13 Tips for How to Organize a Garage

Whether you have a capacious garage with ample room for storage of need organization ideas for a small garage that needs to hold a lot of stuff, we’ve got you covered—these ingenious tips are your ticket to mastering the art of garage organization. Say goodbye to the days of digging through dusty old boxes; our methods will have you navigating your garage with ease.

1. Carve Out Time

Organizing a large (and often cluttered) space like a garage can take a full day (or multiple days). Make sure to block off a full weekend to ensure you can complete the job—a half-organized garage can be just as frustrating as a completely disorganized one!

2. Create a Floor Plan of Your Garage 

Shops like The Container Store and other retailers that specialize in organizing systems often have free space planning tools you can use to consider ways to store all your items neatly in your garage. Write down your garage’s dimensions and make note of where doors, windows, light switches, and other important electrical components are. You should also measure the width and length of your car, so you know to leave room for it (and yourself as you make your way in and out). As you start to plan, consider grouping items in this way:

• Use Type: Organize tools and items you use for the same purpose, such as gardening rakes, fertilizer, and other landscaping instruments

• Size: Bulky ite,s like, lawnmowers, should be placed in corners where they will be out of the way of your car

• Use Frequency: Some items will need to be taken out of the garage more than others, such as bicycles; put these things near the garage door for easy access

• Seasonality: Holiday decor, like Christmas lights or Thanksgiving cornucopias, can be stowed away high on shelves and in the back of the garage—you’ll likely only need them once per year

3. Install Shelves and Cabinets

Shelves should be your first priority—they are less expensive and easier to access. In addition, you can quickly see your items and grab the one you need without having to dig around in a cabinet. Corner shelves are excellent for smaller items, and help you to utilize all of your wall area. Cabinets are important, too, though, but should be used sparingly and only for things that need to be protected from airborne dust. 

4. Consider Other Vertical Storage Systems

In addition to traditional shelves, there are three other vertical storage systems to consider implementing to your new organizational plan.

• Pegboard: Easy to install, pegboard can be cut to size and painted for customization. You can add hooks, shelves, and unique organizers to store various items. Note that pegboard is excellent for lighter items and tools, but can’t carry the weight of something like a bicycle.

• Track-based systems: Track-based organizers are excellent for hanging heavier items.

• Panel systems: Panel systems allow you to lock plastic panels to hooks, shelves, and storage cabinets. Some of these systems require professional installation by a local handyperson, though, which could add to the cost of your project.

5. Save the Garage Ceiling for Long Objects

The ceiling is best utilized to store long, flat items you don’t use everyday—think of skis and ladders. Just double-check that the ceiling shelves won’t block your garage door or garage door parts in any way, and that they will allow room for your car to be parked without any scratching or scraping.

6. Build or Buy a Workbench

A workbench is an incredible object to have in your garage, offering a sturdy surface and area to help you to complete DIY projects. In addition, many on the market are fold-down models that can be wall-mounted, saving you precious space. You can either build your own—if you’re handy—or modify a simple one by adding shelves and a pegboard above a fold-down work table so you can stow all your tools and supplies. Want extra comfort? Buy a padded stool to use while you’re tinkering away. 

7. Add Magnetic Strips For Tools

A magnetic strip, hung elegantly near your workstation, can be a great solution for finding storage space for tools like wrenches and scissors. Having these items visible alleviates the stress of digging around through drawers. 

8. Utilize a Retractable Cord Reel

Don’t want cords cluttering up your space and creating trip hazards? Buy a retractable cord reel—available under $60 on Amazon—to keep things tidy and save space. A cord organizer is also useful to collect loose cords and keep them from getting tangled.

9. Install a Bike Rack

Vertical bike racks allow you to keep your wheels off the ground, which opens up precious floor space for other things. Consider adding hooks to a garage slat wall or add a motorized bike rack that will lower and lift your bike with ease. 

10. Place Wire Shelving Along the Wall

Another alternative to cabinets, wire shelving is less bulky than metal shelving, and still allows you to see your items. Bins and baskets can be helpful to further organize your things. Be sure to install shelving that leaves clearance underneath so you can periodically sweep the floor and keep it free of dust.

11. Place Garage and Recycle Bins in a Corner

Place your garbage and recycling bins in the corner closest to your garage door, so they’re easy to pull in and out. Tip: if you’d rather the bins be out of sight, consider hanging curtains in front; just make sure they’re easy to pull back as you’ll likely need access to the garbage often!

12. Label All Storage Bins

A label maker is an investment that costs less than $60 and will help you identify what objects live in which box and which bin, which can save you loads of time in the future. You might also consider labeling boxes with the last opened date (for items you don’t reach for often); if a whole year passes and you haven’t opened the box, it might be time to donate the goods. 

13. Commit to the System

Once you have an organization system, you need to stick with it for it to work. Put items back where they belong—on their respective hook or in their respective bin. Do seasonal clean-up and decluttering, donate items you don’t need anymore, and make sure the entire household understands where everything goes—you’ll have a tidy garage for life! If you need a hand, consider reaching out to a local professional organizer for advice.