So you’ve finally made the leap to a new home, and it comes complete with a garage! You may be thrilled with the extra space for storage, but you may be at a loss as to what to put there. What else do you have? Is it too much to ask for some outdoor seating? Is that your roof rack? Other than cars, what else can you store in a garage?
On the other hand, maybe your garage has become a veritable dumping ground for random items over the years. On those who have a garage but aren’t sure how to best put it to use, here are some suggestions for things to keep there.
What’s the first location that springs to mind when you need to store sporting equipment or infrequently used household hold items but don’t have a lot of extra room in your home? Where else, except the garage? Wait a minute. Garage storage can cause harm to many priceless items and even represent a safety concern to your house and loved ones. What should you never put in your garage? Click here to discover out!
Your Car and Related Supplies
Your automobile presumably spends a lot of time in the garage or a designated parking spot near your house. To that end, it makes sense to keep things like windshield wiper fluid and tyre inflators in the garage. You can also keep your roof rack and camping equipment in the garage if you use them frequently.
Use the walls and ceiling of your garage to store roof racks and other objects. Because of their size and awkwardness, they should be moved if at all possible.
Miniature car maintenance tools and supplies, such as windshield wiper fluid and tyre inflators, can be kept in a drawer or bin in your garage. A plastic rack with bins or a more elaborate cabinet in the garage are both viable options.
Gardening and Yard Equipment
It makes complete sense to keep tools and outdoor equipment in the garage. Shovels, hoses, extension cords, lawnmowers, gardening equipment, extra flower pots, and other items come to mind. Large outdoor supplies like ice melt buckets, potting soil bags, and other similar goods are best kept in the garage. If you discover that you require more storage space than you already have, a shed might be a wise purchase.
Outdoor Toys and Entertainment
Store your outdoor entertainment equipment in the garage when it’s not in use; it’s been tested to resist the weather. Extra patio sets, plastic chairs, pool and hot tub accessories, children’s and adults’ bicycles, and other similar items are all fair game for a yard sale. It’s easy for this sort of thing to become a cluttered eyesore if it’s just dumped in a random place, but there are lots of clever and straightforward ways to store it in the garage.
Install an overhead garage storage rack to keep pool and patio equipment out of the way and out of sight. If you don’t have room in your garage, consider storing them in your basement or a shed.
Infrequently Used Items
The garage, like the basement or attic, may be a terrific spot to stow away goods you don’t use frequently. Remember that the garage is the best place to store heavy, weatherproof items, while the basement or attic are safer for more fragile items like papers and electronics.
What Not to Store in Your Garage
What should you not keep in the garage is a closely related but maybe more crucial issue. There are three basic types of these items: those that pose a fire hazard or other danger, those that attract insects or rodents, and those that are easily damaged by changes in temperature and humidity. In addition, there are some items that appear to be garage-appropriate but, for various reasons, actually need to be kept elsewhere.
- All That Cannot Withstand Varied Temperatures-Even if you’ve taken the time and effort to properly insulate your garage (by doing things like weatherstripping and repairing an old garage door so it no longer lets air escape), the garage is still more vulnerable to the elements than the rest of your house. Don’t keep in the garage anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable keeping in the trunk of your automobile. it heats up to uncomfortable levels and cools down to freezing temperatures.
- Risky Situations –Don’t store flammable propane tanks in the garage (and other enclosed spaces). Keep them in a dry, cool place outside. Don’t ever risk your safety around combustible or poisonous substances. In order to safely store gasoline, for instance, in a garage, one must use certified containers, raise the containers off the concrete floor, and place them out of the reach of both curious youngsters and open flames. It’s preferable to be safe than sorry if you’re hoarding potentially dangerous materials that you no longer require. Rather than storing them in the garage where they will eventually be forgotten, take the effort to dispose of them appropriately.
- Attractants for Rodents and Other Pests-Don’t put anything in your garage that rats or bugs could use as a meal or a home. Food, pet food, and birdseed are all considered part of this category, along with clothing, bedding, books, papers, firewood, and so on.
- Defining Terms-The temperature, humidity, dirt, and dust conditions in your garage may be particularly harsh or variable, depending on your geographic location. It’s best to keep things like paint cans, recently painted furniture or artwork, canned goods, wine, electronics, pictures, and wooden furniture (which can warp in the heat) inside.
- Miscellaneous-An additional fridge or freezer could be stored in the garage. However, they will have to work harder in hot weather to keep food cold, which will result in a larger energy cost than if you had just left the equipment inside the house.
- A garage may also appear to be a practical answer to the problem of excessive household clutter, as it may be tempting to store unused items there. On the other hand, don’t allow that occur. To start, it doesn’t address the underlying issue of why you’re amassing so much stuff in the first place. Second, keeping the garage neat and tidy is preferable to closing the door and hoping for the best when danger strikes.
Never Store These Common Household Items in the Garage
An extra refrigerator
Even while the garage may seem like the ideal location for a beer or soda fridge, the fluctuating temperatures will force your fridge to work harder to keep your beverages cool in the summer. Also, temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit make refrigerators ineffective. Do you require the use of a supplemental refrigerator? Store it indoors, or better yet, try some clever ways to rearrange your refrigerator’s contents to free up more space in the kitchen.
Your lawnmower
Your lawn mower is most secure in the shed. These provide a significant risk of starting fires, although few people are aware of this. The equipment is dangerous both when in use and while stored, according to Gene Caballero, co-founder of YourGreenPal.com, who spoke with Realtor.com. Even after turning off the ignition and fuel, the mower’s exhaust and engine may maintain temperatures over 240 degrees for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Do’s and Don’ts for a Safer Garage
Although you may occasionally spend time there, your garage is probably the part of your house you neglect the most. It’s important to give your garage the undivided focus it deserves every once in a while. It’s a gateway to the outer world, a chemistry lab, and a treasure trove of hefty, sharp implements, after all. Remember these dos and don’ts to make your garage secure and safe for the whole family:
Do install a double lock on any service door leading to the outside
Former ASHI president Howard Pegelow says thieves target the garage because it provides easy access to the home (ASHI). Adding a double lock in addition to the doorknob strengthens the security of the door. Glass windows at or near a door should have security bars installed to prevent injury.
Don’t store your entry code near your programmable keypad
Take reasonable safety measures if you utilise a keyless entry device to access your overhead garage door. “Pegelow warns that crooks may wait nearby as you enter your code, but that most people instead write it down somewhere safe so they don’t forget. That’s the same as opening the door and letting them in.” Create a password that only you know and update it frequently.
Don’t move or remove the “safety eye” that serves as a sensor for your overhead garage door.
This is a common practise because the electric beam can be disrupted by things like clutter on the floor or direct sunlight, making it impossible to open or close the garage door. There’s logic behind that failsafe, though. One example is the danger of a door closing on a toddler if the sensor doesn’t pick up on his presence.
Do inspect the high-tension springs on your overhead garage door
If they shatter without a protection cable running down the middle and attaching to the door frame or ceiling joist, they might cause catastrophic injury. According to Pegelow, you may quickly and easily check to determine if the wires are intact by simply looking at them. If any of them are damaged or missing, you should get in touch with an expert. If you lack experience fixing springs, don’t try to fix them yourself.
Do store tools off the floor—but not too high
When storing bulky things like garden tools, use racks designed specifically for that purpose, making sure they are installed securely and adjusted to the user’s height. Numerous gardening instruments are top-heavy and can easily be knocked to the ground if their user exerts too much effort to reach for them.
Do store household chemicals and gasoline outside if possible
The ideal place to keep chemicals, according to Pegelow, is in a weatherproofed container system that is insulated, vented, and positioned outside the garage alongside the home. People typically keep them in their garage, though. You can find storage cabinets made specifically for this purpose from big-box retailers if you decide to go that route. Keep the cabinet locked if you have young children.
Don’t store chemicals near combustible items, like rags
Some common household chemicals and gasoline carry a low but constant risk of catching fire, which is why it’s best to keep them in a secure outdoor location. About 1,600 house fires a year are caused by spontaneous combustion, reports the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Get rid of rags that have come into contact with oil-based paint, stains, or gas, and store clean ones in a sealed container outside of your chemical storage cabinet (preferably metal). Maintain a clutter-free zone around the storage facility.
Do take precautions with space heating
If your heating system uses propane or kerosene instead of electricity, you must ensure that it has adequate ventilation to the outside. It’s the same as leaving your car running in the garage, as Pegelow puts it if you don’t. Even if properly ventilated, using combustion equipment in the garage warrants the installation of a carbon monoxide monitor inside the home.
Do inspect your water heater regularly
A water heater placed in a garage needs to be elevated on a platform, given adequate ventilation, and maintained clean of any debris. Check yours to see if the vent pipes are properly fastened both where they attach to the heater and where they exit the building (the wall or ceiling). Proper venting requires that pipe angles be no more than 45 degrees; an angle of 90 degrees or more will result in backflow. The ideal solution would be to build a pipe or bar on the floor to stop vehicles from getting too close to the water heater.
Do keep a fire extinguisher on hand
Make sure everyone in the family is aware of its location. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests checking extinguishers every month, but if you can’t manage that, at least set a yearly reminder.
Do keep a flashlight in an easy-to-find spot
Attach it to the wall near the door so that you can locate it in the dark.
Don’t leave items on the stairs
If your garage is below ground level and you have steps leading up to the home, you should keep them clear of clutter and check for signs of wear and tear or shakiness on a regular basis. If there’s enough room, a small bench and changing station placed at the front door can be quite convenient for taking off soiled work clothes and shoes before entering the house. Pegelow explains, “Of course, if you have a chemical storage cabinet and a dressing room in your garage, you may likely have to park your automobile on the street.”
The garage is a terrific place to keep things out of the way, but it shouldn’t be used as a dumping ground. An expert on cleaning and organisation suggests doing a thorough inventory of one’s possessions and giving away everything that is no longer useful. The vast majority of what people keep in their garages are items they’ve decided they no longer need or want in their primary residences.
Keep these three guidelines for garage organisation in mind as you pare down your possessions: Avoid storing anything that could be harmed by water or humidity, fire or severe temperatures. Here’s a link to a list of other things you should never store in the garage.
Finally, you shouldn’t put sentimental or financially valuable items in the garage. A garage, in addition to being more susceptible to weather, is also easier to break into than a house or apartment. Similarly, you shouldn’t leave anything in your garage that you wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving in a hotel room or a parked automobile.
Conclusion
Garage storage can cause harm to many priceless items and even represent a safety concern to your house and loved ones. Use the walls and ceiling of your garage to store roof racks and other objects. If you require more storage space than you already have, a shed might be a wise purchase. Garage is a great place to stow away items you don’t use frequently. There are lots of clever and straightforward ways to store outdoor entertainment equipment.
The garage is the best place to store heavy, weatherproof items. The basement or attic are safer for more fragile items like electronics. Don’t store flammable propane tanks in the garage (and other enclosed spaces). Don’t ever risk your safety around combustible or poisonous substances. It’s best to keep things like paint cans, recently painted furniture or artwork, canned goods, wine, electronics, pictures, and wooden furniture inside.
Content Summary
- So you’ve finally made the leap to a new home, and it comes complete with a garage!
- You may be thrilled with the extra space for storage, but you may be at a loss as to what to put there.
- What else do you have?
- Is that your roof rack?
- Other than cars, what else can you store in a garage?On the other hand, maybe your garage has become a veritable dumping ground for random items over the years.
- On those who have a garage but aren’t sure how to best put it to use, here are some suggestions for things to keep there.
- What’s the first location that springs to mind when you need to store sporting equipment or infrequently used household hold items but don’t have a lot of extra room in your home?
- Where else, except the garage?
- Garage storage can cause harm to many priceless items and even represent a safety concern to your house and loved ones.
- What should you never put in your garage?
- You can also keep your roof rack and camping equipment in the garage if you use them frequently.
- Use the walls and ceiling of your garage to store roof racks and other objects.
- Gardening and Yard EquipmentIt makes complete sense to keep tools and outdoor equipment in the garage.
- Large outdoor supplies like ice melt buckets, potting soil bags, and other similar goods are best kept in the garage.
- Store your outdoor entertainment equipment in the garage when it’s not in use; it’s been tested to resist the weather.
- Install an overhead garage storage rack to keep pool and patio equipment out of the way and out of sight.
- If you don’t have room in your garage, consider storing them in your basement or a shed.
- Infrequently Used ItemsThe garage, like the basement or attic, may be a terrific spot to stow away goods you don’t use frequently.
- Remember that the garage is the best place to store heavy, weatherproof items, while the basement or attic are safer for more fragile items like papers and electronics.
- What Not to Store in Your GarageWhat should you not keep in the garage is a closely related but maybe more crucial issue.
- In addition, there are some items that appear to be garage-appropriate but, for various reasons, actually need to be kept elsewhere.
- Don’t keep in the garage anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable keeping in the trunk of your automobile.
- Risky Situations -Don’t store flammable propane tanks in the garage (and other enclosed spaces).
- Keep them in a dry, cool place outside.
- Don’t ever risk your safety around combustible or poisonous substances.
- It’s preferable to be safe than sorry if you’re hoarding potentially dangerous materials that you no longer require.
- Rather than storing them in the garage where they will eventually be forgotten, take the effort to dispose of them appropriately.
- Attractants for Rodents and Other Pests-Don’t put anything in your garage that rats or bugs could use as a meal or a home.
- Defining Terms-The temperature, humidity, dirt, and dust conditions in your garage may be particularly harsh or variable, depending on your geographic location.
- Miscellaneous-An additional fridge or freezer could be stored in the garage.
- However, they will have to work harder in hot weather to keep food cold, which will result in a larger energy cost than if you had just left the equipment inside the house.
- A garage may also appear to be a practical answer to the problem of excessive household clutter, as it may be tempting to store unused items there.
FAQs About Garage Storage
Which items are suitable for garage storage?
Tools and equipment that are only used in the yard should be stored in the garage. Things like flower pots, shovels, hoses, outside extension cords, lawnmowers, and gardening tools all fall into this category. You can also use the garage to keep outdoor materials that come in large containers, including potting soil bags, ice melt buckets, and other similar items.
Can a garage be used to store a couch?
Its severe weather can destroy nearly any type of timber. Therefore, you can anticipate some wear and tear on your wood furnishings if you keep them in your garage. In the case of wood, for instance, humidity swings can cause expansion and contraction, ultimately resulting in cracks that may be irreparable.
In a garage, how high must the upper storage units be?
Typical storage shed cupboards conform to the standard kitchen cupboard dimensions. From the floor to the top of the typical mounting cabinets is a distance of roughly 96 inches.
How can I cheaply finish a garage wall?
The use of shiplap on garage walls is highly recommended. It lasts a long time, doesn’t break the bank, and can be set up in no time. Just what is this, exactly? The solid wood construction is far superior than that of drywall, allowing for the straightforward installation of hooks and nails.
When storing items, what precautions should be taken?
Be sure to pack with safety in mind when stacking boxes or other goods in your storage container. Pack fragile items securely in boxes with lots of cushioning material. Be sure to protect your furniture from scratches and dents by wrapping it before putting it in storage. To keep your clothes and other belongings safe, use plastic.