Maria Sabella is an E-Design consultant and has spent the last six years working in the interior design and staging industries, as well as writing digital content focused on home-related topics.
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Maximize space in your garage with these clever storage ideas that will keep it neat, functional, and organized. Before you start creating a storage plan for your garage and begin purchasing shelves and containers, take inventory of what you need to store, how much space you have, what storage vessels you already own, and the types of activities the space needs to accommodate.
The best way to do so is by emptying the garage—park the car outside, take all the storage bins out, remove any freestanding shelves and cabinets, and give the space a good deep clean. Go through everything previously stored inside and create three piles: one for items you are keeping, another for those that will be donated, and a third pile of things that are damaged and need to be pitched.
Then, divide what you have left into categories to determine the type of storage solutions you will need. Once you have a clear idea of what you have and what you need, use these DIY garage storage ideas to maximize your space from top to bottom.
Save floor space, protect your car, and safely store bikes by suspending them from a ceiling rack. Before mounting the bike rack, check to make sure there is enough clearance for your car if you park it inside the garage, and pay attention to the rack's weight limit to prevent any potential damage.
A freestanding industrial shelf has a sturdy construction that's perfect for a garage. It's strong enough to hold heavy-duty storage containers, it offers flexibility since it's a non-permanent fixture, and you can move it from one spot to another. It's also constructed from stainless steel which will ensure long-term durability.
Organize garage shelves and corral like items together inside open-top plastic storage bins. The open tops allow for quick and easy access and the plastic material is a practical choice, as you can wash the bins if spills and messes occur.
For a uniform look, choose matching bins for open shelves and finish them off with neat labels that add a professional touch.
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Install custom cabinets in your garage to fit your storage needs. Taking the DIY route with cabinetry helps cut costs and allows you to fully customize your space. Opt for a mix of open and closed storage depending on the number and type of items you need to store.
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A pegboard wall is an excellent storage solution for a garage as it provides versatile ways to store several different items. You can hang hooks, shelves, and bins from the pegboard.
Unlike a regular wall, a pegboard offers endless flexibility as you can simply reposition hooks without needing to drill new holes in the walls. Paint the pegboard a dramatic color to add a stylish touch to your garage walls and utilize its entire height to maximize its storage potential.
One of the best ways to organize your garage is by activity. If you enjoy gardening and have a large collection of tools and supplies, dedicate a space to it.
Incorporate hidden storage through cabinets or drawers, open storage such as shelves for frequently used items you want to keep on hand, and an open surface where you can work on projects.
Utilize every square inch of your garage to maximize storage space and extend cabinets to the ceiling. Keep a ladder available so you can access top shelves, and use those harder-to-reach upper cabinets to store out-of-season and less frequently used decor, small appliances, or clothing.
Turn a door into a clever storage solution with the help of an over-the-door organizer. It's typically made from sturdy metal, has hooks at the top that hang over the door, and features multiple open-top shelves. Depending on where the door leads, use it to store cleaning supplies, seasonal accessories, or dog walking items.
Extend storage space to an empty wall with a mount for sports equipment such as kayaks, paddles, and finishing nets. This way, all the equipment stays together and is easy to pack when needed, it's also off the ground and doesn't clutter the floors.
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For a clever garage storage hacks, turn a traditional towel bar into a tool holder! Towel bars are inexpensive and they take up little room and are therefore a great option for a small garage.
Mount a piece of plywood on a garage wall and use it to store a variety of tools above a workbench. This keeps tools on hand and organized, and it's an affordable way to create wall storage without the need for expensive shelving.
One of the benefits of flat-top lidded storage containers is the fact that you can stack them one on top of the other to save floor space. Use a label maker to make labels for the front of the containers so you can easily identify the contents of each, keeping those you open most frequently on top and easy to access.
Incorporate a shoe cabinet into your garage to store out-of-season shoes. This will help declutter your entryway and keep shoes from being damaged. Organize shelves by household members or season and add easy-to-read labels to avoid confusion.
Hang metal or wicker caddies on a garage wall for open storage for items such as gardening tools. This is a great way to add extra storage above a countertop in the garage, as it keeps the worktop clean and clutter-free while keeping items within easy reach.
Whether you're an avid golfer or your family enjoys tennis, create a hobby zone in your garage to corral all the designated supplies, tools, and accessories in one spot.
Consider the types of things you need to store when deciding on the storage solution—for example, incorporate a shelf for shoes, a tall cabinet for equipment, and hooks to hang small items.
If you store extra pantry items in your garage, maximize shelf space with risers. Not only do they create extra space, they allow you to see what you have on hand and make it easier to access items at the back.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding Lazy Susans so you can revolve it around to find what you need easier.
For a more permanent way to maximize space in your garage, built-in lockers provide ample storage space that hides clutter. Extend the lockers all the way to the ceiling and add a decorative touch with cabinet door cut-outs and stylish knobs and pulls that tie in the home's interior.
Declutter the garage floor by mounting an organizer rack on the wall to hold garden tools such as rakes and shovels. This inexpensive storage solution gets tools off the ground and securely holds them in strong clamps that prevent slipping.
In addition to gardening tools, you can also use a wall rack like this for mops, brooms, and any other tall tools causing clutter in your garage.
If you are a dog owner, organize your pet's essentials in one area of the garage. Corral shampoos and cleaning supplies in an over-the-door rack and hang hooks on the wall to store collars and leashes.
Each shelf should be dedicated to a specific category, so you know where to place everything back every time.
A garage is often a multi-purpose space that needs to accommodate a variety of different tasks. If your garage doubles as a laundry room, section off the space and keep it clean by blocking it off with a curtain. This will create separation visually and practically without the need for any structural changes, which saves both time and money.
If you have bikes in your garage, store helmets nearby by mounting heavy-duty hooks on the wall. This way, helmets stay off the ground and are protected from any damage and you can easily find them when getting ready for a bike ride.
Create zones on the wall, so each part has its own category for what should be hung. This will help everything look orderly no matter what.
Use a rolling cart to organize smaller items such as exercise equipment. Label each pull-out drawer so it's clear where to find what you need and since the cart is on wheels, move it around as needed and utilize its top as an extra storage surface.
If each member of the family does a different workout, everyone can have their own personal rolling cart so they have a designated spot for their equipment.
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If you enjoy DIY projects and always seem to have extra boards of lumber lying around the garage, this is an excellent solution to get them out of the way and store them safely.
Mount lumber racks on the wall to hold boards, elevating them high enough to be able to accommodate other workshop storage such as a workbench and a pegboard underneath the racks.
If you're working with minimal storage space in your garage, every nook and cranny counts. Utilize whatever small corner or space between walls and cabinets you can find to store slim items such as a ladder.
Consider installing an organizer if you have enough space in the narrow nook, so you can properly sort tools or materials.
Open shelving is one of the best ways to maximize space in your garage. Wall-mounted metal shelves typically allow for adjustments, so you can move the shelves around as needed depending on what you're storing on them.
They are also much less expensive than built-in cabinetry and since the shelves are open, you can quickly and easily access what you need. You can store items directly on the shelves or organize them with open-top or lidded storage bins to create separation.
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Invest in a stainless steel workbench to safely store a collection of tools and to gain a sturdy and durable worktop for several tasks. The material is practically indestructible and made to last, which makes it a smart investment.
Tiered drawers provide plenty of storage space for different types of tools and supplies to hide clutter, store potentially dangerous items out of kids' and pets' reach, and keep the garage tidy.
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photography by Kaitlin Green
Keep pet food neatly tucked away but readily available for everyday use inside slide-out drawers. Empty bags or boxes of dry pet food into airtight storage containers that are large enough to hold a substantial amount so you don't have to constantly refill them.
Place the storage containers with the pet food inside slide-out drawers so you can easily access them and not have to strain your back picking up the heavy containers.
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photography by Kaitlin Green
Create hanging storage for small cleaning brushes, dog leashes, or baskets with wooden pegs. They add rustic charm and are a cheap way to add extra wall storage.
Paint them the same color as the wall or paneling for a seamless look, or mount them on the side of built-in cabinets to hang lightweight items.
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If space permits, add a workbench to your garage, either floating it in the space or positioning it against the wall. Store heavy-duty tools and equipment on the worktop or one of the shelves, so that you don't have to move potentially heavy equipment too far.
Keep your home clutter-free by extending storage to your garage. If your pantry or closets are bursting at the seams, add shelves in the garage for extra stock and out-of-season homewares.
If your garage fluctuates in temperature, keep that in mind when deciding what overflow items to store there. Paper products such as rolls of paper towels or toilet tissue are a great option, as are various cleaning and hygiene products.
Use heavy-duty lidded storage containers to safely store items in your garage. You can stack them on shelves or one on top of the other thanks to their flat top and bottom construction.
The lidded design keeps the contents of the containers free from moisture, odors, and pests, making it a practical storage solution for a variety of household items, from extra table linens and holiday decor to board games and old toys.
Store and organize shoes in the garage and to save space, opt for clear-front shoe boxes. They can be stacked on the floor, on shelves, or inside a cabinet and their clear front panels allow you to quickly find the pair you're looking for.
The shoe boxes provide closed storage but have built-in ventilation holes to allow for good air circulation to prevent any unwanted odors from forming.
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Cabinet organizers are available in various sizes and styles to help organize a garage or workshop. They typically feature many individual compartments in the form of clear pull-out drawers that you can label to create a neat, streamlined, and functional organizational system.
If you know you're going to need to retrieve items frequently, opt for storage bins that have reinforced handles to make carrying easier.
Here, a set of matching red and white striped lidded bins adds a pop of color to a garage while providing a functional closed storage solution.
Add extra shoe storage in your garage with an over-the-door shoe storage rack. It's a space-saving option whether you are renting, don't want to build a permanent shoe storage fixture, or you're trying to stick to a budget.
An over-the-door shoe rack is an inexpensive organizational tool that consists of a sturdy fabric base that holds several pockets to individually hold shoes. The open pockets allow for easy access and good air ventilation, and the rack requires no drilling or permanent installation—it simply hangs over the top of the door and can easily be removed once no longer needed.
Designate a rolling cart to store all your dog's essentials in one spot. Place larger and heavier items such as food storage containers on the bottom shelf and use the top surface for smaller items.
Organize items using a storage basket or turn table with dividers to hold everything from extra baggies to your pet's brushes and shampoos.
Create a multi-purpose storage area by mixing wall-mounted racks, open shelves, hooks, freestanding bins, and built-in cabinets. Your garage needs to serve your specific storage needs, so begin by looking through everything that you need to store before you purchase or build any shelving or cabinets.
The types of items you own will determine what the most suitable storage options for your space are. Make sure you take accurate measurements and don't limit yourself to one type of shelving, but utilize the entire garage wall height to maximize space and incorporate a variety of ways to declutter the area.
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Wicker baskets are one of the most versatile items you can purchase for your home and they work just as well in an interior as they do to organize your garage. Visually, they add a nice textural element and practically, they provide a sturdy storage vessel as they are not flimsy and can withstand long-term wear and tear.
Wicker baskets come in various shapes and sizes, some have built-in handles, and others have lids and spots to attach a label. They can be utilized in various ways to make the most of the space in your garage, whether it's to hold out-of-season shoes, umbrellas, or outdoor toys.
A bike stand can be positioned against an empty wall to create a sturdy and safe way to park bikes in the garage. It keeps them out of the way and prevents them from falling over and making a mess or scratching a parked car.
It's also a non-permanent, less invasive, and inexpensive storage solution for a collection of bikes. Some bike stands have a top shelf where you can store coordinating accessories such as gloves or helmets, but you can also hang hooks above the rack to create extra storage and keep all biking essentials together in one area.
Lots of people tend to enter their homes through the garage rather than the front door, and the garage ends up being cluttered with piles of shoes. To avoid that, shoe cubbies provide a simple, inexpensive, and practical storage solution.
Depending on the type and number of shoes you are storing, you can incorporate storage cubes into the cubbies. However, the open nature of shoe cubbies keeps footwear within easy reach. To organize the cubbies, either designate different rows for different family members or types of shoes.
Mount a magnetic tool strip on a garage wall for instant wall-mounted storage for a variety of metal tools. It's a cheap and functional way to. make use of vertical space and keep frequently used tools visible and quick to access, instead of having to rummage through multiple drawers to find what you need.
If you have a workbench in the garage, mount one or multiple magnetic strips above it to clear the worktop.
Adjustable metal wall shelving is a common storage solution when it comes to a hard-working space such as a garage. It's inexpensive and it offers flexibility since you can position shelves as needed and change the configuration over time, instead of being stuck with a permanent setup.
The open shelves also help maximize space in terms of wall height, as you can stack multiple shelves one on top of the other, and extend storage all the way to the ceiling to make use of the space.
They keep the garage open and airy unlike bulky cabinetry, which can be a deal breaker in a small one-car garage. The stainless steel construction offers sturdiness and durability and makes the shelves easy to clean.
Create hidden storage inside of a built-in cabinet. Cabinets don't necessarily need to be filled with shelves—if you own large equipment or tools that you would prefer to safely store behind closed doors, remove the shelves from the cabinets and utilize their height to hold oversized items.
Don't discard the shelves, but store them on the bottom of the cabinet or lean them against one of the interior cabinet sides just in case you need them in the future.
While you can store an entire collection of bikes using a ceiling-mounted bike rack, you can also store bikes individually by suspending them from the ceiling. Depending on the clearance you require if you park your car in the garage and your preference, you can hang the bike horizontally as is seen in this garage, vertically, or even upside down.
The hanging method depends on the type of mount you use, but before you purchase one, make sure that it is compatible with the style of bike you own.
If you don't have the clearance or would prefer not to store your bike by suspending it from the ceiling, wall-mounted tire trays provide a different storage solution that maximizes vertical wall space and keeps bikes off the ground.
This storage system holds a bike vertically and consists of two trays, one for each tire, that hold it securely in place.
Matching storage bins aren't just visually appealing, their uniform shape helps save shelf space since they are easier to place side by side or stack.
If you want to switch things up a little with two different styles of storage bins, keep one element, such as the color or material, cohesive to maintain a complementing look. Here, woven white plastic baskets are used on one side and double the number of smaller white plastic baskets is used on the other to create maximum storage in a neat and organized way.
Labels add a professional touch, help maintain an organized system, and allow each household member to know exactly where they can find each item. Open-top bins mean you can store taller items that would be limited by a container lid.
If you have a large garage and space permits, turn one corner into a craft corner. Similar to a workshop or a gardening station, create a space that combines storage as well as a functional work surface for messier tasks you would rather do out in the garage than indoors.
If you are assembling the corner out of mismatched, leftover pieces of furniture, a great way to make the setup look cohesive and intentional is by painting all the pieces the same color. To be safe, use outdoor-suitable paint that can withstand temperature changes and is more durable and scuff-resistant than indoor paint.
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To work around multiple windows in a garage, opt for low-sitting cabinets that can fit underneath instead of allowing the space to go to waste. This way, you don't block the windows and allow for natural light and fresh air to stream in while maximizing the space below.
An open-front cabinet such as this one provides multiple layers of storage space and can be filled with individual items or organized using a variety of closed and open storage bins and baskets. To give the piece a built-in look, paint it the same color as the window trim and any surrounding cabinetry.
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Build a custom rolling cart such as this one to hold lumber and a variety of other leftover materials and tools. Building your own cart allows you to customize its size to your garage and create a configuration that best works for your needs.
This wooden cart features storage on all four sides and since it's on wheels, you can easily access each side. It provides both vertical and horizontal storage and contains a mix of small and large compartments to accommodate different tools and supplies.
When planning a functional design for your garage storage, get as much as you can out of the space by utilizing the entire height and width of the walls. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are one way to extend storage all the way to the top, but you can also do so in a number of non-built-in ways.
Mount heavy-duty hooks, install wall shelves, or incorporate a pegboard to expand storage possibilities from the baseboards to the ceiling.
Shelf dividers such as these sleek acrylic ones keep stored items from toppling over and create distinct categories. They slide onto a shelf and are easily movable, which means you can reposition them as needed.
Shelf dividers are particularly useful for long open shelves where items aren't stored inside containers, as these surfaces typically get cluttered quickly. Dividers are available in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials, but acrylic dividers are a great choice since they are transparent and don't take up any visual space.
Use them to separate piles of clothing or bags, setting them as wide apart or as close together as needed.
If you own a motorcycle, storing it safely is a top priority. There are various ways that you can store a motorcycle, but one of them is parking it on one of these lifts. It keeps it off the ground in order to save the tires, relieving pressure points and extending their lifespan.
Before purchasing a motorcycle lift, check its weight limit and make sure that you have enough clearance for your bike stored on top of the lift.
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