A lot of us struggle with keeping our garages free of clutter. In fact, it’s even gotten to the point where it feels like garages are no longer meant for cars. Why is that? Simply because too many of us use it for all the other stuff we need to be stored away from the home. But with a few organisational strategies in mind you can use your garage for storage, and fit your car in there too. You’ll find that you’ll be much more productive when you’re not tripping over lawn tools and other random items in your garage.
So set aside a day, or at least half a day, when you’ll have no other commitments and can devote time towards clearing and cleaning your garage. Here are ten of our best organisational tips and tricks to get things rolling.
1. Create a plan
Sometimes the biggest challenge with cleaning out a space is just knowing where to start. To help you with this, you can plan ahead of time what your intention is and what you’d like to do with the garage space. Do you want to use it for car storage, as a home office, or just to store all your other ‘stuff’ that doesn’t fit at home? Once you have your answer, plot out where you’d like everything in the garage to be stored. If you want to use your garage as a home office, always make sure it’s a safe and healthy environment. A Louvre garage door or sectional garage doors with windows can give a high level of airflow combined with natural light to any home office.
2. Clear the space
It’s always best to start with a clean slate than try to rearrange things in a messy area. Make sure it’s a nice day, lay out some tarps on the lawn or driveway and take every single thing out of your garage. Create three separate piles outside, one for ‘keeping’, one for ‘donating’, and a third for ‘selling’. Be ruthless and only hold onto the things you will actually use. You’ll be surprised by how many things you’ll find in your garage that you’ve forgotten about or no longer need. So why not make a few extra dollars while clearing out the garage? Once you’ve sorted everything you can assign each pile a place in the garage and take in the following organisation and storage tips to keep them neat in the garage.
3. Use wall brackets as hanging storage
A key to keeping a space organised and looking neat is to work vertically. This will help conserve floor space. Install wall brackets to create more floor space so you can hang up lawn chairs, large garden tools, and other garage essentials. Along with the wall brackets, a wall mounted pegboard is great for smaller tools.
4. Overhead rack
Speaking of floor space, wouldn’t it be nice if the kayak leaning against the wall was well and truly out of the way? A great place for long, large items like that is up above in the ceiling! Install some racks above your garage door to keep things hidden and out of the way. This is especially great for seasonal items that you won’t even look at during certain times of the year.
5. Magnetic tool holder
A lot of people use magnets in the kitchen for easy access to knives and utensils. WHy not use them in your garage as well? Fasten a strip magnet along a board on your wall and stick to it tools like hammers and screwdrivers. This way you don’t have to dig around in a box or drawer to find what you need.
6. Bungee cord ball holder
This is a great idea for sporty families or those with lots of kids. Attach 3 or 4 bungee cords vertically to some boards attached to your wall. Now you have a makeshift ‘basket’ in which to place all your rugby, basket, or bouncy balls. The bungee cords will hold them in place while also allowing for easy access to any ball, even if it’s at the bottom of the pile.
7. Old lockers
This is a neat idea to give everyone in the family their own spot. Find a site where people sell used goods, such as Gumtree, and you could be likely to find some old school lockers. Find a spot in your garage and assign a locker to each family member. You can then place all your bike helmets, sports equipment, tools, and even seasonal jackets in them.
8. Fold-up worktable
A worktable can take up a lot of space, but it doesn’t need to. Create a handy table that stays folded up against the wall until it’s time to be used. All you’ll need is a few pieces of wood, some hinges, and you’re done.
9. Pallet for sporting equipment
It’s so easy to find pallets lying around most warehouses and large stores. They’re usually free to take if left outside. You can paint over or varnish a pallet and place it on its side to create a great space for storing sports items such as field hockey and cricket sticks. For the stylish designers, you can also decorate pallets quite easily.
10. Label, label, label
When organising any space, it’s very important to label. This is especially true in the garage. Make sure that all boxes and drawers are clearly marked and that you’re always putting things back where they belong. It can be extremely frustrating trying to navigate a garage while searching for that certain type of nail or screw and having no idea where they may be.
Organising and cleaning a cluttered garage can be a daunting and intimidating task. Follow the tips in this article to make it easier to not only clean up but to maintain an organised system that stays clean for years to come.
There are so many advantages in automating your garage door.
Let’s face it, there aren’t too many more irritating things than getting out of your car in the pouring rain or freezing cold to manually open or close your garage door.
When you have an automated garage door, just the press of one button from inside or outside your car opens or closes it. Never suffer the harsh elements again!!!
Another major advantage of automating your garage door involves security. All automatic operators have an automatic locking feature which engages when the door is fully closed. Therefore you don’t need to turn a key or ensure anything is latched because if an automated door is closed, it’s locked. It’s safe, secure and as simple as that! Of course, if there’s a power failure, all automated operators have a simple manual release feature to allow the door to be easily opened.
Have you ever driven home one night and after frustratingly opening your garage door manually, switched off your lights and engine only to stumble around in the dark trying to find a light switch? Yes, it’s so frustrating! But you’ll never have to endure this again if you automate your garage door because almost all operators possess a courtesy light which switches on and remains on for several minutes when the operator is activated.
A host of accessories are available with your automatic operator which enhances the convenience moreover. Consider for example the installation of a numeric wireless keypad on an outside wall near your garage door. Code in your pin and you can safely and securely operate your door from outside at anytime which is perfect if you’ve locked yourself outside the house or you want to give a family member or friend access to your garage without having to give them a physical hand transmitter.
If you park two cars in your garage, no sweat because most automatic operators come with at least two hand transmitters and one wall mounted remote so everyone can enjoy the convenience of pushing a button to operate the garage door. Of course, if you have more cars, additional hand transmitters can be purchased separately.
Most standard garage doors can be automated from just a few hundred dollars which includes a couple of hours of installation time by a qualified technician. So enjoy the benefits of convenience, security and not to mention adding value to your property by automating your garage door.
The modern day garage no longer just has to be a place to park the car. As space becomes limited and people become more innovative, interesting uses for garage spaces are emerging. Here are a few of the best:
Man cave
Garages generally have a testosterone fueled feel, perhaps because they are where cars, motorcycles and tools are usually kept. For this reason, some people have turned them into fully functioning ‘man caves’, where guys create an oasis to incorporate all the things they love so that they can invite their buddies over to relax and unwind. The man cave garage is not only a place for men to do what they like, but it should also be a safe and healthy environment for them. Consider installing a Louvre garage door or a sectional garage door with windows that can give a high level of airflow and natural light.
Games room
This can be a family-friendly zone, incorporating games that everyone can enjoy. In the past, snooker tables and dart boards were popular but the evolution of technology has seen a dramatic rise of the video game set up, with large screen televisions, gaming chairs and sound systems for an immersive experience.
Gym
For those that like to keep fit but don’t have time to go to the gym or can’t justify the expense of a gym membership, setting up a home gym can be a great option. Working out in the privacy of your own space can be a liberating feeling as you don’t need to wait for equipment or worry about how you may look to other body-conscious gym goers.
Home theatre
Who needs to buy cinema tickets when you can create your own home cinema. A garage wall is perfect for a large projector and there’s plenty of space for a row of comfortable television chairs for the whole family to enjoy. Just don’t wake the neighbours with your earth shattering subwoofer.
Bedroom or guestroom
Prepared to give your teenager some space? Converting the garage into a bedroom can save families during the teenage years by giving the kids their own space and independence, whilst keeping them in the safety of the family home. You could also use this as a guest room if you have regular visitors, providing them with their own privacy when they come to stay.
Office
The rise of the home office is no secret. The garage is the perfect candidate for a home office conversion. Since it is external to the home, it can help create a work and family life separation which is important for many home office workers.
It can also be a more professional look if you have clients that may visit. But the greatest benefit is likely the productivity gains, since you will be less distracted.
Yoga studio
The great thing about yoga is that it doesn’t require any expensive equipment. A floor covering and collection of exercise mats is all you need. You can get some great instructive DVDs if you want something to follow along. Or, if you’re more of a pro yourself and looking to turn it into a commercial venture, remember to check your council zoning classifications.
Craft Room
Whether it’s sewing, scrapbooking, or something else that takes your fancy, having your own space can help you focus on your craft. Hang some inspiring pictures on the wall, set up a table at a comfortable height, add some drawers full of supplies and get creating.
Baby play room
Babies toys have a way of multiplying, until they’re suddenly springing up all over the house. Creating a baby play room can help contain not only the toys but the baby, too! When they start crawling and walking you don’t want to be constantly worrying about where they are getting to in the house (which is never as baby proofed as you hoped it would be by that time!). Lay some heavy rubber matting, carpet or rugs, add some cushions and bean bags and put in gates and paddings.
Music studio
We’ve seen it in the movies – the next up and coming rock band practicing in a suburban garage. This is still a popular use of the garage but it can be taken a step further. Some garages have been turned into fully functioning, sound-proofed music studios where record selling albums can be recorded and produced.
The days of parking your car in the garage and letting the oil drip all over the concrete floor are over. There are so many easy conversions which can add real value to both your home and your life.
Windows which are quite common in sectional garage doors comprise two general types; non-ventilated and ventilated.
Non-ventilated windows typically comprise a colour matching or co-ordinating PVC surround with perspex or glass infill in a range of patterns and sizes. The colours and shades of perspex or glass infill available are numerous with translucent, tinted and frosted just a few examples.
Ventilated windows are similar to ventilated except that the window openings do not contain an infill, rather a type of fixed grill or louvre pattern.
Windows allow natural light to enter your home resulting in a reduced need turn on lights in or near the garage during the day which cuts down on your electricity usage and power bill and reduces green house emissions. The added benefit of ventilated windows is that they allow for natural circulation of air inside your garage and home.
Windows also enhance the look of your garage door and home, improving street appeal which adds value to your property.
Irrespective of the window type selected, it is recommended that they are only installed in the top panel of your garage door for security and privacy reasons.
Property is always a hot topic, and homeowners are always looking for ways to add value to their home, regardless of whether they intend to sell or remain in the home for years to come. There are a multitude of different ways that you can increase the value of your home, ranging from quick DIY upgrades to large-budget renovations. Some methods can yield more value (per dollar spent) than others.
Clean The easiest and cheapest (in fact, it’s free to do-it-yourself) way to add immediate value to your home is by doing a thorough clean. Putting some elbow grease into sprucing up every surface will result in a much nicer looking home that is immediately more inviting and elegant. A deep exterior clean of your home will make it sparkle from the outside and increase the value further.
Doors While we’re on the topic of doors, you should consider replacing certain exterior doors in your home. This can add a new style and create an impactful facade for both visitors and potential buyers alike. One of the best ways to add value to your home from an exterior perspective is to change your garage doors. As the largest doors in your home and the most visible from the street, updating your garage doors can create significant curbside impact and visual appeal, leading to a significant increase in perceived value.
Curtains and carpets A refresh of your curtains and carpets to ensure they are cleaned or replaced will have a tremendous impact on the overall feel of your interior. If doing this, ensure that the colour palette matches your paint palette.
Declutter Space is a very large factor in both real and perceived property values. While renovating to knock down walls and create more space can have a dramatic impact on value, a simpler method to start with would be decluttering existing spaces. You may be surprised as to how much larger a room can feel by removing a few unnecessary items and rearranging furniture. Decluttering creates a much more airy home, and the feeling of additional space is immediate.
Gardening Taking care of the lawns, and pruning any plants and bushes can have a significant impact on the curb appeal of your home. A nice, neat garden goes a long way in dressing up your home. If you want to go all out, some professional landscaping can certainly help with creating a new look and feel for your home.
Paint Simply repainting the walls of your home will make it look new again. Choose a modern palate for higher impact, and add new life to your home. Exterior painting can also make a tired home look new again, so painting is a worthwhile investment to consider. Pay particular attention to doors as well, as this can modernise your property, subsequently increasing its value.
Bathroom The bathroom is a room where quality can quickly be observed. Upgrading your fixtures and taps can add sparkle and prestige, and renewing grouts or re-tiling can also add value. Lighting should never be ignored either, as a well lit bathroom is extremely important for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
Kitchen Considered to be the heart of a home, the kitchen is often a focal point when it comes to the value of a home. Ensuring you have good quality appliances and fixtures will add value, as will proper lighting, stone benches, and new cupboard doors. From the economical end of the spectrum (painting cupboard doors) to the higher end (remodelling entirely), there are plenty of ways to add value to this space.
With so many ways to add value to your home, the first step is to take an objective look at it from the outside and then work your way in. This will help you determine what may be necessary and what might yield the greatest results with the lowest cost. The possibilities are endless, so increasing the value of your home will depend on how much you’re willing to spend and how far your imagination stretches.
A garage door is quite possibly the largest moving object on the vast majority of homes worldwide. Depending on size and material from which the door is made, it can weigh in excess of 150kg. There is no doubt then that a garage door which closes on your valuable possessions such as your car or bike can cause significant damage. Worse still, consider the potential injury which could be sustained from a garage door making contact with you, a family member, friend or even your pet. Children are of course extremely vulnerable to injury and even death from such an event.
Most modern automated garage doors have an auto-reversing safety feature built into the automatic operator. This safety feature causes the door to suddenly open (or reverse) when the door impacts an object when closing. However, whilst the auto-reverse feature is a great invention, it does not prevent damage to your car or potential injury to people.
Just like all manufacturers and suppliers of garage doors and automatic operators, Steel-Line Garage Doors implores home owners to seriously consider the installation of infra-red safety beams with your automated garage doors. Similar to those used in elevators, infra-red beams prevent your garage door from closing if the beam which extends the full width of the garage opening is obstructed. The major benefit over the auto-reversing feature mentioned above is that you, your family members, friends and possessions such as your car will not sustain any injury or damage because the door will not operate if the beam is “broken” or obstructed.
If you’re considering installing an automated garage door or you’re thinking of automating an existing door, the installation of infra-red safety beams is a must.
Of course, whether or not you install infra-red safety beams, there is no substitute for taking due care and closely observing your surroundings when operating your garage door. If in doubt, do not operate your door until it is safe to do so.
It’s a small price to pay for your safety and peace of mind!
1. Create a plan
1. Create a plan
Games room
One optional extra for 
Most modern automated garage doors have an