It's easy for a garage to become a dumping ground as the years go by. From bikes to toolkits, coats to shoes, old children’s toys and crazy amounts of craft supplies, you'll most likely find something new (or old) stored away in there. Does this sound familiar?
There's nothing more satisfying then decluttering any part of your house and the garage is a good place to dive into. You could even convert it into a garage gym afterwards if you fancied it!
Here we share some of our favourite garage storage ideas that will help if you’re looking to fix-up your garage and control the chaos once again.
15 garage storage ideas
Use hooks
Put hooks on the wall for awkward, large items to hang them in a designated place. This is a great garage storage solution for ironing boards, ladders, wheelbarrows or folding garden chairs that can't be relied on to stand on their own. This six pack of multipurpose garage storage hooks would definitely do the trick!
Ceiling storage
In the same way as the wall shelving, overhead storage hanging from your garage ceiling can really maximise the use of your space. This is especially useful for any large, seasonal items that are used less often that can be stored completely out of the way. The Hyloft brackets here are great for your custom storage needs: create a platform and add boxes or just add large items like sports equipment or ladders.
Storage boxes
Use storage boxes to organise your items. This is a neat way of keeping all your bits and bobs together and using transparent boxes will help you identify exactly where things are. These SAMLA boxes do the trick with lids too to keep out dust and critters.
Wall shelving
Install wall shelving to make the most of the vertical space. It'll clear your floor of clutter and use space that would otherwise be left empty and untouched. These wall-mounted shelves are adjustable, provide plenty of storage space and have a minimalist, industrial look that'll look great in your garage or utility.
Folding workbench
Add a folding workbench to your garage that you can use for your projects and fold away when it's not needed. It'll free up valued floor space and with this IVAR table and unit, provide additional storage too.
Use bike mounts
Store you bikes with racks to keep them upright and uniform. This can be done with a floor rack that keeps all your bikes standing to attention without taking up unnecessary space, or with a wall rack. We love this Cycloc Endo Wall Mounted Bike Holder that keep your bikes safely off the floor entirely.
Multi-drawer cabinet
Use a multi-drawer storage cabinet to store all the small, DIY bits and pieces that can easily get jumbled or misplaced. Store your bolts, screws, nails and alum keys in one place safe in the knowledge they'll be there when you need them. This 40-drawer cabinet would work great for starters!
Create a drop-off storage space
Cabinets and shelves are great for storing things away but by allocating an easy drop off point, you'll eliminate an over-spill of things across the garage floor. It'll also provide quick access to what you need without having to rummage around first. These three grey storage baskets work great with an open top to easily drop things in and the option to stack them do they don't take up too much room.
Tool storage rack
To save yourself a classic comedy moment, invest in a tool storage rack to keep your long-handled tools off the floor. From spades to rakes to brooms, neatly line them up in one place to save space.
Be wise with your rubbish
If you use your garage for projects, you'll need a waste bin to get rid of any rubbish. To optimise your space, use a square or rectangular shaped bin instead of a circular bin so it slots neatly and doesn't leave unoccupied gaps in the corners. These compact Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bins not only fit the bill, but come with mounts so you can have them off the ground. Where you put it is up to you.
Built in clothing rail
It would be worth considering an overhead box unit or shelf with a clothing rail attached. This versatile solution can be used to store seasonal coats and hats or, if your washer/dryer is in your garage, to hang clothes and store detergent. This country-chic wall shelf comes with hooks too for hanging anything from used DIY rags to backpacks.
Pegboard storage
Install a pegboard in your garage to organise smaller, lighter items and those easy to grab. This SKÅDIS pegboard is really stylish and comes with a ready-to-go combination of hooks and accessories, with many more available to buy online or in store.
Label your boxes
It may seem obvious but labeling your storage boxes is a fantastic solution to finding where everything is, without the headache of having to scan through the contents of each first. These cute chalkboard labels look great, are removable and waterproof - really helpful if your garage is prone to damp or if you're likely to have water in close proximity.
Shelving
If you've got all your storage boxes, you'll want floor shelving to keep them in order. I've gone for the storage box stack before and it's a nightmare if you need something lower down. Unfortunately, shelving units for your garage can come with a higher price point, but we've found these handy, affordable shelves. Before buying, make sure to measure your space to get a shelving unit that fits just right for you.
Magnetic tool holder
If you're often reaching for your tools or trying out a new DIY project, this could be a great garage storage idea for you. Keep your tools safely off the floor and well organised with a strong magnetic tool holder.
Garage storage inspiration
If you're looking for garage storage ideas in action, follow the advice of some professional organisers...
Mrs Hinch's storage solution
Not only does the Queen of Clean provide top cleaning tips but fantastic storage solutions too!
Last June, Sophie Hinchliffe aka Mrs Hinch, bought the IKEA grid shelving for her garage to organise her space with 25 boxes to fill full of bits and bobs, including kid’s toys, crafts, outdoor cutlery, overspill of household goods and more.
A great way to keep your garage decluttered and your stuff easily accessible.
www.ikea.com
She then decided to use her Poundstretcher baskets that she used for make-up, to store items in the garage. These small affordable baskets are great for separating out shelves, drawers and for keeping smaller items apart and unmuddled.
We've found a great alternative from Amazon in a handy pack of six:
The Home Edit's guide to organising
Clea and Joanna, professional organisers for A-listers and the lovely ladies conquering clutter in the Netflix showThe Home Edit, have helped people from all walks of life to organise their spaces.
They begin by categorising items together before containing them in storage. When organising a celebrity garage, their advice was to arrange consistent zones in the space as well as have a ‘backstock’ area to keep an overflow of household supplies. This will add structure to your garage and help keep the rest of your home organised too.
Marie Kondo's vision for tidying
Before you organise your garage, you’ll need to empty it first. Wondering where to start when beginning to declutter? Follow Marie Kondo’s advice in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Envision what you want for your garage, tidy items by category and keep only what brings you joy. As Marie says, "If it doesn't add sparkle to your life, then get rid of it".
Do you want your car to fit in your garage, or maybe see it becoming a workshop? Decide what you are going to keep, sell, donate and toss and get some close friends or family involved to help out.
How can I organise my garage storage on a budget?
While some garage storage ideas are really affordable, some larger items might be out of your price range.
Arguably the most expensive storage item is garage shelving, especially if you’re looking for something really sturdy. To save costs, try your hand at making this DIY garage shelving as a small project to sort your space. You might even have the materials you need lurking in your garage ready to use!
Read more: Garage shelving ideas that will help to tidy up your space