Mountains of snow on the horizon
mean that shovels, snow blowers, skis and more are about to come out of the
woodwork. Prepare appropriately for the daily use of winter equipment and gear
by getting your garage in tip-top shape now. An organized garage that acts as a
functional storage space will keep everything you need at hand, allowing you to
move through chores and errands with efficiency and ease. Optimize your garage
space by following the below tips from the pros.
Plan accordingly. Before you make any move, assess your space carefully. Even
if you want to do the dirty work yourself, you may want to call in a
professional simply to help you create a working vision. “You want to
understand exactly what your personal storage requirements are, and then design
your garage accordingly to fit your needs,” says Jeff Murphy, president of Murphy and Co. Design
“It’s amazing what a good design can do to the quality of life in your garage.”
Avoid general floor storage. First rule of thumb: Keep the garage floor as clear as
possible. “Snow melting off your car will make anything left out wet and
muddy,” says Rozalia Kiss, design manager at transForm
Work your walls. Use all the wall space available; this not only keeps things
off the floor, but also leaves optimal space for your car. “Consider a wall
track system to hang shovels and other tools in an easy-to-reach place by the
garage door,” says Kiss. “For heavy, bulky items such as winter sports
equipment, install deep garage shelving with metal stiffeners.”
Look up for general storage. Running out of available wall space? Use the ceiling.
“There are many great companies that specialize in simple garage storage,
including overhead storage that can mount on your current ceiling,” Murphy
says.
Consider creating a gear closet. Murphy suggests creating a dedicated sports or gear closet
out of a room accessed directly from the garage. “These spaces are simply a
larger closet with shelves and open storage, which works great for unloading
kids’ sports items right from a vehicle into a room where it doesn’t matter if
it becomes wet or dirty,” he says. “This room is typically heated the same as
the house.”
Hang racks for skis and snowboards. “Mounting a ski or snowboard rack on the wall is a nice way
to keep the clutter down in the garage,” says Murphy. “It allows for a
dedicated location to keep them off the floor and out of the way of tipping
over.”
Keep sand and salt at hand. Use sliding wire baskets or install a tilt-out hamper for
easy access to sand, salt and even (well-wrapped) birdseed. “This also helps to
keep them protected, stored and off the floor all winter long,” says Kiss.
Install motion-sensor-activated and
battery-powered LED lights. You never
know when a winter storm might challenge your power, so it’s best to be
prepared. “Motion-sense-activated and battery-powered LED lights help you find
supplies in the event of a power outage and can be easily mounted under
cabinets to illuminate countertops, and installed in drawers and closets,” says
Kiss
Article source: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/27/8-tips-for-supremely-organized-winter-garage/
For more information about Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE
To order a copy of my new book Murder on Kilimanjaro, CLICK HERE
For more information about the Summit Murder Mystery series, CLICK HERE
Dress appropriately for these
do-it-yourself projects. For instance, wear sturdy clothing, work boots,
and gloves to help protect you as you work. Be sure to wear safety
glasses whenever you use power tools, hammers, or other striking or
cutting tools. If you’re sanding wood or wallboard joint compound, wear a
dust mask to avoid breathing the dust and fibers. If you’re working
with hazardous chemicals and materials, a certified respirator is a
must.
