Take The Guesswork Out Of Garage Organization

June 6, 2017

Spring has sprung, may apparently happened, and now here we are in the beginning of June, also known as The Best Time To Tackle Your Garage If You Haven’t Already.

The small humans will be in and out of there, rifling for sports equipment and bicycles, yard work and all the related tools are once again a thing, as are family trips. You need a functional garage set up to sustain all that activity.

In the hopes of taking the guesswork out of that task, I’m giving you the low down on what I consider to be garage organizing essentials.

6 essentials for an organized garage.

 

1. Shelves

Unless you have built-in cabinets, you’re going to need some type of shelving. Do not let the standardization of this round-up fool you: what may appear unremarkable is certainly not that.

There are scads of heavy-duty shelving units around; these chrome industrial ones are just plain better. Other versions have shelves that are completely cumbersome (read: impossible) to adjust, or have shelves that, themselves, eat up the storage capacity because they’re so damn thick. The bracket takes up a zillion centimeters and then the cork layer eats away nine zillion more, and before you know it, the shelf space can’t fit anything taller than a cereal box. Substantial storage I think not.

Plus, these offer the option of casters, which, well, why wouldn’t you say yes to those?

2. Bins

I don’t even want to go into these for fear you’ll curse me, virtually, anyway, for being a broken record. Suffice it to say, I heartily endorse these bins, and highly recommend your using them to store all that outdoor gear, camping equipment, et al.

Just you go and get yourself some of these and have it handled, okay?

3. A Hanging situation

Most garages are sorely in need of a hanging situation for things like sports gear, yard tools, ladders, and so on.

While there are many different wall track systems on the market, I defer in this case to the Store Of Containers.

Their elfa utility track is easily installed, has a clean, streamlined appearance, and enables you to customize your storage to fit your particular needs.

Use with: wide ladder hook (fantastic for pretty much everything, no kidding) // straight handled tool hook // accessory hooks (perfect for smaller items for helmets, brooms, etc.) // tool holders // bike hook // mesh storage bag (an ingenious solution for sports items) // bracket posts.

(Entire Elfa garage systems available here.)

4. Cargo lift

Oh man, there is nothing like a big ass Thule cargo carrier or a freaking enormous paddle board (not bitter) to put a damper on clear garage floor space. You can’t lean them, they refuse to behave, and positively won’t be coaxed into being compacted by Miss Frizzle’s shrink ray. (Michaela, you got me here?) What’s a Simplifier to do? Hoist that thing up, up, and out of the way. And let us say, amen.

5. Heavy-duty triple storage bin

Another tried and true solution for corralling things like sports equipment, this three-section storage bin holds up impressively over time. It’s also mobile (the whole thing is on wheels), and mobile-friendly (each individual bag can be easily lifted out of the frame, cinched up, and taken away with you as needed).

Ahem. This is also why I love to insist my client’s get this to act as their ongoing donation situation.

6. Parts organizers

My pick for containing all those small bits commonly found in garages, such as fishing stuff (a.k.a. the only thing I can’t get involved with) and hardware.

Durable, with a secure clasp lid, these are also customizable thanks to their removable inner dividers.

4 Comments

  1. Michaela on June 6, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Just when I think you couldn’t work in an obscure reference I loved more than the last, you come at me with Ms. Frizzle. (I wrote and illustrated a Magic School Bus rip-off book in third grade. Still waiting on my Caldecott Medal.) Also, giving myself lots of pats on the back for recently purchasing those shelves AND bins to wrangle an out-of-control tchotchke supply situation at the office. Live Simply like a boss.

    • Annie on June 6, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      LIKE A BOSS.

      Issuing an honorary ‘cott medal here and now. Consider yourself anointed, and your brilliance (/penchant for translating nonsense into legitimate references) officially recognized.

      • Michaela on June 7, 2017 at 11:53 am

        Honorary medals are the best, ‘cuz in 5 years I don’t have to fret even one bit about what to do with that dang medal.

        • Annie on June 10, 2017 at 3:41 pm

          That’s IT! I’ve had it with this one-sided arrangement we’ve got going. I need to know YOUR story, cause clearly we speak the same love language. 😉

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4 Comments

  1. Michaela on June 6, 2017 at 8:49 am

    Just when I think you couldn’t work in an obscure reference I loved more than the last, you come at me with Ms. Frizzle. (I wrote and illustrated a Magic School Bus rip-off book in third grade. Still waiting on my Caldecott Medal.) Also, giving myself lots of pats on the back for recently purchasing those shelves AND bins to wrangle an out-of-control tchotchke supply situation at the office. Live Simply like a boss.

    • Annie on June 6, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      LIKE A BOSS.

      Issuing an honorary ‘cott medal here and now. Consider yourself anointed, and your brilliance (/penchant for translating nonsense into legitimate references) officially recognized.

      • Michaela on June 7, 2017 at 11:53 am

        Honorary medals are the best, ‘cuz in 5 years I don’t have to fret even one bit about what to do with that dang medal.

        • Annie on June 10, 2017 at 3:41 pm

          That’s IT! I’ve had it with this one-sided arrangement we’ve got going. I need to know YOUR story, cause clearly we speak the same love language. 😉

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