My husband is a contractor.
This means that my garage has become the home of many tools, equipment, and materials.
My husband has done an amazing job of organizing our garage the best way he can. But at some point we have come to the realization that we just need to do something about the situation that looks as if it is out of control when in fact it really is not.
The real problem is that we just have way too much stuff stored in our garage.
All of the regular things you would expect to find in a homeowners garage have been given very little attention because of the fact that we have large air compressors, table saws, drill presses, concrete mixers, ladders, kerosene heaters, and the list goes on and on.
There is no longer any room for my yard tools, lawnmower, snow blower, gardening supplies, or any other regular garage stuff.
So, with the help of Rubbermaid and all of the amazing products they carry for organizing every area of your life, we are going to create two separate spaces that will actually work for everything we have!
I am so excited to get working on this project.
However I realize that it is a big project and I want to to avoid burning myself out. Therefore, I will be tackling this project in stages.
The first step is to create a space for my yard tools, lawnmower, and other gardening supplies.
I think the best thing we can do is remove all of this stuff from the garage and give it it’s own home.
Rubbermaid has some really great sheds which you can see here.
They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit every yard and need. Also they are attractive and heavy duty so they will actually enhance the look of your yard and stand up well against elements.
We are planning to get this 7×7 shed from Rubbermaid (or one similar).
We will add some shelving and other organizational products from Rubbermaid to make the best use of the space. It will be my own space. I have never really had a space of my own sharing a contractor’s garage.
Once I have the shed in place, filled and organized with my stuff I will move on to my husbands area.
There are a lot of things that will have to remain the same just because he knows how he needs to function in his work area.
But I hope to add better storage options for him as well as an area for my son to keep his toys that isn’t this box!
I am really looking forward to this project, and I’ll be sure to share my progress with you.
Also, we are lucky enough to have Rubbermaid employee/ organizational expert @RubbermaidErin following along and giving advice to people in the comments whenever she can.
So don’t be shy =)
**Although the products for this review will be supplied to me free of charge from Rubbermaid, all opinions expressed are solely mine.
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Oh how awesome. My garage is in serious need of a makeover. I have so much stuff and NO place to put it. We have one thing of small shelves and that’s it. I think the only thing that would be the hardest is I have nails, screws, (little things) like that and no idea what to do with them! Any tips?
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..Jolene By Ray LaMontagne =-.
Hi Brittany,
For little items like nails, screws, etc. use old food storage containers that are clear to organize them. Have one for nails, one for one size screw, another for other sized screws. It really is helpful and a cheaper way to organize these small items. Peg board is also a great thing to use for organizing small tools (screwdrivers, hammers, etc.). Hang it up and add hooks!
Hope this helps,
Erin
Wow! That’s awesome that you’ll be able to organize your garage. We don’t have a garage but I suspect if we did ours would look a lot like yours.
We do have a VERY tiny storage room in the basement of our condo building. We have next to no room for all our stuff. We try and organize it as best we can but lack of space is a huge problem.
We have two tiny closets (bathroom/hallway) and a closet in the master bedroom that has to be share with four people (me, my husband and two kids).
My question to Erin is “How do you organize extemely small areas of your home?” Most especially a bedroom closet and a tiny storage area.
We have been trying to organize for years and haven’t much luck so I am open to suggestions/advice.
GREAT post by the way. I can’t wait to see the end result.
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..Fun Family Entertainment from the Jim Henson Company =-.
Hi Kimberly,
The first thing to do is really look and let go of things that you do not need. If you haven’t used or worn it in the last 6 months to a year, do you really need it?
For closets, look at our HomeFree or Configurations line (http://tinyurl.com/y8otrxu). These are adjustable and have lots of add on’s so you can customize your space. Think up in closets if you can. Add shelving high up to put out of season clothing and other seasonal items.
Also think about spaces you can use to store things that aren’t traditional. Lauren (a coworker) and I have both used under bed storage for bed sheets and towels (http://blog.rubbermaid.com/home/2009/06/alternative-linen-closet.html). This might clear up the bathroom closet for some clothes to be stored.
Also, do the seasonal switch-out. Put away your sweaters when it is summer and tank tops when it is winter. This should help with the closet!
Hope that helps!
What a great opportunity! Our two car garage is overwhelmed with everything from gym equipment to baby supplies (and our baby is 4!) I just wish I oculd motivate myself to get it cleaned out. I would love to use it for a photo studio. Well, someday.
WOW! So lucky
We just moved into our home and we are in desperate need of some storage things for our garage. It is amazing that the previous owners went 50 years in the home and never put up any shelves or anything in their garage!
We don’t have as much stuff in our garage as you do, but we do need some help.
I’d love to know the best products for storing gardening tools, bags of fertilizer, grass seeds, bird seeds, etc., to ensure that the no critters can get into them and also to ensure that the tools do not get condensation buildup on them and rust?
.-= Shawn Ann @ Shawn Ann’s World´s last blog ..Home Depot – Home Improver Club =-.
Hi Shawn Ann,
If you keep gardening tools inside and clean, rust should not be much of a problem, but then again I’m not an expert on rust
For long handled gardening tools, check out our tool towers: http://tinyurl.com/ye3bcrj or hooks to hang on the wall: http://tinyurl.com/yd3xoa4
For smaller items, use shelves with hooks (http://tinyurl.com/yd9e963) or just have open bins to put the tools in.
To insure that critters do not get into the seeds, store them in cabinets (http://tinyurl.com/ycvylh4) or on upper shelving.
Hope that helps!
What a great idea! I need to organize my teeny garage – I can’t wait to see the final result for you.
Wow so awesome! I heart Rubbermaid stuff! Can’t wait to see the end result for some great ideas!
that is soo cool! My laundry room needs this kind of help!
Can’t wait to see the turnout! I’m super excited for you.
We really need to do something about our garage so I’m looking to see how much a difference it makes as well.
Kas
.-= Kasandria´s last blog ..Review and ***Giveaway*** Thomas & Friends™: Thomas & The Runaway Kite DVD =-.
That is awesome! Rubbermaid products are a must around here.
.-= Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy´s last blog ..Pledge for Better Health + $20 Gift Card Giveaway =-.
I have a 2 car garage and can’t fit even one car inside. It seems like everything is in a tub, but those tubs take up space! Erin, what other options do we have, especially when we don’t have the time to actually go through things the proper way.
Lee
.-= Lee´s last blog ..Sssssss! Welcome Home! Only In Florida! Ssssssss! =-.
Hi Lee,
First, there really is no short cut for organization. But once you get in the grove it makes things easier. Or maybe you can break the project up like go through one bin per day.
It also seems like you have waaay too much stuff. Are you actually using all this? If not, get rid of it. Donate it and take a tax credit or sell it and make some money.
Sorry, there really is no short cut to organization!
Good luck,
Erin
We have or I should say had a CAR garage but my husband has taken it over as his room. He is a neat freak and keeps it well organized in there but the things normal folks would store in a garage, I have to find elsewhere to store them. So although I don’t have an organization issue in my garage my can use some pointers for othe places inside the house i.e. boys room and closets.
.-= Dee@ Cocktails With Mom´s last blog ..Covermate Food Covers =-.
That’s really awesome. Your garage reminds me of my parents. with all my dads construction tools. We used to joke he needed a separte house for is. We love rubbermaid storage.
What a great opportunity for your family. I desperately need to do this to our garage area so I am excited to watch your progress.
.-= Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy´s last blog ..Nowali Moccasins – Review & Giveaway =-.
Oh wow how neat! I REALLY could use help with storage lol we have so much stuff around our little “room” that I just don’t know what to do with it all and get overwhelmed lol.
.-= Brandy´s last blog ..Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel =-.
Brandy,
It is so easy to get overwhelmed! Believe me, I have been there (see this blog post http://blog.rubbermaid.com/home/2009/08/getting-motivatedwhen-the-clutter-is-too-much.html)
The thing to remember is it does not have to be perfect! Start small and you’ll be able to do it.
Also give yourself some motivation…like inviting people over or doing the organization project with a friend and then going over to the friend’s house and organizing something there!
I can’t wait to see what you guys do to your garage, I am in the same boat and could use the tips and advice for my own garage and my bedroom closet (it is downright scary).
.-= Sharon @ My Musings and Stuff!´s last blog ..Ready for a Date Night? =-.
I can’t wait to see the final results! I wonder if I can apply some of this to my husband’s workshop in the basement? We don’t have a garage.
.-= Karen of 3G2S´s last blog ..Lands’ End Way To Grow Contest & Twitter Party! =-.
WOW I wish I could do this with my whole house LOL! I need organizing terribly bad!
I cannot wait to see pictures of the finished project. But you are right, do not burn yourself out… take it at good pace and when it is done, step back and marvel in all the glory that is your garage mixed with rubbermaid!
Congrats!
.-= Nina Say´s last blog ..Flat Iron Experts Review and Giveaway =-.
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