12 Genius Organization Hacks to Get Your Garage Looking Great!
Ever feel like your garage is more of a chaotic maze than a functional space? Trust me, I’ve been there—wading through a sea of tools and random bits while trying to find a semblance of order. But don’t worry, because I’ve found some game-changing garage organization hacks that are turning our cluttered workshop into a haven of productivity and peace.
I really like an organized home. When things get all chaotic and messy, I find that my mind kinda’ gets that way, too. But when everything has a place—and everything is in its place—I feel a sense of peace. I can think straight, relax and enjoy.
And the garage? Well, it’s no exception. Or at least I had always enjoyed the pictures I’d seen of organized garages that function in all the ways that garages are supposed to. Let’s just say I hadn’t experienced this firsthand–until recently!
Living with a Master Craftsman
Faithful readers know that my husband is a woodworker—a master craftsman. He remodels our homes, and designs and builds heirloom furniture. This amazing talent does come with unintended consequences. Let’s just say the man does not possess a single iota of organizational talent. I’ll leave it there, although I could offer several examples to illustrate my point.
For 27 years, we had a two-car garage, also known as the hubs’ workshop—and for the record, there was no space for a vehicle of any size in this garage.
A New Beginning for Garage Organization
We moved to a home with a beautiful, pristine, three-car garage—complete with built-in cabinetry and extensive pegboard. I worried that instead of a regular-sized chaotic, messy workshop we’d end up with an extra large chaotic, messy workshop. And still no room for a vehicle of any size.
My sweet husband promised me this would not happen—that we would have room for two vehicles and it would be neatly organized and tidy, while still fully functioning so he could make me stuff.
I believed. He delivered to this extent: He turned one of the 3 bays into a really cool workshop. We have room for two vehicles, a big freezer, and a garage refrigerator. We have bins that are somewhat organized. I won’t say we’re 100% there yet, but we continue to work at it!
And to that end, I’d like to suggest a couple of neat (and inexpensive!) finds that we’ve used to make tremendous progress toward garage organization.
1. Carabiner Hooks
Spring Snap Premium Stainless Steel Carabiner Hooks, 6 Pieces
I know how hard it is to keep tools organized, and by organized, I mean “able to be found.” Carabiner hooks, traditionally used in mountain climbing, are easy to open with one hand and come in all sizes from itty-bitty keychain size to big ones. A carabiner is the perfect way to organize box-end wrenches and other items that have a hole in the handle. We have dozens of these, which should tell you just how many tools Hubs has because you need many when you cannot find any of them.
2. Magnetic Bowls
HORUSDY 3-Piece Stainless Steel Magnetic Trays
Random nails, brads, screws, bolts, staples, and other small, pointy metal objects can be quickly corralled in a magnetic bowl. He will have a number of magnetic bowls to match the many different sizes of screws, bolts, nuts, nails, and brads that master craftsmen (and auto mechanics) require to be really good at what they do.
3. Overhead Storage Racks
FLEXIMOUNTS 4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack
We refused to overlook the potential of our garage ceiling and installed overhead storage racks to transform our neglected ceiling space into valuable storage real estate. Now, we can stow away seasonal decorations, bulky luggage, and those occasional-use items like camping gear, freeing up precious floor space and keeping clutter at bay.
4. Pegboard
WallPeg Pegboard Tool Organizer with Flex-Lock Peg Hooks
Our new home surprised us with a pegboard wall, a feature we didn’t fully appreciate until now. Picture a wall adorned with pegboard, each hook and holder strategically placed to accommodate my husband’s frequently used tools. From saws to chisels, everything finds its designated spot, putting an end to the frustration of rummaging through cluttered drawers or toolboxes.
What excites me most about pegboard walls is their customizable nature. My husband can arrange the hooks and holders to suit his specific needs, ensuring that every inch of space is utilized efficiently. It’s like crafting a personalized tool display that not only showcases his woodworking arsenal but also makes it effortless to grab whatever he needs for his next project.
5. Bike Hanger
Dirza Garage Wall Mount Bike Hanger Storage System
We’ve maximized our garage space and streamlined our biking adventures with this wall-mounted bike hanger. By mounting them on the walls or ceiling, we’ve freed up precious floor space, creating a more organized and accessible environment. Beyond their practicality, hanging our bikes serves as a constant visual reminder to hit the trails. With our bikes readily accessible, it’s challenging to resist squeezing in at least one weekend ride whenever the weather permits.
6. Magnetic Tool Strip
12-Inch Magnetic Tool Holder Strip
This ingenious magnetic tool strip mounted near my husband’s workbench ensures his metal tools are within arm’s reach, sparing him the hassle of rummaging through cluttered drawers or toolboxes. With everything in its designated spot, he breezes through his projects with ease and efficiency, without the headache of searching for misplaced tools (or the occasional exasperated tool hunt tantrum).
7. Garden Tool Wall Organizer
StoreYourBoard BLAT Wall Mount Garage Garden Tool Organizer Wall Mount
As the self-proclaimed guardian of the gardening tools in our garage, let me tell you, this quick system is a game-changer! By vertically storing shovels, rakes, brooms, and other bulky equipment, I’ve transformed chaos into order, ensuring that all my tools are neatly organized and within reach whenever I need them. No more frantic searches through cluttered piles.
8. Extension Cord Organizer
Heavy-Duty Wrap-It Extension Cord Organizer Straps, 6-Pack
Gone are the days of tangled extension cords! Thanks to these nifty cord keepers, managing our cables has become an absolute breeze. No more wrestling with knots or risking a trip over tangled cords.
9. Stackable Organizer Utility Chest
IRIS USA 44 Drawer Stackable Organizer Utility Chest
Both the hubs and I have discovered ingenious uses for these stackable plastic drawers. They’re perfect for organizing smaller items like screws, nails, and bolts, making them readily accessible whenever needed. To add a fun twist, we’ve got organizers in two different colors—one for him, one for me—and each drawer is labeled for quick and easy identification of contents.
10. Garage Shelving
REIBII Heavy Duty Shelving
Thanks to our sturdy shelving units lining the walls of our garage, we’ve unlocked a world of garage organization possibilities. It’s like a Tetris game but with bins, boxes, and all sorts of odd-shaped items. Everything finds its place along the perimeter, maximizing space and making it easy to find things.
11. Bucket Boss
Bucket Boss The Bucketeer Bucket Tool Organizer in Brown
My husband swears by his Bucket Boss—it’s his trusty sidekick in the workshop. This ingenious tool organizer turns any standard 5-gallon bucket into a portable toolbox, keeping all his essentials within arm’s reach. With its clever pocket design, it’s perfect for corralling a variety of tools and equipment, making it indispensable for tasks that demand everything in one place. Whether he’s maneuvering through our multistory home or tackling outdoor projects, the Bucket Boss ensures he’s equipped and organized every step of the way.
12. Shop Towel Holder
Paper Towel Holder with Shelf
Woodworking projects often result in messy cleanups, especially when using stains and sealers. Enter the handy dandy shop towel holder and shelf system—an incredibly convenient solution that keeps messes at bay and prevents hubby from tracking dirt into the house during quick cleanups.
Promises Kept: An Organized Garage!
After eight years of settling into our new home, it’s safe to say that the promises made have been more than kept. The garage has become a haven of organization and functionality, with space for both vehicles and my husband’s woodworking shop, just as he assured me. As the designated Shop Assistant, armed with carabiners, magnetic bowls, and trays aplenty, I’m ready to tackle any project that comes our way. And now, with my sights set on a killer sawdust-collection system, the journey toward ultimate garage organization continues.
Question: What’s your go-to garage organization hack for keeping your space tidy? I want to hear all about it in the comments down below.
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I moved 3 years ago to a condo with indoor parking. In the garage, behind my. parking space, I have a small storage closet. The seller used it as a small workroom for 20 years. It is dirty. The walls, concrete cinder block, and the floor, concrete, are filthy and splattered with either paint or something else. What’s the best way to clean this? Should I repaint the walls and floor? Thx so much!
About 30 years ago, we built a 12×24 foot workshop for the hubs. Cost us about $4000 total…hard to believe, isn’t it? When we decided to do some major remodeling, the hubs said he needed a larger workshop so we hired out this time and had a 28×54 shop built. We finished all of the interior work. We divided the building into a two car garage and workshop. Well, it wasn’t long before the vehicles were sitting outside again, lol! We had his father’s 12 by 20 building moved to our property (our property abutted his father’s) and that helped to clear out the riding mower and all the assorted lawn and garden stuff. The vehicles still sat outside. So, about three years ago, we had a three vehicle carport added in front of the shop. The vehicles may still be outside but at least they have a roof over their head, lol! The carport has an added bonus use…we live in the deep South so the carport comes in real handy when we have an outdoor event. We can be outside but shielded from the sun!
Many of the items that Mary has listed…well practically all of them…are in our workshop. The exception would the overhead rack. We have one but we built it ourselves. Harbor Freight carries a lot of the items that Mary listed. I’m a huge fan of the magnetic strips. And the shelving units (which I purchased from Costco) are excellent. I recently purchased three sets of wall mounted cabinets from Harbor Freight to have all of my Ryobi tools stored in one location so I could find them when I needed them thus eliminating the frustration and cussing that previously ensued when I went on the hunt for one of them. The hubs is brilliant when it comes to making things but his organizational skills are about nonexistent. It’s a fair trade off…he brings my ideas to life and I keep his life organized, lol!
A saw a cool tip I’m excited to try. Hanging fishing poles on the garage door.
You could wall off “his space” from the rest of the garage.That gives you more space for organizing his stuff, and ensures the rest of the garage is kept for cars!
I know a guy who built a second garage, and then a workshop. Guess what he has now? A wood-working shop, an electrical hobby shop, and a general tools and maintenance shop. No cars inside. But, his wife at least insisted on a carport–to keep the snow off.
I recommend taking the “single car” bay for yourself. Leave the other two to him, that way he can decide to park his car or to use his tools.
My husband also is a handyman/hobby type of guy. He used to do a lot of woodworking and furniture building. Now he’s moved on to small engine repair/lawn care because there is such a need for it in our area. It is much less expensive for my husband to fix someone’s leaf blower/lawn mower/string trimmer than for the person to buy a new one. But, that means our huge backyard shed is overflowing into the yard with machines and parts as well as tools. I haven’t yet found, in 21+ years of marriage, a way to get him organized. 🙂 Maybe most creative types just aren’t?
That must be it. And why they need us so much 🙂 I’m good with that. And being the official Shop Assistant.
I agree separate work shop. We moved and downscaled after retiring. We built 42 by 64 garage with promise that my car would be inside. Ha! His toys got larger ( farm tractor, skidster, 4 wheelers,more shop tools), you get the picture. So added 24 ft. more. Well then came pontoon and bulldozer a new barn was built to accommodate. So 15 years later the car is still outside. Good luck with trying to keep him organized. In 50 years of marriage I haven’t learned how so I hope you have better luck.
Oh this is so funny. Really. I need a picture of this mammoth sized structure for all the toys and your tiny car sitting out in the cold. You gave me a good laugh. But 50 years together someone’s doing something right!
One thing we are going to do once we get the pegboard and cabinets up in the garage, is I am going to paint the pegboard a light color, then once hubby has his tools hung up the way he wants, I am going to outline them in black, so everyone will know where to put back any tool that was taken down (and we’ll know right away which one is missing). Hubby knows where his tools go, but the rest of us don’t always.
Lovely pic of very organized garage…. I dream to be that organized. However, in New England, garages never (!) stay that clean. Between the wet leaves in the fall, the chunks of snow mixed with dirt and salt in the winter and then the mud in the spring; we need a power washer to remove it all…
I guess we do need to remember that a garage is still a garage! I just want to make sure ours will have room to keep our cars out of the winter weather.
Love your emails/blog! The website www.familyhandyman.com has wonderful and inexpensive ideas and how to’s for organizing the garage, cleaning tips, etc. and many of them are quite similar to yours. Thought you or your readers might want to take a look. It has become my bible for doing things around the house. Something I haven’t found suggested anywhere is the use of Popsicle sticks. They are the handiest things in the world (I’m telling on myself for eating so many). I use them in the garage for scraping nails etc back into the appropriate containers. I use them with a cut up tshirt rag to clean in the crevices all over the house and they make a beautiful smooth line if you are applying calking somewhere. Because they are wooden and pliable they don’t scratch whatever your cleaning such as the grooves in cabinets or furniture. Just thought I would share the tip since it sounds like you will be cleaning up a lot in the garage.
Thanks … great tip! I will check out that site and also the sticks.
Good luck assisting your wood worker. I too have a husband with the same hobby. We built a second garage specifically for his shop 18 years ago when we had our house built and so glad we did. Even with a huge dust collection system, there is still saw dust everywhere. Now that he is retired, he does keep his shop organized and does make me and our family and friends a lot of cool furniture Nd other things. If it’s not too late, think of building him a separate shop.
Yep. Agree! I have your husband’s (and Mary’s) triplet brother right here. One unintended consequence: Small woodchips come into the house in his pockets and on his clothing in spite of efforts to keep the chips out. I have to be vigilant in keeping this stuff out of the lint collector in the dryer! I don’t want it to accumulate in the vents and be a fire hazard.
Aren’t we the lucky ones! Could we ever afford to buy the things our hubbies make? I know I couldn’t. My hubs can copy things I find in magazines, Pinterest … Pottery Barn Catalog! And often he improves on them. And his creations will last through eternity. He uses a lot of glue, screws. And screws and more screws. I love it.
Wouldn’t that be nice! I think we may actually divide that 3rd garage with a full on wall floor to ceiling. That will help contain all that sawdust. Actually, I love the smell of sawdust 🙂