If you dread entering your garage and having to fight your way through piles of stuffed boxes, broken garden furniture and old toys to get to what you’re looking for, you’re not alone. For many of us, the garage has become nothing more than a glorified dumping ground for all those things we don’t have room for in the house, or unsightly junk we never got around to getting rid of. Here are some tips to help you organise your garage into a more pleasant and efficient space.
Clear out the junk
It’s time to be brutal: throw out, recycle or donate anything you no longer need. Household items in good condition can be taken to local charity shops that will be extremely grateful for high-quality items. Certain broken items can sometimes be upcycled so check with local organisations if you have anything they want. Recycle anything that can be recycled and take the rest down to your local council tip to ensure it’s disposed of in a responsible manner.
Add storage racks
Storage racks are great for bulky items that take up a lot of floor space. Bikes, for example, take up a lot of room and are more likely to be damaged if you keep them propped against a wall, so consider racks for these. Cycling Weekly has some great ideas to help you maximise space in the area where you store your bikes, including suspending your bikes from the ceiling.
Install adequate shelving
If you store a lot of heavy items in your garage, you will need suitably sturdy shelving. You don’t want to spend time and money organising your garage only to have your brand new shelves pulled off the wall by the bulky items you have stored on them. If you’re looking for industrial shelving in Ireland, check out reputable retailers such as https://www.rackzone.ie/shelving/industrial-residential-shelving for ideas and inspiration on the sorts of shelving that will work in your space.
Add small storage for fiddly items
Wall-mounted baskets or drawers are great for smaller items, such as screws, nails and accessories. They don’t cost much to purchase but help you keep smaller items organised and easy to find. You could even add simple labels to the front of each unit so you can see at a glance what it contains.