Garages quickly become the dumping grounds for just about everything and tend to get put to the bottom of the priority list. Because they are big open spaces, they're easy targets for anything that doesn't have a set place.
Organizing your garage can increase your efficiency, help to keep everything in order, and allow you to find tools, bikes, and equipment right when you need them. If you find you have too much stuff and need extra space, renting a St. Albert storage unit is a great storage solution.
Garage organization presents some unique challenges as you need to pull together cars with toys, tools, sporting equipment, etc. There are many storage solutions and garage organization tips to maximize storage space.
Before reorganizing, try taking everything out of your garage. Decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away. Looking at the space you have as a blank canvas can give you a better idea of what you're working with. Decide which area of the garage is going to be used for what purpose. Think carefully about what you want your garage to be used for, and the best possible way that this space can be divided up.
Getting as much off of the floor as possible should be the top priority. Use as much vertical and ceiling space as allowable. You'll free up much more room for your car and avoid sloppy, impossible to sort thru piles.
The garage ceiling is a great spot for hanging long, flat items you don't use every day, such as ladders and seasonal sports gear. Take advantage of ceiling space by mounting a heavy duty overhead shelf. Make sure that any shelves you hang from the ceiling don't interfere with your garage door's operation and that there is enough clearance to avoid scraping the roof of your car.
Before buying any shelving, take down your garage's dimensions and note the size and location of windows, doors, switches, and receptacles, as well as how much space your car takes up.
If you purchase ready made shelving units or cabinets, make sure they're raised on legs so that you can clean the floor beneath them easily.
Open shelves can actually end up discouraging organization. It it easy to shove things onto the shelves, until they become a mismatch of random belongings. Think about buying baskets/small totes that can be labelled and hide randomly placed items.
Cabinets with doors can give you an excuse to stay disorganized because you can hide the evidence, so they can quickly become messy. Use them sparingly for items you're storing that need to be protected from airborne dust and dirt.
When assigning everything a new home, group like items together, such as tools, gardening supplies, camping gear, etc. Put bulky equipment, like lawn mowers, in corners where they won't get bumped or knocked over by your car. Place frequently used items, like bikes, close to the garage door. Finally, put seasonal or rarely used items in the hardest to reach spots.
Pick up some holders from the store for brooms, rakes, mops - anything with a handle. Heavy duty hooks can take care of the rest.
Clear jars in different sizes are great for sorting hardware and small items. It is as simple as saving food jars and cleaning them out thoroughly before using.
Label absolutely everything. Taking the time to label each and every drawer, shelf and container can make a world of difference.
Once you have reorganized, if you find you have too much stuff, consider renting a self storage unit. St Albert storage units are perfect for seasonal items, sporting gear and rarely used items. At Riel Park RV & Self Storage we offer short term storage or long term storage with no commitment.
If you find you have run out of space in your garage, call Riel Park RV & Self Storage today! We have LOTS of space and have various sizes of units to suit your needs. Call 780-459-6435 or book your unit online. Find affordable storage near you at Riel Park RV & Self Storage.
