List of Items to Plan for When Building a Garage Organizer

Planning

• Create a list of the items to be stored, using categories such as sports and recreation, lawn and garden, seasonal, car care and household goods. Decide if you'll park cars in the garage, which walls will hold your storage systems and the type of flooring you need. List the items that you'll need to create your garage organizer, based on the items you want to store. Create a sketch of your design and include the placement of storage products and measurements that includes clearance for vehicles, equipment and the placement of storage systems.

Wall Systems

• You'll need shelving and cabinets for the garage walls. Store paint and craft supplies in the cabinets. Some systems include drawers and other storage options. Particle boards with holes for hooks are good for hanging items you need in clear view, such as bicycles, a hand vacuum, shovels and tools that are used frequently. Large hooks installed in the garage ceiling can also hold bicycles. Design your wall systems to accommodate large items such as lawn mowers that can be stored under shelves. Designate each wall or portion of a wall for the different categories of stored items. A work desk or counter is a helpful staging area for the garage.

Ceiling Storage, Flooring and Lighting

• You can purchase materials to hang shelving from the garage ceiling. This option expands the storage area available in your garage. Additionally, you can leave the garage floor as it is or install flooring. Garage flooring products include rubber floor tiles or special paint, such as epoxies, for the cement floor. Add to the list a variety of lighting types for the garage. In addition to the lights installed in the ceiling, consider lighting for the work surface and other spot lighting along the storage walls.

Bins and Containers

• Use clear, plastic containers with labels to store small items, such as tools, small sports equipment and household goods. Labeled heavy-duty containers are good for heavier items placed on the garage floor. Special containers are helpful for the seasonal storage area, for items such as holiday decorations. Use small plastic containers to hold nails and other small supplies. Space the shelving to accommodate the bins and containers.

Tools and Supplies

• Include on the items list the supplies and tools you need to install the parts of your garage organizer system. You'll need shelving brackets, large metal hooks, nails, screws, hammers, screwdrivers and saws. Add drywall materials and paint if you intend to add walls to the garage. Add locks to the list for securing dangerous items and substances from children. Companies make panels that can be installed on garage walls to hold cabinets and shelving. The panels are designed to hold the added weight of storage systems and stored items.