8 Tips for a Supremely Organized Winter Garage
Snow and mud make a disorganized garage even worse. These ideas for storage and planning will keep your space clean and dry
Shawn Gauthier
November 14, 2012
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected,... More
Mountains of snow on the horizon mean that shovels, snow blowers, skis and more are about to come out of the woodwork. Prepare appropriately for the daily use of winter equipment and gear by getting your garage in tip-top shape now. An organized garage that acts as a functional storage space will keep everything you need at hand, allowing you to move through chores and errands with efficiency and ease. Optimize your garage space by following the below tips from the pros.
Plan accordingly. Before you make any move, assess your space carefully. Even if you want to do the dirty work yourself, you may want to call in a professional simply to help you create a working vision. “You want to understand exactly what your personal storage requirements are, and then design your garage accordingly to fit your needs,” says Jeff Murphy, president of Murphy and Co. Design. “It’s amazing what a good design can do to the quality of life in your garage.”
Avoid general floor storage. First rule of thumb: Keep the garage floor as clear as possible. “Snow melting off your car will make anything left out wet and muddy,” says Rozalia Kiss, design manager at transForm.
Work your walls. Use all the wall space available; this not only keeps things off the floor, but also leaves optimal space for your car. “Consider a wall track system to hang shovels and other tools in an easy-to-reach place by the garage door,” says Kiss. “For heavy, bulky items such as winter sports equipment, install deep garage shelving with metal stiffeners.”
Look up for general storage. Running out of available wall space? Use the ceiling. “There are many great companies that specialize in simple garage storage, including overhead storage that can mount on your current ceiling,” Murphy says.
Consider creating a gear closet. Murphy suggests creating a dedicated sports or gear closet out of a room accessed directly from the garage. “These spaces are simply a larger closet with shelves and open storage, which works great for unloading kids’ sports items right from a vehicle into a room where it doesn’t matter if it becomes wet or dirty,” he says. “This room is typically heated the same as the house.”
Hang racks for skis and snowboards. “Mounting a ski or snowboard rack on the wall is a nice way to keep the clutter down in the garage,” says Murphy. “It allows for a dedicated location to keep them off the floor and out of the way of tipping over.”
Keep sand and salt at hand. Use sliding wire baskets or install a tilt-out hamper for easy access to sand, salt and even (well-wrapped) birdseed. “This also helps to keep them protected, stored and off the floor all winter long,” says Kiss.
Install motion-sensor-activated and battery-powered LED lights. You never know when a winter storm might challenge your power, so it’s best to be prepared. “Motion-sense-activated and battery-powered LED lights help you find supplies in the event of a power outage and can be easily mounted under cabinets to illuminate countertops, and installed in drawers and closets,” says Kiss.
Related Stories
Storage
Key Measurements for the Perfect Garage
Get the dimensions that will let you fit one or more cars in your garage, plus storage and other needs
Full Story
Organizing
How to Organize Your Garage on Nearly Any Budget
Control the clutter in your garage with ideas that address your storage needs and work with your budget
Full Story
Guesthouses
Houzz Tour: Architect Reimagines a Garage as a Guesthouse
By Julie Sheer
A converted multiuse space and an added carport are stylish updates to a historic New England home
Full Story
Organizing
How to Pare Down and Pack Up for a Garage Makeover
A garage remodel can be a great opportunity to winnow down and organize your belongings
Full Story
Houzz Call
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Garage Makeover
Have you given your garage or a client’s garage a new purpose? Please share your best photo and tell us about it
Full Story
Housekeeping
7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage
Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting
Full Story
Home Offices
Explore a Garden Designer’s Gem of a Backyard Studio
By Becky Harris
An architect helps transform an existing garage into a home office surrounded by beauty
Full Story
Organizing
10 Smart Ideas From Beautifully Organized Garages
These spaces do more than store a car
Full Story
Organizing
How to Do a Serious Garage Clean-Out
Downsizing or decluttering? This guide can help ease the pain of paring back
Full Story
Garages
Planned Garage Evolves Into a Multifunctional Barn
By Becky Harris
The architects use Texas Hill Country limestone, cedar and metal to create an elegant utilitarian structure
Full Story
Here, you can fin some examples of the shelving and tables being used to organize and add workspace to a garage. Metro is THE solution for long term needs.