The garage is almost done. I decided to post pictures this week because we probably won’t finish until next week, and I am really excited about the project.
This project took about 6 weeks (we didn’t work nonstop) and I think we spent about $300 on all the shelves, hangers, hooks, screws, nails, and other supplies. We were starting from scratch, so if you have supplies laying around your house you can probably do it for less.
Check out some easy ideas to organize your garage:
Before picture. What you don’t see is all of our bikes, riding toys, skate boards, and other toys on the front porch because they couldn’t fit in the garage.
As you can see, it is a complete wreck, you cannot even walk around in the garage.
About halfway finished
90% Finished
I cannot believe that I can actually walk from the garage door to the back of the garage. This has never happened before!
Here are some of the things we did to clean up and organize the garage.
Keep kids’ items at their level. We hung helmets, skate boards, and pumps where the kids could easily reach them.
These hooks were inexpensive and purchased at Lowes and IKEA.
Keep items that you don’t want the kids to play with out of reach.
This bike rack is from Lowes, $5.
I bought these wire shelves years ago at Target. My husband used zip ties to secure the shelves together and then mounted them to the wall with “plumber’s tape.” It is a perfect spot for sleeping bags. We mounted shelves from IKEA next to the sleeping bags to store our camping equipment.
Zip ties have many uses in our house.
We hung hooks to hold extension cords and ropes.
Our life vests are easy to get to and will dry quickly hanging off a shelf.
Use inexpensive hooks to hang items from the ceiling.
This is a baby cradle and other baby items we are not using.
I have a clear path to my new freezer!
I think the part of the garage that I am most excited about is the hanging shelves. We needed to find a place to store items that we rarely use. My friend told me that she mounted shelves from the ceiling. A kit at Lowes costs around $100 for one shelf, but she had a better idea. She suggested using plumber’s tape and a wire shelf to make our own. The cost, $16 per shelf.
We mounted the metal strapping against the ceiling and then left about 34 inches on each side.
Wrap the strapping tape around the shelf and secure with a nut and bolt.
Use a level to make sure the shelf is level before securing all four sides.
Another view.
Ceiling mounted shelves are a great place to store Christmas decorations, baby items, winter coats, luggage and other items you don’t need use on a regular basis.
I am excited to finally have an organized garage. We still have a few areas that need to be sorted but at least now we can get to them. My kids can get to their bikes, and all of our stuff isn’t sitting on the front porch!
Lily says
Awe inspiring!
Amy says
Wow… what a job. It looks great!
Cheri says
Absolutely beautiful! I’m very impressed with those ceiling shelves.
Just itching to get started on garage organization. Now I just need to start by getting a garage…
Hadias says
Awesome tackle. You guys seem to be a very active family by looking at all of the pictures. And very handy I might add. Great job.
happyathome says
You are a brave one my friend, going into a realm that I stay out of…….the garage! Good job and take a day off for this one!
My Tackle it Tuesday is the green bean brigade!
http://www.lifeislikechampagneblog.com/2008/07/tackle-it-tuesday_22.html
Brenda says
It looks like an after picture you see on TV! Awesome tackle! I especially like your creative use for zip ties!
Lisa K says
We did the garage too. Ours isn’t attached and really more barn like (just shorter). Zip ties ROCK, and now I need to go buy a ton of “plumbers tape” that stuff looks awesome!
BarbaraLee says
If I recall didn’t you say your family just moved here? New house new way of organizing.
Kalisha says
Wow! That was a lot of work, but it will pay off in the end! Can’t wait to see the final pic. Also, your freezer is sooo huge! I’m a little jealous!
Kristi says
Way to go! We tackled our garage a few weeks ago. Whew! It was exhausting. Blessings to you!
Muthering Heights says
It looks MUCH better! I love the shot of your son on the shelf…too cute!
Stephenie says
That’s awesome! What a major undertaking, but your hang work really paid off. Your garage looks so nicely organized!
AmyG says
It looks great! You all have done a lot of work in there. Thank you for sharing everything you used & how much it costs.
Dawn says
Wow, can you come to my house? LOL!! I have never had a car in my garage – EVER! We have live her 4 yrs., my DH keeps it full of his junk, I mean stuff. Great Job!
Jolene says
WOW. it looks awesome!
Organizing Mommy says
Nice job on the garage. I was a little concerned about the durability of the ceiling shelves, but they look pretty secure. I like the hooks and things for baby items. I’ve done a few garage organizing sessions for other people and have it in the blog. Nice job!
Karen says
WOW! That’s more of a tackle than I’m up for today. I especially like the kid-storage you created with the hanging shelf off the ceiling. Keeps the little rugrats out of the way….
Jia@ColorMeUntypical says
Wow! It looks so awesome! You should be way proud! I don’t even want to look at our garage! I dread the day when my MIL asks me to help her deal with it. Scary! Oh and those zip ties are too funny!
Nancy says
Your garage looks awesome! I wouldn’t even have thought to use all the space on the ceiling like you did. Great job!
Lora says
Wow! I’m impressed! What a great job!
NH Mom of 3 says
what a great job! very inspiring…i have a bet with my MIL to have the garage cleaned out enough before it snows so we can park our cars inside. i better get crackin’…thanks for the great ideas.
Jonathan M. says
I was looking for ideas and products to help solve some of my garage organizing problems. Then I stumbled on a website http://www.1stchoicegarage.com and was happy to see they have lots of solutions for your garage. Car lifts, overhead storage, wall organizing products, and the list goes on, and on. I recommend you take a look at this site, and see how they can help you.
Jonathan
Thane says
I really like the shelf Idea! Where did you get the wire shelfs at?