The garage is full, but not with your car. Boxes are stacked high, the sports gear you actually need is buried somewhere out of reach, and your car sits on the street, slowly getting sun damaged. All the clutter has left you with little to zero garage storage space.
If this is starting to cause problems, these hacks are for you. While garage storage feels like a logical solution – it’s convenient and right there – it can slowly and quietly become an issue.
Signs your garage storage has hit its limit
Your garage can be a good place for storage – until it isn’t. When you have to fight your way through the clutter just to find a single tool, is time to stop and rethink how you’re using the space and what is the best garage storage system.
1. You can’t park your car inside anymore
A clear sign that your storage space has reached its limit is no longer being able to park your car inside. Garages are designed for one main purpose – to store your car – and losing that function can be highly inconvenient.
2. You have lost a workspace for projects and hobbies
That space you once had to build furniture or tackle a paint project is gone. Clutter has taken over, along with the personal time you used to enjoy unwinding there.
3. You’ve lost track of what’s actually in there & bought duplicates
You’ve bought the same item more than once because it got lost in the clutter. With things buried under boxes and hidden at the back of the garage, it’s easier to buy a replacement than spend time digging through the clutter.
4. You have spent hours trying to access items that should be instantly found
You’re spending more time searching for the right tools than actually working on the project itself. What should be a quick task turns into a frustrating exercise in digging through clutter in your garage and wasted time.
5. Moisture or pests have damaged stored belongings
Important memories are at risk as pests and moisture take over the space where your most precious belongings are stored.
Using your garage for storage can come with both physical and emotional costs – from damage to belongings to ongoing frustration. It is common for clutter to cause tension between partners or families, which continues until it is resolved.
If your garage has become your main storage space, it’s time to learn how to maximise garage storage or look at other types of storage solutions.
Garages were designed for one thing (and it’s not storage)
Garages are designed for parking, though they’re often repurposed as workshops or used for temporary overflow storage – and in many cases, that’s how they end up being used most of the time. While there’s nothing wrong with adapting the space, it’s important to do so thoughtfully.
Garage storage has become increasingly difficult to manage, particularly as garages in new home builds continue to shrink. This reduction in size limits how effectively the space can be used and significantly constrains what you can realistically do in your garage.
The hidden cost of using your garage for storage
What seems to be left aside is how costly using your garage for storage can be. Having precious items damaged by being tucked away in dark humid corners or stored in dusty cluttered shelves can be quite expensive – not to mention the emotional costs.
- Moisture and humidity: condensation can lead to mould, and mould creates serious issues – particularly if you’re storing clothing in your garage. Over time, fabric can deteriorate significantly, especially when exposed to moisture. This damage can be especially unforgiving if the items being stored are valuable or irreplaceable, such as wedding dresses.
- Temperature extremes: using your garage for storage can be convenient until a certain point. They’re close by for whatever you may need on the go, but subject to extreme temperatures and less-than-ideal conditions.
- Pests: another thing to keep on the radar when using your garage for storage is pests. Because garages make an ideal environment for them to thrive, there’s a high risk they’ll eventually find their way into your belongings.
Can I use my garage for storage still?
After all that, you might still be wondering, “Can I use my garage for storage?” The answer is yes. Using your garage space for storage is completely fine if what you’re storing is used often or will be needed soon.
When it comes to long-term storage, however, it can be less than ideal. The important thing to keep in mind is how to maximise your garage storage so it doesn’t become a problem in the future. A good idea is to set aside a box or designated area for items waiting to be moved into a long-term solution, like self-storage. Or you could adopt self-storage as your primary solution altogether.
Here’s how to fix your garage storage solutions
When you’re figuring out what to do with the overflow of stored items in your garage, there are plenty of options to consider. You could dive into a DIY project and build organising shelves from scratch, follow a few simple organisation hacks, or make use of vertical space with wall hooks or overhead racks. If the items aren’t used often, you could also consider moving them into self-storage.
Over the long term, self-storage is often the better option for keeping your belongings safe and in good condition. Some of the perks of storing with National Storage include
- Climate-controlled units that create the ideal environment to store things like furniture, antiques and wine.
- Flexible sizing to accommodate your personal needs so you only pay for what you use.
- Daily and extended access to make it easy to drop off, pick up, or add items whenever you need.
- Convenient location across the country where you can store close to home
- And the best benefit of all: freeing up your garage so you can park your car in it again.
Is self-storage worth it?
Now, when thinking about self-storage, the ongoing costs of committing to it can be a sticking point. However, for many people, the value often outweighs the expense – especially when you factor in the protection, convenience, and space you get back at home.
You can finally reclaim your garage space and store less-often used items, like Christmas decorations, in a storage unit until they’re needed again. Additionally, you can add organising shelves in your unit to keep everything tidy and easy to find.
Garages aren’t great for your boat either
Using your garage as storage solution for winterising your boat or jet ski might not be the best option either. Besides monopolising space you could be using for other things, it can also expose your watercraft to dust, pests, and temperature changes. A dedicated boat storage is the best way to it in its best conditions between seasons.
Can I store a car in self-storage instead of your garage?
If you own a project car or an inherited vehicle that isn’t regularly used, keeping it in your garage or parked outside can become inconvenient. Storing unused vehicles at a secure storage facility is a practical way to keep them safe until you’re ready to use them again.
Resolve your garage storage issues once and for all with National Storage
Decluttering your garage is easier than you might think, and National Storage can help. Visit our website to find the nearest storage centre to you or use our space calculator to find the best solution for your needs.
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