Garage storage solutions have to start with a question that only you can answer: What is my storage problem in the garage? Once you have that question answered accurately you can then move on to a consideration of alternate solutions. If you seek a solution before you really know the problem or need, then you may end up spending money on a “solution” that really just becomes part of an ever growing problem. It wouldn’t make any sense, for example, to purchase a kayak rack to hang on the wall of your garage, if you don’t own a kayak. Or let’s say you have a garden shed that houses a lot of your yard tools and paint supplies. It obviously wouldn’t make any sense to purchase and install garage storage solutions for those items. You might purchase them for the shed, but not for the garage.

For years I was frustrated with how things just got tossed in my garage. I couldn’t ever actually put the car in there because there was never any room. The kids had their bikes in there. All my tools were sort of randomly stored there. With all the miscellaneous boxes, holiday decorations, sports equipment, etc., there was never really any order to it. Seems like the garage was this ever-changing monster that just sort of ate away at my peace of mind. My wife and I used to joke around about how feng-shui our garage was. I hope you are picking up on a little sarcasm here, because that’s exactly what it is. Feng shui? Are you kidding me. I think by joking about the garage we made ourselves feel a little less pain.

But the blessed day finally came when we snapped out of it, put our thinking caps on, and learned to itemize the real problems in the garage. We literally wrote down on a piece of paper all of the areas that needed fixing. The main garage storage solutions we found to work best for us were: first, bins, hooks and racks that attach to the wall for storing the kid’s sport balls, bats, roller blades, bikes, jump rope, and winter toys. This alone helped a lot. All those little things that used to just float around wherever now have a specific place to be stored. Second, adequate shelving and cabinet space. We had a little bit of storage before, but nowhere near adequate. Once we installed more cabinets and shelves the garage really started to become a place free of stress. So much of the stuff we had could be put behind closed doors or neatly on shelves that the floor space was freed up enough to pull the car in. We had a big cake to celebrate that day!

I have a sneaking suspicion that most home owners in need of good garage storage solutions just need to crank up the thinking a notch, and learn to identify exactly what it is that they need. After this is done, there has to be a willingness to implement a solution to fit the actual need. Having a messy, cluttered, unorganized garage is not something you have to endure any longer. Your garage doesn’t have to be your nemesis. There are so many great commercial garage storage solutions for the homeowner, that now there is just no excuse for a garage that doesn’t have at least some semblance of order.

Are you completely frustrated with your garage? Does your car sit in the driveway because there is no room for it because of all the clutter? Garage storage systems are the answer to your organizational nightmare.

Your first step in solving this problem is to remove everything from your garage, preferably on a nice day. Put all that clutter in the backyard or the driveway. If you are lucky, people might think you are having a yard sale and start offering you money for some of your junk! Once the garage is empty, you can give it a good cleaning including a power washer for the floor. After that job is complete, you can begin installing the garage storage systems. Any items that you do not have a use for are either donated to charity, thrown in the garbage or sold at a yard sale.

Garage storage systems can come in many different forms. One such form is an extruded PVC slat wall panels. These panels are extremely strong and are easy to install. They are also easy to clean and they come in six different colors at this time, thus, there is no need to paint. Other storage accessories include overhead racks and storage systems that allow items to hang from your garage ceiling and are thus kept out of the way. Practically anything that sits in your garage can be hung up out of the way.

Garage storage systems are a cost effective way to clean up your garage. You may find that you have more space than you originally thought. The storage areas can be divided into compartments in several different areas such as overhead storage, sports equipment section, holiday supplies and workshop or tools area. Other designated sections could include firewood, vehicle supplies, lawn and garden supplies, pet supplies and garbage and recycling areas. Some people may have more or less areas needed for organizing their garage items.

Wall cabinets are great garage storage systems as well. They are good for storing smaller items. However, many people find that the overhead racks storage is best for keeping a neat and tidy garage. Use storage bins with a label of everything that is inside the bin. This helps in locating items later on. If you would prefer another option to storing things in your garage then there is always a pulley system. It allows for the storage of larger items such as a canoe, kayak, truck topper or even a wheelbarrow much easier. Another option that is to use hooks. These are placed on a sidewall and are excellent for hanging bicycles, garden tools and other items.

Garage storage systems are the perfect way for a cluttered garage to regain its original use, that of storing your car. Take a run out to your local home center or do some research on the internet to give you an idea as to what is available in this area of home storage. Whether you choose an overhead system or a wall-mounted system, you will be glad you did.