For most homeowners, a garage is more than just a space for their cars. Some people turn part of their garage space into a garage storage area, while others don’t even use it for their vehicles. In fact, a recent survey shows that 49 percent of garages in San Francisco, California aren’t used for car parking. Meanwhile, another poll in Redding, England reveals that 38 percent of garages are not used for vehicles. Both surveys indicate that the reason why people aren’t using their garages for their main purpose is because there isn’t enough space for a car and their household items, and they usually end up having to move their car to another place.
If you’re one of the millions of people who own a garage but are forced to park their car at crowded curbsides or at an off-street parking lot, it may be time to do some cleaning and organizing. With a little time and some effort, you can have a neat, orderly space that’ll fit your car, tools, and other gear. Here are some smart ways to make the most of your garage.
Ensure That Your Garage Door Works Well
A garage door is essential to protect your vehicles, keep your belongings secure, and it also regulates the internal temperature of your garage. This can be beneficial, especially if you live in states that are known for having intense summer heat, such as Texas, Florida, and Arizona. According to A1 Garage Door Service Phoenix reviews, installing insulation can further help to keep your garage cool in the summer, and keeping it open during the hottest part of the day can also help to bring down the temperatures in your garage and reduce humidity levels, which can have a negative effect on your cars and tools.
That being said, make sure that your garage door works well, and that nothing interferes with its proper operation. Having a big garage won’t matter if your belongings prevent you from opening or closing your garage door or parking your car properly. A UCLA research has found that 75 percent of garages are used to store rejected furniture and bins of forgotten household goods, and if this holds true for you, then you’ll want to start by culling through whatever’s in your garage and getting rid of the items that you don’t need. Once you’ve donated, recycled, or disposed of these things, keep what’s left in waterproof bins, and properly label them so you can easily find whatever you need.
Keep Your Stuff Off The Floor
Once you’ve organized your items and placed them inside bins, you’ll need to make sure that they’re off the floor and out of the way. Installing some ceiling storage racks is a smart way to keep these things neatly tucked away until you need them. Plan on keeping seasonal items such as holiday decorations, camping gear, and the like in these racks. You can also store gardening, car maintenance, or house cleaning chemicals here to keep them out of reach of children and pets, but make sure that they’re properly sealed to avoid spills
Hang Your Tools On A Pegboard
If you love to do DIY home decorating and renovation projects, you probably have a lot of tools lying around in your garage. Having a wall-mounted pegboard for your tools and equipment is a great way to organize and have them on hand whenever you need them. Consider installing a heavy duty pegboard so you can hang heavy items on it, such as a bicycle, to keep your garage looking neat and tidy.
Cleaning out a cluttered garage can be challenging, but having an organized space for your car and belongings is worth it. Consider these tips to make the most of your garage today.
