Rubbermaid 5H1600CSLRK Castlerock & Black Top Cabinet With Cubbies FastTrack; Garage OrganizerRubbermaid 5H1600CSLRK Castlerock & Black Top Cabinet With Cubbies FastTrack; Garage Organizer Features:; Top cabinet with cubbies; Great storage for all garage items; Attaches quickly and easily to the FastTrack; rail, not included; One fixed shelf and one adjustable shelf; One open shelf with adjustable cubbies for quick access to frequently used items; Metal hardware for garage look (more…)

As you’re tripping over paint cans and bumping into old bicycles, you may not realize that your garage could be the most functional space in the house. After all, what other room can serve as workshop, potting shed, storage locker, recycling plant, and carport all at once? A garage is also the best place to store many items that are not used on a daily basis such as holiday decorations, gardening supplies, tools and anything else that clutters the home.

Creating effective storage in the garage can be done with a bit of ingenuity and planning. The five DirectBuy clubs of greater Chicago— DirectBuy of Chicago North at 6325 North Avondale, DirectBuy of Gurnee, DirectBuy of DuPage County in Naperville, DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates and DirectBuy of Tinley Park —offer these helpful hints on creating usable working space in your garage.

When in doubt, throw it out … Clutter can take over a garage – Before you plan your storage solutions, sort through the clutter — have a garage sale, give it to charity or truly just throw it out.

Get organized … Cut down on clutter and get your garage organized by installing garage cabinets. A new set of cabinets will clear the floor of tools, supplies and athletic equipment and open new space for perhaps a workshop or potting shed. Cabinets also work well for protecting their contents from moisture and dust.

Maximize your space … Maximize available space in your garage by using narrow storage shelves or wall-mounted racks that can stack up neatly against the walls and leave room for cars.

Smart labeling … Another smart idea is to mark storage bins so they are easy to find or use clear plastic storage boxes to immediately see what you are looking for. No more wasted time searching through an unorganized mess!

“Installing effective storage solutions in your garage means you have quickly created a new room in your home. In a short amount of time and with little investment, homeowners can create a workshop, athletic storage system, potting shed, or any other working solution they may need or imagine,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying storage solutions for their garage, directly from the manufacturer.”

DirectBuy carries a wide selection of garage cabinets to help you cut-down on clutter and get organized. A one-stop shop for all your home building and home remodeling projects, DirectBuy offers industrial quality and strength garage cabinets that can hold and organize a variety of items that would normally clutter your garage. These garage storage cabinets make a great addition to your home garage or auto shop business storing assorted parts, tools and chemicals, which can pose a threat when simply lying around.

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With five convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuychicago.com/.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

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.

Garages are usually not the most enjoyable places to spend your time, especially in the spring after a very cold and damp winter. It is completely natural that you procrastinate and put off cleaning the garage until the warmer, summer months. Unfortunately, when summer finally does roll around, it either seems too hot to even think about cleaning out your garage, or you are out having too much fun with summer-time activities, leaving you with no time.

Over the years, your garage items and mess seem to accumulate. With items being stored in random places, and with spills and messes contributing, you can often get overwhelmed with the feeling of chaos. By the time your garage gets to this stage, the thought of cleaning it up begins to feel intimidating because there is so much that needs to be done.

If you find yourself in this situation, or heading towards it, your first step is to try not to worry.  It may seem like cleaning up your garage and keeping it in good shape is an impossible dream, but with the right attitude, the right tools, and plenty of motivation, it will be easy as one, two, three, and four!

Step One: Make a Start

Step one is usually the hardest part of the entire process. Making a start on cleaning out the cave that is your garage is the only way to get the job done at all. When your motivation is at an all time low, this can be a very tricky task. The ideal way to approach this situation is to schedule a weekend, or another time when you know you are going to have at least two consecutive days free, to work in the garage. The night before, gather together all of the things you need to start in the garage, such as trash bags, old clothes to wear, gloves, and comfortable shoes. Wake up the next morning and, after enjoying a healthy breakfast that will give you energy and motivation, get in the garage and make a start. After you start it is smooth sailing from there!

Step Two: Tame Your Messy Garage

If your garage is particularly large and unruly, step two will probably be completed over the course of several sessions. Once you have completed the worst of the mess, and are somewhat cleaned up, you might find yourself actually enjoying this process. It is definitely a satisfying feeling to see a clean and orderly garage emerge from the clutter that you once had to deal with.

During your first cleaning sessions, it is a good idea to simply sift through all of the items stored in your garage and decide what you want to keep and what you no longer need. Once you have removed all the unwanted items and have either donated them to charities or disposed of them, organizing what is left is much easier. Devote your next session to cleaning up the space, including walls, floors, and the ceiling if possible. If your garage is prone to dampness, use an anti-mold treatment on the walls.

Step Three: Organize Your Garage

Step three is what is considered the fun part. With your garage de-cluttered, stripped, and cleaned, now you are finally ready to start to think about ways to organize everything you need to store in there. Below are a few great options for garage storage including helpful ways to keep all of your tools, sports equipment, and other items in good condition, and to keep your garage free from mess and clutter.

Wall-mounted Tool Holders:

Perfect for brooms, brushes, rakes, hoes, and other garden tools.

Free-standing Garage Shelves:

Can help you use up the vertical space in your garage where most of the floor space is usually taken up by the car.

Hose Organizer:

The garden hose is one item that typically sits in a messy pile in the corner of your garage. Using the hose organize will help it remain in a neat coil to make sure it does not get any punctures.

Sports Equipment Organizers:

You can keep your sports equipment looking great with items such as a movable fishing rod rack or a ceiling-mounted fishing rod holder. Grab yourself a sports garage EZNET to hold balls, mitts, bats, and other items.

Step Four: Maintenance

Your garage is now finally clean and looks fantastic. The most important part now, is to not let it slowly descend back into chaos over the next few years. Keeping your garage looking good is an ongoing process, but it is important to remember that you have got the hard part out of the way. After the initial cleaning and organizing process, maintenance is definitely much easier. Return items to their proper place when you use them, clean up spills and messes as soon as they occur, and give your garage a good airing to keep it smelling fresh.

Houses with remodeled garage have the added space advantage and the return on investment is amazingly high. In this day and age, a lot of people prefer homes with renovated garage, which are a part of the entire structure. The garage is gradually but surely becoming an element of the home rather than an isolated parking spot or storage space. Garage remodeling can be a clever choice if you don’t park your car in the garage anymore but instead, you leave it outside in your driveway. Using this specific space can be very satisfying both for you and your family because you will be able to gain another living quarter or perhaps an office without having to build another space.

If you want extra space, your best choice is garage remodeling. Since the garage has been the most deserted part of the house, all the junk and useless items are placed there. As a consequence, your garage becomes a cluttered junkyard where retrieving a single item can be a venture in itself. There are many advantages to renovating your garage. Whatever intent you have in mind for your old garage, you can hire the aid of experts who can actually renovate your garage for you while implementing impressive ideas and turning your garage into a valuable and organized room. There is much furniture that can be set up in your driveway like garage cabinets, bendable wall systems and appliances to complement your recently designed space. You can alter it into a sleek and luxurious living quarter or into a rugged but contemporary entertainment room complete with audio and video systems and other appliances.

You can also place a refrigerator there that is exclusively designed for varying temperatures all year round. Another benefit to remodeling a garage is that it boosts the value of your property. With a renovated garage, you actually gained another room without going through major alterations within your house or having to add an extension to your house, thus decreasing your lot size. The garage remodeling option can really save you plenty of money, while gaining that extra space that’s so desired in today’s contemporary homes. The procedure also saves you a lot of time as you can remodel a garage all year round, rather than having to wait for extreme weather conditions to pass. A full garage remodeling project can take up to one week whereas remodeling another art of your house may take several weeks or months.

Garage remodeling organizes the home, increases storage space and creates a pleasant additional space for the home and it is also the quickest method of adding space to your house. All the mess and unnecessary items are removed and since your garage, after remodeling, is now a completely new living space, you will not be inclined to plunk your trash there, but instead use your new garage storage space to organize all your belongings. That is why a garage alteration is constantly a huge option for those who are in constant need of more space but are not too eager to sacrifice the time, resources and personal participation in renovating a different section of the home.

As with nearly all other places of your home, getting the tools in your garage organised entails that you have to do some planning first. What variety of area do you possess? Do you have a small garage so will need to capitalize on your upright area? How much space in the frontmost part of your garage? Is it enough for some shelving or storage units? What do you want your organised garage to look like? Do you need closed or open storage? What do you require to stash away in at that place? Where do your tools have to go? Do you have various tools for diverse labors? Do they have to go in separate spots or do you require all tools in one place? Genuinely take the time to consider how you desire your garage organized and where the garage tool storage piece goes in. Think of how you need your tools coordinated. What would be ideal for you?

Once you possess an thought of how you want your garage coordinated, it is time to do some window surfing. Go online and consider assorted garage storage organizations. Have a professional garage storage company come out and make you an estimate. Go to assorted house organisation and hardware shops to obtain various thoughts about distinct garage tool storage solutions. Look at what is available and think about the way it could fit into your garage tool organization labor. It is assistive to bring along a digital camera and measurings when you go browsing. That aids you in remembering what you saw and could give you an idea regarding whether or not it will suit the space that you have. Be sure that you do not purchase anything during these trips. You are merely going out to acquire some thoughts right now, not to purchase anything.

Once you have assembled your ideas, sit down and plan out what you require and the total it will cost. If you discover that what you want is greater than what your budget will permit, think of other ways you could organize your tools. Look at some of the other organising thoughts that you assembled and view how they could work out alternatively.

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.

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.

I know that the space above most bedroom closets is a vast expanse of unused and neglected space right? You have absolutely no idea what you could possibly put there to fill it up. Yeah! And those boxes in the hall that have been there since last Christmas aren’t any big deal. They aren’t really in the way that much. Oh, and of course, the tangled piles of who knows what stored so neatly in the garage are so accessible right? Not! I’m not trying to interfere with anybody’s system of chucking, shoving, and forgetting. It’s a good system. That is, if you don’t mind the risks of not having garage organizers to keep everything ship shape.

Oh there are risks. Let’s say you get home from your ski trip with all your stuff. You’re tired and just want to get the SUV unloaded asap and get in the house where it’s warm. You drop your skis, bags and boots somewhere in the mystery pile, somehow never quite getting around to going back out and truly taking care of them. This is a problem. We all have enough stress in our lives. We don’t need the frustration of discovering our favorite tool or sports item damaged or ruined because something else scratches or otherwise damages it out of carelessness. It makes life miserable next time you go to use your stuff. Gear that is abused just doesn’t last as long or even stay in as good of condition as it could. This ends up costing you more money and frustration. Too risky for me. So, here’s a thought for your consideration: garage organizers are fun. What a revelation! Just makes me all giddy thinking about them.

You are probably thinking, “give me a break” right? Okay, here’s my deal. We all have stuff all over the place that we think we will remember where it is when we need it, and then when we do we just can’t seem to find it. I have had some experience with this cute little aspect of modern living. Four kids and two pets give me lots to keep track of. Until I discovered the power of garage organizers I would drive myself crazy looking for items I thought I would never misplace, searching for any possible square inch to put just one more thing into. This is not fun. But with garage organizers I walk around with a Cheshire cat grin on my face all day long just knowing how safe and sound all my stuff is. No more worry, no more risk, no more irritation. Just fun!

So go ahead, get yourself some garage organizers and try it out. You know, cabinets, workbenches with shelves and drawers, racks, hooks, and bins. Stuff like that. Heck, why not go all out and get a whole garage storage system. You know, those beautiful matching garage organizers that you’ve been dreaming about. Life is dreary enough. You deserve some fun!

One option that you have is to go out and buy what known as a modular storage unit. These have components that you can mix and match with one another as you see fit to give yourself more storage space compacted into a tighter area. This will solve much of your space difficulty.

Another thing that you could do is to build your own storage area. Sometimes the modular ones just aren’t sufficient enough for the amount of storage that you may need, due to the amount of stuff that you’ve accumulated over the years. Building your own unit may help you cut back on clutter and make it easier for cleaning the useful area that you do have. As well, seasonal items will be easier to get to year in and year out, plus making it safer as you age with your home.

Shelves, cabinets, plastic containers, and wall-mounted racks are the more popular kinds of garage storage and organization solutions. Cabinets work great for protecting what’s inside them from moisture as well as dust. Shelves will save you space more efficiently but the cheapest solution are wall-mounted racks. These combined with clear plastics containers will assist you in being able to see the contents of your storage along the racks.

Just imagine a beautiful spring day. Your certainly don’t want it to go to waste there for get yourself excited to go for a bike ride, maybe do some fishing with the kids, and even enjoy a little picnic. However, when you get to your garage you see nothing less than a huge mess, with all of the equipment that you were so excited to pull out buried behind clutter, shoved in corners broken and damaged. There goes that idea. Instead, it’s time to retake your garage.

The most important part when organizing your garage is knowing where to start. You’ll first want to buy some cabinets, along with some shelves and a hammer and nails.

The sorting and storing goes as follows. You’ll need to categorize every object and put it in a spot specially designed for it. For instance sporting gear needs to be put in a cabinet or up on a shelf. Any tools should be placed in drawers hung on peg boards in an orderly fashion such as by size and type.

Be merciless about throwing things away and don’t even think twice before you toss away anything that you haven’t used recently or those things that are broken. If you haven’t fixed it yet, chances are that you won’t. Seasonal gear should also be sorted; boots and things that are out-of-season such as coats should be organized in small closets.

Once you finish sorting, organizing, and throwing away Unwanted or unneeded items, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to recognize your long lost friend; the garage floor. Maybe you can even get your car into the garage again. Wouldn’t that be special?