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?

In most homes today, unless you have a storage unit or shed, the most common place to store all of our extra items is in the garage. There are many garage storage solutions available today beyond home built shelves using scrap 2′x4′s and plywood (though these have worked very well for many people in past). One great thing about shelves are that they take advantage of the vertical space in your garage, freeing up much of the floor space for other uses.

There are two main types of shelving: free standing and wall mounted shelves.

Free standing shelves can be made out of a variety of materials, including pressed board, resin, wood, metal and heavy duty wire that is often coated with rubber. The main nice thing about free standing utility shelves as garage storage solutions is that you can move them around, placing them where they are needed most. When placed strategically in the garage, you can even use them as a divider, such as to separate a shop area from the rest of the garage.

This style of shelves can come in a variety of depths, commonly from 12” to 20”. These also can come in a variety of styles. Some come on lockable casters so that you can move them easily and them lock them into place so that they do not move. Others, such as some of the heavy duty plastic / resin shelves easily break down for portability. The solid, heavy duty plastic coated wire shelves will hold a large amount of weight, and will not rust if they get wet, which is a big advantage over the pressed board style and for many are a preferred form of garage storage solutions.

Wall mounted shelves also come in a variety of material, though it is best to get a heavy duty shelf that is specially designed for the garage, such as one that is designed to hold up to 100 lbs. per linear foot. Heavy duty wire shelves are ideal because they do hold a lot of weight, and because of their open design you can easily see from below what is stored on shelves that are higher up on the wall. The open wire design also allows for greater air circulation which helps cut down on any mold or mildew problems if you live in humid areas.

When hanging shelves on your walls, you need to make sure that you consider what you are going to store on them so that you can plan for the correct amount of spacing between shelves, especially since they are more difficult form of garage storage solutions to move around once they are hung. One advantage to hanging shelves on the wall over free standing shelves is that you can start the shelves on the wall where ever you want, allowing a greater amount of space under the first shelf. This allows you to store some taller items (such as stools or wheel barrows) underneath.

Besides shelves, there are also many other great garage storage solutions to help you make your garage a safer and more productive work area, such as garage cabinets and utility hooks. So, start with shelves, and then add other options until you have designed a garage that best suits your storage and hobby needs. After all, a garage should be more than just a catch all for miscellaneous items around your house.

Garage storage has recently taken on a whole new meaning since I moved. Before I owned a garage, I thought all my storage problems would be solved once I had one. Then, once I had one, I came to believe that what I really needed was a larger one. I have since come to learn that that wasn’t entirely true either. Most home owners who happen to have a garage probably know what it’s like to try to make sense of all the stuff in their lives in a normal garage space, only to be frustrated. With sport balls, skis, bikes, holiday supplies, fishing gear, workout equipment, and a host of other items to store, garage owners try all sorts of creative solutions for their storage needs and sometimes still end up feeling like they just don’t have enough space.

Luckily, there are some really helpful, attractive, and effective garage storage solutions. You can find customized storage racks, hooks, bins, and shelves for almost anything these days. Some homeowners opt for simple plywood shelving, while others go all out and get the latest and greatest. Regardless, each garage owner is usually trying to maximize available space for what is usually way too much stuff anyway. Part of the joys of living in a materially successful society I guess. But, even with all these creative solutions to your storage problems, it doesn’t mean that you are going to have enough space for all the stuff in your life. And that leads me to my recent dilemma. See if you can relate.

When I sold my house and moved into a smaller house in another town, I learned right away how much I missed having a garage. But, luckily, the new place comes with a large out building where lots of stuff gets to live. In fact, this raises an interesting problem I hadn’t even thought of at first. I really thought that having a larger space would solve my garage storage problems, but that hasn’t necessarily proven true. Now, instead of trying to figure out how to just effectively store a bunch of miscellaneous things, I am trying to figure out how to also integrate other activities that used to happen in my larger house; things like working out, relaxing in the family room, playing games with the kids, etc. So while I’m glad to have a large space, I’ve discovered that it isn’t the space itself that matters most when it comes to garage storage.

What actually matters most isn’t how much space you have, but what you do with it that matters. Even with a really large space, if you just pile everything into it you’ll be just as frustrated as if you had a small space. So if you are trying to deal with limited space, don’t kid yourself into thinking that all you need to do is move into a larger one. Nope, what you really need to do is take inventory, get rid of as much extra stuff as possible, buy some creative garage storage solution products, and then use it.

If you do these things, then whether you live in a relatively small place, or have lots of garage storage space, you can take control and live with the peace and contentment that comes from an ordered and organized approach.

Garage storage solutions usually come packaged in some pretty plain colors. I mean, everyone gets it that shelves are a good idea; but that’s so drab. Everyone also gets it that cabinets are good – can someone please pass me the Nodoz. I am not suggesting that shelves and cabinets don’t have a place in solving your storage problems. I am just saying that we can all go beyond these basics. Let’s take a look at some creative ways to store things in your garage that go beyond shelves and cabinets.

One of the coolest creative garage storage solutions I have seen utilizes the space overhead. If you think about it, we all tend to use floor space without a second thought. We even lift things up just a bit when we start setting things on a bench or on a shelf. Those things help, but it’s time to think just a bit higher. There is space above to spare. How about overhead storage racks that attach right to the rafters of your garage? Have you seen these things? You simply screw some tracks into the wooden rafters above and slide on some plastic bins. Viola! There you have it, an overhead storage solution for your garage. This allows you to put all those things up out of the way that are hardly ever accessed. Things like holiday decorations, lights and such.

One of the on going problems with not implementing the right garage storage solutions is that when things get cluttered along the outside edge of the garage, there is absolutely no place to store things that really need storing. It is obvious that you should get rid of the things that you never use or access. Be gone with such rabble. Once this is done you are in a position to truly appreciate and utilize the next several creative garage storage solutions, i.e., bins and racks.

Turns out there are actually bins designed for storing sports balls, roller blades, rackets, baseball gloves, and many other things that typically get tossed on the floor or lost in a pile somewhere. Most of these are attractive powder coated metal bins that are easily adjustable for where you want to install them on the wall. Some even have integral hanging racks with different attachment point options. This is a nice feature because while one height might be good for the adults in the family, it will be completely unworkable for the shorter folks. Anytime you can get adjustable garage storage solutions, that is a good thing. The kids will thank you. And, if you think about it, it’ll actually save you time and effort as well because you won’t always have to be running out to the garage to hand things down to the kids when they need them.

As for racks, these are real things of beauty. Garage storage solutions have to take care of the things in life that don’t stack or store away in bins easily. These are things like bikes and fishing rods and reels. Have you noticed how frustrating it is to try to lean a fishing pole against the wall? They always tip over against the ones next to it and turn into a mangled mess. Racks designed for storing fishing gear are a real life saver. Bike racks are made that allow storage against the wall, or lifted up into the space above. Whatever you do, be creative with garage storage solutions and you will be forever glad you did.

Garage storage is no laughing matter. There is nothing humorous about tripping all over those soccer balls and snow skis. There’s nothing to chuckle about when every time you go out into the garage to find something you can’t. And a cluttered and messy garage is a sure sign of even bigger problems, like maybe not being able to organize or take responsibility for the way things are kept in your life in general. But I’m not here to chastise you if this hits a little close to home. I am, however, here to suggest some ways to get your garage, and the things in it, under control. I know what it is like to have the garage be a huge pain in the buttusky. I also know what it is like to have a garage that has lots of storage for all the things that need to go there. I am here to tell you, the second is a much better way to go. When a garage is organized and squared away, you can literally think straighter and feel more at ease. I’m sure the Chinese would have a ready lesson for us here about the concept of feng shui. Be that as it may, let’s take a look at some options for storing things in the garage that you may not have considered before. These are sure to promote your sense of well-being and peace of mind.

Garage storage idea #1: Use the vertical space in the garage. This idea alone can do wonders for the average garage, not to mention the average garage owner. Getting things up off the floor is a great start. Think about all the vertical space that goes unused. Putting things up into that space is perhaps the best thing any of us can do to get organized. I particularly like the simple step of purchasing some shelving and/or cabinets. Using these not only allows easier access to your things, but also allows your things to be closed off from view. Shelves and cabinets with doors gives the garage a more finished look as well.

Garage storage idea #2: Get creative with the use of specialty racks and bins. There are some really innovative storage solutions in this category. For example, if you are a fisherman then you will be happy to learn that companies like Racor make rod racks that let you keep your fishing rods and reels up out of the way and secured against the wall. No more random tipping over and getting tangled and mangled. These racks look good and are functional. Another example are sport ball bins. These are simple, but go a long way to clean up the clutter. Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, and all sorts of related sports paraphernalia are brought under strict control with the right bins.

Garage storage idea #3: Use overhead storage devices. These come in two basic configurations. One is the rack and bin system where you install rails in the rafters or against the ceiling for plastic storage bins to hang from. The other is a platform pulley configuration where you load boxes and other items onto a platform that is then raised up with ropes and pulleys. Things like holiday decorations and keepsake items that are infrequently accessed are perfect candidates for these sorts of storage solutions.

There’s nothing wrong with storing things besides your cars and trucks in the garage. Just take charge of your garage storage situation with some of these ideas and your garage will become a place you don’t dread to go into. And, you will be happier and more content.

Like any part of your house, your garage needs some organization as well. It is prone to so much clutter and mess especially since we don’t normally spend so much time out there. And even if you do, some tools tend to be left where you last use them instead of being kept with the other tools. Some just don’t have any form of organization so their garage is dirty and tools are scattered everywhere.

Upon realization that you want a tidy garage, look over the whole garage and identify the problem areas. Take note of the things that need most of the tidying up. Then plan the whole organization of your garage. Create a garage storage system that will be most helpful to you. Think where you want to put the tools, furniture and other equipment that is in your garage. Cabinets and drawers are good for eliminating your garage clutter. It’s also good to use your wall for hanging tools. Install shelves and buy boxes to store items on each shelf.

Plan what type of cabinets, panels, chests and other storage you are going to use. You can call in a professional to help you or buy a preconfigured garage storage system. It is helpful to browse around online and in stores to help you make your decision. Then after installing and storing everything, don’t forget to label each drawer, cabinet and storage box. This is important so that everything will be easy to find. Now you won’t only have a tidy garage, you will also have an efficient one.

It is safe to say in most parts of the country that spring is finally here and the desire to get outside and start getting some things done is in the air. The last few weekends I see people everywhere working outside, hauling stuff to the landfill and limbs to the local recycling area where they accept yard waste to mulch down to compost. Besides the yard, another area of focus for spring clean up is the garage. If most garages are like mine, a lot of extra junk has been thrown in there throughout the winter and it is time to do some serious organizing and cleaning up. But this year I decided that I needed to do more, my makeshift shelving just isn’t working anymore, I need a more intelligent use space, I need some real garage storage solutions.

With a little looking around, I discovered that there is a lot available on the market, not just different brands of garage organizers, but different solutions within each brand. There is literally something for everybody depending upon what you use your garage for and the types of items that you store in your garage.

The basis of many garage storage solutions is the cabinet. Garage cabinets come in various sizes and configurations. You can get floor cabinets that are tall with shelves inside, or shorter ones that have shelves or drawers with a work space on top. Cabinets for the garage are often made from a press board with laminated finish or metal. Some cabinets are designed with certain hobbies in mind; such as sports, gardening or wood working. For example, inside a cabinet with sports in mind, you may find a special place to hang bats, a bungee ball restraint or storage bins for smaller items. Some cabinets are designed to be hung on the wall, leaving the floor space underneath for other uses.

Workbenches are another form of garage storage solutions, and are often placed beneath wall cabinets. A workbench can be just a table type design, sometimes with a few drawers or shelf beneath, and other times workbenches are cabinets with a special top for a work surface. I have even seen wall hung cabinets where the door actually swings down to become a workbench. This works great if you are really tight on space.

Tool carts are a popular garage storage solution for mechanics. Often like a tool chest on wheels and other times more resembling a cabinet or cart on wheels, the concept is the same. You can store it by the wall, but then move it with you when you are working on your car or other project.

Special garage organizers are a really flexible form of storage. These are often special wall systems for which you can purchase a variety of sizes of hooks, bins, and shelves for storing anything from garden tools, wheel barrows and ladders to bikes, balls, skis and sport rackets. From there the list goes on to whatever you might need to store.

One of my favorite categories of garage storage solutions is overhead storage. I can just imagine that this system was thought up by a very frazzled home owner who just needed more storage space than his floor and walls allowed. These systems hang from the ceiling, some are shelves or bins that you reach with a ladder, others are actually on a pulley system so you can lower it to the floor for easy access.

If you are like most people, one of these options alone will not do the trick, you will need a variety of them to come up with the best garage storage solutions for your home. But it is worth the work to get it done, your garage will become a place you do not dread going, and you will be the envy of the neighborhood!

If you have decided that a garage storage cabinet is the answer to clearing your work area and of unnecessary clutter, there are a few steps you should take before either building of buying one.

Deciding What Goes In A Garage Storage cabinet

First, before you can decide on the size of you garage storage cabinet, you need to settle on what tools or machinery will go into which shelf or drawer of the cabinet. You know better than anyone which tools you use most often and will want to keep within easy reach of your work area.

Your smaller hand and power tools will probably be most convenient if you put them in the part of the garage storage cabinet closest to your work area; the power tools should be kept on an enclosed shelf to keep them away from dust.

The small removable bits, drills, and blades which you use with you power tools can be placed in a drawer close to the shelves holding the tools with which they work; and you can also have separate drawers for hardware like nails, nuts and bolts, washers, and screws.

Specialty hardware like drawer pulls, or hinges can be stored in another area, especially if you do not do custom woodwork very often. You can buy dividers to keep each kind of hardware separated.

A garage storage cabinet with a section to hold wooden dowels of with taller sections to hold brooms, rakes, and other long-handled garden tools will also come in handy. If you use larger power tools like a mitre saw, one of your garage storage cabinet’s deeper compartments should the set aside for them. For ore info see http://www.garageplanshelp.com/Garage_Storage_Cabinet/ on Garage Storage Cabinet.

Types Of Garage Storage Cabinet

You can choose a free standing or mountable garage storage cabinet; having one of each will double your storage space without doubling the amount of garage floor space occupied with storage; and it by having a garage storage cabinet with sliding doors, you’ll again clear more of your floor space. But sliding doors will only allow you to access half of your garage storage cabinet’s contents at once, so decide whether easy access or floor space is your priority.

You can find garage storage cabinet in wood, metal, or even plastic. Clear plastic garage storage cabinets are great for letting you identify their contents without even having to open them, and many people use them for keeping things which they use regularly.

You need not limit the use of you garage storage cabinets to tools and outdoor equipment; they make great additional storage for clothing, home supplies you buy in bulk like paper products or laundry supplies. Anything which could be kept in an interior cabinet or closet can be put in a garage storage cabinet.

I HAVE A SMALL ONE CAR GARAGE AND THINKING OF HIRING A CARPENTER TO GET SHELVES IN THE GARAGE FOR STORAGE PUROPOSE,

I AM LOOKING FOR SIMPLE BUT STRONG

HOW MUCH SHOULD CARPARENTER CHARGE ME FOR THIS INLCULING LABOAR AND MATERIAL.

PLEASE ADVISE

THANKS

Looking for plans to constuct a shelving unit for storage items in garage. Plastic totes will be mainly stored on it. Lookng for something that uses mainly 2×4′s and plywood for the bottom of shelves.