Whose garage is just a big, overpriced storage unit? Between holiday decorations, kids’ toys, and those few boxes that were never unpacked from when you moved in, there’s a lot of stuff! The garage easily becomes the catch-all for when you run out of storage inside your home, or you just don’t know where something belongs. Today I want to focus on organizing the garage and using the space efficiently, rather than talk about organizing the items themselves.

Keeping items to each section is a huge stress-reliever. For example, put kids’ toys on the right, husband’s tools/toys on the left, and storage bins up front. It’s so much easier to find things when they’re kept to specific areas. Of course, having clear bins and labeling helps a lot too (so you can easily see the items inside). Within each area, create a sub-section. Sports equipment like balls, pucks, etc. can be kept in a basket with hockey sticks, bats, and such hanging above. I’ve found that utilizing the wall space gives you so much more real estate for your belongings. If you have bikes, hang them upside down on the ceiling (there’s an area I bet you’ve never thought to use)! I promise – it’s not hard to put them up or take them down like it may seem. Note how many items could potentially live on your wall space and you’ll find that you actually have much more room than you thought.

If your husband loves to think of himself as a “handy” guy, he probably has tons of tools. Instead of keeping them in an assortment of toolboxes, I prefer to install drawers/cabinets along the front or side wall where he can keep it all organized. Make sure to put a lock on the power tools drawer! Above the shelving I prefer to put up a pegboard or “handy wall.” They can hang shovels, tape measures, and other frequently-used items here.