Looking for garage hack ideas? According to garage building specialist Lidget Compton UK internet searches for 'garage clean out' are up a whopping 200% and 'garage clean up service', by 24%. So, it's clear now's the time for a garage reset.
More often than not the garage becomes a dumping ground for clutter but with a good old clear-out and a few storage solutions, it can become a practical and organised multiuse space. From clever shelving to DIY hacks, take a look at these space and time-saving ideas that will transform your garage into an organised and orderly space that even has room for the car.
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If your household plays a lot of sports there are bound to be lots of pieces of awkward equipment stuffed away in the garage. The nature of tennis rackets, balls and hockey sticks is that they can be hard to store together. Utilise every inch of garage space by investing in a corner shelving unit.
Then, add bins, boxes, pegboards and hooks to accommodate all items. Wall-mounted metal rod grips allow you to slot in sports equipment in all shapes and sizes and storage crates on wheels.
Small parts like screws and bolts can easily get lost in a busy garage. To keep everything safe, invest in some custom-built shelving with compartment storage so that everything has a home.
This practical setup has it all with little organisers, a peg board for tools, sturdy under counter metal storage and a handy built in worktop.
Victoria Fearnley, Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) member and founder of Surrey Decluttering says: "I have found that the biggest un-utilised space amongst my clients, is the vertical space in a garage. There is so much that can be hung from walls with a simple nail or screw; bags of sports equipment, gardening tools and outdoor toys to mention a few."
To make use of a whole garage wall, track rails make handy storage options for large items like fold-up chairs, step ladders and long-handled tools. The metal versions can be adjustable and take all sorts of hook styles. Or, if you prefer something a little more stylish wooden peg rails add a practical, rustic touch.
A garage needn't be a dark, dusty and masculine space. Ugly tools, gardening equipment and household items can all be hidden away in attractive storage solutions like belly baskets, fabric cubes and cute buckets in colour-coordinated shades.
This garage has been fitted out with basic yet stylish storage shelves with wooden boxes to match. The coordinated finish looks feel homely and put together.
Narrow garages may benefit from a bike lift that pulls the bicycle up and stores it out of the way at ceiling level. Attach the bike to roped hooks and then lift it to the desired height with a pulley system that locks into place. This solution is also practical for undertaking bike repairs.
Storing bicycles off the floor will keep them clean and dry as well as free up much-needed floor space.
A pegboard is a huge asset to any garage wall. The hole-punched surface can be used in any configuration.
Whether you buy a ready-made steel version with everything included or prefer to challenge yourself with a weekend project to make a practical but pretty version, you'll find that it's a versatile storage solution for hanging up almost anything.
Repurposing a wooden pallet is a shortcut to bespoke shelving, but of course, it's cheaper and easier to achieve. This clever project uses a pallet as a base for the unit, fixed to the wall and topped with extra wooden cubbies for smaller tools.
The bottom section has been used as two trays to store awkward-shaped items, while additional hooks hang scissors, hammers, and safety masks.
Updating your kitchen? Make use of existing cabinets by transferring them to the garage to use as practical and streamlined storage.
Allow for outdoor conditions by first priming the garage wall with a protective damp-proof paint or mount a sheet of plastic between the garage wall and wooden cabinets. This upcycled kitchen has been fitted with peg rail boarding to create ventilation and hang DIY tools.
Sturdy metal shelving will hold a lot of weight and withstand changeable garage temperatures.
Variously sized storage bins and crates make great open storage partners especially when they have lids and are stackable to keep possessions protected from the elements.
Keep long-handled tools in one place and easy to reach with an easy upcycle project that costs pennies. Claire Douglas, owner of DIY blog, Claire Douglas Styling, picked up these heavy-duty hooks for just £1 ($1.30) each on Amazon.
By screwing the hooks onto a plank of wood Claire sorted out her untidy tools in an afternoon. Claire says: "This low-cost option was so simple and not only solved the tool issue but even used up a piece of wood from my ‘I might need that one day’ pile."
Looking for brilliant utility room ideas? If you don't have a laundry room why not convert a small area in the garage? And just because it's in the garage doesn't mean it has to be dark and dreary either. With plumbing in place, you'd never guess this utility space was apart from the main house.
With proper ventilation, you can also add a tumble dryer to make a fully functional and stylish laundry room.
Formulate a corner of the garage to keep hoses and watering equipment tidy and tangle-free, during colder months when they are not needed so often.
Claire Douglas says on her Instagram feed: "These cheap wall-mounted hose hangers from Amazon are such an easy way to store hosepipes and prevent hose-a-geddon!"
If investing in garage ceiling storage is beyond your budget utilise upper wall space instead by mounting a run of high shelves. Be sure to measure correctly to clear any vehicles when in situ.
As well as keeping seasonal items on the top of the shelf, why not screw extra hooks underneath to hang lightweight or odd-shaped equipment such as sledges, baby carriers and fold-up buggies?
Enjoy the convenience of extra cold food storage without cluttering up your kitchen. An additional outdoor fridge or freezer is the ideal place to store larger food items or seasonal feasting supplies.
Whether it's a large capacity chest freezer, a compact under-counter or an upright classic fridge freezer, look for a garage-ready version that is designed to work in outdoor temperatures.
Dropdown shelving suspended from the garage ceiling is an ideal solution for items that are used infrequently such as Christmas decorations, seasonal camping gear or sentimental keepsakes being saved for the next generation.
The overhead racks utilise the wasted space and keep everything safely off the ground, where flooding, spills or damage is more likely to occur.
Love country decorating? Mount wood or heavy-duty plastic cladding to garage walls. Not only will this make the space more inviting but you can then hang multiple items and tools from the joins with S-hooks and nails.
It's a more traditional way of keeping possessions off the floor to maximise space. Why not add colour to the garage by painting the cladding an uplifting shade for a touch of homely character? Or, choose reclaimed plants for a look that is rustic and full of texture.
Make use of every square inch of shelving by screwing lids of upcycled jam jars to the underside of shelf planks.
Then, smaller hardware such as nails, nuts and bolts can be stored neatly together and within easy reach. This genius storage hack has been created in a shed organising project but it can be utilised to keep any work surfaces clear and uncluttered. Take a look at the full B&Q video tutorial.
If you live close to water and need a place to dry out water sport garments, install a wooden pole under secure shelving to store outwear in an orderly fashion and where air can circulate.
Clothing that is susceptible to moisture and pests, such as silk, wool, or delicate clothing items, should not be stored in a garage, but outer coats and boots in wardrobes offer a protected solution.
A garage can hold many hazardous tools and equipment so maintaining a safe environment is vital for peace of mind, especially amongst families.
Keep flammable liquids and dangerous tools locked in metal drawers and cupboards. You can even buy heavy-duty storage totes with lockable lids for added safety and security.
A sturdy storage system will create plenty of space for a lot of storage boxes. Strong, water-tight containers will keep contents safe and dry. Ensure the items inside are easy to locate by choosing clear or opaque bins and containers.
Invest in a label maker (or Cricut machine if you want to get really creative) to print out finishing signage. It's an easy attention-to-detail job that will save bags of time when hunting for seasonal decorations, sports equipment or a bucket and spade for that spontaneous trip to the beach.
ORTHEX stackable water-resistant storage boxes available from johnlewis.com.
An organised garage is super productive, but could soon turn into chaos if your wares are not well protected. A garage is more vulnerable to thieves and storage hunters who fancy trying their luck.
Ensure your garage is ultra secure by fitting an extra heavy-duty garage lock to defend your hard work and expensive tools.
Use PVC piping to make clever holders that are ideal for storing garden and work tools with long handles.
Cut the pipe at an angle with a saw. Drill a hole at the top and screw the pipe onto the side of a shelf or slat wall. Then pop your broom or long-handled tool inside the pipe. This genius storage hack has been created for a shed organising project but will work just as well in a garage with shelving. Take a look at the full B&Q video.
Keep strings and ties within easy reach by creating a funnel distributor. Plastic funnels cost pennies and come with a handy hanging hole to put to use.
Hold the funnel at the end of a shelf and drill a screw through the hanging hole so the funnel sits securely just off the end of the shelf. Load the funnel with string and pull the end through the bottom ready for cutting when needed. This genius storage hack has been created for a shed organising project but will work just as well in a garage with shelving. Take a look at the full video tutorial.
Many work tools, garden gadgets and even garden toys are made of metal to withstand outdoor elements. Make use of the material by installing magnetic strips to the walls of your garage.
Popping items back in the garage at the end of a project couldn't be simpler thanks to those magnetic fields.
If like Instagrammer @cassiessugarplum you do a lot of crafting that requires various paint techniques then chances are you've also racked up a few cans of spray paint.
Organise and store your spray paint collection like Cassie, owner of creative blog, Hi Sugarplum, has done by keeping them beautifully colour-coordinated in a hanging IKEA shoe caddy. As it's designed to hold a pair of shoes it will hold two full cans perfectly.
Vikkie Lee is the face behind The Carpenter's Daughter and a self-confessed hoarder. Her solution to storing her saw collection is simple and budget-friendly so worth a steal.
No-frills hook rails can be purchased at hardware stores for a song and are the ideal size for hanging hand-saws. Vikkie also uses the top of the hooks to keep long pipes out of the way.
Is this a garage or a chic mudroom? It's both. This incredible garage makeover has transformed a corner of Michelle Phillip's garage. The best part in our opinion is the shoe storage garage hack.
These flatpack IKEA shoe cabinets have been transformed to look bespoke. And, who says they have to store shoes? Check out @phlippingourhome to see how their car still fits in this gorgeous garage too!
Collecting used jars is a homemaking secret we learned from Grandma that works just as well for garage storage.
Whether they are used and labelled to store tiny screws or as harvest stores for jams and preserves, the upcycling storage hack is a thrifty solution that serves many purposes.
We've already covered bike storage, but helmet storage is also a must for safety reasons. Awkwardly shaped motorcycle and pushbike headgear can become a puzzle to store.
But, these custom-made hangers from Dream3Dprinting at Etsy will ensure helmets remain safe and undamaged.
Designate an area of your garage for rubbish!
Keep the recycling organised and out of the house with bins that stack neatly beside and on top of each other. Label them clearly for easy rubbish disposal.
Here's a fun garage storage hack for those who are obsessed with coordination. Instead of a plain peg board, why not put up a trellis-style peg board above a garage potting station? Or, for an ultimate garden upcycling idea use an actual leftover trellis.
This 'garden' look brings the outside in and includes a galvanised storage unit with baskets for other gardening supplies.
There are a few décor staples that can make a garage storage space practical as well as pretty. This storage zone and bench answer the conundrum.
Panelling and a funky floor add a cool vibe, while hooks and baskets create plenty of extra storage to make room for homely and decorative items. Plus, check out the handy dog wash station!
Perfect for creating an easy-access gardening corner, this handy potting bench with drawers, is the ideal place to stash your gardening equipment.
Add hooks or nails close by to hang your large tools and install shelves to store smaller items such as secateurs. Lastly, a welly boot rack can double up as pot storage.
This practical wooden shelf organises your power tools as well as chargers, batteries and screws.
The clever wall-mounted shelving is the perfect way to clear off your bench and get all those items in one organised space, but also safely within reach. You'll wonder how you ever lived without one.
Sports fanatics and families can have a lot of balls which are hard to store. Stop them from rolling around the garage floor by creating a dedicated area children will enjoy popping them away in.
Bungy ropes and cords are foolproof as the flexible material keeps the awkward sphere shapes in place while allowing easy access. Download free design files to make this ball storage yourself at Obrary.
Prevent accidental damage to car doors by adding protection to garage walls.
Sticking a sponge-like material to the wall adjacent to where doors open will absorb most of the impact to minimise scraping the paint or denting the door.
Parking the car in the garage can be a challenge especially if you are in a hurry. Make sure you hit the perfect spot every time with this clever tennis ball trick.
First, park the car in its correct bay position then hang a tennis ball on a cord to the ceiling so that it just touches the windscreen. That way the next time you park you will know exactly when and where to stop (once the ball makes contact with the windscreen) without accidentally hitting the back of the garage or skimming the sides.
Just because your garage is a functional space doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.
This cool layout from IKEA divides the space with the placement of furniture so that there's a mini-workshop for bike repairs, a space to sit and have a coffee plus bags of storage for all the usual seasonal items like garden cushions and even delicate plants that can't survive the winter. Some cool industrial-style lighting and a slick of sage green on the end wall make this an inviting place to be.
Adding castor wheels to garage storage and furniture makes it easy to manoeuvre in small spaces, especially when it is full of heavy items.
To maximise floor space, try and work out the height of the furniture so that one piece can nest within another. That way you can wheel out the cabinet to give yourself extra leg space and work surface when you're working on a project.
Roller cabinet, available from Bunker.
While it may be tempting to stick things wherever they fit, your garage will be much more functional if items are organised keeping like-items together.
Home transformation specialist, IKEA ‘Tidy Technician’ and founder of @theorganizedlife, Megan, recommends creating zones, categorising and optimising wall storage so you can be sure everything will fit neatly.
Need another room in your home?: These garage conversion ideas will add more living space to your home