8 Garage Storage Mistakes to Avoid (And What to Do Instead)
A professional organizer shares how to maximize this bonus space by steering clear of common storage snafus.
Laurie Black
Many homeowners use their garage to store much more than their cars. From a logistical perspective, the garage makes a great storage space. For one, it keeps things you don’t use regularly outside the house, yet within easy reach. Plus, you can save a lot of money on renting a public storage unit if you can fit everything in the garage instead.
The reality is that garages, like basements and attics, often become dumping grounds for clutter. Even a two or three-car garage can quickly become cramped if you’re not careful. Whether you’re organizing the garage in a new home or you're reorganizing one that’s accumulated too much junk over the years, check out the following storage mistakes to avoid before embarking on the project. Not only could it save you money, it will also save you time and energy the next time you go to pull out the holiday decor.
Related: 13 Storage Mistakes You’re Currently Making (and How to Fix Them)
1. Lack of a Storage Plan
At first glance, the garage can appear to be easy to organize since it provides a blank, open, and large canvas. However, layout considerations must still be made to maximize walk space and storage. From keeping items protected and off the floor to leaving room for a parked car, being strategic about your garage organization is a must. Properly planning, carefully measuring, and creating zones based on what you want to store are the best ways to start.
In addition to ensuring enough clearance, it’s also important to store things according to how frequently they’re used. Those outdoor Christmas lights needed only once per year should be placed high and away, while more regularly reached-for items, like tool kits and gardening gear, should be stored at eye level. If you have little ones in the house, it’s even more critical to be deliberate about how you organize garage storage to keep everyone safe.
Related: How to Store Garden Tools During the Winter to Prevent Rusting
2. Failing to Declutter First
Trying to overhaul your current storage system while the garage is cramped with clutter is unproductive. So, while it may seem overwhelming in the short term, letting go of the things you no longer need, want, or use before reorganizing will make the process much easier. Carve out a weekend and recruit help from family members or consider hiring a professional organizer to get it done quickly.
When you're done, don't assume that decluttering one time is enough. Commit to sorting through the garage at least once per year so the clutter doesn’t creep back up. This is also a great opportunity to assess whether your storage systems are working.
Related: 8 Space-Stealing Items to Purge from Your Garage
3. Storing the Wrong Items
As you're going through the garage, take note of anything that you don’t necessarily need or want to get rid of, but that can—and should—be stored elsewhere. Unless your garage is climate-controlled, its fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels put some materials at risk of being ruined if stored here, even with proper precautions. Steer clear of storing fabric, such as off-season clothing and sleeping bags, and paper products, like documents and photos, in the garage.
Related: 9 Things You Should Never Store in the Garage
4. Using the Wrong Storage Solutions
Some storage supplies simply shouldn’t be used in any garage. Cardboard boxes, for example, are susceptible to moisture and pests. Heavy-duty tote bins with latching lids are more secure and worth the investment to safeguard the things kept inside.
It's also important to use storage solutions that make sense for your items. If the kids constantly play outdoors, boxing up outdoor toys such as balls or pool floats in bins creates an extra step to retrieve what they want—and will deter them from putting things back where they belong. Open baskets or sports organizers are a better solution.
Consider your preferred storage aesthetic as well. Some people can benefit from seeing the items they have in storage, while others prefer to hide visual clutter. Clear containers on open shelves can help distinguish Christmas lights from Halloween decor, while closed cabinets give the garage a streamlined look.
Related: The 14 Best Storage Containers of 2024
5. Skipping Storage Labels
Just because you choose to store garage items in clear containers doesn’t mean you should skip this important organization step. Labeling the bins may make it easier to spot what you need faster, especially if they’re kept up high. They also spell out where things can be found and returned, which helps the whole family stay organized. For bulky items sitting on shelves, such as coolers or flowerpots, stick a label to the front of the shelf indicating their zone.
Related: Free Downloadable Storage Labels for Every Room in Your Home
6. Neglecting Vertical Storage Space
If your goal is to keep a car, lawn mower, or any other bulky item in the garage, the square footage you’re left with is limited. Garage ceilings and walls provide more space than you may realize. To optimize them, you’ll have to properly plan the layout and use suitable storage systems. Here are some tips for making the most out of your vertical space:
Mount bike racks either on the wall or from the ceiling, depending on how often they’re ridden.
Loop ladders, beach chairs, garden hoses, and lawn tools, such as shovels and rakes, onto hooks.
Install a pegboard to keep small tools or gardening supplies sorted.
Consider a suspended overhead system, especially if the majority of your storage is seasonal.
Build garage shelves as high and wide as your garage allows.
Related: 6 Garage Shelving Ideas to Help You Store More
7. Incorrectly Storing Hazardous Items
Chemicals that are commonly found in garages, including windshield wiper fluid, lawn fertilizer, and WD-40, should always be kept out of reach of children. Store paint cans, propane tanks, pesticides, and other potentially flammable substances somewhere other than the garage for the well-being of the whole household.
While not technically hazardous in nature, another dangerous mistake that can lead to unnecessary accidents is storing heavy items in the wrong place. Aim to keep the heaviest things lower to the ground and lighter objects or bins up high. Additionally, don’t forget to lock rolling wheels on shelving units or work tables when not in use.
8. Failing to Consider the Future
If you’ve found your forever home, it’s in your best interest to think about how you and your family might grow into it. Investing in a garage storage system that’s customizable or adjustable can give you peace of mind that it will be functional no matter what changes over time, from your needs to your hobbies. As an added benefit, a garage with built-in storage is an upgrade that can boost your home’s value when you eventually decide to sell.
Related: The 14 Best Garage Storage Systems to Maximize Your Space in 2024
For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
