How to Organize Your Garage

Whether you use your garage to park your car or have it set up as an extension of your home, this room is often one of the most overlooked spaces that we have. Today we are going to find simple ways to organize your garage so you can use it in a way that best suits you and your family.

Before you begin organizing your garage, you will want to be sure you have all the excess clutter removed or at the very least sorted out. If you are not quite there yet and need some help decluttering, you can read more here: How to Declutter a Messy Garage.

How to Organize Your Garage the Easy Way

Step #1. Break this Space Down

When you have a room that houses so many activities it is essential to break things down especially if you want to keep this space organized. By knowing what will happen where you will be better able to set up shelves and cubbies to keep all the things you use to do that activity in one area. I really like to use zones to help make organizing this room easier. If you are not sure what zones are or how they work you can read more on that here.

A brief overview of a zone is it is basically an area in a room or space where a specific activity takes place.

In a garage a few ideas for zones may be:

• Toys
• Camping
• Auto Repair / Auto Care
• Gardening / Lawn Care
• Pet care
• Home Improvement

Take a clipboard and a piece of paper and stand in the garage. By being in this space you will be better able to identify what happens in the space now, what you would like to happen somewhere else, and what new activities you would like to house here.

Once you have your zones figured out you will need to choose the location. If you have “auto repair” on your zones list, for example, you may want to choose a spot that has enough room to hold toolboxes, car care supplies such as oils or other fluids, room for laying out tools or equipment as you work on your vehicle and space to hold larger equipment as well.

Take a look at the space and see if you have a spot that contains what you need for car care.

A few ideas are:

• Wall space to hold tools
• Cabinet space to hold supplies
• Floor space to hold toolboxes

Your goal is to choose an area in the space that makes the most sense for the zone.

If gardening is a Zone on your list it would be better to have it where your countertop and cabinets are instead of where you keep your trash cans. This will give you an open surface that you can use for transplanting and other gardening tasks. Location really does matter when setting up your zones. Try to think of what it is you do and how often you do it so you are better able to pick the most convenient location for your final set up

Step #2. Set Things Up

You will next want to focus on one zone at a time using organizers, shelving, bins, baskets, etc to set up each area. I suggest you take the container of the items you plan to keep for each zone so you can better visualize know how much space you will need. Remember when setting up a new area in your home with containers and other organizers, it is best to shop your home before you head out to the store.

Take a walk around your home and see what is available for you to use. If you have a stash of leftover organizers, go through them now and see if any will work for you here. If you can’t find what you need, maybe you can DIY an option. Cardboard boxes work great in a garage and can be reinforced with duct tape if needed.

If you still are not finding what you need for your zone, you can head to the store and buy any drawers, shelves, hooks, or other items that will work to set up each space.

Step #3. Put Things in Their New Home

Once you have a zone set up with the organizers you need, you can begin to put things into their new homes. As you are doing this if you see a container you. chose just isn’t working you can either try something else or make a note on your shopping list for a replacement.

Continue going through each of your keep boxes until everything is put and it’s new home.

D/M PRO TIP: As you are doing this you may find things you can toss or donate. I like to have my decluttering kit always handy so I can use any boxes or bags as I need them. I tend to get very easily distracted so for any organizing project I am working on I like to always have my decluttering kit close by so I can keep working without getting sidetracked. 

Step #4. Get Rid of the Rest

Once you are done putting all the items you plan to keep into their new spaces, you can remove anything that is leftover and no longer needed. Take a few minutes to fill up your car with any boxes that are set for donation. Toss any trash and gather up any recyclable bags that you may have found as you were organizing. If you have items you are giving away, you can either make the call now to the chosen person for each item or make a note on your to-do list to get to this in the next day or so.

Remember decluttering and organizing means more than sorting and piling things to get to later. You need to get the items out of the home completely before it is considered a finished project.

Alternate Uses for an Organized Garage

With any of these ideas, you will want to be sure your garage has good insulation. This is important if you live in a 4 season area where the summers get incredibly hot and the winters get incredibly cold.

A playroom

If you have more kids than you have space I am sure toys all over your home is something you are dealing with on a daily basis. Why not contain those toys to their own dedicated space and give yourself a break as head “pick-up” crew. With a few touches, you can convert your garage into a playroom for your kids of all ages.

1. Add in flooring that is easy to clean and maintain. A playroom floor pad will work great and is much more affordable than carpet or tile.
2. Put in shelving that is kid-friendly. This will work for toys that fit all ages and can be used in other ways if you decide to change this room out later.
3. Furniture. Bean bag chairs or a small sleeper sofa will give your kids a soft place to hang out.
4. TV. If you have the room you may want to consider adding in a television that can be used for watching TV or gaming.

A Studio

If you are a crafter, painter, or sewer how nice would it be to have a dedicated space all your own? A she-shed where you can do all the DIY you love without having to put projects away before you are finished.

1. Keep the floor as is so you don’t have to worry about paint spills. You can put a pad in for more comfort where your main work area will be located.
2. Have plenty of shelving to hold supplies, equipment, and more.
3. You can install a few cabinets and counters for more storage and workspace.
4. A large table that you can use to keep current projects on so you do not need to put things away each time.
5. Extra lighting to ensure you can work without strain.

A Family Room

If you have more family than space, you can convert your garage into a family hangout. A place to play games, watch movies, do puzzles, have fun.

1. Consider installing a floor that is both comfortable and works well in this space and weather.
2. A day bed will fit in great here and give you extra sleeping space if you have guests over.
3. A large table for games and puzzles.
4. A wall mounted tv and cabinets for movies.

A Rentable Room

It’s true this is a bit out of the box, but honestly, it seems to be happening more and more as families work to make ends meet. This option is not for the faint of heart, but if you are curious you can read more.

My son stayed in a converted garage for a while and I thought this idea was genius. If you are looking for a way to bring in just a bit more income to your home this might be an option worth considering.

A few major things to remember:

1. Be sure you are following safety guidelines for fires, floods, and security for both your tenant and yourself before renting this space out.
2. Give your tenant use of the closest bathroom if installing one is just not an option for now.
3. Be sure you have outside access so your tenant can come and go as they please.
4. If you have a garage door you will need to take steps to secure it into place and keep any openings closed up tight. This will keep out moisture and rodents as well.

D/M PRO TIP: If you have a child that is older but not quite ready to move out on their own, this might be a great option for you and them. A bit of independence while still under your roof is a great stepping stone for both. 

1. You will want to put in flooring that is both comfortable and works well with your weather. Tile, linoleum, even hardwood will all work well here.
2. A space that will work for a bed. You will want to choose an area that has the most comfortable weather.
3. An area that can be used as a kitchenette. Install a few cabinets to hold food and dishes.
4. A dorm fridge.
5. A sink.
6. A toaster oven and hot plate.
7. Plenty of shelving throughout.

A Home Office

This might be my favorite option for a garage that you may not be used for storage or for your car. A dedicated space that you can use for an in-home business or the office to run your home business. The best part of this is, that by having a separate space for your office you will give yourself a more distinct location that is away from your home. As someone that works from home full-time, I know how hard it can be to make that transition in the beginning. By having a separate space just for work you will help make that transition easier.

1. You will want to put in flooring that is both comfortable and works well with your weather. Tile, linoleum, even hardwood will all work well here.
2. A desk for work and a comfortable chair.
3. Plenty of shelving for supplies.
4. Good lighting.
5. Adequate electricity for your computer and other electronic devices.
6. Room for personal touches.

Setting up a room in your home does not need to be one-size-fits-all. Just because it started out as a garage does not mean it has to finish as one. Remember there are no rules when it comes to your home, the only thing you need to remember is to use the space that fits your family, your stage of life, and what you like to do. Set up each space that fits your family directly and you will create a home that you all truly love.

What tips do you have for how to organize your garage? Share in the comments below!