Storage solutions: The garage

Southern Living, May 2000 by Joyner, Louis, Belden, Derick, Clavell, Alicia K, Griffin, Eleanor, Et al

The garage may have originally been intended just to hold an automobile, but now it seems to hold everything else-sometimes to the exclusion of the car.

But there can be room for vehicles and clutter to coexist. With a bit of planning and some inexpensive storage items, you can make your garage into a functional center. Here's how

First, clean it out. Pick a nice day, put on your grubs, and haul everything out of the garage. Sort items by use, and set aside for disposal any items that you no longer use.

Work with the walls. Most of the garage's floorspace will be occupied by the car, so you have to use the wall surfaces for much of the storage. Hooks and hangers can hold everything from rakes to bicycles, freeing up the floor for items too heavy to hang, such as the lawnmower. Group related items together, and try to plan your storage so that frequently used items can be removed while the car is in place.

For flexible storage of small items, consider installing a piece or two of perforated hardboard. If the garage walls are finished with drywall, you will need to add a simple wood frame, at least '/a inch thick, to the back of the hardboard to provide clearance for the hooks. If the wall studs are exposed, you can simply attach the hardboard directly to the studs. A wide variety of hooks and other fittings are available; just be sure to match the size of the hooks to the hardboard you are using.

Often the garage will be deep enough to allow a workbench or cabinets at the end opposite the doors. You can build a simple but sturdy workbench from 2 x 4s topped with plywood, or use a ready-made wood or metal bench. Inexpensive utility cabinets are also available at many homecenter stores. Another alternative is to reuse your old kitchen cabinets.

Open wall shelving will increase storage space. Simple steel brackets can be screwed into the studs to support shelves. Heavy-duty shelf standards and brackets will allow adjustment of shelves to maximize storage. Commercial steel units also work well. Be sure to anchor the piece to the wall to prevent it from toppling.

Dust can be a problem in a garage, so consider some covered storage. Heavier items can go in cabinets beneath the workbench, while lighter, smaller items can go in wall-hung cabinets. Another dust-free alternative is to use metal storage lockers, available at most office-supply stores.

As an alternative, use transparent plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to conceal items that could be damaged by dust or dirt. It is also a good way to keep related tools and supplies together.

Because potentially dangerous materials are often kept in the garage, it's a good idea to provide locked storage.

Pool chemicals can cause rust and corrosion and should be separated from valuable tools.

For additional storage, consider the space above the ceiling joists. Long, thin items such as lumber or molding will fit easily into this otherwise wasted space.

Bicycles can be hung upside down from hooks. You can find these special hooks at most bike shops as well as at home-center stores. Be sure to include storage nearby for helmets, gloves, and other accessories.