A messy garage is indeed an eyesore; when you look at the mess, you see all sort of crammed objects. Being motivated, you begin to minimize the clutter by getting rid of the useless items and arranging the remaining things in order. Now where will you keep them and how will you be assured of the continued state of cleanliness and orderliness in your garage. You will then decide to use garage storage shelves.
This solution makes use of a strategy to maximize the space available so it will be safer and productive. In the past, a garage was only for the cars; but today, it has various functions as workshop, sports gym, playroom, game room and many more. This is the reason why enough space is needed not only for the vehicle but also for the people. Keep it always neat and available.
Shelving is one such strategy which uses a wooden panel vertically to save space and get articles off the floor. The basics are applicable here. Utilize garage storage shelves and hooks to hold things along the wall; by vertically placing the objects, there is no more clutter on the floor area. Place all scattered objects on the floor inside utility cabinets. Maintain a tidy workshop and keep your toolbox and other equipment nearby. Use a bottle or can to store tiny materials.
There are several advantages of using garage storage shelves: This system of storing things makes them easily accessible for they are placed just within your view. It is also highly efficient because very little area or space is used in the storage. It is versatile since there is a wide range of styles, designs and configurations of these shelves from reliable sources. And lastly, it is very economical if compared to other systems.
It is in your garage where you will always be in need of storage areas. Before installing, determine the place where you want your shelf to be placed. If you have a spacious area, use the sides of the wall; if you have only a small area, have it hang up the wall, close to the ceiling, being assured that the ceiling is study enough to bear the weight of the garage storage shelves.
Shelving your garage is not new because it has always been done in the past. There are many reliable home improvement centers where you can get your supplies. They come in all forms: wires, plastic, laminated, and so on. Since they are already pre- cut, you only need a few tools to assemble them. However, they are quite costly and may not fit your budget. You can build your own storage shelves from scratch by using plywood or lumber available from the same source. Then for information on how to build the shelves, look at the web for instructions.
It would give you and your family a great sense of satisfaction to see your garage spic and span because of the shelves you made with your own hands and thanks to the invaluable service of the garage storage shelves.
The garage is one of the most versatile spaces in a home, able to house anything from cars to gardening supplies to school memories. That’s precisely why it’s also a breeding ground for chaos, which becomes quite apparent once you start looking for a road map, spade or high school yearbook. You can tame the clutter, though, with the help of Jamie Novak, author of two best-selling books, 1,000 Best Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets and 1,000 Best Quick and Easy Time-Saving Strategies. Here, Jamie reveals how to make the most of your garage space.
1. Sort Your Stuff The first step is figuring out what you own. Start by sorting everything into categories. Separate the gardening tools from the car maintenance supplies and sporting equipment. The “like with like” principle is a basic, yet powerful, organizing technique.
2. Toss the Trash Keep a few heavy-duty garbage bags handy as you sort so you can easily toss things away. Be ruthless; 86 all the broken equipment, rusted tools, and toys that are missing pieces. Haul the recyclables to the curb or to the recycling center, and check www.eiae.org to learn where you can drop off hazardous waste, such as computer equipment and paint cans. Insider tip: home supply stores sell a powder mix that can be added to paint cans to make them safe to throw away.
3. Share Your Stuff Once you have separated items into groups, and tossed the trash, you may be surprised to see how much good stuff you own. Keep the best and give away the rest.
• Give away your unused items for free at www.freecycle.org
• Donate to a local charity and take the tax deduction
• Give back borrowed items to their rightful owner
• Schedule a garage sale for the items you’ve earmarked
• Return abandoned family items
4. Measure the Space To see exactly how much room you have for storage, park your car in the garage and open the doors and trunk. Use chalk to outline the floor space. Measure the gap from the top of the open trunk to the ceiling; you can then hang things above your car.
5. Plan the Space The items you decide to keep need a home, and the floor is not an option. Plan out the space, designating certain areas for specific items. Look at your categories and pick an area of the garage for each one, keeping accessibility in mind.
6. Store It Where You Use It Keep the items you use most in the easiest to reach locations. For example, store your bulk paper goods near the house so you’re not walking through the garage for a roll of paper towels. Stow infrequently used items—like outdoor holiday decorations—in the hardest to reach places, like the rafters.
7. Add Storage Options Now is the time to add shelving and cabinets, tubs and bins. Old kitchen cabinets and versatile pegboards add valuable storage along the walls. Use all the space from floor to ceiling, making sure you can open all doors without banging or scratching something. Be creative: use the backs of doors including the ones on cabinets.
8. Give Everything a Home Don’t mix categories and store similar items together. Consider a sports rack for balls, gloves, cleats and hula-hoops. Leave room to grow—moderately. Use smaller containers that you can easily move once they’re full. Protect treasured items in waterproof containers, and do not store photographs or other temperature—and moisture—sensitive items in the garage.
9. Label, Label, Label Label each bin, shelf, container and cabinet door. This makes it much easier to maintain order, so even when you’re in a hurry, you’ll be able to quickly put things away. Label the lid and all sides so you can read the contents from any direction.
10. Maintain the New System To keep your garage looking great you’ll need to break the old habits that caused the clutter in the first place. Adopt a household rule that you’ll put away the item when you’re done with it.
You can say goodbye to garage clutter using these 10 steps, but they only work if you do. Dreaming about an only gets you so far. Schedule a time and get started; it is easier than you are anticipating. Work on small sections over a period of time or do a weekend marathon session; the single best way to transform your garage from chaotic to contained is to give yourself a deadline, enlist the help of others, and get started.