Garage Organizing - Central to Home Storage Solutions
Getting your garage well organized can make a big difference to any home clutter problems you may have. It is no secret that a large percentage of American homes have no space left in the garage to fit a car. Even 2 car garages often suffer the same fate. Given that garages were conceived and designed for cars, that is clearly a problem of home storage organization.
In most cases, the clutter problem can be sorted out, with varying degrees of garage organizing. What that degree is, depends on the scale and nature of the problem. How you tackle it depends on discipline and, inevitably, budget. However, even if the sight of your garage is depressing, be optimistic. You can organize things much better. You just need to face up to it and take action.
Often it is the action part that causes people to fall at the first hurdle. Having the vehicles outside is something they just get used to, and become unconcerned about the debris in the garage, where their vehicles should be. So the first step is to get yourself, and family if you are not living alone, motivated to get started.
Where do you start though? Take a good look at what is in the garage. A detached look, so that you can decide without emotion to throw things out that you will never need, or use, again. Sell them if you must, but giving them away or just taking them to a garbage tip is quicker. Giving them to someone in need will get your heart feeling good for the rest of the task in hand.
Now you have a clear sight of the things that you want to keep, you need a vision of how you are going to them from clutter into neatly stored possessions You want them stored in such a way that you can reach them easily when the time comes, and know exactly where they are.
If there is anything that really belongs in the plastic shed, take it there to be sorted later. If there is anything that really should be somewhere in the house, take it there. The remnant in the garage is what you want to deal with. This is when your real garage organizing begins.
Can you organize everything better with your existing storage racks and shelves? If so, just get sorting out and tidying, and move the car back in before your evening meal. The chances are, though, a bit of planning will be needed so that you can accommodate everything neatly.
Fortunately, there have been a lot of developments over recent years that help solve garage storage problems. First of all, there is a vast space above the car that is usually wasted. An overhead garage storage system may well deal with most, if not all, of your clutter problems. Admittedly, they do cost money, but once installed you will probably not regret the expense, especially if you take care in choosing the best system for your needs.
You may well have used all your wall space already for rack shelving or wall cabinets of one sort or another. If there is still space available, and you have odd items still to store, then take a good look around at the modern racks designed primarily for garage use. They need not be expensive. Be wary, though, of using cheap shelving in the garage, as it is often quite heavy things that get put out there.
Ensure that the shelves or racks you choose have the correct brackets for fitting to the wall. If free standing, then ensure they will not easily topple if you put heavier items on the top.
Choose with care, and never forget safety, especially with children around.
Talking of children, what about the kids’ bikes? Plus the adult bikes if there are any. These can be difficult obstructions in a garage, but there are lots of good value bike storage racks and hoists available. Again, choose carefully so that your bikes are securely stored, as well as being out of the car when it’s back in its rightful place.