DIY Organize Your Garage

Hanging tools on the wall makes them easily accessible.

Garage spaces are used for much more than just parking your car. A garage also makes a great space for wood working, laundry and general storage. Unfortunately, the multi-purpose nature of a garage also tends to lead to clutter. Vertical storage is key to organization in a garage, particularly if you do plan on parking a vehicle in the space every day. Always label everything accurately for easy access of your things in the future. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Peg boards
• Hooks
• Plastic bins
• Tape
• Marker
• Shelving
• Baby food jars
• Rubber bands
• Three-ring binders

Instructions

1. Ask for help. Particularly when it comes to removing heavy items or getting rid of loads of trash, a few extra sets of hands will expedite the process quite a bit. Consider renting a dumpster if you plant to have more waste than will fit in your regular trash can.

2. Divide the garage into zones. Visualize the different tasks that will be performed in the garage and where each one will take place. Create zones for parking, laundry, woodworking and any other activities you plan on conducting in the garage. Don't allow the tools or supplies from one zone to spill into another whenever you can help it.

3. Utilize wall space. Hang small tools, such as hammers, from peg boards or particle board with nails. Hang larger tools using hooks. Tall shelving also affords organization while leaving floor space open. Always secure shelving to the wall behind it.

4. Fill plastic bins with tools or supplies that you don't need access to on a regular basis. Plastic is relatively rodent-resistant and the bins stack vertically with ease. Label the outside of each bin with a piece of tape and marker so you know what each bin contains later when you need something.

5. Tie cords or wires together with rubber bands. If left unbound, cords quickly become a nuisance and a safety hazard.

6. Use baby food jars to store screws, nails and other small odds and ends. Use tape and markers to label the side of each jar, or remove the label so that you can easily see inside of it.

7. Store sandpaper in a three-ring binder. Use plastic pockets in the folder to hold your sandpaper, labeling each pocket with the grit of the paper inside.

References

• All Home Decor: Organize Your Garage or Workshop
• Oprah.com: Peter Walsh's 6 Pointers for Cleaning Out Your Garage