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Step into your garage and what do you see? Maybe some unopened boxes from when you moved in a few years ago. You have no idea whats inside them but you also dont want to throw them away. You see your old golf clubs, musty and covered in cobwebs. You try to remember the last time you played golf but it escapes you. You move around some boxes to make space and you find the bikes your children have outgrown, and toys they no longer play with. You remember your youngest is going to uni in a couple of months. But wheres your car? Oh, right, its parked out in the street.
Quality storage can help give your garage some much-needed organisation. Some would say, Garages are meant to be messy. Anybody who has said that has never had the benefit of a tidy garage. Organising your garage can help reduce the clutter, make finding and storing things easier and more convenient, and most importantly, free up space. Getting the most out of your garage space is the goal, and to do so you must plan carefully what to store, how to store it, and where it should be placed. Here are a few tips and pointers for taking your garage back.
What to keep in your garage
Even if youve invested in expensive home security cameras and alarms, your garage is rarely as secure as the rest of your home. Garage doors and windows are most likely to be left unlocked or open. If youre storing items of value in your garage or thinking of doing it, It is important that you take measures to secure the space to prevent unauthorised access and theft.
The conditions in the garage are also sure to be different from the rest of your home. Garages are seldom climate-controlled, and you will need to modify the room before storing items that are sensitive to temperature and humidity. However, garages are excellent spaces for storing non-perishable food so you better take advantage of bulk discounts at your supermarket.
Measuring the garage
When taking measurements for anything, be sure to measure twice and do it once more to be 100% certain. Getting the wrong measurements could cost you a lot of time, effort and money. Be sure to get the accurate width, length and height of the area where you want to add storage. Double-check if the walls are at an exact right angle.
When planning the layout, take into consideration the locations of plumbing and wiring as the storage solutions may impede access to these. You dont want to tear down your cabinets just so the plumber can inspect a pipe that may or may not be leaky.
Lastly, when thinking about the space you need, volume almost always beats area. Storage with a small footprint but wide clearance is always better than one with a wide area but low clearance.
Storage cabinets
Storage cabinets are the most common storage solution for garages. Many people find them to be the best option, as they can be used to store practically anything. Storage cabinets typically fall under three categories: base cabinets, wall cabinets and utility storage.
If you want to maximise your storage without using floor space, then mounted wall cabinets are your option. If not set too high, mounted wall cabinets allow for immediate access to storage without taking up space on the floor. Wall mounted cabinets can be either horizontal (wide footprint, low clearance), or vertical (narrow footprint, high clearance).
For freestanding storage, you can always go for a utility storage cabinet. Perfect for small lawn care items, gardening supplies and other accessories, utility storage cabinets can comfortably fit long, narrow items, and can include partitions and interior shelving.
Base cabinets are similar to modular kitchen counters, and are a cheaper alternative to inbuilt cabinets. A standard base cabinet has two or three drawers, or a combination of drawers and shelves. They can also include features like key locks, countertops and rubber edges for protection.
Storage racks
If you own bicycles, sports equipment or gardening tools like spades and rakes, storage racks are a must-have for your garage. Storage racks allow easy access to commonly-used objects while keeping clutter and accidents to a minimum. It can be either wall-mounted or freestanding.
You can have a dedicated storage rack for your sports equipment, one for gardening and another one for general hardware. These racks can feature protective mesh, utility trays or side hooks.
Ceiling mounted racks are useful for seasonal or rarely used items. They utilize ceiling space instead of wall or floor space, so the positioning of lights in the garage should be taken into account. Ceiling mounted racks are only recommended if space is limited.
Conclusion
Clearing your garage and organising its contents and layout takes practice and planning. Check your garage needs and wants so you can optimise the space to its fullest extent. But adding in racks and cabinets is half the work you have to strive to keep your garage clean and free of pests. Your garage may be better organised now, but its barely better than your old one if its infested with rats and cockroaches.
