Garage Improvement Ideas

If you’re like most people, your garage slowly degrades into a catch-all of recreational equipment, a tangled mess of garden tools, seasonal decorations, broken toys, old clothes, a workbench covered in parts and tools and other miscellaneous items that somehow find their way “out in the garage.” If you’re tired of having a messy garage, there is hope!

Here are some great ideas that will help organize your garage so things are easily accessed, conveniently put back where they belong and will help you maintain a neat and functional space. (And if you’re lucky, you may even be able to put your car back in the garage, too!)

Start by Cleaning and Organizing

If you already have a big mess in your garage, start by sorting everything out. Organize tools by purpose, placing mechanics’ tools in a toolbox and outdoor lawn and garden tools in one area. Spend a day fixing any broken equipment or toys or toss anything that can’t be repaired. Put all the chemicals, car cleaning soaps and waxes and other liquids in another area, organized by use.

Once you have your head wrapped around what you have to deal with, it’s much easier to start planning how to use the space and the best way to organize everything.

Next consider these ideas to build out the space to best fit your needs.

Wall Storage

One of the easiest ways to store a lot of the stuff that lives in your garage is wall storage. You can easily hang pegboard and buy a variety of hooks to hang up the rakes, shovels, hoes and long-handled equipment. There are even hooks to hang bicycles and other larger items.

This wall storage allows you to easily find everything so it can be easily grabbed and put away when you are done using it.

Tip: Pegboard requires space behind it to insert and remove the pegs. If you have finished walls in your garage, install ¾” furring strips to the wall and secure the pegboard to the furring strips.

Another great way to use the long walls in your garage is to build shelves or install inexpensive wire shelving. Smaller items can then be organized in tubs or baskets and placed on the shelves. Be sure to label any tubs or boxes so you can easily identify what’s inside. Shelving doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Most home stores sell brackets that are simply screwed into the wall with matching pre-cut shelves that can be purchased in a variety of lengths.

If handyman work isn’t your thing, even inexpensive storage shelving units will work. Most come disassembled, making them easy to bring home — even in a small car. Plastic units typically just pop together, while steel units can be quickly assembled with a screwdriver and a small adjustable wrench or pliers. These storage shelving units are quick and easy solutions that offer a lot of space with minimal effort.

(Source: Barry Cloyd)

Workbenches

Your workbench is supposed to be a place to work, right? Make sure it stays clear of clutter by building in storage. Again, pegboard installed as a backdrop allows you to easily hang the hand tools you use on a regular basis. Magnetic strips (like the ones available for kitchen knives at your local home center) are a convenient way to store hand tools, too. Build shelves into the base of your workbench for storage of toolboxes, power tools, hardware and other workbench items.

One of the best and easiest ways to build a workbench is to pick up a set of old kitchen cabinets. These are easily located on the internet for sale sites or you can reach out to local remodeling contractors. You can even mount wall cabinets over your workbench to create a space with tons of storage built in. Cabinets have drawers and shelving for convenient storage without hours of fabrication, plus you’re recycling and keeping all of that wood out of the landfill.

Tip: If you’re already short on space, a folding workbench is a great option. A workbench-sized piece of plywood can be anchored to the wall with hinges and either locking brackets or folding legs make a workbench that can be easily set up or folded out of the way.

(Source: Instructables)

Ceiling Storage

Don’t forget to look up for storage ideas! Garage ceilings tend to offer plenty of headroom and great storage space. Bikes can be hung from hooks on the ceiling, and you can easily install sliders to hold tubs for seasonal decorations or items that are only used occasionally. There are also pre-made systems that include pulleys that make it easy to lower items down, use them and then quickly hoist them back to the ceiling.

Tip: A great idea is to label any tubs on the bottom, so you can quickly locate what you need without climbing up a ladder and taking everything down.

(Source: Family Handy Man)

When considering ceiling storage, though, be sure to plan to keep the area clear where your garage door moves. The most organized garage won’t be functional without a door that operates!

Taking It to the Next Level

If you really want to transform your garage into a multipurpose workspace, consider these additional improvements that will take your garage organization to the next level.

Flooring

If you want to add the next level of finish to your garage, consider your flooring options. There are a variety of epoxy floor coating and other flooring options for your garage.

Concrete sealer is a quick and easy option. Available at most home centers, the sealer also offers a variety of stains and finishes, adding custom options to the finish of your floor.

Epoxy coatings will brighten the space and add a level of finish to your garage. Epoxy is also very easy to clean and is resistant to grease, oil, gas and other chemical spills. However, epoxy can be difficult to work with, so be sure you’re comfortable doing this type of work and have read the installation directions. You also need to work fast, because the epoxy cures quickly. You often need to wait a week or more until the epoxy is fully cured before you can use the garage. As with any paint job, preparation is the key to success, so make sure the floor is thoroughly cleaned and prepped prior to attempting the application.

Another option is rubber floor matting. Available in popular diamond plate texture and a variety of colors, rolls of the flooring are readily available and easy to install. This flooring also comes in rigid snap-together tiles from several manufacturers. This is a great option because it is very durable and holds up well to vehicle use but can be very pricey.

Other options include vinyl laminate flooring and self-stick tiles. These will add a finished look to your garage at a modest price. They are best suited to spaces that are heated and may not stand up to repeated vehicle traffic. If you have a limited budget, this may be a great option to consider.

Lighting

Be sure to consider lighting upgrades for various areas of your garage. Typically, garages are not well-lit and task lighting installation can be very convenient. Consider installing motion lights for less-used areas, which can be conveniently installed without needing a switch. A wide variety of battery-powered LED lighting is also available, which is a great option to provide illumination in the dark corners that are not often used.

Mats

Anti-fatigue mats are a wise investment if you spend hours standing at your workbench or hovering over the hood of your car doing mechanic work. Padded mats make working in your garage much easier and help prevent slips and falls on slippery or wet floors. They also help prevent sore knees and feet from the long hours it often takes to get the job done.

Anti-fatigue mats are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive, resistant to chemicals and oils and can be conveniently rolled up and stored out of the way for occasional use.

Add Custom Solutions

There are a variety of storage solution ideas available online. Whether you’re struggling to corral sporting equipment or are looking for the best way to stow the stuff you need, check out some of the solutions at these links:

35 DIY Garage Storage Ideas To Help You Reinvent Your Garage On A Budget

15 Garage Storage and Organization Ideas

Brilliant Ways To Organize Your Garage

These ideas will help make your garage more organized, easier to work in and a more pleasant environment. And good storage will help you find things quickly, put them back easily and help keep your garage tidy!

Now that you have your garage neat and organized, it may be time to add a new car to it! Neil Huffman Acura at Oxmoor can help with that. Stop by today to look at our wide selection of new and used vehicles.

 

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