Garage organization breaks down when the stuff you have is bigger than the space you have assigned to it. This article describes how to improve garage organization creating: 1) more usable space for active projects, 2) more time at play and work destinations, 3) less cursing, or better, more harmony. Also, this method does not cost much money.
- Remove all cars from the garage.
- Remove everything from its current storage location.
- Put things in piles on the floor according to two methods: a) All like things together [like: 1)fasteners, 2)clamps, 3)glue/adhesives, 4)paint, 5)tools that remove material(drills, saws, sanders, planes), 6)measuring tools, 7)hammers, etc.]; or b) All activity based stuff together [like: 1)gardening stuff, 2)windsurfing stuff, 3)biking stuff, 4)beach stuff, etc.]
- Discover the items that you are just storing in your garage for a rainy day like a big desk, or a lightly used washer and dryer pair.
- Sell the stored items if, while you survey the piles, it is clear that they should go.
- Make the stored items a part of your organizational system using quickly constructed wood or cardboard "compatibility devices." For example: cardboard can be used to protect a wood finish from scaring. This allows quickly constructed shelves to be stacked on top of a stored desk. Or, a stored washer and dryer pair can be stacked with the dryer on top, once you build a 2"x6" frame to support the dryer above the washer control panel. This also makes a nice storage space between the two. Remember to secure the dryer to the wall to make sure it cannot fall on anyone!
- Move the stored items into the most constructive place for them to be (least in the way).
- Sort your piles, recycling, or dedicating to specific purpose any duplicate items you discover. This may be particularly useful for those who are both gardeners and dog owners, for instance.
- Size up the piles.
- Size up empty storage areas.
- Make more storage areas, recognizing that gravity tends to smear things out. Your best storage ideas will defeat gravity in some way. Here are some examples:
- Clone: Reverse tiered garden tool storage. (Note: Upper wood strip is "2 X 4" and lower wood strip is "1 X 4". This provides clearance between the upper and lower layers),
- Ponder: Windsurfer and ladder storage,
- Copy: Weed eater and electric cord storage,
- Look askance: Bicycle storage,
- Covet: Empty fruit box wall mounted closet chest of drawers.
- Evaluate your budget. All of these were constructed from scrap or $3 lumber save the chest of drawers which was $14.
- Find a place for each category of stuff that matches the spaces you can create, with these examples in mind.
- Consider visual appeal. I found that interior house paint stores well under a work table. An oil cloth table cloth drapes down to hide the paint containers and a shop vac. I mounted a drill press on that same wipable oil-cloth covered table - just bolted right through the cloth.
- Consider how frequently an item is used.
- Good luck and be safe.
