The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Utilizing  garage storage solutions in the available space in your garage for extra storage space is an excellent idea for those with a cluttered home. However, if you need additional storage space, you may consider renting a nearby storage unit.

Unfinished space above the rafters exists in most garages and is easily the popular choice for expanding your available storage. Look to your local hardware store and online for ready solutions. There are also sheet metal fabrication specialists that will design and fabricate storage systems for you. Perhaps a loft accessible via a fold-down ladder will suit your needs. For do-it-yourselfers, check out Fleximounts. They offer packaged solutions and will guide you to choosing the products that will best fit your space.  Photos show real-life garages with storage solutions managed with the use of their products.  Heavy gauge steel racks are available in five sizes and the height can be adjusted from 22” to 40” to suit your needs. Storage hooks are available that work with this system, so not only can you stow all of your clutter off the floor and out of the way, but you can hang items like extension cords and bike tools from bead roller australia. 

Keeping track of the kids’ sporting gear can become quite a task. Games and practice sessions for more than one person and for several sports complicates the problem. Rather than trying to keep track of gear that may or not be in more than one vehicle or stowed in more than one place in the garage, consider a system of lockers. Each family member can keep track of their own stuff without it getting lost and creating a panicked search when game time comes. A variety of lockers are available in different colors and materials. Foster responsibility while creating a storage system for everyone’s gym bags, balls, bats, skates, helmets, shin guards, etc.

There is nothing more frustrating than tripping over bicycles when trying to maneuver through the garage. There are many different racks and hooks available to help solve this problem, although some of them rather expensive. For a quick solution that is very affordable, consider the Racor Pro Bike Lift. This lift allows you to store a bike by hoisting it overhead. It will work with ceilings up to 14’ in height and lift up to 50 pounds. With a price less than $20 per lift.  You should also visit samiconstruction.ie for ideas on how to add some space to your garage.

With a little effort and a few new storage accessories, you’ll be able to maximize garage storage in a manner that suits your needs and lifestyle.

Tags: garage storage

Are you looking for a garage that offers extra storage? This garage plan with loft can satisfy a wide variety of storage needs. The design offers four garage bays. The two on the left are deep enough to serve as tandem bays an easily store two cars each (three cars each if they are small.) Or perhaps you need to store a boat and trailer or your pop up camper. The outside bay on the left is well equipped for that task too. It offers a 10×10 overhead garage door and an 11’ ceiling. You might prefer to store you boat in the bay on the right. It too has a 10×10 overhead garage door and an 11’ ceiling. The bay is deep enough for storing your boat. The two center bays have 10×8 overhead doors and a 9’ ceiling. They are well suited for parking the family cars. Others might used these bays for parking ATVs, a motorcycle, or jetski. With such a flexible arrangement of garage bays, one might opt to store seasonal items, a pair of canoes, the family bikes or a golf cart. Still others may turn one bay into a workshop or a storage area for basement and attic overflow. A utility room, half bath and service area complete the main level. Finish the second floor loft as a recreation room the whole family can enjoy or maybe transform it into a hobby room, art studio or exercise room. If you can’t think of a way to use the loft space, you can always designate it as a storage room. Practical, flexible and designed for various storage needs, this garage plan with boat storage has more to offer than you might expect.

For more designs like this one, please browse our collection of Garage Plans with Boat Storage and Garage Plans with Lofts.

Tags: boat storage garage, Garage Loft Plans, garage plans with lofts, Garage Plans with Storage, garage storage

As your garage door opens, are you frightened at the sight of what is inside? Do you ever wonder how it got to be so cluttered and full of stuff? Do you wonder if you’ll ever be able to park the car inside the garage again? Do you wonder if you’ll ever be able to find a certain tool or toy that’s stashed inside?

You may think it will be impossible to get your garage organized, but there is hope. Installing cabinets and other organizational accessories will create storage space allowing you to get things up off the floor and put them in a place where you’ll be able to find them next time you need them. Garage storage cabinets are available in a wide variety of choices so it should be easy to find just the right ones to fit in your garage and accommodate all of your belongings. In addition to cabinets, there are other garage storage accessories available like shelving units, workbenches and counters that provide extra storage space and even work space.

Take some time to consider what items you want to store in your garage and what will go into the self storage facility downtown, this will help you determine how many cabinets and storage shelves you’ll need to accommodate all of your belongs. Do you need a workbench or counter? Consider locking cabinets for items that you need to keep out of reach of small children such as power tools or harmful chemicals such as weed killer. But don’t forget to accommodate the kids. Choose lower cabinets and shelving units that are easy to access for the kids to store outdoor toys, bike helmets, baseball bats and gloves, etc.

Once cabinets, shelving units and other storage accessories are installed, store all your belongings in their designated spaces. Each time you use a particular item, return it to the place you got it from. This will help keep the garage floor clear and leave room for you to park the family car.

For more ideas like this one, check out The Garage Plan Shop’s resource page and our blogs about garage organization.

Tags: garage organization, garage storage, Organization, storage cabinets, storage shelves

Weather you have an attached or detached garage, there are many things you can do to be safe inside and around the garage. From ensuring your own personal health and safety and that of others to protecting what is stored inside the garage, these tips from The Garage Plan Shop will help you practice garage safety:

• If it isn’t necessary to have your garage door open, keep it closed. An open garage door is an invitation for any passer-by/burglar to have a street view of everything you have inside. If they see something appealing, they might just decide to help themselves when you’re not looking stealing tools, bikes and other valuables. Or, they may watch and wait for you to leave before they strike. And remember, often the things in our garage will provide an indication about what is inside the house turning your garage burglar into a house burglar too.
• Keep all windows and doors locked and secured when you’re not inside the garage. An unlocked window or door leaves opportunity for someone to break-in your garage. Lock windows and screens when you don’t need them open and keep the overhead door and any service entries locked when not in use.
• Install motion lights outside the perimeter of your garage. If you need to head to the garage late at night or you are coming home late, the motion lights will light your way from the garage to the house or vice-versa. They will also deter burglars. And you’ll appreciate an outside light turning on when you pull in the driveway late at night. Motion lights have an added bonus, the save energy by only coming on where there is motion rather than keeping a light on all night. 
• Organize the inside of the garage and keep everything in its place. Not only will this make it easy to find something you are looking for, but it will keep the floor and pathways clear making it easy to walk around in the garage and pull the car inside without risk of tripping over something or driving over something such as a sharp tool or rake that could potentially damage your tires.
• Store items such as power tools out of reach or out of sight of children. It is best to keep them locked in a storage closet or cabinet inside the garage, but it you don’t have a place to lock them up, install sturdy shelving units or cabinets and store dangerous power tools and other items that may have your children up and out of reach.
• Do not store flammable materials such as paint cans, gasoline containers and lawn fertilizer in your garage, especially if your garage is attached or situated near your home. If your garage catches fire, there is a good chance your house might too. Not only are these items at risk for catching fire, but they also give off hazardous fumes of not sealed and stored properly. These fumes can make their way into your home putting everyone at risk. It is best to store flammable items and other harmful chemicals in a backyard storage shed as far away from the home and garage as possible.
• If flooding ever threatens your property, chances are your garage will be the first to take on water. Such cases call for the help of a professional fire restoration or water damage restoration minneapolis company. It is important that the water is removed from the appliances in your garage as well as moisture from the interior because it can also become the reason for a short circuit in your house. The flood cleaning service providers have the tools and technologies that will help to remove moisture from the interior. And if your crawlspace hasn’t been encapsulated yet, contact a professional crawlspace encapsulation service to get the job done.
• Never let your car run inside the garage with the garage door closed. The build-up of gases and emissions from a running car can cause serious illness and even death. If you need to warm your car up in the winter, back it out of the garage or at least open the garage door all the way to let the harmful gases escape.

Following these safety tips will help protect the items you store inside your garage and prevent unnecessary health risks to you and your family.

Tags: garage organization, garage plans, garage safety, garage safety tips, garage storage, Safety, safety tips

Detached garage plans are versatile utilitarian structures that satisfy a multitude of needs. They are an ideal addition to almost any piece of property due to their flexible nature. Furthermore, detached garages are available in a broad range of sizes and styles appealing to a diverse group of builders and buyers. From a simple 1-car garage plan to a 3-car garage with an apartment above, these practical parking shelters have plenty to offer. So what can a detached garage do for you? Consider one of The Garage Plan Shop’s garage floor plans or garage apartment plans for one or a combination of these purposes:

• Sheltered parking for the family cars
• Storage space for basement or attic overflow
• Workshop for the family handyman
• Boat storage
• Storage for “water toys” like kayaks, jet skis and canoes
• Storage for lifejackets, beach towels, fishing poles, inner tubes and other water gear
• RV storage
• Motorcycle storage
• Golf cart or ATV parking
• Hobby or craft room
• Backyard shed
• Storage space for seasonal items like holiday decorations
• Mechanic’s garage
• Storage for auto parts and tools
• Lawn and garden storage
• A place for the kids’ sporting equipment like bikes, scooters, skateboards, helmets, ball gloves, baseball bats, hockey sticks and more
• A place for adults to store sporting equipment, hunting gear, golf clubs and outdoor wear
• Upper level home office, exercise room, home theater or recreation room
• Guest or in-law suite
• Rental property for extra income
• Privacy for your college student
• Living quarters for the nanny, grounds keeper, ranch hands, etc.
• Temporary living quarters while a permanent residence is being built
• Vacation home or weekend retreat
• An alternative to a hunting cabin
• Private residence for an aging relative who enjoys privacy and independence, but sometimes requires a bit of assistance

With detached garage plans, the possibilities are endless, just use your imagination.

Tags: detached garages, garage floor plans, garage plans, garage storage, uses for a garage