The Biggest Garage Storage Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Garages are an exciting blank canvas of a new home. Rarely are you able to see such open and empty space, and many people store much more than just their cars in the garage. It makes sense that the garage is a great storage space — it stores things that you may not regularly use but are important to you, it keeps things within easy reach, and it keeps your house free of outside clutter.

But be mindful. It can easily evolve from a tidy garage to a chaotic overflow of stuff if you're not careful about what and where you're storing things. Like basements and attics, a garage can easily become a catch-all for every bit of excess you come across in your home.

By properly planning and measuring, you'll be able to create a garage storage solution that's perfect for you and your family. From garage ladder storage, garage storage boxes, and storing power tools in the garage, we can help you find personalized solutions for your garage. Call Artisan Custom Closets in Nashville today.

Forgetting to Declutter First

Just like starting any organizational endeavor, the first step is to always declutter. Forgetting to declutter is common because you want to jump into the project as soon as possible. But taking time to sit with and sort through your items will help you understand what you actually need, and what you haven't used in years.

We tend to buy more than we actually need and garage storage boxes can only hold so much. When a garage begins to be treated as an overflow storage space, that means it's time to slow down and reconsider your storage options.

Considering the Floor as Part of Your Storage Space

Being strategic with your garage storage organization is a must, especially for smaller garages. Do you have garage storage boxes sitting on the floor of your garage? Yard tools leaning against a wall or laying on the ground? Where are your power tools right now?

Though it may be tempting to leave things on the floor "just for now" because you see so much floor space in your new garage, this is a common mistake that can have major repercussions later on. As more things accumulate, it gets hard to move around, becomes a tripping hazard, and is nearly impossible to easily access what you need.

With custom garage storage designs, the wall and ceiling are able to hang ladders in garage, tools, garage storage boxes, power tools, and almost anything you can think of.

Improper Use of Wall and Ceiling Space

Wasting vertical space is one of the most common issues we see in garage storage. The best way to keep things off your floor is to utilize the ample space on your garage ceilings and walls. By ignoring vertical storage opportunities, you fail to take advantage of all available storage areas.

If your goal is to also store a car in your garage, consider a suspended overhead system to fit above or at the sides of your car. Ceiling-mounted racks can also help you with garage ladder storage, bikes, kayaks, surfboards, and other large items. Wall hooks and pegboards can act as a home for tools, gardening supplies, and small sporting equipment.

Storing power tools in garages is a great way to take advantage of pegboards, cabinets, or shelves. These are items that are precious and expensive, and storing power tools in garages should come with the proper protection and safety for you and your tools.

This not only allows you to use all the available space in your garage, but allows you to locate your item more quickly because it'll be right in front of you, rather than buried under piles of chaos.

Storage Tips for Your Garage

Everyone's lifestyle is different and so are their needs. The best way to stay organized all year-round is to store things according to how frequently they're used. Seasonal holiday decor should be placed high up and away from daily sight while more regularly used items, like gardening tools or sports equipment, should be stored at eye-level.

Choosing stackable clear storage bins for your garage storage boxes helps you see what's inside, uses vertical space, and reduces free-floating clutter. Though transparent, labeling your bins is still important because it clearly defines what the contents are inside, eliminating the need for any guesswork. This ensures that everyone in your family knows exactly where things are and can easily access and put things away responsibly.

Call Artisan Custom Closets Today For a Quote

Proper storage for your home is vital in keeping your garage efficient and tidy. Our designers are trusted by many happy customers who have built their dream garage storage units with us. By working with Artisan Custom Closets in Nashville, we can help you plan a garage that's tailor made for your home and lifestyle.