Here we continue out list of how to tidy up your garage for the coming Spring months.
Rooftop racking.
With the walls taking some of your bric-a-brac, the ceiling can offer some overhead storage space.
Overhead shelves can be bolted to the roof or roof beams and you can store your out of season gear up there.
With the right know-how, you can build your own overhead storage shelves using wooden joists. Alternatively, you can buy specially made steel shelves that you can easily assemble and mount. Using shelves hanging from the ceiling can help protect items stuff from mice and other animals that an easily get to them on the floor.
For certain items, hooks can be drilled into the ceiling and used to suspend them. An example is hanging a kayak from a hook embedded In the ceiling.
Shelves and hooks are not the only overhead option. Some home owners avoid drilling when they can. If your garage has beams, you can drape and loop sturdy ropes around them to form a cradle; these can also be used to store a kayak too. The best items to store like this are things that are too large or bulky to take off and on a platform, for every use.
Be sure to take the measurements of the available space, that still allows you have maximum head room. Be mindful of the weight of what you are chucking up there too, to prevent a collapse of the shelving.
Use floor space.
The popular options for covering the garage floor are floor tiles, epoxy covering or paint. These are generally water-resistant, chemical resistant and easy to wipe. They also have slightly different advantages over each other. For example, while garage floor tiles are expensive, they last for a very long time.
With the floor sorted, maximise your actual work area by installing a workbench for organizing your tools. In addition, you can install a workstation where you can construct, modify, tinker with your pet projects. The best workstations are built with steel to survive harsh workshop treatment. Many of them can also be expanded using tieplates. It’s dead easy to assemble as there are no nuts and bolts to fiddle with, all you need is a rubber mallet to tap the parts firmly in place!
The chipboard surface on both the work benches and workstations should be easy to clean. Look for workstations with multiple shelves; these shelves have a weight loading of 100Kg (UDL) . Some workbenches can have peg boards and bin stations built in. The peg boards can hold the most frequently used tools, while the bin stations help keep track of small bits that can be easily lost.
For maximum floor space usage, get some more auxiliary storage items. Small plastic bins can be used to store small items like screw, bolts, tacks, nails, drill bits etc. This helps to keep your workbench surface tidy. Another space saver is to cast your eye around your now-organized garage. Look for any spaces where there is still a gap. You can put a collapsible shelf there. Get one that you can fold up and latch when not in use, and can also drop down easily when needed.
We are finally at the end of this spring reclamation. Sounds like a ton of work, right? You need to pace yourself, attempting to do it at once will overwhelm you and you will quit before you even start.
These steps can be spread out over a week. We advise that you spend one day on each section, this allows you to pace yourself and thoroughly complete each stage. Ordering the workstation and workbenches on the day you map the plan will allow ample delivery time. This will allow you complete the garage reclamation in about five days.
Whether you are a car collector or simply use your garage for storage, arranging and optimizing the available space guarantees that you are using it to its maximum benefit.
Simple planning allows you to take full advantage of every possible corner of your garage. From the walls to the ceiling to the use of spaces under workbenches, every part of your garage CAN be used effectively for storage.
Monarch Shelving is a leading supplier of storage items.
From workbenches, workstations, small bins, cabinets, we can cater to all storage needs in warehouses, garages, offices etc. With daily deliveries to Oldham, Liverpool, Huddersfield, Warrington, Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, and as far as Edinburgh, we can guarantee next day delivery on most items. Call us today to discuss your storage needs. You’ll be glad you did.
Part 1 here
