Organizing a garage can be tricky, especially when it is used and as a warehouse for various things. Sports equipment, garden tools, fishing tackle, pet food and much more are stored here. It is not an easy task to figure out how to put it all together in one space so that there is order and everything is at hand. But feasible if you know the intricacies of organizing the optimal space.
1. Each target has its own zone
To make the space as functional as possible, it is important to correctly define the zones. The premises are divided into areas based on the purposes of using the garage: car maintenance (spare parts, auto chemicals, tools), garden (inventory), sports (equipment), tourism (equipment), workshop (workplace), pantry (storage of household chemicals, food for household pets, etc.). Do not forget the hallway area: instead of leaving outerwear in the first place where it can get dirty, it is better to equip hangers and shelves at the entrance.
2. Convenient area - comfortable garage
Defining zones is only half the battle, they now need to be organized in a way that is convenient to use. The rule is simple: the more often you use things, the closer they should be. So, everyday little things that are required constantly are placed on shelves within easy reach. Rarely used and bulky items are removed in an area where they do not interfere with movement and do not pose a risk of accidental damage to the machine. The ideal solution is placement on the top shelf of the shelving or hanging from the ceiling. In this case, there must be a "dead zone" above the car so that nothing falls onto the roof.
3. Free floor - easy movement
The most functional space is a convenient arrangement of things and free movement, which is impossible when cluttered with furniture and boxes. Therefore, when arranging a garage, vertical storage systems are a priority: on the walls and ceiling. This approach provides easy access to things, and you can move around the garage without stepping over inventory and without fear of tripping over boxes, bags and other things. In addition, ample free space in the garage makes it easier to park and does not worry about the safety of the paintwork.
4. Open shelving - order and convenience
To store all the necessary things, you will need to create a lot of space and this can be done with the help of shelving. Such an open storage system is convenient in that all objects are visible, and it is immediately clear where everything is. Lockers are suitable if you need to restrict access to some things, for example, to protect chemicals from children.
5. Racks - everything stands and does not fall
It is inconvenient to store the bike just standing against the wall - it is unstable and falls. Therefore, it is better to think about a special stance, especially if there are several "two-wheeled horses". There are many versions of such structures: the bike can be fixed on the floor, on the wall, or hung on the ceiling hooks.
Another option for racks that will come in handy in the garage is a structure for storing a rake, shovels and other oversized equipment with long handles. It is not difficult to make them yourself, for example, from pallets or the remains of PVC pipes.
6. Trolley on wheels - convenience and mobility
If the garage is large enough or tools are often used for yard work, a trolley might be worth considering. The open design on wheels will be a wonderful assistant to the master. It is quite narrow and does not take up much space, but wide enough to accommodate the most commonly used tools. Moreover, the cart is mobile - it can always be rolled to the desired location.
7. Organizers - each item has its own place
For neat storage, you will also need organizers, because there will be no order on the shelves when things are piled up. It is better to first lay them out in boxes, boxes or containers and only then put them on the rack. If the containers are not transparent, then they can be signed to understand what is there.
Useful advice from Novate.ru: When planning your garage space, don't buy storage systems in advance and in large quantities. After defining the zones, they start with one element and see if this option is suitable or not, and then expand at their discretion. In addition, you can save money and make some of the organizers yourself from available tools - there are many training videos on the Internet on how to do this.
8. Panels - organized and close at hand
One of the best ways to organize your small to medium sized tool storage is with a perforated panel. Hooks and holders are easy to move, allowing you to continually reconfigure your board to make the best use of every square centimeter. At the same time, the tools are in plain sight, in easy accessibility. And in order not to get confused on which hook to return the object, you can trace its contours on the perforated panel with a pencil.
9. Hooks and rails - we put everything in the air
Items such as a stepladder or a wheelbarrow on a rack to be sent. But just leaving it against the wall is not very good - they occupy the floor and can fall on the car from the shock. Therefore, hooks are another mount that should be considered in the garage.
Various sports equipment, spinning rods and other equipment of non-standard dimensions, when placed on shelves, take up an irrational amount of space. It is better to hang skateboards and sledges on the wall, make a mount for fishing rods and skis under the ceiling, and place the balls in a hanging basket.
10. Decluttering is the key to order
The first stage in organizing space is not buying organizers or even arranging shelving. The very first thing to do is clean and wash the garage. All items are taken out into the street and sorted according to the proposed zones, along the way checking the state of things. It's time to throw away everything that is broken, that is no longer used and will not be needed in the future - you can give it to someone or also send it to the trash can. If you do not disassemble things, then the garage will remain a place for collecting various rubbish.
In the future, the clearing is arranged periodically in order to keep the organization scheme in order. The optimal mode of decluttering is twice a year.
Well, if old unnecessary tires have accumulated in the garage, then there are as many as 7 ways to further use them. So do not rush to throw them away.