Is it hard to find anything in your garage?  Wish you had room to park your car in there? Here are 5 forgotten garage storage areas you can put to good use!

Let the organizing begin!

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1. Use pegboard for garage storage.

Pegboard is inexpensive and easy to work with. The key to using pegboard is to make sure it is not installed flat against the wall, so hooks can hang easily.

The easy way to make sure there is space is to use extra-long screws when installing and add 3 to 4 washers between the pegboard and the wall when scewing it in. This will leave a gap, making it easier for the hooks to hang.

Add hooks and baskets to configure it just the way you like it.  It is so easy to rearrange items on it.  

I love the way this pegboard has been installed because they added a shelf on the top and others below, creating a lot more storage. The cool thing is that the shelves only stick out 5.5 inches, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space! Awesome!

Here’s another example:

This one is more utilitarian, but just as functional!

Using pegboard not only keeps your tools within easy reach, but by using the walls, it uses all the space in the garage efficiently. You don’t need as many large tool boxes or other storage boxes that can take up a lot of floor space.

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2. Use the walls for garage storage.

Often, the walls are overlooked as storage, but they are one of the best places to add storage in your garage!

Many times you don’t have a lot of floor space to work with in a garage because you not only have to have room for your car(s), but you also need to be able to get in and out of them. So floor space is at a premium.

A great way to keep as much off the floor as possible is to add shelving, cubbies, and hooks. The goal is to get as much up off the floor and onto the walls as possible to save that valuable floor real estate, while still being able to access the things you need.

In the image below, you can see they created shelving by using 2x4s. A simple DIY project that adds a ton of storage. They included shelves and pegboard, too, to make the space super functional.

But there are plenty of shelving systems you can purchase, too, and install yourself. These are also completely cusomizable, so they fit your exact space.

Like this one from Amazon that has shelving plus hanging space for garden tools:

This one uses wire shelving (the kind that can be used in closets as well), cubbies that store individual items like helmets or that can hold storage bins, which makes keeping track of smaller items much easier. Hooks can also be added to the underside of shelving to hold sports equipment bags, racquets, and other gear.

Many times you are storing heavy items in the garage, so get the shelving that will best fit your needs.

Heavy duty shelving units like the one pictured below is best for those larger, heavier items.

As a professional organizer, I know how much more storage space you can gain from using your walls! And not only in the garage. Here are 14 ways to add extra storage space in your bathroom using the bathroom walls!

3. Use the wasted space above the garage door.

Yup! you’d be surprised how much storage you can add when you incorporate your ceiling! The ceiling space is perfect for storing all kinds of things you don’t use often.

Things like camping equipment or seasonal items like pool toys, sleds, or Christmas decorations.

Adding shelving can be really easy, too, because companies are now making shelving units specifically for the garage ceiling, like these:

But, you can also build your own! This bin storage uses 1×2’s and trim pieces to create sliding storage holders perfect to hang heavy duty bins from.

I always recommend using clear storage bins if you can. But if they are opaque, like the ones pictured below, be sure to add a label on the bottom of each bin, so you can see what is in each one. I don’t think it is as helpful to have them on the sides of the bins as they show in the picture.

This unit was a home-built DIY project. And as I mentioned before this is the perfect space to store those seasonal items like camping equipment or pool toys, sleds or Christmas decorations.

By the way, here are some more helpful ways to organize and store your Christmas decorations!

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4. Other ways to use the ceiling.

For bikes.

We use bike pulleys in our own garage. It keeps the bikes up and out of the way, yet it is super easy to take them down. It’s just like pulling up and lowering the blinds in your windows! The pulley is mounted to ceiling joists. Here is a photo of our bikes right next to the pegboard.

You can get bike pulleys for under $20 here.

And ladders:

Ladders can take up a lot of space in the garage. You can hang them on the wall either vertically or horizontally.

Or you can store them on the ceiling. You can make your own ladder hanger that attaches right to the ceiling, like this one from Family Handyman or you can purchase a pre-made one, like this.

This is a great way to keep ladders up and out of the way until you need them!

Other ways to store items on the garage ceiling:

Attaching pieces of lattice to ceiling joists is a terrific way to store awkward items like fishing poles and other long odds and ends, and so easy to do.

Use a concrete pouring tube to store wood and piping. I love this simple idea. Simply add plywood shelves inside and mount it between 2 joists with pipe hanging straps. A functional way to store those small pieces that can easily clutter up your work area.

5. And finally, for more garage storage, don’t forget the weird little corners by the garage door!

This can be a great space for storage.  And these are great ideas!

Sports equipment

Love that this is a re-purposed old dresser!

This easy DIY ball storage fits nicely in this neglected spot!

This simple project uses 1×2’s and bungee cords. Make 2 squares from the wood. Mount it to the garage wall on 2 sides and hook the bungee cords between them to create ball storage. This makes it easy for even the littlest kids to be able to put their balls away.

And here’s one more tucked into this unused space – adjustable shelves – how awesome!

I love this one! It makes it so easy to put whatever kind of storage you want in the space because the shelves are adjustable.

Adding plastic bins and baskets makes it easy to grab and go beach supplies or other items and they can take the heat and cold of being stored in the garage.

Garbage cans

Our garage is a tight squeeze, so my husband used that space by the garage door in a really efficient way. He built wooden shelving but left the bottom section open, so we could store our garbage and recycling bins underneath.

Because they are at the front of the garage, it is easy to angle them out and in front of my husband’s car. They are out of the way but still easy to get to.

So, there you go –  5 different areas of your garage that you can use for storage!

Is your garage such a tight space that you keep hitting your car doors on the garage walls?  Here is a DIY bumper you can make to stop the dings: DIY car door garage bumper.

Do you have other great organizing tips for the garage?  I’d love to hear them!

Happy organizing!

~ Pam