Grooming Your Garage
Most mid-century to contemporary houses have two-car garages. Newer homes may have three. Lots of space, right? Well, sadly this often just means a bigger landfill. With some creative planning and ingenuity-and some elbow grease-all of your needs can be met.
Get in the zone
Most professional organizers agree that garages should be conceptually divided into zones, according to function. The most common zones are gardening, carpentry, sporting good, general storage, automotive/paints, garbage.
In each zone, like items should be grouped together and if stored in containers, clearly labeled. Besides grouping items, consider usage and accessibility. For instance, if you keep your trashcans inside the garage, having them near the doorway, unobstructed, makes wheeling them to the curb easier. Gardening tools and supplies should be kept close to the outer door for better access. Also, storing bicycles close to the door allows faster fun get-aways. After you’ve identified your zones, plan your strategy.
Optimizing your space
The key to good organization is storage methodology. There are two main types: wall systems and cabinetry. Wall systems can be either wire grid, with specialized baskets and hooks, or adjustable shelving systems that screw directly into the wall. The advantage of wire grids is that they can be easily dismounted and taken with you if you move. Either system provides a lot of storage. Closed-door cabinetry gives your garage a clean, professional look, and can provide the benefit of lockable storage. If you don’t need lockable units, build plywood cubbies to span the wall or recycle by using those old kitchen cabinets leftover from a remodel.An alternative to wall-mounted cabinets is rolling units. The benefits of mobile cabinets are usability outside of the garage. These are particularly useful as gardener’s potting stations or as automotive stations when working on your car. There are many ready-made wall systems and cabinets available at your local home improvement stores, as well as building materials for do-it-yourselfers. Wall storage helps clear the footprint you need for your cars.
You should also take advantage of the overhead areas by installing ceiling shelves for larger, little-used items. Then, to reach the lofted storage, add a bunk-bed-style ladder, with hooks on the top that attach to a metal rail running along the front of the cabinets.A hammock or a net hung overhead holds large light items, but make sure whatever you use doesn’t interfere with the garage door. You can even hang your bicycles overhead-an alternative to flush wall mounts-with plastic-coated ceiling hooks (check with the bike manufacturer on the best way) or pulley systems. These are generally only accessible to adults; you may need other options for children. Ropes and pulleys even allow you to suspend a canoe or car-top carrier overhead, which can be lowered onto the car’s roof rack using a wall-mounted, hand-cranked winch. Another often overlooked resource is those narrow strips between studs. These cavities can be used as mini-storage areas, for things such as auto care items. Baskets can hold sponges and squeegees or engine fluids. Attaching bungee cords between studs turns a wall cavity into a storage nook for tall items.
Want a workbench, but think it will take up a lot of valuable space? Build a space-saving one with hinges that folds down for use and back up when done. Adding retractable, sturdy legs will prevent the bench from wobbling while allowing it to support heavy tools and materials. Add lighting and a pegboard above, for hanging hand tools and baskets for small supplies. Ordinary pails hung from hooks make good storage, too. They’re also great for storing baseballs and other sporting equipment.
Besides everything that can be stored on shelves or in cabinets or hung on hooks or pulleys, you probably have large items, such as lawnmowers, that are best left at ground level. These items can take up a lot of space. Consider storing these in a separate, lockable shed to allow more space inside your garage.
Getting Started
Tackling that clutter can be a daunting task, or it can be fun family activity. Yes, fun! Think of it as a treasure hunt. You may even find that missing scuba flipper. And, as you clear out the garage, plan a yard sale. Put the kids to work tagging merchandise and planning how to spend the money. Plus, remember that charitable contributions are tax deductible.
As you sort through your possessions, start piles for “Keep,” “Toss,” “Sell,” and “Donate.” Once you’ve disposed of the “Toss” and “Donate” items and set aside the yard sale items, it’s time to sort through the “Keep” pile. Categorize these according to the zones you’ve determined. You may even want to sub-categorize some items, such as sporting goods, forming smaller piles for specific sports.
Once the garage has been cleared out, you may want to repair or reinforce some areas. Also, take this opportunity to sweep and clean the floor, removing those old grease stains with some cleaner and elbow grease. Finish the concrete with an epoxy coating to make it durable, easy to clean, and stain resistant. Another option is to cover the floor with rubber matting or garage floor tiles. Now that the space is empty and clean, you are ready to purchase the organizational systems, or materials for building your own systems, that you need. If you purchase these before clearing the space and sorting your belongings, you may under or over-estimate what you need. When you are satisfied with your storage system, start organizing your “Keep” piles in it, making use of the zones. Remember to store all flammable items like spray paints, wood stains, and cleanser in a flameproof cabinet. Lastly, mark your calendar six months ahead for a regularly scheduled organization day, to keep your garage ship-shape. Maintenance is always easier than the first major cleanup, so the hardest part is over!
There are several advantages of having an organized garage. Besides being able to park your cars, you’ll probably be able to store even more, and then easily find what you want when you want it. Plus a neat, uncluttered garage actually increases the value of your home. Conversely, clutter-in your garage, in your home, in your life-causes stress. As the Taoist philosopher, Lao Tzu, said, “Cultivate order before confusion sets in.”
