Storage Solutions in the Garage
06/01/2009
Fear not. Organizing your garage can be done in a single weekend—maybe two, depending on what you need to do. It just takes a plan and a promise to toss items you never use.
Here are four more solid rules of family garage organization.
1. Store items by category. Our dog’s toys have a drawer and all the balls—from beach to basketball—are in one large tub. I have several durable plastic bins with lids, which I let the kids decorate (read: label) with markers. My sister likes tubs on wheels so her kids can just roll the bins out onto the driveway.
2. Think safety. You don’t want your kids pawing though recycled pesticide containers or scaling shelves to reach wanted items. Be sure to use toxin-free containers, then load and store them in an easily accessible place. Keep potentially dangerous items, such as solvents, gasoline, drills and other tools, out of reach or locked in a cabinet or chest.
3. Use the ceiling and walls. Hooks, simple shelves and pegboard can easily be added to walls, not to mention the unused space above the parking area. One no-basement friend of mine hangs the family bikes from the garage ceiling using a pulley storage system. The best part: She doesn’t have to mess with stepladders to get them down.
4. Don’t forget to stake space for yourself. I have reserved a corner for my clay pots and garden gear (which is organized in a hanging clear shoe bag). My husband has his corner as well—for the lawn tools, shovels and that old BMW motorcycle he never rides.
Once the garage is clean, try to keep it that way. I've trained my kids to put things back at the end of the day. And get this: We actually buy less stuff because we can find it—and because Mom doesn't run over it in the driveway.
