Call us at (800) 884-2639

Your one call for trusted home improvements

Article 11-19-2010

Getting Your Garage Back

A lot of people have an area of their house that is entirely misused to the point that it becomes wasted space. The area that we are talking about is the garage. In most cases it starts out being a place to store a few extra belongings, and eventually becomes a disorganized mess where possessions got to be forgotten. There is no good reason for this to happen; after all your garage can be a very useful part of your home. The key is to decide how you want to go about organizing your space.

Storage
The garage is a great place for storage. As we said, the problem is generally organization--things tend to pile up. The easiest way to fix this is to put in some shelving or other storage units. You�d be surprised how easily your car, your tools and those boxes of high school memorabilia can all fit in your garage with a little planning. While free- standing shelves can be purchased, if you really want to outfit your garage we suggest installing some storage options that mount to the garage itself.

• Cabinets- You can install cabinets that will hold all of your possessions. You can choose cabinets that are the same size--and realistically the same thing--as the ones in your kitchen to store boxes and tools. You can also purchase larger cabinets that can hold bigger items like lawn mowers. Garage cabinets can be made of wood, metal or both materials. They can give your garage an extra tidy look as everything can neatly be stored out of sight.
• Wall Shelves- There are many types of shelves that can be attached directly to the walls of your garage. They come in varying lengths and widths, so you will definitely be able to pick out a set of shelves that fits appropriately in your space and holds everything that you need them to.
  • Wood Shelves- Wood shelves can be purchased, or if you have some carpentry skills you can even make your own. Some prefer the way that wood finishing looks, but just keep in mind that wood shelves will not support as much weight--i.e., hold as much of your stuff--as metal shelves. The humidity in Florida can also have a negative effect on the integrity of the wood itself over time.
  • Metal Shelves- Metal shelves are good garage options because they are sturdy enough to hold heavy items. They are also durable and less affected by humidity, so they generally last a lot longer. Some people are not keen on the appearance of metal shelves and prefer their garage to have a �less industrial� appearance. If this is how you feel, you can purchase metal shelving that has a plastic coating that changes the look.
  • Adjustable Shelving- This option is very versatile. Adjustable shelves are just that: adjustable. You install a frame on the wall that has spaces for shelving to be interchanged. If you want shelves to be lower or higher, shorter or longer, you simply change the spacing of the brackets that come with the shelving and arrange the storage space to your exact needs.
• Ceiling Mounted Shelving- This type of shelving works when you have limited wall space or a small garage, or you have run out of space for wall shelves and want more. These shelves are attached directly to the ceiling and hang down far enough to provide additional storage while still allowing you to walk through your garage. Ceiling mounted shelves make excellent use of space that would otherwise stay empty and go unused.
• Peg Boards- Peg boards are very simple to install and almost as versatile as adjustable shelving. They attach easily to your wall and have multiple holes that you can use to set up light shelves or fit with bars where you can hang tools, bags or anything else. Peg boards are a popular option for some because they tend to be inexpensive and accommodate objects that do not require a shelf.

If you would like a little help getting control of your garage a good handyman knows what you need and how to install it.

Sources:
Do It Yourself.com

 

 

Handyman Connection is proud to serve the home improvement and home repair needs of Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Orlando, Bradenton, Sarasota, Naples, Ft. Myers, Melbourne, Merritt Island & Titusville

« Back to Press Releases