then few ideas transform the garage like the Custom fold-down garage workstation. We love this brilliant DIY project and the end result is so beautiful that we are tempted to create one ourselves. Of course, that means spending ample amount of time over the weekend in the garage!

Custom-fold-down-garage-workstation-in-wood-is-an-absolute-showstopper
Custom fold-down garage workstation in wood is an absolute showstopper

Is it a ladder? Is it a lumber rack? Is it just a fancy blend of both? You can keep thinking about the right answer, but this DIY is just practical and perfect for the small garage with a homeowner who is an avid crafter.

DIY-mobile-lumber-rack-idea
DIY mobile lumber rack idea

Charlie Golsley

I write for decoist.

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