If you are like many others, you don’t have any proper garage storage system. Your garage has turned into an overloaded storeroom crammed with stuff you don’t want in the house. With sports equipment, gardening tools, bicycles, toys, boxes, lumber, snow blowers, spare tires, and (yes, you saw this coming) even the kitchen sink, it’s a wonder that there is any room for a car in there!

There is usually a lot more room inside the garage for storage that is not being used. Reorganization and a little bit of common sense is all you need to get your garage into shape. In order to find a garage storage solution follow these guidelines.

First, decide what you want to store in the garage. Take into account that not all things do well in an exposed environment like that. Anything that can be damaged by humidity and extreme temperature change should probably be stored in a more stable environment. Once you have a clear list of items, then you can divide them into those things that you need easy access to (like tools) and those you don’t (like Christmas decorations).

Once you have your 2 lists, you can start to think about garage shelves and garage cabinets. A good rule of thumb is to start at the top and work your way down. Ceiling mounted racks, lofts and storage solutions take advantage of all the unused space up there. This is a great way to store bikes, as well as off-season sports equipment, boats, gardening tools, etc. There are racks that are fixed permanently, as well as more versatile ones that can be raised and lowered on a pulley system. It’s cheaper to install the fixed lofts, but obviously it’s more difficult to get to the stuff that you store up there. You might consider a combination of the 2, putting the more used things on the pulley system, and saving money to store the other stuff that you really don’t need all that often.

Once you’ve decided what your ceiling storage needs are, you can then turn to your walls.

For wall-mounted shelves, it is a good idea to install a system that allows you to mount hooks where you need them, and move them when your needs change. This way you simply move the hooks around, no need to drill more holes or patch up the walls. This is a more expensive option, but it will save you headaches and damaged walls in the future. Also, these wall systems come with a variety of specialty hooks hangers brackets and baskets, designed especially for bikes, sports equipment, golf bags, boats, gardening tools, you name it!

Cabinets are the next option. They have the advantage of keeping dust and dirt off of your stored things, and also there are lockable units that are good for keeping dangerous chemicals away from children. If you are still concerned about floor space, there are wall mounted garage cabinets available as well.

Okay, now that you’ve decided what you need, you should discuss the issue with the whole family, and set aside a day to overhaul your garage. Include your whole family in the project. Buy all the equipment and tools that you’ll need beforehand, and make sure that everyone understands what they’ll need to do.

Start by emptying out EVERYTHING. It’s easier if you start with an empty garage. While the adults and older kids start installing the ceiling and garage wall storage units, the younger ones can sort through the stuff outside and put it into categories. Also, they can help to clean out the garage and sweep it.

Don’t forget to take many breaks, keep it light and entertaining for the kids, and maybe have some favorite foods on hand to make the work go a little easier.

Once the stuff is organized, and your storage units are installed, it’s time to repack the garage. Keep an open mind about where to store the stuff, and remember that the garage is for everyone, and the kids will be more interested in taking part in the whole process if they feel that it affects them.

Once all the work is done, everyone will be amazed at the change! You will have a garage that is spacious, organized, neat and tame. It’s a hassle to think about doing, but once your finished you’ll be very pleased that you did it.