Your garage can be more than just a space for clutter or to park your car. With clever planning and utilising space, your garage can become a functional and organised environment that can be used for more than just storing odds and ends. This guide will give you plenty of space-saving tips, tricks, colour choices and storage solutions to help you achieve your ideal garage.
Space-Saving Tips
The first step towards designing your garage space of dreams, is to declutter. Sorting through your items and deciding what you need can help to minimise clutter. Create four piles – one keep pile, one donate pile, one sell pile and one throw away pile. By organising these piles it will give you a better idea of the space you have to work with and what storage you actually need.
Use Vertical Space
To save using too much floor space utilise vertical storage solutions such as wall-mounted shelving, pegboards and hooks. It can also be beneficial to store overhead storage racks for bulkier items that are not used as frequently (i.e. the Christmas decorations that make a brief appearance around December time).
Multi-Functional Furniture
By utilising multi-functional furniture in your garage, such as a workbench with built-in storage, you can create a workspace and place to keep your tools/supplies. Another space-saving idea is using fold-away tables and chairs that can be stored away when not in use.
Colour Choices
Choosing the right colours in your garage can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your garage. Using lighter colours such as whites, light greys or beige can make the space feel bigger and brighter. By utilising lighter colours that reflect light, you can help illuminate your garage, especially as natural light is often limited.
Bold Accents for a Personal Touch
Using bold accent colours can add personality to your garage space. Brighter colours such as red, blue or yellow can be used on cabinets, toolboxes or even on the walls. These accent walls can create a lively and inviting space whilst keeping the overall space feeling light and open.
Storage Solutions
Shelving is an under-rated component of any well-organised garage. Investing in strong shelving units is a game changer. You can choose the size of shelving you need, including the weight you’d like to hold, with metal or heavy-duty plastic shelves being more durable to support heavier items like tools.
Cabinets
Adding cabinets to your garage space can help create a clean and organised look, whilst offering ample space to store your belongings. Cabinets keep everything out of sight, making them perfect for storing older items or things you don’t need on a regular basis. What’s more, wall-mounted cabinets save precious floor space whilst freestanding cabinets can easily be moved around.
Pegboards and Hooks
Hanging pegboards on the wall can be an excellent way to organise tools or smaller items. They allow you to easily see what’s what without needing to dig through any drawers or cabinets. Pegboards can also be used to store your larger items such as ladders, garden tools or cycling equipment.
Bins and Containers
For smaller items that can easily cause cluttered areas, opt for bins and containers (bonus points for labelling these). Clear bins allow you to see what’s in each one, whilst stackable bins can save space by allowing vertical storage. Again, label each bin/container to easily see what’s in each.
Creating Zones
If your garage space is for more than just storing odds and ends, why not create different zones for different needs. For example, a workbench area for DIY, a gardening zone, activities zone, such as bikes, fishing equipment etc. Keeping your garage organised and sectioned into zones allows for a more cohesive space, you can even use garage flooring to visibly section the space.
Parking Space
If you want your car to go in the garage, ensure that you still have enough space to park your car comfortably. Use tape or paint to mark off the area needed for your vehicle, and avoid placing storage items within this space. This will prevent accidental damage to your car and ensure easy access in and out of the garage.
Create an Organised Haven
Carefully designing your garage space can transform it from a cluttered storage area into a functional and organised extension of your home. By decluttering, using vertical space, and incorporating smart storage solutions, you can maximise the use of your garage. Choose light colours to brighten the space, and don’t be afraid to add bold accents for a personal touch. With a little planning and creativity, your garage can become a well-organised haven that meets all your needs.
