How to Organize Your Garage (And Actually Find Your Stuff!)

Is your garage so packed with all the stuff that your car sits in the driveway? Don't worry—you're not alone.

Most homeowners use their garage as a catch-all for everything that doesn't fit in the house. But with a few simple storage ideas, you can transform that cluttered space into a clean and organized space where you can actually find what you need and enjoy easy access to your belongings.

Quick Garage Storage Ideas

• Empty EVERYTHING out first—you can't organize what you can't see
• Create "keep," "donate," "sell," and "trash" piles as you sort
• Use vertical space and wall space to free up floor space
• Create storage solutions that group similar items together
• Mount hooks and shelving units that make the space function better
• Label storage ideas so everyone in your own home knows where things go

Empty Your Garage Space First (Yes, All of It!)

Unless you’ve downsized recently, you may have a lot in your garage. The first step to any good garage organization is pulling all the stuff out onto the driveway.

This part feels overwhelming, but it's the most important step. You need to see everything in one place. Once everything is out, sort items into four piles:

• Keep
• Donate
• Sell
• Trash

Be honest with yourself. That broken tool you've been meaning to fix for three years? It's time to let it go. Those outdoor gear items your kids outgrew? Someone else's children could use them.

The less you keep, the more functional space you'll have in your garage. And that's the whole point!

Clean That Dirty Space

With your garage empty, it's the perfect time to clean it properly.

Grab a broom or leaf blower and sweep out all the dirt, leaves and cobwebs. A shop vacuum works great for corners. Wash down the walls with a sponge or mop if they're dirty.

Don't rush this step! A clean garage helps you start fresh and gives you a clear view of all the storage space you actually have.

Group Similar Items Together for Smart Storage Solutions

Now look at your "keep" pile and start grouping similar things for better garage storage:

• Garden tools and cleaning supplies
• Sports equipment and outdoor gear
• Car maintenance supplies
• Holiday decorations
• Tools and hardware
• Household extras

This simple step makes it much easier to decide where things should go in your garage space. Keep seasonal items together. Group tools with other tools.

Put items you use most often in spots with easy access. Holiday decorations can go up high since you only need them once a year.

Use Your Wall Space (It's Free Storage Space!)

The biggest mistake when organizing your garage? Not using enough wall space!

Wall space storage keeps things off the floor space and makes it easy to see what you have. Try these simple wall-mounted shelves and storage ideas:

• Pegboards for tools
• Mount hooks to hang bikes and garden tools
• Slatwall panels with removable hooks and baskets
• Vertical storage units that don't take up too much wall space

Most home improvement stores sell affordable wall space storage systems. A basic pegboard with hooks costs under $30 and can hold dozens of tools. 

Install Shelving Units You Can Adjust

Adjustable shelving units are perfect for garage storage because your needs change over time.

Metal shelving units with adjustable heights work best in garages. They can handle heavy loads without sagging and can be reconfigured as needed. Put heavier items like paint cans and tools on bottom shelves. Lighter stuff can go up high in your vertical storage system.

Look for shelving units deep enough to hold plastic storage bins. Most plastic bins are around 40-61 centimetres deep, so your shelves should be at least that size.

Create Zones That Make Your Garage Space Functional

Think of your garage like a store with different departments. Create smart storage solutions by setting up zones for:

• Garden supplies and cleaning supplies (near the door that leads outside)
• Car stuff (near where you park)
• Sports equipment (where kids can reach it)
• Tools and outdoor gear (in a dedicated work area)
• Holiday decorations and seasonal items (higher up in vertical storage)

This zoning system improves space functioning and makes it easy to find what you need. It also helps everyone in your own home know where things belong. The best garage storage ideas always include this kind of thoughtful organization.

Don't Forget Your Ceiling for Vertical Storage

Your ceiling offers great vertical space for bulky, lightweight items you don't use often.

Overhead storage racks mount to ceiling joists and can hold holiday decorations, camping gear for those lake trips, or off-season items. Make sure whatever you store in this vertical storage area is lightweight and used rarely.

For bulkier items like kayaks or ladders, look for ceiling hooks or pulley systems. These storage solutions make it easy to raise and lower heavy loads safely. 

Store Small Stuff Smart with Storage Ideas

Small items cause the biggest clutter problems in your garage storage system. Keep them under control with these storage solutions:

• Clear plastic bins with labels
• Mason jars for nails, screws and small parts
• Divided containers for hardware and closet space items
• Stackable bins in different sizes for garage organization ideas

The key is consistency with your storage ideas. Pick a garage storage system and stick with it. Label everything so you know what's inside without opening each container. Smart storage solutions for small items make a huge difference in keeping your garage space functional.

Make Your Tools Easy to Grab with Wall Mounted Shelves

Nothing wastes time like hunting for tools. Create a system where every tool has a home. 

Outline tool shapes on pegboards so you know what goes where, and store similar tools together (all screwdrivers in one spot). Keep most-used tools at eye level on wall-mounted shelves. Put power tools in labelled cases that stack neatly on shelving units.

A magnetic strip mounted on the wall space holds metal tools securely and keeps them visible. This works great for wrenches, screwdrivers, and other metal tools. When you mount hooks on the wall, you can hang frequently used items for easy access.

Keep Garden Tools and Cleaning Supplies Ready to Use

Garden tools and cleaning supplies need to be accessible during growing season but out of the way the rest of the year.

Store long-handled tools like rakes and shovels using wall-mounted storage or in a rolling garbage can. Hang smaller hand tools on a pegboard for easy access. Keep fertilizer, soil, and plant food on lower shelves where they're easy to reach but won't fall on your head.

Position these items near the garage door so you can grab them quickly when heading outside to perfect your landscaping. 

Store Holiday Decorations and Seasonal Items Up High

Holiday decorations, camping gear, and other seasonal items should be stored where they won't take up valuable floor space most of the year.

Clear plastic bins work best for holiday decorations and seasonal storage. You can see what's inside, and they protect against dust and garage moisture. Label each bin clearly with contents and season.

Stack seasonal bins on high shelves or ceiling racks as part of your vertical storage strategy. Just make sure you can safely reach them when needed. This approach keeps your most-used items accessible while tucking away holiday decorations until you actually need them.

Keep Everyone Safe in Your Own Garage

Garages can be full of hidden hazards. Safety matters when organizing your garage space:

• Store chemicals, cleaning supplies, and lawn products in their original containers
• Keep dangerous items high up away from kids
• Make sure paths stay clear for walking with plenty of floor space
• Don't block access to electrical panels or utilities
• Use sturdy shelving units that won't tip over even with heavy loads

A fire extinguisher mounted near the garage door is always a smart idea. Check it yearly to make sure it still works.

Tame Sports Equipment Chaos with Vertical Storage

Sports and outdoor gear create unique storage challenges because of their odd shapes and sizes.

Try these storage solutions:

• Ball bins or nets for basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls
• Vertical storage racks for bats, hockey sticks, and golf clubs
• Mount hooks on the wall to hang bikes—this is better than letting them take up floor space
• Mesh bags for smaller items like baseball gloves

Storage lockers (or simple wooden cubbies) work great for each family member's personal sports equipment. Everyone in your own home gets their own space to keep track of their stuff. These garage organization ideas help maintain a functional space for all your activities.

Try These Cheap DIY Storage Solutions

You don't need expensive systems to get organized. Try these budget-friendly storage ideas for better garage storage:

• PVC pipe sections mounted on walls hold long-handled tools
• Coffee cans screwed under shelving units store small items
• Wooden pallets turned on end make great garden tool storage
• Old kitchen cabinets or closet space organizers become perfect garage storage units
• Mount hooks on scrap lumber for an instant tool-hanging system

Even a simple 2x4 with hooks screwed into it creates instant vertical storage for under $10. Smart storage solutions don't have to cost a lot to make your garage space functional.

Stay Organized for Good in Your Own Home

Getting organized feels great, but staying organized is the real challenge with garage storage.

Follow these simple habits for garage organization ideas that last:

• Put things back where they belong after using them
• Do a quick 15-minute cleanup of floor space once a month
• Reassess your storage solutions twice a year and make adjustments
• Get the whole family involved in maintaining order

The best garage system is one you can actually maintain. Good storage ideas only work if you stick with them! Keep your system simple enough that everyone can follow it and maintain the functional space you've created.

Transform Your Garage Space This Weekend

Organizing your home and garage isn't a one-day job, but you can make huge progress in a single weekend with these garage organization ideas.

Start with the big cleanout on Saturday morning. Sort and organize through the afternoon. Then spend Sunday setting up your storage solutions and putting things away in their new homes.

The effort is worth it. An organized garage space doesn't just store all the stuff better—it adds valuable, functional space to your home. And next time you need that hammer or holiday decorations? You'll have easy access to find exactly what you need.

Best of all, by using vertical storage, wall-mounted shelves, and smart garage storage ideas, you'll reclaim your floor space for what garages were meant for—actually parking your car!