Often cluttered and poorly organized, the garage nevertheless deserves as much attention as the other rooms in the house. How to organize your garage efficiently, save space and keep the space tidy in the long term without spending hours there? Here are the best solutions.
The garage is no longer just used to store the car. Over time, it often becomes a storage space for tools, bicycles, sports equipment, gardening equipment, decorations and even winter clothing. Result: objects accumulate, organization disappears and it becomes difficult to navigate. Are you looking for storage ideas to organize your garage, save space and optimize every square meter? Here are simple and effective tips for transforming your garage into a practical, tidy and easy-to-live-in space.
Tidy up your garage: sort, declutter and categorize
First step and not the least, take out everything in your garage to put it in order. Take advantage of this moment to sort out, sell, donate or throw away what you no longer use. The objective is to declutter as much as possible in order to see more clearly and find the best possible garage storage. Once that’s finished, all that’s left to do is categorize everything. On one side the ski gear, on the other the tools, on the left the Christmas decorations, on the right the suitcases… By reserving a space for each type of object, you will find them in an instant and also put them away more quickly afterwards.
Tidy up your garage: make a plan of the available space
Now that the garage is empty and before storing all your belongings duly categorized, it may be useful to draw a plan with storage areas, this will save you time, a lot of time. First start by placing the space-consuming items: lawn mower, bicycles, motorcycle, Christmas tree, etc. And keep in mind that the categories of objects you use most often must be easily accessible. Holiday decorations, which are only used once a year, can therefore be stored in hanging storage. To help guide you, here is a non-exhaustive list of typical zones that you can create:
- DIY area: workbench, tools, saw…
- household products area
- area dedicated to sporting activities: cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding…
- gardening area: shovel, spade, wheelbarrow, overwintering plants…
- area dedicated to recycling: yellow trash can, compost bin, etc.
- area dedicated to everyday needs: shoes, small tools, light bulbs, etc.
Once your garage plan is defined, it’s time to take action! To do this, choose closed storage which will be less exposed to dust and humidity. Another tip? Label the containers to help you find your way.
High or ceiling storage in the garage
Using the vertical space offered by your garage and using the walls to your advantage is THE solution to saving precious square meters! Large shelves or cabinets running the length of the walls to the ceiling to store a lot of things. And for all the objects that are unsuitable for a shelf or that you need regularly, adopt perforated panels or pegboards, rails and hooks. Enough to always have your tools at hand and well organized. Masters in the art of tidying up the garage, IKEA, Leroy Merlin and Castorama offer turnkey solutions, such as storage suspended from the ceiling and storage overhead or along the wall. Smart tips for saving space in the garage and optimizing it.
Cheap or homemade storage tips for the garage
And if you don’t want to buy new containers and storage for your garage, know that it is entirely possible to make some yourself. With recycled materials such as wooden pallets, create tailor-made shelves and create a clean space. Also upcycle old cardboard boxes to make eco-friendly storage boxes. Looking for an old workbench to tinker with? Go to second-hand sites like Leboncoin and shop around as much as you like. There are a whole bunch of creative solutions adapted to your needs and which will cost you practically nothing!
