Has your garage become a dumping ground for random stuff? Are you always looking for that one tool you’ve already bought ten times? Did you want to decorate for Halloween last year, but you never could find the plastic pumpkins?
If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, you’re definitely not alone. The Moxie Space team has seen A LOT of messy, disorganized garages. After all, these areas tend to get overlooked and underused. But the garage is an important part of your home’s ecosystem, so learning how to organize your garage can be a major game-changer!
The Benefits of an Organized Garage
We all know that clutter anywhere in your home weighs on your mind. If you’re using your garage as an entry/exit to your house (as many people do), you’re confronting that clutter every time you leave and come back, day after day. Yikes.
If you’re not even able to park in your garage due to clutter, you’re leaving your vehicles exposed to the elements — here in Texas, that can mean some serious hail damage!
Plus, if you ever plan to sell your home, a clean, organized garage is a major selling point. A survey of realtors reveals that homebuyers rank garages as more desirable storage spaces than basements or attics. And, 82% of those realtors said that a disorganized garage has a negative impact on potential homebuyers’ first impressions of a home.
Tips for Organizing Your Garage Like a Pro
So, now that you’re ready to get started, what should you do?
Zone It Out
Once you’ve sorted and edited your belongings, designating zones for all your big categories will help you a) find your stuff and b) keep things in order. Some common zones we’ve created in garages are:
- Household backstock
- Tools
- Gardening & lawn care
- Seasonal décor
Think about how often you need to access your categories and plan accordingly. For example, you might keep the household backstock items near your home’s entrance so they’re always easy to grab. Holiday decor that is used once a year might be placed on higher shelves to leave space for more frequently used items.
Wall Space is your BFF
Garages tend to be large open spaces, so use all those empty walls to create the storage you need. In other words: get everything up off the floor! Here are our favorite ways to do this:
Shelving: There are tons of shelving options available, so there’s a solution for just about every budget. We love using lower cost, easy-to-assemble industrial shelving for a quick fix, but you can also opt for more customized, built-in storage. You can even install hanging storage from the ceiling, so don’t forget the space above you!
Wall track systems: These are great for hanging bikes, scooters, gardening and cleaning tools – really anything! – for easy access and visibility.
Pegboards: We love pegboards for keeping tools and utility items within reach.
Durability + Uniformity = Happy Garage
When organizing your garage, you want to choose storage solutions that are made of durable materials.
Metal shelving is sturdier and will last longer than plastic shelves. Avoid storing items in cardboard boxes – they deteriorate and attract pests! Instead, look for hard plastic bins with sturdy locking or latching lids.
We also recommend using uniform bins and the same style of shelving whenever possible. You’ll reduce visual clutter and keep your garage looking neater and more streamlined.
Our Favorite Storage Products for Garage Organization
These are the products Moxie Space’s professional organizers turn to again and again when we organize garages for our clients:
Moxie Space’s professional organizers can organize any space in your home – including your garage. If you’re in the Austin area and ready for that garage glow up, get in touch with us!