The Easiest Way To Keep Your Garage Storage Organized (That You're Probably Overlooking)

A garage is so much more than just a place to store your car. With a little work, it can become a TV room, home gym, or somewhere to tinker around. However, that doesn't mean you can skip organizing its storage. In order to maximize your garage space, it's important that all of your items, from sports equipment to extra cleaning supplies, stay organized. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by taking advantage of vertical space with shelves. Shelving units come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, but they all serve the same purpose as amazing tools for garage storage.

Using shelves is a great method for keeping an organized home in general. Since a garage can be kind of a catchall space, shelves are especially helpful in making sure everything has a spot that's not on the floor. The three most common types of shelves for garages are wall-mounted, freestanding, and ceiling-mounted. As for material, they are typically made of plastic, wood, or metal. 

The kind of shelves you choose depends on your budget, what you'll be storing, and the installation options in your garage. Each has different pros and cons, so it's important to pick what works best for you. For example, plastic shelves are fairly easy to set up — but they aren't as sturdy as the others. Ceiling-mounted shelves are best for storing away items you don't use often, like holiday decor, as they can be more difficult to access regularly.

In addition to buying shelves, purchase some plastic bins to go on them. Any heavy-duty plastic bins will work, but clear ones allow you to get a peek inside without opening them. On the other hand, using black ones could provide a sharp, uniformed look. Not everything has to be tucked away in boxes, though. Things like cleaning supplies or extra paper products can be stored on an open shelf near the door. Gardening tools and gloves can be kept in a basket that you can easily grab and go. Utilizing shelving to keep your garage organized will give you more room for your favorite hobbies.

To get your garage organized, you have to start by decluttering it first. Although it's far from an easy task, the outcome is worth it! Make sure you carve out a good chunk of time for the project. Gather things like boxes, trash bags, and Sharpies. As you declutter your garage, deciding what to keep, toss, or donate, sort items into categories such as tools, memories, recreation, automotive, and seasonal.

Once you've purged all you can and have your garage inventory, it's time to get it all put away with bins and shelves.  Place your organized items into the bins, label them, and set them on your shelves in a way that makes sense for you. Items you don't use often can be stored more out of reach, while more common supplies can be put in spots that are easier to access. Just make sure to keep everything grouped.