How to Solve the Biggest Problems with Your Garage Storage

If you DREAD driving into your cluttered and disorganized garage you’re NOT alone! And of course, that’s assuming you even have enough room to drive into your garage.

And if you live in a home which doesn’t have a basement (another convenient place where ‘excess stuff’ finds a home) it’s even a bigger problem if your ‘garage storage’ deserves to be put in quotation marks. Fortunately, in major cities in Ohio (where I live) like Columbus and Cleveland most homes have basements, but this still doesn’t mean people have the OCD garage of their dreams. Far from it.

And if you really think about it the garage is usually the biggest ‘room’ in your home (even if you don’t think of it like that). It CAN BE a storage nirvana. And no, I’m NOT smoking anything right now when I’m saying that.

So, if your garage lacks effective storage, has wasted space, is the ‘drop zone’ for everything you don’t know where to put, and is the most depressing place in your home, you may be wondering how you can make it actually work for you. Well – if so, you’ve come to the right article.

Below – I’ll not only identify the top 11 garage storage problems (that’s the easy part), but I’ll give you practical solutions from a guy whose been designing garage storage systems BEFORE my hair turned gray, and I lost more of it than I care to admit. And if you ‘stay until the end’ I’ll offer you a simple way to get this project done WITHOUT even getting your hands dirty.

So, let’s dig in.

Problem #1 – You don’t know where to start fixing your garage storage problems….. You NEED a plan!

Most people aren’t garage storage designers – and even the ones who are (like me) weren’t born thinking “I think I’ll grow up to be a garage storage designer!” And yes, I had lofty dreams of playing second base for the Cleveland Indians (before their name was changed to the Guardians) because I loved to field, I loved to steal bases – but let’s just say hitting WAS NOT my forte! But I digress.

And I know organizing and designing a garage isn’t easy.

First, it’s hard to know what you should and shouldn’t keep. And this is where a professional organizer can ‘guide’ you (or twist your arm so you can part with things you shouldn’t keep).

And next when it comes to developing a design it can be a godsend to work with a garage storage designer who can give you (for Free – the magic word) a plan which could include elements like cabinets, a workbench, and slat wall to hang things on the wall so you don’t end up with a piecemeal storage system which you find out AFTER THE FACT just doesn’t work!

So, if you can’t bring yourself to declutter, and you don’t know how to create a long term plan which’ll make you LOVE your garage (and yes, this IS possible), then call in organizing and garage system and installation professionals to get you started. And plus – as you’ll learn later in this article – a garage cabinet installer can also do the work for you. What a bonus.

Problem #2 – You lack space (and can’t even think about parking all your rigs inside)!

If you’ve considered an addition to your garage so you can park inside it’s not only expensive but in most cases it’s a non-starter unless you’re going to build ONTO your neighbor’s property. And I’d bet that WILL NOT go well with your neighbors or the building department.

So, what’s the best way besides an addition (or decluttering which is really the first step) to gain space in a garage? Well, it can be summed up in two words……

Grow up!

And if you’re wondering what I mean by ‘growing up,’ it’s to grow your storage space vertically. Use taller garage cabinets vs. those short (and cheap) plastic and metal open shelving you may already own you picked up at a home center store.

Or use an overhead storage unit for snow tires, or holiday decorations you only access once a year – but take up a lot of floor space today.

Or add slatwall for hanging storage taller on the wall ladders, shovels, and bikes.

One of the beauties of garages is they’re often the tallest ‘room’ in your home. Use this volume to your advantage.

And if ‘growing up’ still doesn’t give you enough room – then you might need to threaten (but in a nice way) your family members who are using your garage as their personal storage dump with bringing their things to a U-Store-It (and politely giving them the ‘privilege’ of paying the bill).

Problem #3 – There’s no rhyme or reason to where anything is at!

Don’t you hate when you can’t find what you’re looking for? And you do KNOW when you find it it’s always the ‘last place you looked!” Ok – sorry for the bad humor here, but the reality is the more stuff you have in your garage, and the less effective organization systems are, the longer it WILL take to find what you’re looking for.

So, how can you reduce time ‘hunting and pecking’ in your garage to find what you need?

The key is to create ‘garage storage zones’ and/or use specific cabinets for specific purposes.

For example, when I FINALLY (yes, it’s a ‘shoemaker’s shoes’ story) redid my own garage over a year ago I also had no rhyme or reason where things were stored.

Today my wife and I have a specific storage cabinet for household goods (like paper towels and toilet paper) which is close to the inside of the house.

Today we have a cabinet designed to house chemicals we don’t want our granddaughter to get her hands into.

Today we have even a garage cabinet with yard tools and extension cords.

And if you want to take organized storage to another level, learn how to set up storage zones in your garage by reading How to Use 7 Garage Storage Zones to Unlock Space.

Problem #4 – You’re tripping over junk on the garage floor!

Boxes, bikes, boots, bins, and books. When I tell you I’ve practically seen it all ‘stored’ (‘er dumped) on garage floors I mean it.

So, how can you improve this problem – and reduce a fall risk for an elderly parent or grandparent who is trying to walk through your garage? This is where you should use cabinetry and slat wall systems. What’s nice about slatwall systems is there’s hooks for things are small as the well-worn coat you wear to mow your lawn and the massive kayak you would NEVER think could be safely hung on the wall.

And using tall garage cabinets discussed in problem 2 should also be part of the solution to get bins, boots, and holiday decorations and the like off the floor.

Problem #5 – Your garage is UG-LY!

So, let me ask you this question. When relatives and friends (not solicitors) visit your home do they knock on your front door – or do you they ‘attempt to’ walk through your ‘oh-so-lovely’ garage (and then through your mudroom) which are often the sloppiest places in a home.

I’ll bet if you’re like most people friends and relatives coming to your front door.

And if you think it’s IM-POSSIBLE for a garage to be a cool place, think again. However, there’s 2 key things you can do to transform your garage.

• Add garage storage cabinets, workbenches and slatwall to make rhyme and reason out of what you have (and to store it behind closed doors – and that’s the key!). And if you get a cabinet system with durable and decorative finishes (like high pressure laminate surfaces) you’ll find systems which also have lifetime warranties and looks which can give others ‘garage envy’… believe it or not.
• Redo your garage floor. Garage floor coatings can make your garage nice enough for it become a ‘mancave’ or ‘woman-cave.’

Problem #6 – You’re worried about the safety of kids and grandkids.

Bug sprays, gas cans, paint cans, and sharp tools are ready and available for your kids or grandkids to ‘have fun with’ in garages with open storage.

And it’s just this kind of fun which ‘rewards you’ with E.R. visits (and yes Parker…that’s my son…. I do remember the bon-fire and ‘singed-ear’ incident with Caleb all too well. Gasoline on a bonfire probably wasn’t your wisest moment!).

So, how can you maximize safety – while also having an organized garage? One idea is to add a lock onto a cabinet in your garage with chemicals and/or tools inside.

Another idea is to put dangerous items higher on the shelves (and yes, this only works for the really little ones).

And another idea is to store sharp tools inside a locked workbench.

Improved garage safety will not only give you, your spouse or partner piece of mind – but it can save money with E.R. trips which never happened.

Problem #7 – You have no place to take off, or store, your shoes

Shoe storage in the garage is definitely a thing. And in some cultures, shoes are not kept in the home at all.

So, where can you store shoes, so they’re not thrown around the garage floor? A logical place is in a garage shoe storage cabinet which is specifically designed for shoes (meaning there’s more shelves inside the cabinet than you’d have for large storage tubs you store holiday decorations in).

In addition, if you don’t have a mudroom off the garage for shoes, add a bench in the garage to take your shoes off before you enter the home. This is what my wife and I did because our home was built before mudrooms were a must in new homes. A ‘garage mudroom’ can be a way to gain a mudroom which would be impossible today unless you wanted to carve out part of your ‘already-too-small’ kitchen (and you know that ain’t happen’!).

Problem #8 – Your existing repurposed cabinets are hanging on by a thread. Or your cheap garage shelving is old, rusted, or bent.

I can’t tell you how many times I go into a garage and see ‘repurposed’ kitchen cabinets which were thrown up on the wall and are barely hanging on. The shelves are bowed or broken because these cabinets WERE NOT designed for heavy paint cans, potting soil, heavy holiday decorations, you name it.

And even if you buy ‘uber-cost-effective’ open metal or plastic shelves on sale at your home center store, they’re now buckling or rusting. And you may be wondering what you can do about it.

First I’d insist on garage cabinets with 1” thick shelves. These shelves ARE designed for heavy garage storage products unlike the repurposed kitchen cabinets the previous owner put up to save a few bucks.

And as a word of caution – don’t let any ‘closet company’ install the same storage system they use to house sweaters in your closet and expect they’ll stand up to the sandbags, potting soil, auto parts, and bottles of windshield washer fluid you’re storing in your garage!

Problem #9 – You have no place for the ‘small stuff.’

Do you remember the book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, and it’s All Small Stuff. And although the life lessons in this book are on-point, when it comes to a garage not having a place for the ‘small stuff’ is frustrating (and something you should ‘sweat.’).

For example, where do you put nuts, bolts, and screws?

Do you have a place for hammers and screwdrivers – or are you digging in a box or disorganized toolbox to find them?

This is an area where a garage organization system can help.

Use a magnetized tool storage rack around a workbench so tools are at your fingertips.

Or add small bins for nuts and bolts hung onto slat wall.

Or if you have a workbench, a small drawer for small parts can be helpful.

Problem #10 – It’s a pain to clean under your open garage shelves

Let’s face it – nobody, and I mean nobody likes cleaning the garage. Who wants to uncover ‘creepy crawlers’ under open shelves sitting on your garage floor. It can turn your stomach (and have you ever actually seen a turned stomach???). And it’s a pain trying to sweep and hose under shelves sitting on a garage floor.

So, how can you eliminate this problem (other than forcing your teenage kids to do a half-a** job doing it for you)? A smart way is to use wall hung garage cabinets. With these cabinets it’ll not only be simpler to clean your garage floor – but wall hung cabinets prevent moisture from wicking through the damp garage floor into the cabinet and causing it to deteriorate.

Problem #11 – There’s no effective place to store the kids (and your adult ‘kids’) sports equipment.

Do you attempt to drive in your garage and your son or daughter has left a soccer ball, football, or basketball AGAIN on the garage floor? Then YOU have to pick it up before you can drive in.

Or maybe you found your prize fishing rod in pieces (and no one ‘fessed-up’ to the crime) even though you thought it was moderately safe propped against the wall.

Most garages don’t have effective ways to store sports equipment.

But consider this. How about a ‘ball stay’ inside a cabinet to keep everything organized, and not rolling out of the cabinet.

Or a mesh ball organizer for the ‘every-sport-under-the-sun’ ball storage you need.

Or wouldn’t you enjoy the peace of mind of a specialty hook for your favorite fishing rods or a larger hook for golf clubs?

Sports equipment storage doesn’t have to be the pain it is today.

And finally – how to get a garage storage system designed AND installed without even getting your hands dirty.

While it’s simple to ‘intellectualize’ (yes, this is the fancy word I threw in, so you’d think I was smart. Is it working?) a more organized…and dare I say a garage you’d actually show off, if you’re not a garage designer, and don’t play one on TV, and have ZERO desire to DIY the installation, I have an idea and an offer you can’t refuse (and yes, I AM Italian – but no I didn’t star in The Godfather!).

Don’t assume all the responsibility for this project yourself.

Find a garage design and installation business to do the job for you. In Columbus or Cleveland, call Innovate Home Org. And yes, I’ll warn you that’s my company – and you may even get to meet me (with all my wackiness) on an appointment. Lucky you – ha! ha!

Or if you’re outside these cities ask for a referral in the comments section below to one of my friends (and yes I have a couple of them, but I’ll admit I had to add them to my payroll for the chance to call them my friends) in the garage storage business across the country.

And by using a professional garage cabinet installer they’ll do the following to ensure you get a quality job:

• They’ll anchor cabinets properly (so you KNOW they won’t come off the wall and fall on top your SUV or truck).
• They’ll protect your garage floor during the installation. This is especially important if you install a new floor.

• They’ll use heavy-duty slow-close hinges so your kids can’t slam the cabinet doors into submission if they’re mad.
• They’ll offer a lifetime warranty (if you’re buying a better system) so you know you won’t have more costs down the road.
• They’ll preassemble the cabinets, so the garage cabinet installer won’t become the Murphy-Brown-Esque contractor who never leaves your home.

To learn more and get a Free 3D garage design in Columbus Ohio call Innovate Home Org at 614-545-6888.

Thank for reading and putting up with my humor along the way.

Mike

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If you’d like more information and articles on garage, pantry, entryway or custom closet design follow me on LinkedIn @MikeFotiLinkedIn.