Think you can fit everything in the garage except the car? If so, let me know again. While many people use their garages as extra storage, keeping some items there is only sometimes a good idea. What follows is a list of some general rules for the garage and other rooms in your house.
Things to Store In The Garage
Car Supplies
Since the vehicle is kept in the garage, it is only reasonable to have auto parts nearby for convenience. Things like a roof rack, camping supplies, and sporting equipment are best kept in the garage because they are easily accessible inside the vehicle. It is wise to use cabinets or shelves for the smaller things that are used more often and overhead storage for the larger, bulkier gear that is used sparingly.
Gardening/Yard Tools
Outdoor power tools and equipment are best kept in the garage. A wall system with hooks and baskets is an excellent choice for storing gardening tools, hoses, shovels, and more. The floor is a good place to keep larger tools, such as the snow, leaf, and lawnmower. Open shelving supporting large objects is ideal for storing winter salt, soil bags, fertiliser, and other items.
Owning a property comes with many tools, including rakes, pruners, hoes, and brooms. Even people who pay a landscaping company to care for their yard have these tools in their garage.
Dryer/Washer
Several homeowners locate their washers and dryers in the adjoining garage as a space-saving measure, as our region rarely experiences freezing temperatures. Good throughout the winter. Unless the garage is air-conditioned, the summers can be brutal.
Seasonal Toys/Bikes/Sports Equipment
When not used, outdoor entertainment devices are ideal for stowing away in the garage. Use hooks and baskets to hang larger things from a wall system and vice versa for smaller ones. The products are also easily accessible without getting in the way because of this.
Everything from tennis rackets and bicycles to camping gear and even recreational vehicles and boats for fishing will eventually end up in the garage. A ping pong or pool table is the ultimate accessory for some families’ garages.
There is a lot of competition for storage space in the garage among Grandma’s pool toys, the slide, and the enormous dollhouse she received as a Christmas present last year. However, there are many other places to keep toys than the backyard. Even if kids grow out of their toys fast, good parents wait to throw out perfectly nice ones because they’re expensive. There are always new and old toys in the garage of any house with kids.
Workshop
Since having tools is integral to home ownership, many people turn their garages into workshops. After all, where else would you keep your air compressor and nail gun?
Old Files
Most people who own a home save some paper since we adore paper. When it comes to past bank statements and tax records, though, most families would rather not have them.
Gym Equipment
Everything from the weight bench to the kettlebell ends up in the garage. Because of how convenient it is, some individuals choose to build their home gym in the garage.
Household Goods
Products for the home might vary from a meat smoker to Christmas lights and decorations. We desire them, but we don’t think they belong in the house because they could cause us to trip.
Extra Car Gear
Keeping supplementary gear in the garage is logical since your vehicle is already there. Products such as inflators, additional wipers, windscreen wiper fluid, and antifreeze are designed to endure harsh weather conditions, so they are quite safe to keep in your garage. You can also secure bike racks and roof racks in your garage. What do you think about us? Display them proudly!
Cleaning Supplies
Under the sink, out of the reach of curious little hands and paws, you’ll find most cleaning supplies under the sink. But, keeping these items in places where children and pets can easily get to them exposes them to harmful chemicals. To ensure the safety of the most vulnerable family members and to free up valuable floor space, store them in a secured higher cabinet in the garage.
Infrequently Used Items
Garage cabinets are a great spot to store various stuff, including travel bags and suitcases, seasonal apparel, Christmas decorations, and anything else you want to get rid of or give. Having these items around is a waste of space because you use them sparingly. Make a neat arrangement in the cabinets and mark everything for quick identification.
Outdoor Gear
For outdoor toys, in particular, a garage provides more than just additional room; it also provides convenient storage. Then, you won’t have to waste time bringing items inside and out; they’ll be ready in the garage. Consider outdoor essentials such as:
- Bicycles Outdoor seating
- Outdoor seating
- Pool equipment
- Toys made of plastic (imagine a sweet coupe, roller skates, and a motorised vehicle)
- Keepers (but wait until they’re dry!)
- Athletic apparatus (e.g., balls, nets, rackets, and bats)
Make better use of the space in your garage by hanging most of the things listed above. If not, use big plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to remove dust, vermin, and moisture.
Equipment and Tools
Most household appliances and hardware are designed for use in the great outdoors. For the most part, you can keep them all year long in your garage. In the realm of gardening tools, you can store things like:
- Planters Fertilizer Hats
- Razor blades
- Sprinkler systems
- A lawnmower and weed eater
Think about getting a tool chest to keep all your shop tools in. It’s a good place to keep wrenches, hammers, sockets, and drills. For more wall storage options, consider purchasing pegboards and shelves. If your garage isn’t insulated, bringing any tools that use lithium batteries inside during hot weather is best.
Seasonal Decorations
If you enjoy decorating for the season, there will likely be an excess of holiday decorations (and no storage space for them). Lots of big plastic containers with tight-fitting lids already contain them. In that instance, put them in the garage! To avoid any potential harm from moisture, keep them off the ground. Put them on a pallet or mount them on wall shelves so they don’t touch the floor. Use bubble wrap to cushion fragile or breakable objects during shipping further.
Don’t Store It In The Garage
Many things need to be better storage options for a garage that isn’t insulated. This is because they could be more delicate and easily hurt. Among these objects are things such as:
- Stylish wooden furnishings
- Potentially harmful substances (propane)
- Food in a can or for pets
- Apparel, linens, and floor coverings
- Organise and design audiovisual media
- Books, images, papers, and crucial documents
- Technology Cheminwood
Everything else that can be damaged by extreme heat or cold or easily eaten by bugs is fair game.
Hazardous Materials:
Handle chemicals, combustible materials, and other potentially dangerous substances with caution. Propane tanks should not be kept in a garage but in an outdoor, well-ventilated location. If they are properly sealed, you can keep gasoline, paint, oil, and other similar substances in the garage.
Items That Attract Pests
Insects and other small rodents are cunning and can readily access garages by scavenging for valuable goods. Put away anything that can entice them. For example, food, old books and papers, firewood, and bedding. The garage is different from the place to keep perishable foods like human food, pet food, and birdseed. Keep tiny pests out of your garage.
Fragile Items
It is not a good idea to keep delicate things in the garage, regardless of whether you insulate it. Variations in outdoor temperature can distort, break, or harm more delicate objects. Do not keep anything in the garage that you would not keep in your trunk.
Paint
If you’ve ever painted your home, you still have a few tins of paint stashed away in the garage.
However, it would help if you didn’t keep them on the garage floor because they won’t survive the extreme heat of summer or the chill of winter for very long. The paint cans will rust even faster if you put them on a cement floor instead of a shelf.
On the other hand, paint is best kept out of the reach of children and away from freezing temperatures.
Wooden Furniture:
Be mindful that hardwood furniture will not remain pristine if placed in a chilly, wet garage; this may be your only choice.
Wood is sensitive enough to changes in humidity to cause its fibres to expand and contract in response to changes in atmospheric moisture content. Cracks may form, and fixing them may be out of the question.
Wooden furniture is best stored in an attic or other room with a constant temperature, but if you must store it in the garage, cover it well. But it will only help the stain or varnish retain its lustre for a while.
Food Of Any Kind
Although it may sound obvious, the garage is only a good place to keep food if you enjoy having rodents and other pests invade your home.
However, there are better ways to be ready for the end of the world than having canned goods stashed in the garage. Temperature swings can affect it; for example, it could freeze and thaw in the winter, reducing its flavour.
Books
Page curling and spine warping are caused by the same mechanism that wood exhibits when exposed to moisture: the response of paper fibres. This is also true with many paper types, such as photo albums and magazines.
Paper is especially vulnerable to becoming mouldy in damp environments, and humidity is another factor that can promote mould growth. Therefore, you should not store books or anything else made of paper in the garage.
Electronics
Be wary of sudden changes in temperature if you’re planning to sell old electronics like DVD players, game consoles, televisions, or laptops.
Electronics are especially vulnerable to its effects because condensation allows moisture to enter the circuits. There is a significant risk of electrocution if moisture gets into electrical devices.
Propane Gas For Barbecues
It would help if you store the propane tanks for your gas grill in a well-ventilated outside area.
The fumes could catch fire if you store them in the garage and start the automobile. In addition, a propane gas leak, although highly improbable, can be extremely lethal, particularly in confined spaces like a garage.
Fridges
Keeping food at the proper temperature in an uncontrolled environment like a garage will require more electricity from a refrigerator. Changing the location of the refrigerator might reduce your monthly energy costs.
Tumble Dryers:
Because of their sensitivity to cold, condenser dryers are best kept out of the garage.
Theoretically, it should be warmer than 5 degrees Celsius in the room. It needs to be above this level to prevent water from escaping the condenser container and condensing on cold surfaces; otherwise, the damp clothes will feel somewhat warmer.
If the temperature in the room is too low, some modern electronic dryers may even shut off and show a problem code. If you have a vented tumble dryer, it should be able to handle lower temperatures, but you should still read the manual first.
Washing Machines
Carefully consider storing these in the garage if you must. Remember that the heat and steam produced during operation could lead to condensation issues. The chilly metal equipment and the chilly walls and windows can cause this to condense.
The worst-case situation is that it causes rust or fungus or harms the motor. The garage must have adequate ventilation. Ensure the water goes somewhere it should by checking the plumbing and drainage codes. Overheating or frozen pipes are two examples of how severe temperatures can damage common household appliances, including washing machines.
Freezers
Like a washing machine, you must be careful when putting your freezer in the garage.
One way to determine the ideal outside temperature for a freezer is to look at its climate class rating. See the rating plate or read the directions. Freezers typically function in rooms with temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius with a climatic class of SN.
Conclusion
The garage is a potential storage space for various items, including delicate wooden furnishings, potentially harmful substances (propane), food, clothing, audiovisual media, books, images, papers, and crucial documents. It is important to handle these items with caution, as they can be easily damaged by extreme heat or cold.
Hazardous materials should be stored in an outdoor, well-ventilated location, while items that attract pests should be kept away. Delicate items should not be kept in the garage, as variations in outdoor temperatures can distort, break, or harm them. Paint should be kept out of reach of children and away from freezing temperatures.
Wooden furniture should be stored in an attic or other room with a constant temperature, but if in the garage, cover it well to help maintain its lustre. Books should not be stored in the garage due to moisture-related issues, such as page curling and spine warping.
Electronics should be stored in a well-ventilated outside area to prevent electrocution. Propane gas tanks should be stored in a well-ventilated outside area to avoid fire hazards.
Fridges should be kept at the proper temperature in an uncontrolled environment like a garage, as changing the location of the refrigerator might reduce monthly energy costs. Condenser dryers should be kept out of the garage due to their sensitivity to cold.
Washers should be stored in the garage if necessary, but be aware of condensation issues due to heat and steam produced during operation. Freezers should be placed in rooms with temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius with a climate class rating.
Content Summary
- Want to keep your garage clutter-free? Follow these do’s and don’ts of garage storage in Aussie style.
- Aussie garages aren’t just for cars; they’re the perfect spot for all your car supplies, from roof racks to camping gear.
- Keep gardening tools organised in the garage with a wall system, hooks, and baskets – perfect for Aussie outdoor enthusiasts.
- Washer and dryer in the garage? It’s a space-saving move, but beware of the brutal Aussie summers if your garage isn’t air-conditioned.
- Stow away seasonal toys, bikes, and sports equipment in the garage using hooks, baskets, and overhead storage for easy access.
- Aussie families turn garages into workshops for home ownership essentials like air compressors and nail guns.
- Don’t let old files clutter your home; safely store them in the garage – an Aussie way of handling paperwork.
- Set up a home gym in the garage, complete with gym equipment like a weight bench and kettlebell.
- Aussie homes stash household goods in the garage, from meat smokers to Christmas decorations, keeping the house clutter-free.
- Extra car gear, cleaning supplies, and infrequently used items find a logical home in the Aussie garage.
- Aussie garages are perfect for storing outdoor gear, including bikes, outdoor seating, and pool equipment.
- Make use of garage space by hanging items or using plastic containers to keep things dust-free and organised.
- Aussie gardeners, rejoice! Keep planters, fertilizer, hats, and more in the garage for easy access to gardening tools.
- Seasonal decorations in abundance? Aussie solution: big plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, neatly arranged in the garage.
- Avoid storing stylish wooden furniture, propane, and food in the garage – they may not handle extreme Aussie conditions well.
- Hazardous materials like chemicals and propane tanks are best kept outdoors in a well-ventilated area, not in an Aussie garage.
- Aussie tip: Keep items that attract pests out of the garage – food, old books, firewood, and bedding have no place there.
- Fragile items? Keep them away from the garage, as Aussie temperature variations can harm delicate belongings.
- Aussie wisdom: Paint cans don’t fare well on the garage floor – store them on a shelf to prevent rusting.
- Wooden furniture in an Aussie garage? Be cautious, as humidity changes can cause cracks and damage over time.
- Food of any kind should be kept out of the Aussie garage to avoid attracting pests and temperature-related issues.
- Aussie book lovers, beware: storing books in the garage may lead to page curling and mould growth due to humidity.
- Electronics in the garage? Aussie advice: be cautious of sudden temperature changes, as they can damage circuits.
- Propane gas for barbecues should be stored outdoors in a well-ventilated area, not in an Aussie garage.
- Aussie tip: Fridges and tumble dryers may consume more electricity in an uncontrolled garage environment – consider relocating.
- Condenser dryers in an Aussie garage? Watch out for cold temperatures, as it might affect water condensation and dryer performance.
- Aussie advice: Think twice before storing washing machines in the garage; heat and steam can lead to condensation issues.
- Aussie garage caution: Freezers might not function optimally in extreme temperatures, affecting their efficiency and lifespan.
- Check the climate class rating on your freezer – Aussie freezers typically work well in temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius.
- Organise your Aussie garage wisely to avoid clutter, keeping it functional for both storage and car space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Neglect To Check The Weight Capacity Of Your Storage Solutions?
No, it’s a don’t. Always check and adhere to the weight capacity guidelines to prevent damage to shelves and other storage components.
Is It Advisable To Store Hazardous Materials Without Proper Precautions?
No, it’s a don’t. Always follow safety guidelines and store hazardous materials in designated areas with proper containment measures.
Should You Forget To Maintain Ventilation In The Garage Storage Area?
No, it’s a don’t. Proper ventilation helps control humidity and prevents issues like mould growth. Ensure your storage area is well-ventilated.
Is It Recommended To Overcrowd The Garage Storage Space?
No, it’s a don’t. Overcrowding can lead to a disorganised and inefficient system. Leave enough space for easy access and movement.
Should You Skip Regular Maintenance Of Your Garage Storage System?
No, it’s a don’t. Regular maintenance, including cleaning, decluttering, and checking for wear, is essential to maintain your garage storage.