How to Declutter Your Garage
This blog will step you through how to declutter your garage. So you can gain more floor space and create an organised and efficient garage area.
Garages are designed to house cars. However, they are often also an overflow area and dumping ground, where all that accumulated “extra stuff” ends up (out of sight and out of mind in a cluttered garage). Garages are often so full of stuff that there is only enough floor space for one car or the car ends up being parked outside.
Here are some effective strategies to help you turn that big, messy collection of random stuff and underutilized storage area in your garage into a functional space for your car, work and hobbies.
5 Simple Steps to Getting Organised
According to the experts, there are 5 simple steps in the decluttering process that will let you reclaim the space in your garage and make life easier:
- Declutter
- Sort everything you are keeping into broad categories
- Plan out the best way to store your collection
- Invest in additional storage shelves, cabinets and containers
- Maintain your clutter free garage
Start Decluttering
Take a day or a weekend to completely empty the garage and go through absolutely everything (including those boxes you didn’t unpack when you moved in).
Make three piles: 1) Keep, 2) Sell/ hold a yard sale/ donate and 3) Throw Out. Then get rid of those things you don’t ever use and will never need.
Sort Everything You Are Keeping Into Broad Categories
Go through the things you are going to keep and group similar items together. Place lawn tools with lawn tools and so on. You may end up with categories like: auto supplies, tools, hardware, toys, exercise equipment, boxes of old clothes, books, sporting equipment, camping gear, gardening tools, seasonal stuff, holiday decorations, power tools, spare and seasonal tyres etc.
Grouping like items together will make them easier to find in the garage and will also give you an idea of the space needed to store each category of items.
Clean Garage
Getting everything out of the garage will also give you a chance to give the space a quick clean and spruce up.
Plan Out the Best Way to Store Your Collection
Sketch Out a Plan of the Garage Space
Sketch out the floor-plan and walls of the garage and mark in the main roller door, plus the other garage doors and access points. Now, calculate how much floor space your car will take. Then allow some additional floor space for access and movement via the doors/ garage door and around the car.
You can then begin to plan out how and where you want to store your various categories of items in the available space remaining.
This approach will ensure easy access and enable you to create the optimal layout and means of storage for the specific items that you have in your garage (an organised haven).
Design Your Layout Based on These Two Principles
There are two main principles to follow, when determining the best garage layout:
1) Maximise Vertical Space
Use as much of the vertical space in the garage as possible. So think about using all the available wall space by utilising: high shelving, garage storage cabinets (shallow and tall), wall hooks for hanging items up, rafters for storing long items, and over-bonnet storage to maximize space utilisation.
2) Create Zones for Each Item Category
Create separate zones for each of the major categories in your collection of items. For example, store garden tools in one area, sports gear in another. Once you have the major zones in place, you can work on from there.
Garage Storage Ideas and Tips
Here are some tips to think about, when you are creating your garage storage plan:
- If your collection contains large equipment, such as mowers, leaf blowers etc, then make this the first storage zone you confirm. Ideally, put your bulky equipment in a corner, so it’s out of the way and not taking up prime real estate
- Locate frequently used items near to an access door/ the garage door. Similarly, locate rarely used items in the hardest to reach spots.
- Locate items you use together close to one another. For example, hang tools on a pegboard next to a workbench for the diy enthusiast
- Make sure you have easy access via the entryways and garage door. Also ensure there is enough space for you to work and move around once the car is parked inside
- Utilise pegboards and slatwall organizers to hang items on the wall. For example, you can hang tools, ladders and bikes on the wall
- Make sure dangerous items (chemicals, tools) are stored in a locked storage cabinet, so they are not a safety hazard, when children are in the house
- Keep things off the garage floor. So you can free up room and make it easy to clean underneath things
- Consider a clothes rack for umbrellas, raincoats and wetsuits etc
- Overhead storage in the garage ceiling is good for long items or those things you only need at certain times of the year.
- Storage bins, tubs and baskets are useful for storing loose and seasonal items. They also let you dispose of packaging. Use a marker/ label maker, so you know what each one contains without needing to look inside.
- Use a rolling or portable storage system to help maximize space utilisation
- Consider repurposing old furniture and trunks for use in the garage
- Bottom shelves are best for heavy, frequently used, or bulky items like power tools.
Invest in a Mix of Garage Storage Solutions
When planning out your garage, use whatever storage you already have and then invest in some complementary shelving, storage cabinets, storage hooks, hanging devices and storage containers.
Consider adding some basic items like: longspan shelving, tyre racking, tubs, hooks, a garage cabinet and a bench for weekend tinkering. Importantly, choose storage solutions that make sense for your unique collection of items. These basic items can transform how your garage looks and functions.
Benefits of Investing in a Mix of Storage Solutions to Improve Garage Storage and Safety
Garage storage usually falls into a few main categories that each suit a different mix of space, budget, and item size. So the best choice depends on what you need to store and how often you access it. Below is a brief summary of each of the main types of storage.
Light Freestanding Shelving
Freestanding shelving is a floor-based unit made from steel, wire, resin, or timber-style panels. It is best for boxes, tools, paint, garden items, and general garage clutter because it is easy to install and move. Pros: simple setup, usually affordable, flexible placement, and often available in many sizes. Cons: it uses floor space, can be less secure in a shake or bump, and may not suit heavy loads unless built for it.
Wall-Mounted Shelving
Wall-mounted shelving attaches to wall studs or masonry and keeps the floor clear. It is best for garages where floor space is limited and for storing everyday items you want easy access to, such as bins, hand tools, and automotive supplies. Pros: maximises vertical space, improves access, and keeps items off the ground. Cons: needs suitable wall structure, can take more effort to install, and may be less flexible if you later change the layout.
Overhead Storage
Overhead storage uses the ceiling area for shelves or racks mounted above the garage floor. It is best for seasonal items, camping gear, luggage, and other things you do not need every day. Pros: saves a lot of floor and wall space, and is useful for bulky but light-to-medium items. Cons: installation is more difficult, access is less convenient, and it is not ideal for items you need often.
Corner Shelving
Corner shelving is shaped to fit unused garage corners. It works well for smaller bins, cleaning products, and items that would otherwise waste space, especially in compact garages. Pros: makes awkward spaces useful, can improve overall layout efficiency, and often pairs well with other shelving. Cons: corner units usually hold less than full-span shelving, and larger items can be awkward to fit.
Heavy-Duty Longspan Shelving
Longspan shelving is a heavier-duty steel system designed for medium to large, bulky and heavier items. It is best for workshops and garages where strength, durability and adjustability matter. Pros: high load capacity, adjustable shelves, and strong value for bulky storage. Metal shelving is preferred in humid environments due to its durability compared to wood or plastic. Cons: it is usually larger, more industrial in appearance, and can be overkill for light household use.
Cabinets and Enclosed Storage
Garage cabinets are enclosed units that hide contents behind doors. They are best for keeping chemicals, tools, and valuable items dust-free, tidy, and less visible. Pros: cleaner look, improved security, and better protection from dust and moisture. Cons: they cost more than open shelving, reduce visibility, and can be less convenient for frequent access.
Bins, Hooks, Panels and Modular Systems
Modular storage uses bins, baskets, hooks, and movable wall accessories to build a custom layout. It is best for flexible garage setups, especially where bikes, garden tools, sports gear, and small parts need to be grouped and moved over time. Pros: highly adaptable, good for mixed items, and easy to expand. Cons: can become messy if not labelled and organised, and accessory systems may cost more than basic shelving.
Maintain Your Decluttered Garage
Once it's decluttered and organised, plan on spending some time maintaining your garage that way. This will ensure it remains tidy year round and for the long haul.
How Our Range of Shelving Can Help you Get Organised
We have a broad range of longspan shelving, workbenches and tyre racking that are ideally suited to garage reorganisation.
Longspan Shelving
Longspan shelving is perfect for organising your garage and keeping it decluttered. The shelves are open, so it’s easy to see what’s there. It’s also efficient in terms of access and space utilization, as there aren’t any doors to open.
Garage Storage Ideas
Longspan is ideal for storing:
- Plastic tubs, pots, buckets, cardboard boxes and archive boxes
- Car, roof-top luggage-boxes
- Sports equipment and fitness gear
- Camping gear
- Toys
- Car repair and maintenance gear
- Beach and surf gear
- Spare and seasonal tyres
- Power tools and spare parts
- Garden tools and maintenance equipment
- Miscellaneous heavy items of irregular size and shape
Standard Duty Longspan
Our Standard Duty range is powder coated in white and comes in two sizes:
- 1.5mWx0.5mDx2.0mH, 120Kg/ level
- 2.0mWx0.6mDx2.0mH, 200Kg/ level
These shelves are designed for light to medium duty storage and are popular for storing cartons, tubs and miscellaneous items.
Heavy Duty Longspan
Our Heavy Duty range is tri-coloured (orange/ white/ blue) and is rated to 300Kg/ level. It comes in a comprehensive range of sizes, as shown in the table below. So you can mix-n-match units to fit any sized space.
| Width | 2.0m High | 2.4m High | 2.7m High |
| 1.0m | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1.5m | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 2.0m | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 2.5m | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
These shelves are built for heavy duty use and will handle just about anything you are likely to store in a garage, apart from the heaviest engine components.
We also have two lower rated units in the heavy duty range (see below):
- 1.0mWx0.5mDx2.0mH, 150Kg/L
- 1.5mWx0.5mDx2.0mH, 150Kg/L
They complement the 300Kg units and are often used for lighter storage situations.
Work Bench
Our workbenches are made from all steel and are part of our 300Kg/L, Heavy Duty range. As such, you can use them separately or connect them into a row with other workbenches or with other longspan shelving units in the range.
The workbenches are 0.95m high and come in widths of 1.0m, 1.5m, 2.0m and 2.5m.
Tyre Racking
Our tyre racks are also part of our 300Kg/L, Heavy Duty range and they come in all the same sizes. Use them for your spare or seasonal tyres.
Benefits
Durable So Your Investment Will Last
Our shelving, tyre racks and workbenches are made from quality steel and powder coated for long-term durability and long lasting resistance to rust. So your shelving will continue to look clean and professional into the future.
A Range of Sizes to Match Your Needs
They come in a range of different sizes, load ratings and finishes to match the look and needs of your storage space. So you can easily customize your storage system to suit your requirements.
Sturdy Design
Our shelving units are designed for strength and ease of assembly. The side supports or uprights come as a single, pre-welded piece for extra rigidity and strength. Additionally, the shelves or decks are braced underneath for extra strength.
No Tools Required for Assembly
Assembly doesn't require any tools. The cross beams simply slot into “butterfly-shaped” grooves on the outside of the uprights. The shelving decks then simply slide onto a grooved ledge on the inside of the beams. So the shelves are easy to setup and adjust up and down. They are also easy to dismantle, if you need to move them to a new location.
Fasten Units to the Garage Floor for Increased Safety
All our units are generally stable on a flat, even surface. However, for increased safety, they come with footplates that have predrilled holes in them. So you can fasten the units to the floor. This is especially useful if the floor is uneven, or the shelves are located in high traffic areas or when you are storing heavy items high off the ground.
Buy Additional Components as Required
Our range of shelving can change as your needs change. If you need some addon units to extend your row of shelving or some extra beams or an additional upright that’s not a problem. We sell extra shelf kits and individual component parts as well as our standard 4-shelf units. Think of our shelving like a construction set and build whatever you need – a single unit with two shelves or 5+ tiers in a long row - it’s easy.
3 Year Warranty
Falcon Shelving offers a three year replacement warranty for manufacturing or material defects in any of its products. However, we don’t usually hear from our clients unless they are looking to buy extra shelves or extra units.
Shop Our Range of Storage Products
Falcon Shelving provides a range of garage shelving solutions that can be delivered to all major cities and regional areas across Australia. You can shop our extensive range of shelving products online to help declutter your garage.
