Organizing Your Garage

When the sun is baking your car and the interiora portion of that shelving for storage. Make sure
is scalding hot, or when it's covered with eightthat things of importance are stored up high so
inches of snow, don't you wish you had room inthey are away from any possible damage from
that garage?water.
It seems that everything that isn't used on aThis is a good time to go through all those cans
regular basis in the house generally makes it'sof paint and stain and toss out the old. Look at
way out to the garage, paint, oil, the kid's bikes,your paint brushes - are they really any good
that box of stuff from college, tools, unfinishedanymore? If they are, keep them on the shelf
projects, etc. This problem is made even worse ifwith the paint. Put screws and nails and bolts, etc
you don't have a storage shed for gardening andin cans or bottles on a shelf. Collect all your tools
lawn equipment.and take a look at them. What condition are they
Well, now is the time to make that room.in? Every house needs a well stocked toolbox.
The first thing you'll want to do is make sure thatWhat about all those car care items? Wax, soap,
any poisonous substances you may have in theoil, rags (the antifreeze should be in the locked
garage is well out of the reach of children andcabinet). Choose a shelf for all these types of
properly sealed. Perhaps you'll want to put anyitems. Also go through you gardening tools. If you
pesticides, paint thinner, etc., in a locked cabinet.don't have a shed you'll want to keep them in the
If you have bikes they can be hung upside downgarage where they're not left outside in the
from the ceiling. You can get bike hangers at theweather.
local hardware store, or at the bike shop.This may seem like a lot of work, but just
Purchase good shelving for your garage. This canremember the next time it's raining, or cold you
be open shelving, or shelving with doors. It can bewon't have the discomfort of sprinting to the car
floor to ceiling shelving or shelving put up on thecarrying an umbrella. You can stay nice and dry
wall with brackets. Any type of shelving will do asand warm.
long as it's heavy duty. Give each family member