One of the major concerns people have when downsizing their homes is storage space. How will they fit all of their belongings into a smaller home? And what about those items that just don’t fit inside the house, like lawn equipment, holiday decorations, and sports gear? That’s where the garage comes in.
There are plenty of ways to maximize garage storage space so that it works for you and your family. Here are 10 brilliant ways to optimize garage storage when downsizing:
Get rid of unnecessary items
The first step to take when trying to optimize garage storage is to get rid of any unnecessary items. If you haven’t used something in a year, chances are you don’t need it. Have a garage sale or donate items to charity. This will clear out some much-needed space in your garage.
Install shelves
Shelves are a must when it comes to making use of every square inch of space in your garage. Instead of large piles of items stacked one atop the other, shelves allow you to organize and neatly place items in an easily accessible manner.
There are many different styles of shelves that can be incorporated into your garage and there are even pre-built, easy-to-assemble options. Whether building your own or looking for a cost-effective alternative, shelves should be one of the first steps when organizing a garage.
Hang things up on a Peg Board
The pegboard is a versatile garage storage solution that can be used to hang paint brushes, rollers, and cleaning equipment. You could also use it for hanging garden tools or brooms by adding pegs on the board first and then stocking them up with whatever you need!
Pegboards are available in a number of different sizes and can be easily customized to fit into any space. With a variety of hook and hanger styles, organizing tools, equipment, and other garage items are a breeze.
Build a Workbench
Adding a workbench to your garage will not only aid in organizing the space, but it will also come in handy for any future projects. A workbench can easily be built using basic woodworking skills and a few tools, ones that you will quickly be able to locate in your well-organized garage!
Utilize Vertical Space with Racks and Hooks
One often overlooked area in the garage is vertical space. By installing racks and hooks, you can take advantage of this area and free up valuable floor space. This is especially useful for hanging bicycles, which can be difficult to store otherwise.
Racks and hooks are relatively inexpensive and can be easily installed. For a more permanent solution, consider screwing the racks or hooks into place.
Make Use of Overhead Storage Space
Ensuring no space goes to waste, consider making use of the overhead storage space found in attics. Though not ideal for regularly used items, overheard storage is a great place to pack away seasonal items such as Christmas Trees, holiday decor, seasonal lawn equipment, and much more.
DIYers can quickly make tracks of which storage bins can be slid in and out of, which of course should be labeled for easy access.
Use storage containers
Storage containers are an excellent way to ensure you are making the most of your garage storage space. Bins, tubs, and boxes can all be used to store items in your garage. Be sure to label all the boxes to ensure you can easily find whatever it is you are looking for without having to dig through each and every container. By grouping similar items together such as painting supplies or holiday decorations, you can further optimize your space.
Purchase a Tool Cabinet
If you are a handy person or find yourself in the possession of lots of tools, a tool cabinet or tool chest might be worth the investment. By consolidating all your tools in one place, you can easily organize and find whatever it is you need without having to search through an entire garage full of stuff.
Tool cabinets come in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as different price points. There are also many different styles to choose from to ensure the cabinet fits your needs as well as your garage aesthetic.
Set Up Dual Storage Spaces
A great way to optimize your garage storage is to create two storage spaces – one for regularly used items, and another for seasonal or infrequently used items. This will help to ensure that the items you need are easily accessible while also keeping your garage from getting too cluttered.
For example, you could keep your winter gear in one area and your summer gear in another. This way, when it’s time to switch out your gear, you know exactly where everything is and don’t have to search through a bunch of stuff you don’t need.
Invest in garage storage systems
If you are really serious about making the most of your garage storage space, you may want to invest in some type of storage system. There are many different types and styles of storage systems available on the market today. You can choose a system that fits your specific needs and budget.
These are just a few of the many ways you can optimize garage storage when downsizing your home. By getting rid of unnecessary items, using storage containers, and investing in a good storage system, you can make the most of this often-over cluttered space.