Do You Really Know What’s in Your Garage?

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For most of us, the garage is the one place in our home where everything eventually ends up. And whether it’s by accident or on purpose, somehow or another we wind up with boxes, bins and cases filled with things. The ironic part is- by over stuffing these storage containers, we actually thought we were organizing. Now, years later, with a hundred boxes stacked up in the corner, we have no idea what’s actually in our garage. Maybe it’s time to find out.

See Your Stuff with Open Shelving Systems and Overhead Racks

Imagine being able to actually see what you have just by walking into your garage. No more pulling boxes off one another, tearing into closed containers trying to peer inside. Open shelving systems give you the luxury of seeing what you have while making the most out of floor and air space.  They’re inexpensive, easy to assemble and come in a variety of sizes and strengths, so you can store some pretty heavy stuff without worrying about the shelf falling over or collapsing. Overhead racks are also great for giving you a visual on your stuff. If you have large, odd shaped items that take up too much space on the floor or a cabinet, an overhead rack makes perfect sense.

Why waste your time and energy trying to find what’s in your garage. It’s well worth the effort to tear into those bins and boxes and get your stuff out where you can see it with a few inexpensive and shelves and overhead racks.

Commercial shelving for garage storage

Commercial grade garage shelves are perfect for home storage.

Post-Holiday Cleanup with Garage Storage Solutions

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The winter holiday season is a great time of year. It’s a time to enjoy good company, good food and of course the timeless joy of gift giving to our family and friends. But now, with the holidays behind us we have to deal with the other timeless joy of cleaning up! Your kids probably love all of their new stuff, and that new tool set you received is pure awesomeness. But where in the world are you supposed to put all this stuff? The answer lies in the most underutilized room in the house – the garage. But before you go throwing everything in a pile, let’s take a look at four simple and economical solutions that will transform one of the largest rooms in your home from a dumping ground into the organized envy of your neighbors.

Before and after using garage storage to clean up the garage.

Before and after using garage storage solutions to clean up the garage.

1. Garage Cabinets

Garage cabinets are what most people think of when you talk about garage storage. It’s what everyone wants to have in their garage but for some reason most people think it’s either way too expensive or way too difficult to make happen. This could not be further from the truth. Garage cabinets can be very economical. They are modular, meaning you don’t have to buy an entire set. You can simply buy what you need or can afford now and always add more modules later as your storage needs increase. Cabinet modules come both free standing, on rollers or permanent wall mounted, and can range anywhere from around $60 to several hundred dollars depending on your budget, style and storage needs. As an example, an average single car garage typically has about 10’ of useable wall space available. A 10’ garage wall can be lined with new wood cabinets for around $1000 – $1500. That’s an enormous amount of storage space! It’s like adding 4 or 5 closets to your home! As for installation, garage cabinets are easier to assemble and install than interior cabinets. There is not as much attention to detail required as is for a kitchen cabinet install so any handy Do-It-Yourselfer can typically do the job. As for time, a typical one car garage cabinet installation can be done in 1-2 days; a perfect weekend project. And for those homeowners who prefer not to use a drill, any handyman can handle the job easily for a modest fee. No need to call in a specialist.

Light Maple Garage Cabinets b

Here are 16″ and 24″ depth, light maple garage cabinets and corner cabinets by GSC. This garage cabinet configuration can be purchased for around $1600.

2. Slatwall

Slatwall is a storage system that you have seen used in retail stores. It is a system that uses wall panels with horizontal grooves that allow attachment of a variety of accessories such as baskets, shelves, and hooks for storage and display. Used in garages, slatwall is one of the simplest and cost effective storage solutions, and it provides almost unlimited configuration options. Slatwall panels can be used as a complete garage wall covering or on a single section of wall depending on your budget and storage needs. As an example, an 8’ X 8’ section of your garage wall space can be outfitted with slatwall and accessories for around $500, providing enough storage space to hang all of your rakes, shovels & brooms, and with the sports rack accessories you can organize all of your kids sporting equipment as well. The panels come in many colors and are installed right over the existing walls with simple, color-matched screws or you can install them right over bare studs. Installation is very easy, and with only a few basic tools (Drill, Saw, Tape Measure, Level) slatwall can be installed by almost anyone with basic handyman skills.

Slatwall for garage storage solutions

The slatwall storage system provides almost unlimited configuration options for the garage. Installed on a single section of wall or as a total wall covering (as pictured) slatwall is the perfect garage storage solution.

3. Shelving

Garage shelving is a simple, effective and inexpensive storage solution. However, one must be careful when selecting a shelving system for use in the garage. For most people the garage is a place to store big, bulky and heavy items that you typically wouldn’t store inside the home. Items like bulk animal food, drink cases, fertilizer, and more are usually heavier than you would put on simple wall mounted shelves. Commercial and industrial shelving systems are perfect for the garage and are not as expensive as you would think. Most free standing industrial shelving systems can be purchased for around $100-$200 and are far more capable than cheap wall mounted shelves. These shelving systems can hold thousands of pounds and with boltless construction any homeowner can assemble them with a simple rubber mallet! There is simply no better storage solution for heavy bulk items than quality shelving.

Shelving for garage storage

Industrial shelving is perfect for use as a garage storage solution. They are both inexpensive and extremely sturdy for even the heaviest items.

4. Pegboard

Pegboard has been around for many years. You have no doubt seen it used in classrooms, grandpa’s workshop, and in garages as an effective and inexpensive storage solution. What you may not know is that pegboard also comes made out of metal, and is super strong, durable, and waterproof; perfect for garage storage! Both standard pegboard and metal pegboard are great for tool storage, keeping them organized and in plain sight. The advantage of metal pegboard is that it isn’t affected by moisture which may be present in a garage. It won’t sag, droop, pull or warp because it got damp. It is available in many colors, sizes and finishes to match any décor. For mobile storage there are also rolling pegboard carts, which are great for working on projects out in the driveway. Standard pegboard panels are very inexpensive running about $25-$40 per panel, where metal pegboard is a bit pricier; about double. But the benefits of metal outweigh the cost. Installation is simple, usually requiring only a level, a drill and a tape measure.

Metal pegboard

Metal pegboard is durable and moisture proof. Absolutely perfect for use in the garage or workshop.

Any of these products on their own can provide great storage solutions. Combining them can open up storage options you never thought of. For instance you can line your garage wall with slatwall and install cabinets right over the panels. With open cabinet backs you now have slatwall both inside and outside which will allow using slatwall accessories inside the cabinets! Any way you approach it, adding garage storage will certainly help organize your garage, but you will also be surprised how it will add space inside your home as well. Instead of stuffing your closets, free up some space with these simple garage storage solutions.

Simple weekend project using slatwall to clean up the laundry room.

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If you’re like most people, your real life happens on the weekend. At least that’s when you have the time to work on things you enjoy, spend quality time with the kids, you name it. Monday through Friday you’re a company man and there isn’t much time for anything. But here’s the problem- weekends are short and it’s hard to start something only to have to put it aside for a week or two or three until you have the time again. So for all you weekend warriors, here is a simple projects that you can start- and finish- over the weekend and still have time to play.

Clean Out and Organize the Laundry Room using Slatwall

You may not be able to solve the mystery of the missing sock in a weekend, but you can certainly get in there and clean things up a bit. Have you considered using slatwall for storing  laundry room essentials? Imagine having one, convenient place to store fabric softener, dryer sheets, bleach, detergent and more. It’s almost too easy. Slatwall provides the perfect way to finish laundry and utility room walls.

Simply cut the panels to size with simple tools and install them right over the drywall with matched color screws. Or you can install them right over studs. A saw, tape measure, stud finder, level, and a drill will do the job. Here is an example of a laundry room being installed using slatwall panels as the walls.

Slatwall Laundry Room

Slatwall panels are the perfect laundry room storage solution. Hang any number of baskets, shelves, hooks and bins in any configuration.

The panels provide the perfect base for attaching slatwall accessories like shelves, baskets, hooks, and bins. Simply snap them into place in any configuration for the perfect storage solution.

Make Life Easier With Smart Storage Solutions

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You might have the right idea with garage storage solutions, but there’s always room for a few improvements. Are you getting the most out of your storage? Here are a couple of tips that can help you step up your game when it comes to organizing your garage.

Sort According to Use

There’s no reason why the Christmas decorations should be next to the pool cleaner, and sorting your stuff by use makes finding things a lot easier. Make the top shelf the “go-to” place for seasonal items and those things you don’t need every day. Use your tools on the go? Consider a metal pegboard cart and roll exactly what you need over to where you need it.

Metal Pegboard Cart

Wall on Wheels. Rolling, metal pegboard cart from Alligatorboard.

Save Space and Use the Walls   

If even a little wall space in your garage is bare, you’re missing a golden opportunity for savvy storage. Metal pegboard makes an inexpensive and easy way to organize ladders, lawn equipment and anything else you need to keep off the floor. Or, try some slatted wall panels and make a workshop space by adding bins and baskets to store tools and other items easily.

Slatwall Panels

Great organization with slatwall panels and accessories

A few smart storage solutions can make a huge difference, saving you time and energy when you’re looking for something specific. Sort your items by use and make sure you take advantage of the walls in your garage to the fullest.

How Much Christmas Stuff Do You Really Need?

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With the holidays now behind us, you might be asking yourself if you really need 23 boxes of lights, 5 tree stands and countless numbers of wreaths. Perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your seasonal habits…and while you’re at it, let’s find a better way to store the things you do actually want to keep. Shoving them in plastic bags and sticking them under the bed isn’t working- never has, never will.

Less is More

This year, take a new approach to Christmas decorations- a minimalist one. Sure, it’s fine to keep the essentials, a few boxes of lights, the tree decorations and a wreath or two, but let’s organize properly and make some room in the closet for what really belongs there – clothes.

Organize With Garage Shelves

Shelving systems are economical options and flexible storage solutions that can be placed pretty much anywhere. They come in a variety of different sizes, and they’re “boltless” which means they’re a snap to assemble. Add a few shelves to an empty space and in minutes, you have visible storage that’s neat, clean and ready to go. Now for the swimming gear…

Boltless Shelving for the garage

Boltless shelving from Garage Storage & Cabinet Systems

De-Clutter the Garage For the New Year

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With the New Year approaching fast, now’s the time to take a serious look at the garage. Walk around and really take a look at what you have. Decide which things need to follow you into a new year and which things you can do without. When you’ve managed to separate the “must haves” from the junk, it’s easier to organize.

Everyday items- ladders, tools and cleaning supplies can be organized and stored easily with metal pegboard. It’s made of galvanized steel, which means you can store heavy items without worrying- in some cases, up to 90 pounds. For smaller items, placing a couple of shelves in a few different spots gives you total flexibility in how you store your stuff. However you decide to de-clutter for the New Year, remember to keep it safe by storing all chemicals and toxic materials off the floor and out of reach.

Metal Pegboard for garage organization

Get your garage organized with handy metal pegboard from Garage Storage & Cabinet Systems.

And remember, with pegboard, you can get really creative with design. In fact, black and white panels fit together to make a checkered flag, adding super cool visual interest. Pegboard might be the solution you’re looking for to help de-clutter for the New Year. It’s easy to use, fun to work with and a snap to clean.