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Garages often become a catchall place to dump everything from holiday decorations to lawn equipment to boxes of junk. While it’s an easy solution, it creates clutter that can quickly reach an overwhelming level and make your garage unusable.
Thankfully, there are some ways to maximize your garage space. The experts at Safeguard Self Storage are here to help with some budget-friendly storage tips and garage organization hacks. In this blog, we’ll explore the principles of DIY garage storage, along with other insights and ideas for budget-friendly storage solutions.
What Can I Store in My Garage?
Your garage is a versatile space that can store various items. Understanding what you can keep in your garage helps you plan your storage solutions effectively ahead of time. Here are some things that are frequently kept in garages:
- Tools. Hand tools, power tools, and gardening tools
- Sports equipment. Bicycles, balls, bats, and other sports gear
- Seasonal items. Holiday decorations, camping gear, and out-of-season clothing
- Lawn equipment. Mowers, trimmers, and garden supplies
- Automotive supplies. Car maintenance items like oil, windshield washer fluid, and car cleaning supplies
- Household items. Bulk storage items such as paper towels, canned goods, and cleaning supplies
Thoroughly Clean Out Your Garage
Before you consider any DIY organizing ideas, it’s crucial to clean your garage thoroughly. Start by sorting through everything in your garage and creating piles for items to keep, discard, or move into storage. You could also host a garage sale or use online platforms like Facebook Marketplace to sell items you don’t need. Once the clutter is gone, sweep and wash the floors, wipe down shelves, and dust off any cobwebs to set yourself up for easy storage.
Organizing Bicycles, Sports Equipment, and More
Sports equipment and bicycles can take up a lot of space, so consider using one of many popular cheap storage solutions. You can install sturdy wall racks to hang bicycles, keeping them off the floor and freeing up valuable space. Pegboards with hooks are inexpensive and highly customizable, allowing you to organize smaller sports equipment like helmets, gloves, and balls. Smaller items like tennis balls, mitts, and jump ropes can be kept in clear, labeled bins or baskets.
Utilizing Vertical Space
Maximize your garage’s storage potential by going vertical! Install heavy-duty shelving units along the walls to hold bins, boxes, and tools and elevate items off the floor. You can also add hooks on walls or to the ceiling for hanging items like ladders, extension cords, and garden tools, making them easily accessible while saving that precious floor space.
Storing Lawn Equipment in Your Garage
Lawn equipment can be bulky, but there are some ways to store tools efficiently. Invest in a tool rack for long-handled tools like rakes, shovels, and brooms to keep them organized and easily accessible. Use rolling carts to store smaller lawn equipment and gardening supplies, as the added mobility allows you to move things around as needed.
If you want to go all-out, you can build custom shelves or use metal shelving units to store lawn mower accessories, seed packets, plant pots, and other outdoor gardening equipment.
What to Know About At-Home Car Storage
If you plan to use your garage for car storage, make sure you have a space that can comfortably fit your vehicle and let you open the doors and trunk. Keep car maintenance supplies organized in a specific area, using a small cabinet or wall-mounted shelving to hold oil, antifreeze, and cleaning products. You should also cover your vehicle to protect it from dust and potential damage.
If you don’t have enough space for household goods and equipment, Safeguard is here to help. We offer drive-up access and climate-controlled storage units in several convenient sizes, which are the optimal place to keep equipment and tools. Explore our FAQ and self-storage tips page for more information, then find a storage facility near you to get started today! You can call Safeguard anytime to learn more about what items you can and cannot store in a self-storage unit.
