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Great for storing shovels, rakes, brooms, and sports equipment, this wall-mount “S”-hook duo is a great way to clear up floor space in the garage. Tools can be inserted and removed with one hand for less hassle. And, the unit mounts easily to wall studs or to the Rubbermaid FastTrack rail (sold separately on Amazon.com along with a full line of FastTrack storage system components). Designed to hold up to 50 pounds, the hook is equipped with a cast aluminum gripper tha (more…)

When it comes to garage storage ideas, there are many things that you can do. Listed below are standard items that you will need to make your storage needs a breeze. After you have read through this list, you will have a better understanding of what types of storage options are available to you.

Wire Racks:

These are basically shelving made out of wiring. They are light weight, and come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them can even be hanged from the ceiling, or walls.

Pulleys:

If you have something heavy you need to hang, such as a kayak, or maybe a small boat, lawn mower, then using a pulley system will get it up and down with ease, and keep it sturdy, so that it doesn’t fall down.

Platforms:

If you have rafters in your garage, and I am sure you do, then you can build small platforms all over the place up there. They look like shelves, but are designed for larger objects, and increase floor space. You can use just a standard ladder to get up and down from these platforms. These are great if you have a detached garage.

Wall Boards:

Usually made from peg board, and are used to hang tools on. Usually power tools of some sort. They are light weight, and very inexpensive, so you won’t break the pocket book when buying them.

They will keep all sorts of things that you can hang up out of the way, and easy to find. It is a good idea to hang small things that you will use on a regular basis here.

Storage Bins:

These are bins, that are usually heavy duty, to store things in. Rubbermaid is a famous brand that makes them. Most of the times they either have a lid, or are a draw system for easy access. It all depends on how often you might need the things you put in them. If you think you might need to get at them quickly, then get the ones with drawers. They are still stackable, and make for easy storage.

Bike Hooks:

These are hooks designed to hang from either the rafters, or ceiling to hang your bike on. They are very easy to put up, and there are some out there that make it beyond easy, and just clip your bike in, and it holds it there in place.

Screw Storage Cabinet:

This is pretty self explanatory, you store nails, and lose screws in here. They have a ton of draws, and you can store other small objects in them as well. Most of the time it is see through draws, so that you can see what is inside, without having to open up all the draws to find what you are looking for.

Now that you have read through this list, you now know all the garage storage ideas that are available to you. All you have to do is plan out which ones are going to work best for you, and how you are going to go about implementing them. Remember through, always have a plan, and check it twice before you start.

If these ideas have wetted your appetite, to get to grips with your garage. Then garage storage shelves could be a great option plus using garage overhead storage could get your garage looking organized once more.

Author: Mat Claybourne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

If your home could do with a bit more storage space, one of the Rubbermaid vertical storage sheds could be the ideal solution. These containers are all designed to provide maximum storage height, perfect for awkward items that are too tall to fit in a normal cupboard or closet. This article covers several of the vertical sheds from Rubbermaid and explains the main benefits of each one.

In contrast to the other storage sheds from Rubbermaid, the vertical sheds are specially designed to take up as little floor space as possible. The best selling shed is almost certainly the 3749 model, which comes in at about 2 feet square. That might not sound like much space, but with it also being 6 feet tall, you can store a surprising amount in its 17 cubic feet. The 3749 vertical storage shed also happens to be the only shed in this range that has a double wall. It goes without saying that it is fully resistant to the usual bumps, dents, leaks and bad weather. This is a well made and flexible unit that even accommodates wooden shelves as an optional extra.

The next unit in the range is the Rubbermaid 3746 vertical storage shed. This is slightly wider than the 3749 and provides 52 cubic feet of storage. It measures 4 foot 8 wide by 2 foot 8 deep. It is also a bit on the taller side at 6 foot 5 inches. This is a great move up if you have outgrown the 3749 shed. It is just as sturdy as the other sheds from Rubbermaid, being made from the same high quality material so you won’t need to worry about ongoing maintenance.

The biggest vertical storage shed in the range is called the 3673 Double Deep Modular Vertical Shed. This is significantly larger than the others and may require a screwdriver when you put it together. Once you have it assembled, you will have over 160 cubic feet of storage at your disposal. It does take up a fairly large space, being 5 by 6 foot wide, and over 6 feet tall. You might choose this unit if you don’t have any outdoor shed or garage.

One very useful advantage the 3673 has is an access ramp which makes it much easier to store heavy wheeled items such lawn mowers and trolleys. It also comes with a heavy duty floor to match. If you do decide to purchase one of these Double Deep sheds, it’s important to set them on flat ground, preferably on a base made of wood or ideally concrete. That will avoid any problems with the shed bending or flexing which can often prevent the doors opening and closing properly.

No matter which one you choose, all of the Rubbermaid vertical storage sheds provide an easy and simple alternative to a bulky and expensive wooden or metal storage shed. The smaller models are ideal for tidying up a greenhouse, backyard or patio without taking up too much space. Designed for easy assembly and low maintenance, every one of these sheds will provide excellent value for money.

You can find out even more about Rubbermaid vertical storage sheds and storage sheds in general at http://theshedguide.com

Author: Peter Barrowman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

In today’s world, you hear a lot about getting organized, it is the “in” thing to make life easier. We organize our closets, our shelves, our drawers, our laundry rooms, our desks and our calendar all in hopes of straightening out our lives. There are even garage organizers to fix our outdoor, where do I put it type stuff. As technology has improved, life has become more hectic and we often feel out of control as we try to juggle so many things. So anything we can organize gives us a sense of control and accomplishment.

So, say you have every thing else organized in your life, you have probably left the garage for last. It is a bit intimidating because probably while you were organizing the house anything you didn’t know where to put, was put in the garage. Plus you have your seasonal items out there (from summer camping to winter skiing), gardening supplies and any handyman tools are all stored in your garage. But spring is finally here, so it is the perfect time to tackle getting your garage in order.

Organizing your garage is going to be a big enough project, so when looking for what type of storage system you should use, there are three things to look for:

Easy – the items in your garage organizers should be easy to access, easy to find and be organized in a systematic fashion that is easy to understand. This includes using all of your available space, not just your floor space but also your wall space, and sometimes your ceiling space. Keeping many of your items off the floor also keeps them safe and dry. Versatile – this means that the garage organizers that you choose should be able to be adapted for many different functions or activities. Your storage options should be flexible and adaptable to the many different things that you need to organize. Modular and Expandable – a modular system is made up of different modules as the basis of design. These various modules should allow your garage organizing system to expand as your storage needs or pocketbook allows.

There are a couple of different storage systems that fit all of these criteria, two of these being Flow Wall and Gladiator Garage Works. These types of garage organizers have panels (slats) that are attached to your garage walls, available in different size configurations. Onto these panels you can easily hang a variety of hooks, shelves, baskets, small cabinets and workstations.

The panels themselves are designed to be both easy to install and easy to use. All of the many accessories mentioned above easily hang on the walls. And, the various storage accessories make these garage organizers very versatile. The different hooks vary is size and configuration to hang things from bikes and skis to heavy duty hooks for ladders and wheel barrows. Along with the different length shelves and various types of baskets a cabinets, these systems are very versatile and can be adapted to anyone’s different needs.

When necessary, you can easily add more panels for additional storage space, or rearrange the hooks, shelves etc. into different configurations for different storage needs. These two options make these types of garage organizers both modular and expandable.

So, when you finally get the courage to organize your garage, remember ease, versatility and modular expandability, and if you match all of these criteria in your system, you will be happy with the garage organizers that you choose for your garage.

Keeping a garage organized and looking good is not always the easiest task to overcome. If you have a small garage, it is unfortunately that much harder to keep tools, sports equipment, trash cans, and outdoor furniture clean and organized. When you have a small garage, with an abundant amount of items that need to be stored, the best way to stay organized is to invest in storage equipment that can help you make the most of the space you are working with.

Most people reserve the bulk amount of interior space in their garage for one or more cars. This often leaves you with precious little space in which to keep all of the items that you want to keep stored in there. The trick in organizing any garage, especially a smaller one, is to find and use storage organizers that can help you make proper use of your wall and ceiling space. Since most of the floor space will be used for vehicles, using up the extra, free vertical space is the best way of getting equipment organized. For a small garage, there are plenty of wonderfully helpful types of storage containers and organizers that will help you make the most of your space.

Shelving and Cabinets

While shelves and cabinets can always be well-used in garages, when you have a smaller garage, you will need to become knowledgeable and choose carefully. The best option in a small garage is to select tall shelves that help you make use of the thin, vertical space you have open. Choose tall, free-standing garage shelves with four or more tiers so that you can stack multiple items on them. There are also items, such as stackable organizing cubes, that allow you to custom design your storage to fit your limited space.

If you need portable storage, your best bet is a folding utility cart. This helpful tool can be stored in flat form in the garage, and then folded out whenever you need it. These are perfect when you need a cart to take with you to the beach, picnics, and other outdoor events. These are also great for a permanent place in your garage since it enables a good amount of storage without taking up to much space.

Tools and Garden Equipment

Garden and maintenance tools can take up a lot of room in your garage, especially if they are not well organized. The simple solution, and the most practical for a small garage, is a wall-mounted tool rack that can effectively hold shovels, spades, rakes, hoes, forks, and any other items that you need for garden maintenance. Choose a rack that can hold a good amount of weight while being damp resistant, in case your garage usually gets wet during the rain.

Another great garden organizer must-have is a hose organizer. This wall-mounted organizer is definitely a great idea for a small garage as it allows your hose to remain un-tangled and un-punctured. For electrical extension cords, a Reel-A-Cord is the perfect solution with the capacity to store up to 175 feet of extensions.

Sports Equipment

Bats, balls, ski equipment, mitts, and gloves can take up a good amount of room in your garage. If your family is active and heavily into many different sports, it is likely that you have a good amount of sports equipment. In a small garage this can be an absolute nightmare to organize. Luckily, there are garage storage items such as the EZNET that can make it a lot easier to cope with. The EZNET is a fantastic wall-mounted, industrial strength, netted “hold-all,” that can serve as storage for a vast array of sporting equipment from balls to bats. It is perfect for a small garage since it is wall-mounted, and the flexible netting allows it to hold all equipment safely and securely.

For those families that love to bike, there are rolling bike stands that are ideal for any garage no matter what the size. The rolling bike stands have tiny wheels that allow you to easily move the bike around your garage without having to remove it from the stand.

Fishing Equipment

To keep fishing equipment organized safely is by no means an easy feat. Longer rods need support as well as safe storage to remain intact and ready for that next big family fishing trip. A couple of great options for storing fishing equipment in the garage are fishing rod racks, and wall-mounted fishing rod holders. The fishing rod rack is a great option if you have the space to spare. With a twelve-rod capacity, drawers to organize lures and other supplies, and four casters that allow you to roll the entire rack smoothly to wherever you need it, this is a perfect option. In a smaller garage, you might not have the floor space for that kind of rack. In this case, the next best solution is a wall-mounted fishing rod holder. With a six-rod storage capacity and a secure ceiling-mounted construction, this is perfect for smaller garages and can be installed  anywhere.

If you own a home with a garage, you may be suffering from a conflict of interests. Should you use the space in the garage to hold your car? Or should you use it to store all of the items that you do not want to give up? As with many things in life, home garages are not all the same. Each one is built and sized differently. Your family probably has very different garage storage needs than your neighbor, and a different garage as well. When it comes to home garages, one size obviously does not fit all, and the same goes for garage storage needs as well.

Yet despite differences in garage size and storage needs, garage owners continue to search for ways to make the most of their respective garage storage space. The following are some useful garage storage items that can help maximize the amount of storage space your garage currently has.

Shelves and Containers for General Storage

A good shelving system is easily one of the best purchases you can make for expanding your garage storage space. This is simply because shelves help you make the most of your vertical space. In typical garages much of the floor space is taken up by parked vehicles and it’s not available for storage. Therefore it’s important that you really use up as much vertical space as possible when storage room is tight.

Sets of free-standing shelves are perfect for this, since you can move them from place to place as you need to. There’s nothing wrong with fixed shelves, just as long as you’re not one of those people who likes to periodically rearrange things! Either type of shelving will work well, and regardless of what type you prefer, there are shelving systems to fit your needs.

Storage cubes and stackable containers are another great option, especially if you want storage that will help protect your stored items. Durable PVC cubes are both stackable and portable, and the easy to open doors are perfect for keeping your garage tidy. With durable plastic and a tight-fitting door these will definitely help keep your possessions in good condition.

Storing Sports Equipment

From softballs to tennis rackets and skis, sports equipment comes in such a diverse array of shapes and sizes that it’s not always easy to find good storage that can handle every item. Usually the best way to handle everything is to get several different storage items, especially if your family has several members interested in different sports. However, the EZNET is a great solution to this problem. The EZNET is a wall-mounted net made from durable industrial-strength netting. It can hold up to fifty pounds in weight, and it has the ability to expand to fit items of any shape as well. The EZNET isn’t just suitable for the garage either. It can go in your kids’ rooms to hold toys, or double as a wall-mounted laundry hamper.

If you an avid fisherman you may feel you only want the very best storage equipment that’s built to specifically store rods, reels, and other fishing-related gear. For this purpose, a sturdy fishing rod rack is the perfect option. It holds up to a dozen rods upright in a secure fashion and has drawers and hooks for storing tackle as well. This is the perfect garage storage item, making good use of vertical space while taking up a remarkably small amount of floor space as well. It’s also mounted on four sturdy castors, so it can easily move anywhere you want it to go.

Organize your Tools

Every tool lover knows that tools can often be awkward and sometimes rather bothersome to store. Preferably you want the tools that you use most to be in plain sight and easy reach. The ideal solution is some form of wall-mounted storage that has a place for each tool that that keeps them all in order and in plain sight for whenever use is needed. Wall-mounted brackets are perfect for power tools and garden tools such as forks, rakes, brooms. Storing garden tools securely upright is particularly important as it will prevent them from rusting and rotting longer.

Take out the Trash

Taking out the trash can be a really big pain, especially if you have a large family that generates more than usual. With a portable trash can trolley, taking the trash out is a snap, and it makes storing trash cans a no-brainer too. This sturdy portable trolley can take two cans and up to 250 pounds in weight, and its durable construction makes it difficult for the cans to tip over. Easy-rolling wheels mean you will never have risk back injury lifting heavy trash cans again.

Need fast and simple solutions for your garage organization problems? Here are seven tips to help you get that garage in order and organized for good.

Hanging Racks

Getting racks that you can hang from the rafters of your garage works great for a variety of items. This garage organization solution works especially well for bikes. It keeps them from taking away valuable floor space while still keeping them easily accessible.

Hooks

Hooks are a great solution for many garage items. Long handled items that have a hole in the end work well to hang on hooks. If you use tarps or any sort of cover for your car or grill, hanging these things on hooks in the garage when they are not in use works very well.

Pegboards

This is one of the best garage organization tips that there is. Pegboards are the most flexible and inexpensive garage organization tools that there is. You can easily change how your garage is organized just by changing where you put your pegboard holders.

When you do get it organized exactly the way you want, take a picture of it and hang the picture up next to the holders. Do this for every section of the garage that has pegboard holders. It works best to do this for each section of the pegboard rather than taking a picture of the entire thing.

Shelves

The best way to use shelves in your garage is for storing containers and smaller items. Make sure that whatever shelving you install will be able to handle the weight load of what you are going to put on it.

Keep sharp and dangerous items off the floor

This is one of those garage organization tips that seems obvious but which is not always easy to follow. Making sure that things like rakes and hoes get put in their proper place is important for safety. When these items end up on the floor, you can have an unpleasant surprise if you are not watching where you are walking. Always put back items in their proper place that are potentially dangerous.

Secure hazardous items

This is another one of those garage organization tips that has to do with safety, always an important topic when you are dealing with garage storage. Anything that is toxic to humans or animals should be kept in a secure area that small children and pets cannot reach. Things like paint, weed killers, bug sprays and gas all belong in this category. If you have pets that go in the garage and they can climb, this means putting these items in high cabinets that you can close. If you have children, it is always a good idea to let them know at a young age what is and is not dangerous in the garage.

Wall Tool Holders

These work well for weed trimmers, shovels, rakes, garden equipment and brooms. Having a wall tool holder not only helps keep these items organized but it also means that they stay off the floor.

Just when you think you have run out of storage area, because all of your wall and floor space is taken up, somebody comes up with an innovative storage option. Now, I have to admit that I have heard jokes about putting stuff on the ceiling, but I did not really consider it as a serious option. But somebody did. Yes, that is what makes a really good entrepreneur, they take the ideas we joke about and make it a reality, then years later we can say, “I thought of that!” and regret our missed opportunity.

It seems that lack of storage space is a modern problem, you see storage units popping up all over the place, people have sheds and basements full of stuff, and garages packed to the limit. Lets face it, our modern society is filled with pack rats. Some of the stuff we honestly need, some we don’t. But some of the stuff we need, we only have to access occasionally. That is when garage overhead storage options come into play. So what are these items? Here is the list from my garage:

Christmas decorations (or any holiday, if that is your thing)

Seven years of filed paperwork that we are told to keep “just in case” (of what, I don’t know, I think it’s a joke that IRS agents chuckle over occasionally. Of course, if you don’t have the paperwork, then the jokes on you!)

Bikes stored out of the way for the winter, and skis for the summer

Camping supplies

Seasonal clothing

Folding chairs

Food supply

Keepsake items from your childhood

Of course, once someone figured out a way to store things on the ceiling, many other creative people followed, so there is a variety of garage overhead storage options.

The most obvious solution was to attach a hanging shelf to the ceiling. These shelves are most often made of metal, with the shelf portion like a metal grate so that you can see from below what is stored on it. These shelves are available in various sizes and depth so that you can find just right one for your storage needs. Access to this type of shelf is with a ladder or step stool (if you are already tall).

Another overhead garage storage system available uses tracks that hang from the ceiling. The tracks have an “L” shape and two sets of tracks are positioned the desired distance apart so that plastic totes can hang between them. This works great, and is economical, if you already have files or Christmas decorations already stored in plastic totes. Many of these systems have optional utility hooks for bikes and ladders. These are also accessible with a ladder, and though they can hold quite a bit of weight, they usually do not hold as much as the hanging metal shelves.

Now, if you do not like the idea of having to use a ladder to access your items, somebody was clever enough to solve that problem too. There are garage overhead storage solutions that are on a pulley system. Most often composed of a 4’x4’ platform that can be loaded and lifted up to 12’. You just have to make sure that it is located over a clear space so that you can lower the shelf when you need to get something down, such as over where you normally park your car. Also available on pulley systems are ceiling bike and ladder lifts.

So, take a walk out to your garage and look up. Do you see any available storage space up there?