maximize storage space Archives

Do These Seven Things to Get the Best Results from Your Garage Renovation

March 22, 2016 by Rick Scully

Your garage should play an important role in the function of your home. A well-designed and organized garage provides storage space for your vehicles and items that are important to your lifestyle, like sporting goods and gardening tools.

In a previous article, we discussed five things to look for when hiring a garage renovation specialist. Now let’s look at seven things you can do to get the best results from your garage renovation.

Before You Hire a Garage Renovation Expert

The foundation for a successful renovation experience begins long before the workers show up on Day One of the project. Start your garage renovation off on the right foot by doing the following three things before you hire a garage renovation expert:

Honestly assess your needs and expectations. Look at how you currently use your garage. Now consider how you’d like to use it. Do you need space for specific sports equipment? Do you require a workbench? Are there items causing specific storage challenges, like a kayak or winter tires? Will an additional vehicle be parked in the garage in the near future? Discuss your needs with the garage organization or garage renovation expert. Any plan proposed should address your unique lifestyle needs.
Know your budget range. Before you meet with potential garage renovation specialists, decide how much you are willing to invest in your renovation. Come to the meeting with a low number (what you’d prefer to spend) and a high number (what you’re willing to spend to get your dream garage) in mind.
Purge. Your renovation should maximize the storage capabilities of your garage. However, even an organized garage will become cluttered again if you store too many items in it. Get rid of broken, outdated or useless items. Gift or donate duplicates, items the kids have outgrown or things you no longer use. The remaining items are those which merit space in your garage.

During the Renovation

Once you’ve engaged the services of an experienced, trusted garage renovation expert, here are three strategies to make the renovation go off without a hitch:

Find a new home for your stuff. During the renovation process, the garage must be cleared of all of your belongings. Items might need to be temporarily relocated to the basement or a storage container. Discuss the issue with your contractor beforehand. Be clear on who will move the items and when they must be moved.
Find alternate parking for vehicles. The garage and driveway will be off limits while the renovation is in progress. If street parking isn’t an option, a neighbor might allow you to park your car in their driveway during the renovation process.
Keep children and pets away from work areas. Kids are wonderfully curious about the world. The beehive of activity and the whirr of power tools are enough to draw the attention of any curious child. However, tools and other materials used during a renovation can pose a danger to children and animals. For the safety of everyone, be sure to keep children and small pets away from the work area, even if the crew is off-site.

After the Renovation

At the end of the project, the renovation crew walks away, leaving you to enjoy your clean, organized, renovated space with adequate storage for the things important to you and your family. Ideally, the credits roll, we fade to black and everyone lives happily ever after. On rare occasions there may be hiccups—small changes that need to be made. Don’t let this ruin your experience.

Continue honest communication with garage renovation expert. If something isn’t as expected, talk to your contractor about it. A good, reliable contractor will ensure that the job meets the expectations created from the outset. They use quality products, backed by a manufacturer’s warranty and they follow through on the project with outstanding service.

A well-organized garage serves as an extension to your home. Lay a solid foundation for the success of your garage renovation by honestly assessing your needs, knowing your budget and purging before you hire your renovation expert. During the renovation, relocate your belongings, keep the driveway clear of your vehicles and keep children and small pets away from the workspace. After the renovation, continue honest communication with your contractor about anything that doesn’t meet outlined expectations.

Six Steps to Organizing Your Garage with Plastic Bins

May 26, 2015 by Rick Scully

Plastic storage bins can be the perfect solution for a cluttered garage overflowing with toys, sporting goods, gardening supplies, automotive supplies and seasonal decorations. Relatively inexpensive, plastic bins can be purchased in a variety of sizes and colours. They hide clutter and allow it to be grouped in a manner that makes items easier to find.

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of corralling all of the clutter in your garage, but you aren’t sure where to begin. Follow these simple steps and the organized space you’ve envisioned is within reach.

Step #1: Install overhead shelving for maximum storage space

Most garages consist of three blank walls, limiting storage space to the floor around the perimeter of the garage. When that space is taken, items stored in the garage begin to commandeer one or more of the parking bays.

Use the height of the garage to maximize storage space. This can be achieved by storing items in stackable bins. However, if bins are stored along the entire garage perimeter, little space is left for bicycles, the lawn mower and other equipment which requires floor space.

Professionally-installed overhead storage racks create secure, accessible platforms where plastic bins can be stored and stacked, saving valuable floor space for items that need it. High-quality steel storage racks, available in a range of pre-determined depths and sizes, can be configured to your space. Alternately, made-to-measure wooden platforms can be constructed to accommodate your unique space.Overhead racks should be installed by a professional who understands their weight-bearing nature. Always observe weight limits determined by manufacturer.

Step #2: Buy the best quality bins your budget can accommodate

There are a variety of plastic storage bins on the market, from easily-recognizable brand names to less expensive store brands. Paying more doesn’t always ensure quality. Examine bins carefully to see if they meet your needs.

Does the plastic feel sturdy? Does the bin have handles to facilitate lifting? Will the bin hold up during years of use? Consider these questions when examining plastic storage bins. Whenever possible, check product reviews to see how past users rated the bins. Then purchase the best quality bins your budget can accommodate. Well-constructed, highly-rated plastic storage bins will provide years of use.

Step #3: Save time by using clear plastic bins

If you’ve ever opened half a dozen cardboard boxes in search of a single item, you know how frustrating it is not knowing what’s stored in each box. So if you’ll be storing a wide variety of items, consider using transparent bins. Clear plastic bins enable you to see what is stored inside each box without taking heavy bins down from overhead shelves or digging them out of a stack.

Step #4: Group similar items

Grouping similar items in the same bin also simplifies storage and retrieval. If items are large or include a broad category, group all bins in that category in the same section of the garage. For instance, seasonal items, like holiday decorations, might require several plastic bins. One for each holiday, perhaps.

This category of items—holiday decorations—should then be stored in a single section. Since these items tend to be light in weight and infrequently used, an overhead storage rack is an ideal place to store them. Do the same with other similar items, like off-season sports equipment or garden supplies.

To keep items inside the bin organized and minimize breakage, store them in smaller plastic boxes inside the bin. For instance, holiday ornaments or shin guards can be stored in this manner.

Step #5: Clearly label bins

Not everyone wants clear bins, which put items inside on display. For many homeowners, the appeal of plastic bins is keeping everything stored inside out of sight and out of mind. Labels make it easy to determine what’s inside each box without dragging it out and opening it, even when using clear bins.

Step #6: Arrange items according type and frequency of use

Above we used the example of storing lightweight, infrequently-used holiday decorations on an overhead rack. Approach each category of items in the same manner. Items retrieved frequently should be stored where they are easily accessible. For instance, a bin filled with summer toys should be stored where children can easily access it.

To achieve this, rotation may be required. Make gardening equipment accessible during the growing season. Hockey equipment should be within reach during winter, but softball gear takes center stage during softball season.

Plastic storage bins can transform a cluttered garage. Get sturdy, overhead storage racks professionally installed. Purchase the highest quality bins your budget will permit. Use clear bins to make contents visible. Group similar items. Label all bins and arrange them according to timing and frequency of use. Follow these steps and the organized garage you envisioned is at your fingertips.

Prepare Your Garage Now for the Change of Season

March 10, 2015 by Rick Scully

After months of cold weather, and still more on the horizon, we begin to look forward to the months ahead, when the temperature will slowly begin to climb. Perhaps your family is itching for warmer weather, ready to ditch heavy parkas and boots. However, your garage may not be quite ready for the coming change of season.

During the winter, the last thing you want to do is schlep out to the garage to carefully sort and put things away. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for the garage to become the family dumping ground during the cold, winter months. If your garage is piled high with bikes, tools, outdoor toys, gardening tools, lawn care equipment, off-season tires and sporting goods, you’re probably unable to park all of your intended vehicles inside of your garage. Additionally, finding the items you need in a disorganized garage can be extremely frustrating.

The impending arrival of spring signals the start of a variety of activities like softball, soccer, golf and gardening. All of these activities require specialized equipment which is likely buried in your garage. To avoid the annoyance and frustration of misplaced sporting equipment, gardening tools and lawn care equipment this spring, take the following three steps to get your garage ready for the change of season.

Step One: Out with the Old

The primary reason it’s so difficult to find anything in the garage is because the things we want and need are buried beneath items for which we no longer have a need. Think about the items currently stored in your garage. Has the garage become the designated dumping ground for broken toys, furniture and tools? Is the garage littered with bikes, wagons and sports equipment the kids have outgrown? Are duplicates tools stealing valuable storage space? If so, prepping your garage for spring begins with a thorough purge.

Sort through all of the items stored inside your garage. Be ruthless when it comes to cutting the clutter.

Throw out items that are damaged or broken. Perhaps you stored them in the garage with the intention of fixing them. However, if those items haven’t been repaired in a year or two, the likelihood that they ever will be is quite slim.
Donate or sell outdated items, those you haven’t used in years and items you’ve never used can either be donated to a local charity or sold. However, if you decide to sell unused items, set a firm deadline for getting rid of them. Otherwise, those items might still be taking up space in your garage three years from now.
Group similar items and look for duplicate tools and sporting equipment. Once you identify duplicates, decide which item you’ll keep and donate or discard the unnecessary items.

Purging the garage may seem like a daunting task for one person. Make the project fun by enlisting the help of family or friends. Turn on your favorite music. Once the job is completed, reward yourself with a night out or a fun activity the entire family will enjoy.

Step Two: Create Dedicated Zones

If weather permits, it’s helpful to remove all items from the garage in order to clearly see the storage space available. This will enable you to determine how to best use the space in your garage. Before you create the layout for your new, clutter-free garage, think about how you use the space. What tasks are performed in your garage? What kinds of items are stored there?

Create distinct zones for sports equipment, lawn care equipment, vehicle care accessories and gardening tools. Put away out-of-season items, like sleds and snow shovels, to make room for items you’ll need for spring. Then decide on the ideal location for each zone: back wall, sidewall or near the garage door.

Step Three: Optimize Available Storage Space

There’s a limited amount of space in a garage. Yet, the volume of things we own and need to store continues to grow. How can you find a dedicated space to store all of your family’s things? Maximize the storage space in your garage by incorporating shelving, cabinetry, baskets, hooks and stackable storage containers.

A garage wall organization system, like slatwall, is designed to maximize storage space. The complementary baskets, hooks and shelves slide and lock into place easily, creating a neat, organized system for storing items along the wall, rather than stacking them along the perimeter of the floor. Once the space has been optimized, each item can be stored in its designated space.

Shelving can be an essential component of an organized garage, particularly for those who prefer items stored where items can be easily seen and retrieved. Next time we’ll talk about how to maximize the storage space in your garage by using steel racks.

If organizing your garage feels like an overwhelming job to take on yourself, check out some of our amazing garage transformations, then contact Garage Tailors Garage to request your free consultation.

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