Custom Garage Additions That Solve Storage Problems

Your garage usually starts as an undefined and open space, and even the biggest spaces, if they stay undefined, are magnets for clutter and disorganization. No matter how big your garage is, it can quickly become a storage nightmare. If you want your garage to work with you, not against you, consider custom garage additions.

You Ask a Lot from Your Garage – Start with Determining What You Need

When many homeowners have a storage problem, their first line of defense is to start buying organizers. There is a huge industry that claims to offer a solution to any storage problem. However, just like any other home improvement project, you can’t jump into the middle of a solution and expect it to work. You need to start with a plan, and that plan begins with determining exactly what you need. Before you start the project, consider what you are asking of your garage.

• What are you storing? Seasonal items that aren’t used often? Outdoor toys and sports equipment? Tools? Gardening supplies?
• It may sound obvious, but do you need space for your cars? This includes enough space around the vehicle to get in and out without damage.
• Do you use your garage as a workshop? Is a worktable important to you? Are you planning to work on your car in the garage?
• Does everything in your garage need to stay? Are there items that would be better suited for the attic, the basement, or an outdoor shed?
• Are your storage issues due to too much clutter that can be culled? Is the space safe for children and pets? Do you need a bigger space?

Once you know what you need from your garage, you can talk to the professionals about finding not just a solution, but the right solution.

Built-In Cabinetry and Shelving Tuck Clutter Away

Built-ins are a homeowner’s best friend, and your contractor has all the right options. Built-in cabinets keep clutter out of sight and protect your family and pets from hazardous items, like chemicals or tools. Cabinets that can lock protect your family and what you are trying to store. There are many options for garage storage, some of which can be purchased at big-box home improvement stores, but this isn’t always the best option. The advantage of choosing built-ins over freestanding cabinets or shelving is twofold. First, you can be assured that your storage will be secure. In a garage, you are typically storing items that are heavy or potentially hazardous. Unless your storage is mounted to the walls, it can be a serious hazard for children and pets who may try to climb shelves or pull on cabinet doors. With built-ins, everything is secure. The second advantage is that built-in storage is completely customizable. You can get exactly what you need for all of your items without trying to fit into a system that wasn’t designed for you.

Overhead Storage is Perfect for Seasonal Items

Garages serve so many purposes. You keep outdoor equipment that gets used frequently in there, but you also have seasonal items, like camping gear, outdoor holiday lights, and bulky items that eat up space. Overhead storage is perfect for these items. Garage racks can make use of the garage ceiling and free up floor space for the things you need to store in a more accessible way.

However, you need to make sure that your overhead storage is done with safety in mind. This is why it’s best to get a professional to help you with the installation process. You need to make sure that the system you install can handle the weight, and there is a way to get items up and down safely. Motorized racks, overhead storage with additional support and safety rails, and built-in ladders for access are all excellent options. Your contractor can help you determine the best system and make sure it’s installed safely to protect you, your family, and your vehicles.

Wall Systems Keep Everything Neatly in Sight

Have you ever struggled with the “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist” issue in storage? Clutter breeds chaos, so you tuck all your small tools away – in bins, in boxes, in fancy organizers. Boom – now instead of clutter, you have a neat stack of matching bins. The problem is that most homeowners don’t make good use of those bins. We store things neatly, then never touch them again. Maybe it’s too much of a hassle, or maybe it’s because we forget how we organized things, but for many homeowners, storage bins backfire. Many homeowners will even go so far as to purchase new tools or equipment because items in the bin are “out of sight, out of mind”. Mounted wall storage systems are perfect for this problem. You remove the clutter from the shelves and the floor and then organize it, keeping it in sight and at hand for when you need it.

Wall systems are the best solution for the things you need to use but want to keep organized. Your contractor can help you develop different zones in your garage for various storage needs, like a tool station, a sports area, a yard work zone, and an automotive zone. Slatwalls and pegboards can maximize your vertical space and provide easy access, keeping everything off the floor and out of the way, while keeping it in your line of sight.

Need a Place to Work? If You Can Envision It, We Can Help Make It Happen

Garages aren’t just for the storage of rakes and basketballs, but also a place to park your car. With the right additions, you can use your garage as a workshop or hobby shop. Once you have everything out of the garage and have maximized your storage, talk to your contractor about building in a space for a tool bench, worktable, or anything else that you may want. The advantage of working with a contractor is that they are able to look at the space and find ways to repurpose the square footage to get you what you want.

Ready for a Bigger Garage?

Sometimes it’s all about rearranging the layout or finding storage spaces, but sometimes you do need more space. Expanding the footprint of your garage is possible, and in many cases, can be easier than adding an addition to your home. A bump-out is the most popular solution, as it is usually a simple rectangular design that won’t make too significant an impact on your yard. You can create a space big enough to house a tool shop, a sports equipment area, or space for your lawn equipment. It gets some of your storage needs out of the main space and can be done quickly.

There is so much potential in your garage, and your contractor can help you unlock it by looking at solutions that are uniquely designed to solve your storage and space issues. When you are ready to declutter and organize in a way that turns your garage from a free-for-all to an enviable and functional space in your home, talk to a contractor about finding the right way to start.

Ready to transform your garage? Contact Total Quality Construction today for custom solutions that make the most of your space.