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Is your garage drowning in clutter? From vehicles to garden tools, outdoor furniture, and more, it’s easy to let it become chaotic. If this scenario feels all too familiar, you’re not alone. It may seem like an unavoidable reality, but imagine how much simpler life could be with a tidier space.
Discover our clever garage storage ideas to create an organised haven. Read on for practical tips and tricks to achieve a clutter-free transformation!
1. Cleaning tool rack
Cleaning tools, such as brooms, mops and dustpans, are one of the causes of clutter. Keep the space clean and tidy by putting them in an organiser; it takes up much less space.
It could be store-bought or, even better, DIY. Scrap wood and some straps or hooks will suffice in recreating this tool hanger.
2. Metal tub hose holder
A lying hose on the garage floor can quickly clutter the space and cause potential trip hazards. If hooking them on the wall won’t do, opt for this method instead! Wrap the expanding garden hose pipe around a metal tub attached to the wall. It’s simple, effective and attractive.
3. Rack for spray cans
A garage will always have that miscellaneous corner filled with paint. A wall-mounted rack is a perfect solution to keep spray cans off the floor or on your benchtop.
4. Take advantage of the ceiling beams
You’re lucky if your garage has exposed ceiling support beams! You can turn them into convenient storage space; take a cue from this one. With a bit of carpentry, you can have built-in storage to tuck seasonal items, such as a Christmas tree, out of the way.
Ceiling beams are horizontal or diagonal support structures. They’re often made of wood or metal, providing structural stability overhead.
5. The ultimate power tool holder
This is like the spray paint rack, but way better! Don’t let your power tools end up scattered around your garage. A DIY rack made from pieces of wood or PVC pipes will work as a “docking” station for them. Gather wood or PVC pipes, cut them to size and assemble them into a rack shape.
6. Hanging jars for nails and screws
Don’t you love creative upcycle ideas when they turn out this pleasing? This strategy for storing nails, screws, and other pieces of hardware is one of the A+s on our list! Use small plastic jars to sort all types of fasteners, then mount the lids to the underside of a shelf.
7. Magnetic catchall
One of the secrets to a supersized storage capacity without moving the walls (or selling your car) is here! A magnetic catchall is an organiser equipped with magnets. It’s great for holding paintbrushes and other metal tools.
Install magnetic strips to keep your little items organised and easy to access. For smaller items like pencils, attach soup cans.
8. Hooks on the ceiling for bikes
We get it; you cherish your bike as much as you do with your car. So, who’s going to park in the garage? Fret not, this space-savvy bike storage will give your vehicle enough space inside.
Resist the urge to stash-and-dash with placed hooks on the garage walls or ceiling. Bike storage also makes an excellent solution.
9. Trash bag dispenser
Even though trash bags will eventually end up in landfills, give them somewhere to hang. Not only will it save you from clutter, but it’ll also give you quick and easy access. (Make sure the bags are unused!)
Use two curtain rod brackets and a wooden dowel to create an inexpensive rack for trash bags.
10. The power of pegboards
Pegboards make a practical organisation option. They can be used almost anywhere in your garage.
Perfect for hanging tools behind a workbench or even for the heaviest tools like drills. And the best part about a pegboard is that nothing you hang has to be 100% permanent.
11. Lumber rack
Got some wood scraps occupying your garage floor? This wood storage solution will solve your problem! Have them all organised in a lumber rack.
The style should be based on how much space you have and the size of wood scraps you’ll store. If you have spare scrap wood, it’s best to use them to build the rack!
12. Ball holder
A garage isn’t only for vehicles and tools; it’s also a place where sports equipment is stored. For one, a variety of balls, from basketball and soccer to baseball.
All you need is a few bungee cords and a wooden frame. The best part is that you can adjust the spacing between cords to hold balls of different sizes.
13. Curate a mini gardening zone
Create an easy-access gardening corner with a potting bench. Install some hanging shelving to stash your other equipment and store smaller items.
This is a great way to form a mini leisure pursuit without taking up the whole space and leaving no room for others.
14. Upcycle old filing cabinet
Give old items a new use in your garage, just like this clever old filing cabinet storage. It’d work well if you have a huge workbench, placing the drawers underneath.
You can also use it for keeping long-handled items by turning the locket on its side.
15. PVC drill holder
Keep your cordless drills safe and orderly with these under-shelf PVC holders. Cut the pipe to length and widen it out until it fits the body of the tool perfectly.
Sand any rough edges before attaching them to the shelf. This organisation trick works best for keeping only a few tools.
16. Label the storage bins
Using a lidded storage box works well for storing a variety of things. But if they’re in the same colour, they can be confusing when searching for specific items.
Add vinyl lettering or any type of labelling to the boxes to identify the contents. This will save you time when looking for seasonal decorations or camping supplies.
17. Fishing rod holders
Construct a fishing pole rack in your garage to keep your rods protected and tidy. This clever holder is made from two parallel rows of large ceiling hooks screwed to the ceiling.
Long items can also be stored and organised up high out of the way!
18. Create a mudroom
If your garage has an internal door, it can double as an effective mudroom. A garage mudroom can be created near the door leading to the house.
Add a built-in locker with each cubby having a shelf, coat hooks and storage crates. Label them to encourage children to put their outdoor things away when they come in.
19. Tape dispenser
Use supplies you already have on hand, such as pallets or scrap woods, to create a simple tape dispenser. This handy organiser will keep your tape in place and ensure a roll never gets misplaced again.
Plus, an old hacksaw blade makes the perfect cutting edge for sturdy tape.
20. Invest in more outdoor storage
If there is simply too much stuff to be able to make more space in your garage, consider creating another place it can go, with additional garden storage.
You might be able to make do with a metal or plastic garden storage box, or an outdoor storage cabinet. Alternatively, go all-out and grab a new shed.
21. Overhead seasonal bins
The ceiling in your garage can do more than hold a lightbulb. Fitting racks or platforms up there is a smart way to shift bulky boxes and gear out of the way. Holiday decorations, tents, sleeping bags, or spare suitcases can also live overhead.
Clear bins are a good call, so you can spot things quickly, and a simple label saves you from rummaging. Keep the weight in mind: heavier stuff closer to the wall, lighter bits in the centre.
Before you put the racks up, have a look at the clearance above your car. You don’t want to be pulling in and scraping the roof against a box every time. Also, ensure your racks are secure enough to bear the weight before placing any heavy items up there. Modifications are undertaken at your own risk.
22. Mobile workstation or cart
Have you ever set up a bench, only to realise half your tools are across the garage? A mobile workstation or cart fixes that! Load it with what you need, roll it to where the work is, and you cut out all the back-and-forth.
If you’d rather make your own, an old kitchen trolley or even a sturdy wooden crate on caster wheels can do the trick. Add hooks to the sides to give space for extension cords or hand tools, plus a small tray on top to store screws.
When you’re finished, wheel it out of the way, and your workshop or garage feels open again.
Tip: Line up the top with the equipment you reach for most and use the lower shelves for paints or spare parts.
23. Slatwall or adjustable track systems
Pegboards are fine, but slatwall lets you move things around as your storage needs change. You can move hooks, shelves, and baskets around without drilling new holes every time. The same applies to adjustable tracks, which make it easier to adjust for new tools or larger items.
The walls themselves don’t have to be fully covered – just put the slatwall where you need it. Stand long tools like rakes, shovels, and ladders vertically in a corner so they don’t lean all over the place.
Tip: Putting one up can be a DIY job. Measure first, keep the gaps even, and attach it to wall studs.
24. Upcycled shutters or cabinet doors
Old shutters make surprisingly good wall storage. Their slats make excellent hanging supports for small items and tools. Cabinet doors can do double duty, too: attach wheels and you’ve got a little platform to move heavy stuff around.
Heavy boxes or awkward items become much easier to move, and you don’t have to drag them.
25. Fold-down workbench
This idea is perfect if your garage doubles as a storage area or if you only need a bench for occasional projects. But work out what you need it for.
For instance, a plywood top with hinges works for small tasks. Heavier tools or materials need it screwed into wall studs with strong supports. Again, shelves come in handy for drills, screws, or tape. Fold it up when you’re done, and it barely takes up any room.
Round-up
Is your garage looking like a disaster zone? Fret not; that happens a lot. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to leave it that way!
Too much stuff always creates more clutter. Enter decluttering and storage ideas.
Your first step is getting rid of all the accumulated rubbish. Once the floor has been cleared, your next step is storage for organisation.
We understand that a clutter-free and clean garage isn’t a one-size-fits-all project. This is what our Garage Storage Ideas guide is for. And these 6 advantages of a wooden garage will inspire you even more!
For more garage and storage-related questions, feel free to check our FAQs below! Or shop our range of outdoor storage solutions for more. Garden Buildings Direct also offer dedicated tool shed storage.
Up next on your reading list: 5 Surprising Bike Storage Solutions
Garages For SaleFAQ
How can I organise my garage cheaply?
Keep things off the floor. Use shelves, pegboards, or ceiling racks to store tools, boxes, and equipment. Hang bikes vertically to free up space. Many of the ideas in our list can be done yourself with basic materials, so you don’t need to spend a lot.
How can I make my garage look nice?
A neat and tidy garage automatically makes the space nice-looking. But on top of organising, install indoor lighting systems and ventilate.
What should not be stored in a garage?
Some items shouldn’t be stored in a garage, no matter how convenient, including:
- Propane tanks
- Paper products
- Fresh and canned foods
- Temperature-sensitive items
- Vinyl records and 8mm film
- Electronics
What can I use instead of drywall in the garage?
Go for Plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB). They can be attached over studs quickly with framing screws. Plus, wood doesn’t require any taping, mud, or sanding, unlike drywall.
