By Gretchen Pille, Storage.com
Here at Storage.com, we want to help people get their homes organized and clean, whether through the use of self-storage or helpful online tips and hacks that you can try yourself.
There’s a lot of stuff competing for space in your garage, and sometimes the car doesn’t even make the cut. It’s easy for your garage to get out of control and it can be an intimidating part of any home to tackle. Getting started doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re a DIY wizard or simply a novice looking to maximize your space, these projects will help you conquer your cluttered garage once and for all.
1. A DIY TO GET YOUR RECYCLABLES OFF THE FLOOR.
One of the easiest ways to free up space in a small area like a garage is to get things off the floor. A DIY mountable recycling bin makes going green easier than ever by making the sorting process a snap. If you know your way around a miter saw and power drill (or know someone who does), this project is a quick and inexpensive way to make room in a tight space. This project comes from The Family Handyman, a great resource for home improvement DIY ideas.
2. STASH THE SMALL STUFF WITH A DIY SKINNY OBJECT HOLDER.
Ever notice how the smaller items that you keep in your garage (pencils, zip ties, scissors, etc) tend to disappear into the abyss of your garage the moment you set them down? Try making a DIY skinny object holder so you can find them quickly and easily every time you need them. Using PVC pipe and a power drill, this simple DIY project will make maintaining an organized garage of any size possible.
3. A DIY TO PUT BALLS TO THE WALL.
Your garage has an amassed collection of balls that only a sporting goods store could rival, and now it’s time to find a storage solution that works with DIY ball storage. A bit of scrap wood and dollar-store bungee chords might be the best thing that ever happened to that unused corner of your garage. Free up some floor space by putting all your balls in one easy-to-use spot. Tutorials for the project and many other easy DIY organizational hacks come from 100 Things 2 Do.
4. PIPE UP WITH A DIY GARDEN TOOL HOLDER.
Does your garage double as a shed for your gardening tools? Use PVC pipe in this DIY garden tool holder to get your rakes and shovels standing at attention and out of the way. Now your car and your tools can cohabitate comfortably in one small space. For more tips on organizing your gardening supplies, check out Living the Country Life.
5. BIKE STORAGE NIGHTMARES? HANG IN THERE WITH THIS DIY BIKE RACK.
Finding space for bikes can be a constant struggle. There never seems to be a good spot for them besides awkwardly leaning them against the wall. But have you considered hanging them from coat hooks? Bike racks can cost anywhere between $200-$500 in a store. But the cost of supplies for this DIY bike rack from The Mountain Bike Life are minimal and easy to use.
6. GAIN GARAGE SPACE WITH THIS DIY PALLET UPCYCLE.
Create a harbor for items that fall over easily, like brooms and rakes. A pallet will keep your stuff upright and flat against the wall. Upcycling a pallet requires no power tools, and when done correctly costs nothing. Ask around local businesses for pallets they may be pitching in their trash soon. Most stores are willing to give them away. More tips on obtaining free pallets can be found at Old World Garden Farms. Check out the tutorial for this DIY pallet upcycle courtesy of Unexpected Elegance.
7. CAUSE A CHAIN REACTION WITH THIS DIY CHAIN AND COAT HANGER.
It’s tough enough to get electric chords and hoses coiled up, and even tougher to keep them that way. A Family Handyman pro-tip is to use a DIY chain and coat hook hanger. This hack is low-cost, low-effort, and a definite game-changer in the effort to take back some space in you garage.
8. THIS DIY PORTABLE TOOL CADDY IS THE WHEEL DEAL.
Because of their versatility, peg boards are a popular method of organization, especially in a garage. Jessica of Mom 4 Real took that versatility and put it on wheels! In her easy-to-follow-tutorial, she shows us how to make a DIY portable tool caddy that you can roll out when you need it and roll it away when you’re finished.
9. NAILING IT WITH THIS DIY PEANUT BUTTER JAR STORAGE.
Screws and nails are easy to lose and can even be dangerous if they get scattered around a cluttered garage floor. Start collecting your peanut butter jars to create special storage for these little guys that will get them out of the way and easy to find. Make this simple DIY peanut butter jar storage with a tutorial from Chez Larsson.
10. PICK A CORNER WITH DIY SPACES.
The best strategy for reclaiming the space in your garage is to start with a plan. Begin by designating one corner or area of the garage to be the center of organization. Check out some of these DIY spaces at Better Homes and Gardens for inspiration.
11. SHOE IN SOME SPACE WITH THIS DIY REPURPOSED SHOE HANGER.
Are your paint cans and brushes sitting in a box on the floor? Reclaim that space with a hanging shoe holder. These are cheap and can be found at almost any dollar store. This DIY repurposed shoe hanger creates an organized storage system for small objects like spray paint and brushes. For more fun and creative ideas like this, check out hi Sugarplum.
12. CREATE SPACE OVER YOUR HEAD WITH DIY HARDWARE METHODS.
If you’ve got items eating up huge amounts of space in your garage, consider utilizing your ceiling for storage. Putting in overhead shelves with these DIY hardware methods is a surprisingly simple project. Overhead shelves are ideal storage for seasonal items like Christmas decorations.
What are some of your DIY garage hacks? Let us know in the comments!
