For many families, the garage becomes a big closet for possessions that don’t fit within a home. Sports equipment, bikes, tools, and seasonal decorations are just a few of the things that find their way into your garage, pushing your car to the driveway.
What if you didn’t have to choose between your car and your belongings? By making efficient use of your wall space, you’ll not only have room for your vehicle but also for a workshop, gym, or anything else you may want to add .
Keep reading for wall storage ideas to help maximize space and transform your custom garage into a functional room where you can easily access all of your belongings.
Declutter and Purge
The first step is to sift through your garage and decide what you want to keep. Unfortunately, this is typically the area where the majority of miscellaneous items are placed. If possible, remove all items from your garage and place them on the driveway or lawn. The Secret to Taming Your Garage Clutter suggests creating a grouping system based on four categories:
- Keep
- Move elsewhere - because the garage is not the right place to store the item.
- Donate
- Trash
Keep in mind, some items such as propane, paint, pet food, refrigerators, and canned goods are not safe to store in your garage.
Take Inventory
Before you can decide how you plan to utilize your garage walls, you need to understand your storage needs. First, go through the pile of items you plan to keep and organize them into groups (sports equipment, tools, automotive supplies, etc...). Once you know what you have, you can look into the best ways to store your possessions.
Stay Off The Floor
To free up more room for your car, do your best to keep the floor clear. Your garage will have a cleaner look without stuff piled haphazardly throughout. If necessary, consider installing overhead storage racks on the ceiling to keep oversized items off the floor.
Install Wall-Mounted Cabinets
Cabinets with doors help maximize your wall space and give your garage a clean look by keeping items out of view. They also protect against dirt and dust. You can add drawers to meet your specific storage needs.
Use a Slatwall System
Utilize every bit of vertical space within your garage. A Slatwall system is a perfect choice to maximize your wall storage. The panels are user-friendly, easy-to-clean, durable, and waterproof. In addition, you have a lot of flexibility - cover a section or an entire wall. Add or remove the panels as your storage needs evolve.
Make Use of Hooks and Accessories
Whatever your needs, it's never a bad idea to look into hanging accessories, some of which actually fit easily onto Slatwall panels. Try experimenting with:
- Tool racks and bars
- Sports equipment holders for tennis racquets, fishing poles, and golf equipment
- Bike hooks
- Baskets and bins
- Hooks in a variety of different sizes
Go High
Go as high as you want on the walls to maximize your storage. Install cabinets to the ceiling. Keep items you use less frequently in the higher cabinets. While you want to keep frequently-used items accessible, seasonal and little-used items can be stored elsewhere.
Consider a Traditional or Foldable Workbench
If you plan to use your garage as a workshop but are concerned about taking up too much space, Best Life recommends a foldable, wall-mounted workbench. You could also go with a traditional workbench as well.
Go With Clear Storage Bins
Regardless of the size of the space, plastic storage bins with locking lids are essential to keeping any garage organized. Plus, the majority of them are water-resistant. They can be put in cabinets or stacked neatly against the wall. Locking lids keep spiders and other critters from getting inside.
Hang Magnetic Strips
Smaller items tend to get lost in the garage and are impossible to find. Make them easily accessible by installing magnetic strips along the walls for paintbrushes and small tools you frequently use.
Conclusion
While the garage is often the largest area of a home, it’s also the most underutilized. Most garages become de facto storage spaces. Use the ideas in this article to organize your garage and maximize your vertical space. The more you can store on the walls, the more space you’ll have on the ground.