Outdoor Fix-Ups: Reorganising Your Garage
Is your garage a mess? If so, it’s about time to declutter and reorganise the space to make it functional and mess-free
Kerryn Ramsey
11 June 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
While the garage was designed as a place to protect a car from the weather, it generally works double-duty as a storage space, equipment locker, tool shed, gardening centre and even an entertainment area. Invariably, it becomes cluttered with stuff that you’ll organise. Later. Well, the day (or weekend) has come, so it’s time to straighten, tidy and reorganise your garage – and you will feel so good once it’s done!
Throw stuff out
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A can-do attitude
HOW TO: The first step in reorganising your garage is to discard all those items you simply don’t need or use. Start by emptying the garage onto the lawn or driveway. Make a pile of everything you want to discard or give to charity. Be brutal! Sort the remaining items into categories – sporting gear, tools, garden equipment, paint etc.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours to a full day
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A can-do attitude
HOW TO: The first step in reorganising your garage is to discard all those items you simply don’t need or use. Start by emptying the garage onto the lawn or driveway. Make a pile of everything you want to discard or give to charity. Be brutal! Sort the remaining items into categories – sporting gear, tools, garden equipment, paint etc.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours to a full day
Clean up
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Broom, rags, bucket, detergent, degreaser
HOW TO: Once the garage is emptied, it’s a perfect opportunity for a full clean. Sweep the floors. Wipe down benches and shelves. Clean up any old spills. Remove oil spots on the floor with a degreaser. Wash windows. Get rid of spider webs. If time permits, consider giving the interior a fresh coat of paint.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours
See concealed garages with kerb appeal
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Broom, rags, bucket, detergent, degreaser
HOW TO: Once the garage is emptied, it’s a perfect opportunity for a full clean. Sweep the floors. Wipe down benches and shelves. Clean up any old spills. Remove oil spots on the floor with a degreaser. Wash windows. Get rid of spider webs. If time permits, consider giving the interior a fresh coat of paint.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours
See concealed garages with kerb appeal
Mix and match shelving
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Shifting spanner, screwdriver
HOW TO: One of the best ways to reorganise your garage is to add good, sturdy shelving. There are modular units available that can be mixed and matched to fit any space. Most shelving systems just clip together, but there may be some screws and bolts to be tightened. Ensure the shelves go as high as possible – without interfering with the garage door – to get maximum storage.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Shifting spanner, screwdriver
HOW TO: One of the best ways to reorganise your garage is to add good, sturdy shelving. There are modular units available that can be mixed and matched to fit any space. Most shelving systems just clip together, but there may be some screws and bolts to be tightened. Ensure the shelves go as high as possible – without interfering with the garage door – to get maximum storage.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
Stack boxes
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Plastic boxes with lids
HOW TO: Sturdy, plastic boxes with lids are a perfect way to keep small items organised. Whether it’s nuts and bolts, extra towels, old collections or photo albums, they will remain neat and tidy and protected from moisture. Keep similar items in each box and stack them neatly on shelving.
AVERAGE TIME: 1-2 hours
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Plastic boxes with lids
HOW TO: Sturdy, plastic boxes with lids are a perfect way to keep small items organised. Whether it’s nuts and bolts, extra towels, old collections or photo albums, they will remain neat and tidy and protected from moisture. Keep similar items in each box and stack them neatly on shelving.
AVERAGE TIME: 1-2 hours
Time to label
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Label maker
HOW TO: The real secret of a successful garage reorganisation is easy-to-read labels. In six months’ time, you don’t want to open every box searching for that elusive vase you packed away. Use a label maker to list the items in each box and affix the label to the front. If you really want to make things easy in the future, photograph the contents of the box and sticky tape it to the lid.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Label maker
HOW TO: The real secret of a successful garage reorganisation is easy-to-read labels. In six months’ time, you don’t want to open every box searching for that elusive vase you packed away. Use a label maker to list the items in each box and affix the label to the front. If you really want to make things easy in the future, photograph the contents of the box and sticky tape it to the lid.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
Get the right size hooks
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Hook system (various ranges are carried by most large hardware stores)
HOW TO: There are a number of systems available that allow you to add hooks to a garage wall. These are great for hanging such things as bikes, sports equipment, ladders, hoses, large tools and skateboards. Keeping all these large, unwieldy items neat and in one spot will make your garage feel larger and much tidier.
AVERAGE TIME: Half a day
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Hook system (various ranges are carried by most large hardware stores)
HOW TO: There are a number of systems available that allow you to add hooks to a garage wall. These are great for hanging such things as bikes, sports equipment, ladders, hoses, large tools and skateboards. Keeping all these large, unwieldy items neat and in one spot will make your garage feel larger and much tidier.
AVERAGE TIME: Half a day
Utilise unused space
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Imagination
HOW TO: Consider the unused spaces in a garage and how they could be reworked for extra storage. Nice high ceiling? Some firmly attached struts can be used to store ladders, surfboards, kayaks or spare timber. The wall space above the front of the car can have a cupboard attached to store items that aren’t used regularly. Look around and think outside the box.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Imagination
HOW TO: Consider the unused spaces in a garage and how they could be reworked for extra storage. Nice high ceiling? Some firmly attached struts can be used to store ladders, surfboards, kayaks or spare timber. The wall space above the front of the car can have a cupboard attached to store items that aren’t used regularly. Look around and think outside the box.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes
Consider a cupboard
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Shifting spanner, screwdriver, allen keys (to put the cupboard together)
HOW TO: Adding a cupboard with lockable doors creates storage space that will keep dangerous items safe. Use it to store chemicals, pesticides, paint thinners and the like. Smaller cupboards can be wall-mounted while larger units simply sit on the floor.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Shifting spanner, screwdriver, allen keys (to put the cupboard together)
HOW TO: Adding a cupboard with lockable doors creates storage space that will keep dangerous items safe. Use it to store chemicals, pesticides, paint thinners and the like. Smaller cupboards can be wall-mounted while larger units simply sit on the floor.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour
Add a built-in cabinet
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: The phone number of your local cabinetmaker
HOW TO: If your garage is large, consider turning one wall into a full-length built-in cabinet. This will give massive amounts of storage while keeping everything tidy behind the cabinet doors. A messy, item-filled garage can be transformed into a minimalist man-cave or she-shed with the addition of a built-in cabinet.
AVERAGE TIME: One day
Browse photos of dream garages
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: The phone number of your local cabinetmaker
HOW TO: If your garage is large, consider turning one wall into a full-length built-in cabinet. This will give massive amounts of storage while keeping everything tidy behind the cabinet doors. A messy, item-filled garage can be transformed into a minimalist man-cave or she-shed with the addition of a built-in cabinet.
AVERAGE TIME: One day
Browse photos of dream garages
Who can resist a workbench?
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: The workbench of your choice
HOW TO: A heavy-duty workbench can include drawers and cabinets to keep all your tools organised and tidy. Having a dedicated space to undertake all those small jobs and repairs means that the mess is kept in one place and easy to clean up. Most workbenches are sold and delivered in one piece, so it’s simply a matter of find the right spot to place it.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes
TELL US
Have you recently reorganised your garage? Upload a photo of your handiwork in the Comments section below.
MORE
Weekend Project: Easy Ways to Organise Your Garage
Stickybeak of the Week: Garage Turned Dream Space
5 Garages That Dare You to Dream
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: The workbench of your choice
HOW TO: A heavy-duty workbench can include drawers and cabinets to keep all your tools organised and tidy. Having a dedicated space to undertake all those small jobs and repairs means that the mess is kept in one place and easy to clean up. Most workbenches are sold and delivered in one piece, so it’s simply a matter of find the right spot to place it.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes
TELL US
Have you recently reorganised your garage? Upload a photo of your handiwork in the Comments section below.
MORE
Weekend Project: Easy Ways to Organise Your Garage
Stickybeak of the Week: Garage Turned Dream Space
5 Garages That Dare You to Dream
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Picture 7 what is that - Ken and Barbies house? Thanks for the inspiration and ideas - one day, in a time far, far, away, I will get a clutter free and organised garage. But in the meantime I choose to ignore it so my gorgeous love-to-tinker husband can spend happy hours on his latest gardening or restoration project in there.
Bought my new car three months ago. Swapped sides of the garage with my wife so that it didn't get a thousand chips out of the passenger door from her opening her car door. Didn't judge the width of the car properly and nudged into the old piano which has been stored in the garage for the past fifteen years.
Too scared to go to the insurance company to get the small dent fixed because the may not believe I had an accident with a piano.
Anguished over it for a day or two then realised I had a dent and a "Story"
Hi archimondo, I know it is not funny, but it sounded funny when I read it. We never know, even when we think we have things sorted, what life is going to throw at us, even pianos! Good luck with your claim, they will probably add your "excuse" to their "list of funny excuses" at the insurance company.