If your garage has room for everything except a car, don’t worry. Organizing a garage is a project you can do in just one weekend. You’ll know exactly what you have and where it is.

Cleaning

The first step of garage organization is to look through space and determine what items should or can be stored together, such as:

• Gardening supplies and tools
• Sports and hobby gear
• Seasonal items, such as holiday decorations
• Household tools and hardware
• Automotive tools and supplies
• Paints and combustibles
• Garbage and recycling

For items that you’re getting rid of, sort into three piles: recycle, toss and donate.

After you’ve sorted, clean your garage from top to bottom. This is a great time to remove stains from your concrete floor or paint the walls.

Planning

Now it’s time to draw up a plan. Use grid paper and note measurements, windows and doors, and utilities. Also determine how much room you’ll need for your car.

Mark zones for storing your things.

• Garden tools work best near the door.
• Trash and recycling should be within easy reach.
• Seasonal items can be stored out of the way.

Keep in mind some zones might overlap with overhead storage or shelves.

Organizing

Once you have your plan and you’ve selected your storage options, it’s time to start getting things back in order. Here are some ideas.

Step 1

Keep lawn and garden tools off the floor with an adjustable hanging rail system. The rails mount to your garage walls and you add hooks to hang tools. The open floor space underneath is a great spot for your mower or wheelbarrow.

If you’re still struggling for space, consider buying a garden shed and moving the yard tools and supplies there.

Step 2

Use hanging rails for sports gear too. Baskets are available for balls you can use hooks for bats. Hooks are also great for hanging bikes out of the way during colder months. When summer rolls around, use a small rack on the floor so you can grab and go.

Step 3

The traditional workbench is ideal for weekend projects. You can make low cabinets multifunctional by adding a top for use as a workbench.

Use versatile pegboard for a custom layout of hand tools, shelves, and storage bins. Outline the tools on the pegboard to indicate when something is missing. Use drawers for small tools and cabinets for larger items. Some cabinets even have locks for added security and safety. If children are in the home, consider locking cabinets for storing materials or tools that could be dangerous.

Step 4

Other items that you use frequently can be stored on open wire shelves. Just keep them around eye level or lower for easy access.

Overhead shelving attaches to your ceiling joists, keeping less frequently used items out of the way. These shelves are ideal for seasonal items. Use plastic storage bins so you can easily see what’s inside and keep everything dust-free.

Step 5

Place your trash and recycling bins within easy reach of the house. Keep a clear path to the outside so you can easily move them to the curb.