If you’re like most homeowners, your garage is probably a catch-all for everything from tools and sports equipment to holiday decorations and old clothes.
But with a little planning and effort, you can transform your garage into an organized and functional space that makes your life easier. In this article, we’ll explore some brilliant ways to organize your garage and help you reclaim this valuable space in your home.
Car Care Products Cabinet
Organize your auto lubricants, fluids, and other items in a simple shelf/work table cabinet.
This DIY garage cabinet requires just a couple of dollars’ worth of hardware and can be easily constructed.
The cabinet can be customized to fit your specific needs and can be mounted on the wall to save space.
Canvas Storage Bags Protect Decorations
Protect your seasonal decorations from garage dust and dirt by storing them in canvas storage bags.
These bags are perfect for storing bulky items like artificial trees and wreaths. To keep insects and critters away, simply tuck a dryer sheet in before zipping the bag shut.
Canvas storage bags are a great investment to ensure that your decorations stay in pristine condition year after year.
- Canvas storage bags protect seasonal decorations from dust and dirt
- Perfect for storing bulky items like artificial trees and wreaths
- Tuck a dryer sheet in before zipping to deter insects and critters
Garage Overhead Storage
Maximize your garage space by utilizing the ceiling for storage.
You can store seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear on the ceiling using big plastic storage bins
. Here’s how to install garage overhead storage:
- Screw 2x2s to the ceiling framing every 2 feet using 3-1/2-in. screws.
- Use the bins as a guide to space the 2x2s. Ensure that the lips on the bins brush against the 2x2s when sliding the bins into place.
- Center and screw 1x4s to the 2x2s with 2-in. screws.
Ball Storage
If you have a garage, you may have experienced the annoyance of balls rolling around and getting in the way.
A simple solution is to create angled “ball ramps” out of scrap wood that can be installed in the narrow gap between a pair of garage doors.
This creates a convenient storage spot for basketballs, soccer balls, and other round objects.
By having the ball ramp right at the edge of the garage, kids are more likely to use it and keep the balls organized.
Add Garage Storage Cabinets
Consider adding some organizational features to your cabinets, such as shelves, hooks, or baskets, to maximize your storage space.
With these easy-to-build cabinets, you can finally get your garage organized and clutter-free.
Easy Overhead Garage Storage
Storing bulky items in your garage can be a hassle, but with a simple rack made from 2″ PVC pipes and fittings, you can easily stow them overhead.
Bolt the straight pipe to your ceiling joists to support heavy loads, and screw the angled pieces from the ‘wye’ connectors into the cross brace to stabilize the whole rack.
The PVC’s smooth surface makes loading and unloading a breeze.
Garage Storage Tubes
You can use cardboard concrete-forming tubes to store long-handled tools, baseball bats, and rolls of various items.
To keep the tubes high and dry, rest them on a 2×4 piece of wood. Secure each tube to a garage stud with a plumbing strap for added safety.
This is an inexpensive and efficient way to store your items.
Stack Bins Vertically To Save Floor Space
Plastic storage bins are a great way to organize your garage equipment by season or sport.
However, stacking them against a wall can make it difficult to access the bottom bins.
To solve this problem, you can build a DIY storage tower that provides easy access to your bins.
Consider using different colored bins for each sport to make finding what you need quick and easy.
You can also utilize the sides of the wooden frame by installing wall-mounted accessory items such as fishing rod holders or utility hooks for lightweight equipment.
Stacking your bins vertically can save you a lot of floor space. You can easily build a storage tower over a weekend with our easy-to-follow instructions.
Not only will it make accessing your bins easier, but it will also give your garage a clean and organized look.
Gladiator Heavy-Duty Rack
The Gladiator Heavy-Duty Rack is made of welded steel and can hold up to 2,000 lbs. per shelf.
You can choose from three different widths: 48-inch, 60-inch, and 77-inch (shown).
Roll-Around Workshop
This workbench is made from 2x4s and plywood, and can be rolled up against the wall to save space. Here are some tips for converting your garage into a living space:
- Use a rolling workbench to save space
- Build the workbench from 2x4s and plywood
- Add storage space to the workbench for tools and supplies
FastTrack Power Tool Hook
If you have power tools like leaf blowers or cultivators, the FastTrack power tool hook from Rubbermaid can hold up to 50 pounds and resist rust and chipping with its powder-coated finish.
Garage Corner Shelves
By building corner shelves, you can take advantage of the existing studs and create a fast, easy, and cheap storage solution.
To make these shelves, use scrap plywood or oriented strand board that fits snugly between the corner studs.
Support the shelves with 1×1 cleats. These corner shelves are ideal for storing smaller items such as glues, oils, waxes, and polishes that can easily get lost on larger shelves. Plus, they’re a great can storage idea.
Sports Equipment Storage
If you’re tired of tripping over sports equipment and want to keep your home organized, building a sports storage locker is the answer.
This entryway storage and organization center is perfect for sports enthusiasts of all ages.
The open design provides ample space for all your sports accessories, and the personalized nameplate on top of the cubby adds a special touch.
The locker allows you to air out sweaty equipment, keeping it fresh for the next game.
With a sports storage locker, you can keep your home clutter-free and give your family a dedicated space for their gear.
Corral Sports Gear
If you’re tired of tripping over sports balls and equipment, a ball corral might be the solution you need.
This sturdy ball corral is made from 3/4-inch plywood and 2x2s, making it a durable and reliable option for storing your sports gear.
It measures 24 inches wide by 33 inches high by 12 inches deep, providing ample space for balls of various sizes.
To ensure safety, it’s important to remove the hooks from Bungee cords or use elastic cords without hooks.
Thread the cord through pre-drilled holes and secure it with knots. Drilling the holes slightly larger than the cords will make it easier to thread them.
In addition to holding larger balls, this corral also features plumbing hooks and short gutter troughs on the outside, making it easy to store smaller balls, helmets, and mitts.
Throw and Go
When you’re in a hurry, it’s nice to have a storage solution that allows you to just throw and go.
DIY toy storage cubbies are perfect for holding small garage items, sports gear, or garden supplies.
These cubbies are easy to make and can be customized to fit your specific needs. Here are some benefits of using throw and go storage:
- Saves time and energy
- Easy to use
- Customizable to fit your needs
- Keeps items organized and easily accessible
Store More on Walls
If you want to maximize your garage wall storage potential, don’t limit yourself to mounting hardware only on studs.
By adding a layer of three-quarter-inch plywood over your drywall or bare studs, you’ll have a continuous fastening surface that allows you to mount storage hardware easily and arrange items in a space-efficient way.
This will allow you to cram more stuff onto the wall and free up valuable floor space.
Gladiator GearTrack
With Gladiator GearTrack wall storage, you have the flexibility to mount the horizontal track and choose suitable hangers.
This allows you to slide them where needed, making the best use of vertical space in your garage.
Recycling Bin Rack
Maximize your floor space by building a simple and inexpensive recycling bin rack. This project will help keep your bins organized and out of the way.
Flexible Garage Storage Wall
When it comes to organizing your garage, creating storage space in a narrow alley between the garage side wall and your car can be a real challenge.
Luckily, a solution exists in the form of a framework of horizontal wood strips and inexpensive shelf standards.
This flexible garage storage wall can hold almost any arrangement of shelving and hooks, at any point on the wall, making it easy to rearrange as your storage needs change.
It also provides a solid mounting surface capable of carrying hundreds of pounds of stuff.
Spring-to-Action Claws
Mount a claw-style bike hook on your garage ceiling or rafters to store your bike using spring action.
Beyond Hardboard
Metal pegboard has a sleek industrial look and is incredibly durable. It comes with L-shaped edge flanges that create built-in standoffs, and panel sizes are typically in 16-in. and 24-in.
increments. Metal pegboard strips are ideal for hanging long-handled tools in the garage, as they’re sturdy and have built-in edge flanges for standoffs. They come with 1/4-in. holes and are outrageously sturdy.
Another option is plastic pegboard, which has 1/4-in. holes, folded edges to create standoffs, and center ribs for rigidity.
Many systems come with slide-in connectors for joining panels. It’s just as sturdy as hardboard pegboard and is a great alternative if you’re looking for something that won’t break easily.
By searching online for ‘metal pegboard’ or ‘plastic pegboard,’ you’ll find a variety of options beyond the standard hardboard pegboard that most home centers carry.
Customizable Wall of Storage in One Weekend
Create a versatile garage storage system in just one weekend with this DIY project.
It offers the same flexibility as expensive store-bought systems, but for only a few hundred dollars.
Pegboard Cubbyholes
Organize your slender tools and shop accessories with this simple storage technique.
Cut short lengths of PVC pipe and slide them over pegboard hooks. 1-1/2- and 2-in.-diameter pipes work well for most items. Load them up with files, hacksaw blades, zip ties, pencils, stir sticks, and more.
This will help keep your workspace tidy and efficient.
Double-Duty Shelf Brackets
You can repurpose shelf brackets designed for clothes hanger rods in your garage or workshop.
The hook that holds the rod can be used to hang long tools or cords, and you can even bend it to suit your needs.
These brackets offer versatility and convenience for all your storage needs.
Efficient Small Garage Bike Storage
If you have a small garage and want to save space, consider using the Saris Cycle Glide.
This system of hooks mounted on glides allows you to slide your bikes closer to the wall, taking up less space.
The hooks slide back and forth on the lower set of glides, allowing you to nestle your bikes together neatly.
This product is a great way to store your bikes efficiently and keep them organized.
Store Lawn Chairs
If you’re looking for a simple and cheap way to store your lawn and folding chairs, consider creating brackets on the wall using scrap lumber.
Cut two pieces of 1×4 lumber to 7-3/4 inches in length with a 30-degree angle on both ends.
Fasten pairs of these brackets with three 2-inch screws to the side of the exposed wall studs, directly across from each other.
This will create the perfect place to hang your chairs and keep them out of your way.
This method is both easy to implement and cost-effective, making it a great option for anyone looking to store their lawn chairs.
Don’t Waste the High Space
If you have easy access to all the items in your garage, it’s likely that you’re not utilizing the high spaces efficiently.
Even though the high spaces may not be ideal for frequently used tools, they are perfect for long-term storage.
By installing deep shelving or cabinets near the ceiling, you can store seasonal items such as holiday decorations or camping gear, freeing up space for other things.
Joist Space Storage
Maximize the space between joists in your basement or garage with wire shelving.
Simply screw the shelving to the underside of the joists and use plastic clips to secure it in place.
An 8-ft. x 16-in. length of wire shelving and a pack of plastic clips can be purchased for around $20.
Wire shelving can also be used on walls for additional storage.
Extension Ladder Storage
Storing an extension ladder can be a daunting task, especially if you have limited space in your garage.
However, mounting it on the ceiling can be a great solution. To do this, you can use scrap 2x4s screwed into the ceiling joists to create sturdy racks.
Be sure to use two 3-1/2-in. screws at each joint to ensure the rack is secure.
Position the racks in a way that won’t interfere with your garage door. This will make it easier to slide the ladder out when you need it.
By storing your extension ladder on the ceiling, you’ll free up valuable floor space in your garage and keep your ladder easily accessible.
This simple solution can help you stay organized and make the most of your garage space.
Build Big Cabinets in Place
Building big cabinets in place is a simple and economical approach that doesn’t require any specialized carpentry skills.
To get started, all you need to do is screw 2x2s to the wall and ceiling, and then attach plywood panels to the 2x2s to form the top, bottom, and sides of the cabinet boxes.
This method is fast and cost-effective, with materials costing around $250. Plus, these cabinets make for great storage solutions in your garage or workshop, and could even be used to house a TV.
Add Outdoor Storage
If your garage is feeling cramped, consider adding outdoor storage. A small garden locker can provide ample space for garden gear and free up much-needed room in your garage.
Building your own garden storage closet is a cost-effective solution that can be customized to fit your needs.
Upcycled Garage Storage Idea
Looking for a creative way to store your tools and small items in the garage? Consider upcycling an old wooden tennis racquet.
Simply drill a hole in the handle and screw it to the underside of a workbench.
Position the racquet so it can swing in and out from under the table, and use it to hold your tools, parts, or other small items.
This easy hack can help you keep your garage organized and clutter-free.
Pretty and Practical Box Shelves
These shelves can be used to store anything from books and decorative items to laundry supplies and tools.
They’re especially useful in small spaces where floor space is at a premium. Hang them above your washer and dryer to store laundry room essentials, or use them in your garage to keep tools and hardware organized.
With their simple design and clean lines, box shelves are both pretty and practical.
Basic Garage Storage and Seating
Transform your garage with simple box shelves and legs to create a practical and comfortable storage space.
This DIY project provides ample storage for your belongings, while also serving as a cozy seating area for putting on your shoes.
Mix-Match Heights
To make the most of your garage’s vertical space, consider installing a ceiling storage rack with adjustable heights.
You can hang a shallow rack above the open garage door and a deeper shelf where your garage door track stops.
This way, you can customize the storage to fit your needs and garage space.
Build a Customizable System
This DIY project can be completed in a weekend and allows you to rearrange hooks and bins as needed.
The system is easy to install and can be adapted to your changing storage needs.
With this system, you can keep your garage organized and clutter-free with minimal effort.
For the Cyclist: Hoist Your Bike Out of the Way
If you’re a cyclist with limited garage space, a bicycle hoist is a great solution to free up some floor space. Installation is easy, and using it is even easier.
When shopping for a garage hoist, be careful of models that have undersized ropes. They can slip off the pulley wheels and jam.
Look for one with a good, hefty rope. With a bicycle hoist, you can easily lift your bike out of the way and keep your garage clutter-free.
Summary
Organizing your garage can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a breeze.
Start by decluttering and sorting your items into categories. Then, install shelving units and hooks to maximize your storage space.
Label everything clearly and consider using color-coded bins to make finding things easier.
Finally, establish a system for maintaining your organized garage to keep it looking great.
Pin for Later, Explore Forever!
