Get rid of things you have not used in the past three years. During this process DO NOT GET SENTIMENTAL. Give what you can to charity and toss the rest.
Store as much as possible OFF the floor using shelf space and pegboard for hanging items. The floor space is then available for bulky items and leaves sufficient room to safely maneuver and park your vehicles.
Bicycles take up a disproportionate amount of floor space and often restrict your ability to freely open car doors. With proper planning, including consideration for the best route in and out, bike racks are your most practical storage alternative. In fact, depending upon available wall space, you can store four bikes using the floor space of only one.
Garage analysis shows that the left wall is usually the worst location for shelving or bike storage ... that space is needed by the driver parking on the left side. The back and right walls tend to be better suited for storage.
The garage is a great place to store children's toys. Since shelving can be floor-based or suspended above the floor, be sure to have sufficient floor-based shelving if you want your children to have access to their toys. Plastic or wire baskets make it easy for kids to have access to their things.
Shelving can be deep or shallow depending upon the size of stored items and the depth and width of the garage. Shallow shelving has the advantage of direct access. Deep shelving permits more storage space and sliding accessories make deep shelving more practical.
Pegboard is an effective, non-intrusive storage material for yard tools. Most important, it allows storage on almost any wall. Don't skimp on the hooks, however ... the cheap ones tend to shake loose from the holes.
Should you be using two recycling bins, use half the floor space by placing one over the other on a shelf about 24 inches above the ground. (Find a space as close as possible to the door from the house to the garage.)
Avoid dreaded nicks and dents ... and bumps and bruises. Be sure that anything protruding from the garage walls does not prevent opening car doors or impede daily foot traffic.
Respect your garage as you would popular rooms in your home. Proper care will add benefits you never dreamed of!
Through the years, the White Rabbit team has assisted thousands of families across Chicagoland to organize their garages, basements and home offices. Let them help you to better utilize space, save time and gain peace of mind by contacting them today for a complimentary initial consultation that includes a FREE written design with no obligation.
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