Latest Organizing Articles

3 Garage Storage Ideas to Bring Peace of Mind

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:53:37 -0700

Garage storage is no laughing matter. There is nothing humorous about tripping all over those soccer balls and snow skis. There's nothing to chuckle about when every time you go out into the garage to find something you can't. And a cluttered and messy garage is a sure sign of even bigger problems, like maybe not being able to organize or take responsibility for the way things are kept in your life in general. But I'm not here to chastise you if this hits a little close to home. I am, however, here to suggest some ways to get your garage, and the things in it, under control. I know what it is like to have the garage be a huge pain in the buttusky. I also know what it is like to have a garage that has lots of storage for all the things that need to go there. I am here to tell you, the second is a much better way to go. When a garage is organized and squared away, you can literally think straighter and feel more at ease. I'm sure the Chinese would have a ready lesson for us here about the concept of feng shui. Be that as it may, let's take a look at some options for storing things in the garage that you may not have considered before. These are sure to promote your sense of well-being and peace of mind.

Garage storage idea #1: Use the vertical space in the garage. This idea alone can do wonders for the average garage, not to mention the average garage owner. Getting things up off the floor is a great start. Think about all the vertical space that goes unused. Putting things up into that space is perhaps the best thing any of us can do to get organized. I particularly like the simple step of purchasing some shelving and/or cabinets. Using these not only allows easier access to your things, but also allows your things to be closed off from view. Shelves and cabinets with doors gives the garage a more finished look as well.

Garage storage idea #2: Get creative with the use of specialty racks and bins. There are some really innovative storage solutions in this category. For example, if you are a fisherman then you will be happy to learn that companies like Racor make rod racks that let you keep your fishing rods and reels up out of the way and secured against the wall. No more random tipping over and getting tangled and mangled. These racks look good and are functional. Another example are sport ball bins. These are simple, but go a long way to clean up the clutter. Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, and all sorts of related sports paraphernalia are brought under strict control with the right bins.

Garage storage idea #3: Use overhead storage devices. These come in two basic configurations. One is the rack and bin system where you install rails in the rafters or against the ceiling for plastic storage bins to hang from. The other is a platform pulley configuration where you load boxes and other items onto a platform that is then raised up with ropes and pulleys. Things like holiday decorations and keepsake items that are infrequently accessed are perfect candidates for these sorts of storage solutions.

There's nothing wrong with storing things besides your cars and trucks in the garage. Just take charge of your garage storage situation with some of these ideas and your garage will become a place you don't dread to go into. And, you will be happier and more content.

5 Things You Must Do Before Buying Your Garage Organizers

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:48:06 -0700

Have you been living with a messy garage and finally decided to get some garage organizers to help get your life in order? Perhaps with autumn in the air, you realize that it is time to do something if you hope to use your garage for winter. Or, perhaps you are tired of hearing your spouse complain about the disorganization that she considers your domain. Well, regardless of the reason, if you are considering purchasing some garage organizers to set you garage in order, here are five things to do before making your purchase.

Get rid of what you don't need. Let's face it, the garage easily becomes the dumping ground for stuff that you do not want to deal with 'right now'. Take the time to go through that stuff and get rid of it. Some can just go to the dump. Other stuff may still be useful to somebody and can go to the local thrift store. Perhaps some has more value (i.e. - outgrown kids clothes) and can go to a consignment shop. Perhaps you have a lot of stuff with value and can have a garage sale, the proceeds can go towards the purchase of your new garage organizers.
Categorize. Take everything that is remaining that you need to organize and categorize it. Put all the sports equipment together, the tools, craft supplies, keep sake items, holiday decorations etc. in their respective piles.
Subcategorize. Within each category subdivide it according to need. By this, I mean how often you need to access the item. Is it seasonal? Among your tools, is it something you use a lot, or maybe just every year or two for a special project? The items you use more often, you want to have easier access to, if you only need to access it once or twice a year, then you don't mind if it takes a bit of effort to get to it.
Decide what type of organizers work best for different categories and subcategories. For example, tools that you use often would best go in easy to reach cabinets or on a peg wall above a work bench. Stains, paints and other chemicals would best be kept higher up, or even in a lockable tall cabinet. A peg board system would be perfect for sports equipment, lots of options for hanging baskets for balls, and various types of specialty hooks. The hook system is also great for gardening tools, ladders, hoses etc. Seasonal holiday items can go in bins on high shelves or hung from the ceiling. There are so many great garage organizers available, make sure you know what is out there to help in this decision process.
Measure out your space for the perfect fit. Measuring your floor space will allow you to pick one or more garage organizers that will work best for you. Decide how far out into the garage they can come without interfering with your car or easy access flow. Besides horizontal space, how much vertical space is available that can be used? Is there any ceiling space? This is a great untapped resource for hanging bikes and other large items, as wells as hanging shelves and other systems.

As you get your garage ready for winter, remember these 'Must Do' tips in organizing your space and in choosing garage organizers that will work best for you. Though it is a big project that make take one or two weekends, these tips will make the process much quicker and more efficient. And, you'll be glad you did it!

Upgrading Your Master Bedroom Closet

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:31:29 -0700

As the seasons threaten to turn, it is once again time to think about putting away those things in your closet that belong to this season that is passing and bring out those items that we will need in the coming months. Not only does this allow you to sort through the old season's items, but also allows you to organize your clothes for the new season and replace things as needed.

The easiest way to make the transition from season to season, as well as keeping your closet tidy and neat on a day to day basis, is by creating a storage system that works well for you and the space you have to work with.

To begin your voyage into closet cleanliness, first start by hauling out all the stuff from your closet for the purpose of streamlining it as best you can. If you have things stored in your closet that don't really need to be there, put them somewhere else. If you have items of clothing you don't wear anymore, are outdated, don't fit, or are just worn out, get rid of them. Your local thrift store or shelter would probably love to have them; if you have expensive items that have seen very little wear, you might want to consider taking them to a consignment shop instead. Don't be afraid to hold on to some treasures, especially if they're classic styles or hold a lot of memories for you; just don't hang on to things for the sake of holding on to the past.

After you've paired down your closet contents you will need to decide what the essential elements that you will need to organize your stuff will be. If you have a dozen pairs of shoes (or more) then it's likely that you're going to want to include a shoe rack or storage shelves for them. If you have few things that you hang up, you will likely want to mostly have drawers and shelves instead of a long clothes rail for hangers. If you own your own home you will probably want to opt for a built-in system for the sake of stability; renters can benefit from a closet organizer if they opt for a standalone system that they can take with them when they move.

Most closet organization systems are customizable or modular so that you can choose exactly the elements you wish to use. If you have a walk in closet, consider using a modular system along one wall and the end and then adding a full length mirror and a small chair to give it more of a dressing room feel.

Don't forget to decorate your closet as well; if you consider your closet—even a small one—as a room of its own, you're more likely to keep it tidy. Many homeowners paint their master bedroom closet a contrasting colour to their bedroom colour or wall paper it with an eye-catching design.

Last but not least, don't forget to make sure that your closet has adequate lighting, especially if it's a small one. A dim closet isn't pleasant to go to first thing in the morning, particularly in the winter months. A well-lit closet can help you start your day on the right foot; just as an organized closet can make a huge difference to your morning routine.

Garage Organizers Take Away All Your Excuses

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:35:21 -0700

Garage organizers are not all created equal, not by a long shot. When you have stuff to store, but not enough space to store it in, then you know a lot about storage - or the lack of it. Many garages are used to solve this problem with simple plywood shelves. This works, but isn't very attractive. It also isn't very efficient. There really isn't all that much difference between a pile of stuff on the floor and a pile of stuff on a shelf. It can be nearly as frustrating and as equally irritating. Creating a truly organized garage space takes a little bit of planning and thought. Once you've figured out exactly what you need to organize, then you can purchase the appropriate organization solution for your garage. Assuming that you've figured out your needs, here are some possible organizers for your consideration.

First, you could opt for something as basic as garage organizer cabinets that can be mounted on the wall, or put on rollers and left on the floor. These are really nice because they allow you to store items on shelves, then hide them out of site behind doors. No more embarrassment when friends and family go out to your garage. But you can do more, way more.

Garage organizers go way beyond simple shelves or even cabinets. Another one of the more popular solutions for garage storage is adjustable wall rack systems. Companies like Gladiator, Bench Solution, Flow Wall, or NewAge VersaTrac all make various wall track systems that are truly customizable and versatile. Think about all that stuff that clutters up your garage that just doesn't fit in a cabinet or on a shelf. Hoses, rakes, shovels, brooms, roller blades, rackets, weed trimmers, etc. With a wall system you can adjust the racks and hooks so that you can make a truly functional and customizable space. Yard tools no longer have to plague your life. Don't you hate the way they start out stacked in a corner, but somehow find a way to creep out onto the floor and invariably get in the way? Say goodbye to that little problem forever!

As a large active family, we have lots of bikes and sports equipment to manage. Rather then just have all those things rolling, bouncing, and lying around, we've found that overhead garage organizers are a simple, but important part of our garage. For the bikes, we bought some Prostor ceiling mount bike lifts. These allow us to use the space above, while still allowing easy access to the bikes when we want to use them. For the basketballs, soccer balls, and baseball equipment, we purchased a couple of Prostor ball and bat sport racks. These are great. They are solid steel and have a really nice smooth finish. They were easy to mount up on the wall and does exactly what we wanted them to do - keep stuff off the floor!

Garage organizers are also available for other specific items. You can get racks for golf club bags, fishing poles, ski equipment, roller blades, lawn and garden equipment, even ladders and wheelbarrows. No matter what you have to organize, you will be pleasantly surprised at your options. You truly can make sense of all that stuff. There just isn't any excuse for clutter anymore. Go for it!

Making the Most of Small Spaces

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:09:34 -0700

Housing is in a trend right now to smaller more efficient living spaces with a focus on quality materials in smaller homes with multi-use spaces. The drive by the average home owner for large sprawling living spaces seems to have been replaced by the desire to live in smaller, richer environments with rooms that serve more than one purpose. One way to take best advantage of a smaller space is with built in organizers ranging from closet organizers and pantries to murphy beds and tables.

Many modern homeowners use a home office for work or home finances, but need the flexibility to use this space as guest accommodations as well. One great solution to this problem is the modern version of the murphy bed. In a particularly small room, you might even want to opt for a murphy bed that has a fold down table incorporated on the underside.

Smaller homes usually have smaller kitchens which can be a bit of struggle for home owners who enjoy cooking. One option for a smaller home is an open design between the kitchen and dining area with an eating bar in between, opening up the work space nicely. Also consider built in appliances like ovens or range tops. A built-in oven can even be placed at a more easily accessed height partway up the wall, making for less stooping while you cook. Many appliances come in smaller sizes which might also work well in a more moderately sized kitchen.

A more condensed bathroom is often encountered not just in smaller homes but also in many larger homes as well, particularly with secondary or ensuite bathrooms. Unless a bathroom is specifically set aside for guests, they seem to be chronically disorganized due to being so well used by everyone in the house. If there is not much cabinet space in your bathroom, some well placed built-in shelving or cupboards can make a huge difference to the space available for organizing your bathroom. If you can't build in, try an over toilet shelf to give you that extra space.

All in all, with our current trends to smaller living spaces, we need to be more creative about how we use and organize in our homes. The more that we can creatively use these smaller spaces, the more comfortable we can live in them.

The Evolution of Garage Organizers

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:57:42 -0700

Eons ago when the first garages were built, it was with the intention of storing wagons, horses and tack and was called a barn. People did not horde a lot of stuff so they did not have a lot of need for storage. Those who were wealthy and had stuff, had big houses and servants to worry about where to put it all. With the advent of the modern age and the invention of the automobile, the modern garage was born. But the modern garage wasn’t just used for cars. Slowly the modern generation became pack rats, after all, there is just so much neat stuff that we need! With the computer age, not only were there a lot of advances in technology, but we have also become a society that loves our recreation and new forms of recreation are constantly being invented. We also have a lot of hobbies, from wood and metal working to landscaping and gardening. So what do we do with all this stuff? We put it in our garages and before we know it, our cars do not fit.

At first, the solution in garage organizers was shelves, and then cabinets. But lets face it, many things in our garage do not fit well on shelves and cabinets. Then in 1985, Racor came along and started to come up with innovative solutions to help store the hard to store items. Of course, it did not take long for other companies to follow.

So, what do you have to store? And what are your storage options?

Balls and bats - for these you can find some great baskets that hang on the wall or stand on the floor, that include hooks and shelves for bats, gloves and shoes. These garage organizers also work great for roller blades and accessories.
Bikes take up a lot of room in a garage, and the storage options are many. You can hang bikes solo or multiples, by their wheels or horizontally by the top tube. Some wall hooks even include a small shelf for helmets and shoes. Besides walls, there are also lift options to hang your bike from the ceiling. This is great, because anybody who has kids, has bikes!
Fishing gear- Any fisherman knows, that tangled poles are nothing but a pain, so wall rod racks are a great solution to keep your line straight.
Golf clubs - If you are a solo player,then you can just use a basic hook, but if you have multiple bags, then you can find garage organizers that will hold both bags plus your shoes.
Ladders - You can get large hooks to hang your ladder upright, or larger units that will hang your ladder plus more horizontally.
Lawn and Garden - this category includes anything from large to small garden tools, wheel barrows and hoses, and you can find garage organizers to solve any of these problems! You can get a garden tool rack that will hold multiple large tools that also includes a small shelf and basket for many of your smaller gardening items. There are also special hooks for your wheel barrow and hoses.
Skis and snowboards - These are nice to store during the summer but also keep accessible for the winter. There are a variety of racks available, for one pair of skis to many pairs. Most also include hooks for poles and some also have shelves for boots. There are also some great options for snowboards to store them flat against the wall that have adjusting arms so that it also works for skateboards and wake boards.
Tennis and other racquet sports - for this you can find a great system that allows you to hang your rackets and store you balls as well.
Tools - many of the hooks that work for lawn and garden, also work for tools. You can also find smaller containers that can be hung and work great for nuts and bolts etc. as well as baskets for cans, rags or whatever.

So, with the modern age, find modern solutions, they are out there and these great garage organizers will allow you to not only store your toys in the garage, but also your car!

Professional Garage Organizers

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:56:20 -0700

It seems like it happens four or five times a year when my husband recruits a handful of us to be garage organizers. The garage is a unique place in the house. If you don’t know where to put something, put it in the garage. It is the universal dumping ground of our home. This is compounded by the fact that we seem to think that the garage is also the multi-purpose room as well. This double use leads to a regular need to organize the garage.

For example, the weather is warming up, so it is actually warm enough to use the garage. Hence, the garage organizers were put to use! The object was to make room to set up the punching bag and pull-up bar. The punching bag we have had for a while, but the bar was a Christmas gift for our teenage son. They tried to set it up after Christmas, but it was just too cold out to be used. So, for access and enough room, things had to be rearranged. The recycling stuff had to be condensed (in the winter, the kids preferred method of recycling it to just throw stuff in the general area instead of organizing by specified bag, then I get to sort it on the morning the recycling truck does pick up). There was also a few boxes of stuff to go to the local thrift store. Winter items have to be put up on shelves, and other miscellaneous items moved around. After sweeping, the garage looks decent, and a corner of it is now a designated gym!

Though, I have to admit, the garage wasn’t really that bad because my husband rounded up a few garage organizers a few weeks ago when it was really cold and my daughter’s car was having problems. We had to actually straighten things up enough to put her car in the garage!

I know that later in the summer, my husband will want to do some wood projects. This means activation of the garage organizers! His workbench is in the corner of the garage with a variety of items stacked on top. This ranges from things like empty computer boxes (do we really need to keep those? Do we dare toss them?) to sleds to unused small pieces of furniture. New places will have to be found for all of these, plus make sure that there is easy access to all the power tools that are kept (well organized) on a shelf, you just can’t get to the shelf.

I should clarify, our garage is not a total mess, we do have shelving where we store our boxes of stuff like Christmas decorations, camping supplies and keep-sakes. It is just the other stuff that is put out there because we don’t know where else to put it. For instance, I currently have two book shelves in the garage. Shelving can be expensive, and though I do not need these right now, I may soon. So I do not want to sell them, I just have no use for them in the house. So, there they sit in the garage, moved around by the garage organizers when called upon.

Some other times when the troops are called to action include the fall, when we are thinking positive about actually parking our car in the garage for the winter (it hasn’t happened yet for more than a few days), summer time when we are active gardeners, and any time one of the kids has a special project (like a pinewood derby car that needs spray painting in January). So, the system is crazy, but it seems to work for us, I am even thinking of getting everyone a special t-shirt that says “Professional Garage Organizers!”

Garagemaid Garage Storage

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:21:04 -0700

Garage storage is something every home owner must come to terms with at some point. Our lives are just smack full of stuff. Stuff that has to go somewhere. Even though it's stuff that we hardly ever use or really even need, we just seem to keep hanging on to it year after year. Of course, there are lots of things we do need to access and use on a regular, albeit infrequent, basis. For example, Christmas does come around every year, so those boxes and boxes of decorations have to be accessible and ready to rock 'n roll when it's time to deck the halls. And all that sports and fishing equipment can't be buried somewhere when you need it. Lucky for home owners, effective do-it-yourself garage storage solutions are available from companies like Garagemaid. Consider the following:

Garagemaid has innovative garage storage systems that utilize interlocking connectors that are designed into each part. This means that there is no need to fuss with little fasteners that often just make assembly frustrating. The interlocking connectors add a lot of stability to the units, while at the same time making installation and assembly a snap. Once the unit is put together it's just a matter of attaching it to the studs of the wall for a great garage storage system.

One of the nice things about Garagemaid products is that they are made out of a high density polyethylene so it is virtually impervious to problems that often arise from wood products when they get wet. With high density polyethylene, things like rot, rust, or cracking are avoided all together. It is an easily cleanable product that doesn't have to be painted to look good.

Finally, the modular aspect of this system allows a variety of combinations that allow a more custom fit for your garage storage needs. You might start out with their basic storage cabinet that measures 84" tall x 22" wide. This has four adjustable shelves and a door on the upper part of the cabinet. The bottom part allows you to use up to four optional drawers. If you need additional garage storage you can just purchase additional shelves or even other cabinets with which it can be combined. This ability to customize really lets you get your storage just the way you want it in your garage space.

If you just need hooks for tools or other items you want to store on a wall, they also make a slat wall "workstation" kit with hooks. This unit is 42" wide x 39" tall. The kit includes 14 storage hooks that just snap securely into the slat wall where you want them. There is also a 4" x 24" storage basket that is designed to be used with the slat wall. These baskets are perfect for storing small items. The baskets have clear fronts so it's easy to see what is inside. These don't require any assembly. Just snap it in place and that's it!

By combining the different styles of cabinets, slat wall kit, hooks, and baskets together anyone can design and implement their own customized garage storage solution in minutes. Then you will be able to find anything you need at any time.

Garage Storage Solutions Keep Dad Happy and Sane

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:02:36 -0800

Does this sound familiar? â€œCan someone please go to the garage and get me a hammer and a phillips screwdriver?â€ â€œSure, where are they?â€ â€œThey should be right there on the shelf.â€ These are the hopeful pleas that escapes your quivering lips. You know that you own a hammer. You know you own a screwdriver. And, you know they are both in the garage. What seems to be a continuing mystery is where these things live. Of course, if everyone else in the family would just be as conscientious as you are about putting things where they belong, all this useless frustration about where things are could be avoided. Argh!

I know that some sort of garage storage solutions would help me out of this nightmare, and I'm off to a good start. Last summer I even built some shelves. These are great for Christmas boxes, a little food storage, some keepsake boxes, and the odd loose item or two. But what to do with the bikes, winter tires, lumber, that third row car seat I hardly ever use, and all the miscellaneous items that seem to clutter up the place? It turns out, there are actually lot of options when it comes to garage storage solutions and I just wanted to share some of what I found.

One of my personal favorites are garage storage solutions that use that empty space overhead. For example, did you know that you can get racks and bins that are made especially for the space overhead. Yep, you can solve your storage problems with some really cool garage organizers like the ones made by Tote Trac. They have these specialty racks that allow you to store skis, snowboards, luggage, blankets, kid's stuff, sport balls or whatever. They come in different sizes and configurations. My favorite is their 6 track family pack system. It is fairly priced at around $40 - 60 and allows you to hang the tracks from ceiling or wall joists. In closets, the garage, or wherever. The bins hang from the tracks and are easily accessible. They can be hung on drywall and hold up to 400 pounds. The construction is quality white powder coated steel and can easily be installed by one person. It even has hooks allowing you to hang your bike. Anything to get stuff off the floor!

Another one of the garage storage solutions that is really good is made by MonsterRax. They make overhead storage racks that are are an ideal storage system. Their racks are made out of 14 gauge steel frames and can hold up to 500 pounds. These are boltless and can be adjusted for how far down from the ceiling you want the heavy duty wire decking. Pretty heavy duty item that is well-made and completely modular.

And last but not least, there's the Prostor Heavy lift overhead garage storage solutions made by Racor. No discussion of garage organizers would be complete without a mention of this ingenious product. It basically allows you to load items onto a platform and lift it up to the ceiling (up to 12 feet high) without having to use a ladder. It has a 250 pound capacity so you can really store a lot of things. It includes a 4x4 platform, winding axle, steel support beams, all necessary mounting hardware, and sells for under $200.

Maybe one of these garage storage solutions will help you. I am excited about getting some of these for my garage. I guess I'll plan out exactly what to get over lunch. Now where did I put my keys?

Garage Organizers Are Fun!

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:19:31 -0800

Wheeeee! Yippy! Hurray! Isn't that what you think when you think about garage organizers? I didn't think so. But it isn't all that bad is it. I know some people like to keep all their camping gear, tools, family collectibles, Christmas decorations, food storage, sports equipment, and other miscellaneous goodies in a, shall we say, â€œcreativeâ€ storage system. Believe me, I understand.

I know that the space above most bedroom closets is a vast expanse of unused and neglected space right? You have absolutely no idea what you could possibly put there to fill it up. Yeah! And those boxes in the hall that have been there since last Christmas aren't any big deal. They aren't really in the way that much. Oh, and of course, the tangled piles of who knows what stored so neatly in the garage are so accessible right? Not! I'm not trying to interfere with anybody's system of chucking, shoving, and forgetting. It's a good system. That is, if you don't mind the risks of not having garage organizers to keep everything ship shape.

Oh there are risks. Let's say you get home from your ski trip with all your stuff. You're tired and just want to get the SUV unloaded asap and get in the house where it's warm. You drop your skis, bags and boots somewhere in the mystery pile, somehow never quite getting around to going back out and truly taking care of them. This is a problem. We all have enough stress in our lives. We don't need the frustration of discovering our favorite tool or sports item damaged or ruined because something else scratches or otherwise damages it out of carelessness. It makes life miserable next time you go to use your stuff. Gear that is abused just doesn't last as long or even stay in as good of condition as it could. This ends up costing you more money and frustration. Too risky for me. So, here's a thought for your consideration: garage organizers are fun. What a revelation! Just makes me all giddy thinking about them.

You are probably thinking, â€œgive me a breakâ€ right? Okay, here's my deal. We all have stuff all over the place that we think we will remember where it is when we need it, and then when we do we just can't seem to find it. I have had some experience with this cute little aspect of modern living. Four kids and two pets give me lots to keep track of. Until I discovered the power of garage organizers I would drive myself crazy looking for items I thought I would never misplace, searching for any possible square inch to put just one more thing into. This is not fun. But with garage organizers I walk around with a Cheshire cat grin on my face all day long just knowing how safe and sound all my stuff is. No more worry, no more risk, no more irritation. Just fun!

So go ahead, get yourself some garage organizers and try it out. You know, cabinets, workbenches with shelves and drawers, racks, hooks, and bins. Stuff like that. Heck, why not go all out and get a whole garage storage system. You know, those beautiful matching garage organizers that you've been dreaming about. Life is dreary enough. You deserve some fun!