If you have a garage, then there are certain things you should have in it so that you can make the most of this space.  Today’s garages are about much more than simply having a place to park the car; people nowadays tend to use their garages for all types of storage, DIY projects and sometimes even as a man cave or entertainment room.  Even if you are not ready for a full-out garage renovation project, however, here are 4 things that you should be sure to have in order to keep the space functioning efficiently:

• Wall Storage

  Your garage is big, but still, you should try to conserve as much horizontal space as you can.  Since your walls are almost strictly utilitarian, you probably aren’t decorating them with valuable prints or family photographs.  Instead, line them with whatever type of wall storage that you would find most helpful.  Many homeowners choose to install garage shelving against one wall. Other popular options are slatboard and various tool- and sports equipment-storage racks.  Why store your rakes propped up in a corner, when you can hang them to keep them (and your surrounding belongings) safe from harm?

• Overhead Storage

  The same thought process applies here:  Since you’re not using your garage ceiling for anything else, why not put up some overhead storage?  You can have shelving hung up high so that seasonal decorations and other seldom-used items are up and out of the way, or you can suspend your bicycles up over your head, where they won’t fall over and cause damage to your vehicles.

• Lots of Rags

  If there’s one thing that most of the projects done in the garage have in common, it’s that they tend to get messy.  Whether you’re changing the oil, wiping down your dashboard, helping the kids build a pinewood derby car or cleaning up spilled paint, not having rags handy will lend frustration to the equation.  You could use old tshirts, or you can just go buy a few packages of rags at your local automotive store. (Just throw them away when you’re done; don’t try to launder anything with chemicals or oil on it.)

• Specific Tools

  You probably have a toolbox filled with the various screwdrivers and screws that you need around your house, a few (hopefully labeled) allen keys, pliers, a hammer, nails and a drill.  The next time you’re in the hardware store, you might consider adding to your collection if you seem to be lacking anything.  A useful tool to have is a thread restorer for when you end up with stripped bolts.  Also, make sure you have a measuring tape, preferably one that retracts on its own.  Extra flashlights and batteries are important to have in the garage, too.

By making sure that you have some useful items in your garage, you can make the room a more organized and more useful place to spend time.  If the space is used more efficiently, you might find that you’re able to park a car that once wasn’t able to fit, or that you can take on more projects because you have the tools that you need right on hand.  Spend the next few weeks gathering up the supplies that you need to make the most of your garage.

Do you need garage organization inspiration?

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