Here’s a useful guide on maximizing your garage’s organizational infrastructure so as to better use your garage as storage space, as prepared by the professional Chicago garage door installation and Chicago garage door repair service team here at Garage Door Repair Chicago.

Keeping Your Chicago Garage Organized

Sort Through all items in your garage and determine what you want to keep, throw away, donate, or sell. Then group items into similar categories to manage space better. Then clean your garage thoroughly, taking care to ensure you have full access to your garage floors and walls. Especially clean if you want to add any hanging or wall mounted storage to your garage. Then, plan your garage layout and start the organizing process. Before this process, make sure to determine how much space you want for your vehicles – including how much clearance they need to safely drive in and out of your garage. After doing this, you can start the garage design phase, creating designated zones of every item category and determining what type of storage solution you want.

What are some common and easy-to-find materials used in DIY garage storage?

Plastic storage bins are a great choice for separating and consolidating items in specific categories and ensure that your garage stays uncluttered. Divide items into separate categories and use color codes bins or labels for easy navigation. Plastic bins are usually stackable, allowing you to make the most of vehicle storage space.

Utility hooks are a great way to store items like shovels and mops to beach chairs, and much more. They need very limited horizontal space and allow plenty of room for your car or other bulky equipment.  Wall shelving can also make your garage safe by eliminating tripping hazards commonly associated with floor storage. Shelves are ideal for items that are best for hooks or storage bins, like small hand tools and paint cans. It’s even possible – for the crafty – to build shelving by hand out of plywood!!

Overhead and Hanging Garage Storage

Overhead and hanging storage is ideal for making your garage storage space much more functional. We recommend placing overhead storage and hanging racks to easily organize equipment and tools while keeping them easily in reach when you need them. It’s best to store rarely-used or seasonal equipment overhead to create more floor space for vehicles and more frequently used items. Overhead storage increases visibility, and shelf design can help you easily access and identify items. We recommend searching for a garage racking system kit made by a reliable and trusted manufacturer.