If just the thought of cleaning up your garage gives you the chills, then take a deep breath before facing this arduous task. And if you get even more overwhelmed when you think about spending money to do it, first start by looking for some cheap garage storage ideas.
Are your children begging for the sled to play out in the snow? You really want to give it to them but the simple thought of entering the garage to look for it creeps you out. After all, you haven’t seen the sled since last winter! If this scenario sounds familiar, then yes, it’s time to get to work and tidy your garage. Use these guidelines to help you clean up and create some do it yourself garage storage.
Start by completely emptying the garage. Create four different piles: one for the items you want to keep, one for the items you’ll throw away, one for items that you can donate to charity or to neighbors, and one for items you can sell either online or at a garage sale.
Now look at the pile of things you want to keep. Sort them into categories so you can look at the optimal storage solutions for each one.
You don’t need to spend much money to get your garage storage sorted. You might even be able to manage it for free. Ask any friends who moved or redecorated recently if they have any cabinets, countertops or wood you can use. Another option is to look around your own house to see if there’s any furniture you’re not using anymore that could be moved to the garage.
If neither of these is a good option for you, don’t worry. You can find affordable garage storage at home improvement and department stores. DIY garage shelves, drawers and metal cabinets are ideal for items you use frequently. Racks and rafters can be used for bigger and/or seasonal items. Since the garage can be humid and it’s a place we don’t clean often, you might want to think of protecting the items from dust and dirt. Covering open shelves and drawers with clear plastic will keep them clean and the items easily seen.
If you have a countertop, maximize its use (both top and bottom) by installing hooks and magnets to hang or place tools and accessories. If you have a metal cabinet, you can also attach magnets to the sides to create outside storage apart from the inside shelves and drawers.
These are only a few of the solutions for your garage storage. You know better than anyone your own needs. So use your imagination and take advantage of storage you can reuse or be creative to find cheap solutions.