Minneapolis Garage Organization

Garages across the country suffer from various forms of overload. Originally meant for storing cars out of the elements, the modern garage has since become a combination storage unit and workshop, housing garden tools, table saws, bicycles, camping gear, tool boxes, lawnmowers, and more boxes of "junk" than most of us like to admit. For residents of the Twin Cities, things get even more complicated. Since Minnesota is officially the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area has a higher canoe per-capita rate than any other major metropolitan area in the nation, and snow blowers are about as mandatory for surviving a Twin Cities winter as lawn mowers are for keeping your grass trimmed come summer. With all these factors in place, it's easy to understand why Minneapolis garage organization is so important.

Minneapolis Garage Organization Is All About Storage
I know what you're thinking. What's the point? After all, if you're like the rest of the 3,000,000 plus residents who call the Twin Cities-area home, a weekend spent sorting, stacking, trashing, and sweeping generally results in a garage that stays clean for a few weeks before returning to its former state. The single easiest way to get your garage organized, and to keep it that way, is to invest in proven garage storage strategies. It will cost a little bit upfront, but if you do it right, you'll enjoy a clutter-free, functional garage for years to come.

Minneapolis Garage Organization: Garage Storage Solutions
There are two keys to successful (and lasting) Minneapolis garage organization. The first is purchasing and installing a combination of storage solutions to meet the wide range of storage needs that your garage demands. The second is to take advantage of areas of your garage that are presently neglected: namely the walls and ceiling. When the goal is garage organization, Minneapolis homeowners who focus on these two areas are likely to find all the room they need to store just about anything the average garage houses.

Minneapolis Garage Organization: Garage Cabinetry
Cabinetry isn't just for the kitchen, though the traits that make cabinetry so well-suited for the kitchen are exactly what makes cabinetry such a valuable addition to your garage, as well. Think about how well your kitchen cabinets are organized. You've got a designated place for your dishes, glasses, Tupperware, pots and pans, cooking spices, you name it. Introduce cabinets into the garage, and fill them with fishing gear, socket sets, power tools, and paint supplies instead, and you get the idea. And since cabinets can also be installed up on the wall (underutilized space!), they meet the criteria for efficient, organized garage storage. Whether you reclaim a discarded set of kitchen cabinets at a yard sale, or invest in tough, durable, and good looking plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel models from a professional who specializes in garage storage, cabinets are one of your most valuable weapons when it comes to getting control of your garage again.

Minneapolis Garage Organization: Wall Storage
Since you can't fit most garden hoes and rakes into a cabinet, your next investment should be in wall storage solutions. Think peg boards on steroids. Wall storage units come in a variety of styles and designs, but they all serve the same basic purpose: transforming those unused 2x4 studs into a space where you can hang everything from your snow shovel to your table saw. Make sure to purchase a system that will meet the demands you place on it, however. Quality varies, as does the amount of weight you can expect a wall storage system to hold. Other ways to take advantage of your wall space include wall-mounted racks for bicycles, and the old standby of garage storage, garage shelving.

Minneapolis Garage Organization: Overhead Storage
Perhaps the most taken for granted space in your entire garage is right over your head. Overhead storage bins are excellent for storing boxes of keepsakes, camping gear, and other items that you don't need access to on a regular basis. And for all the outdoor types, installing hooks and pulley systems are a great way to get bicycles, canoes, and kayaks, off the ground and overhead, freeing up valuable space on the floor below.

Whether you seek out the assistance of a professional or rely on your own skills to implement better garage organization, Minneapolis homeowners need to remember: garage organizing is more than just cleaning things up. What you're ultimately shooting for is creating a system of organization that sticks, and in the process freeing up your garage for more valuable pursuits, be it tinkering on your classic car, setting up the woodshop you've always dreamed of, or just making room for the family car again.

When Organization Isn't Enough
While many Twin Cities residents will find plenty of additional space through garage organization, Minneapolis is a place where the amount of items the average family must store can be more than the average garage can handle! If you want to take advantage of every outdoor activity the area has to offer, you'll probably end up with far more gear than even the most efficiently planned garage space can shelter. That's why, for the avid outdoor-aficionado, outbuildings and offsite storage units are a dream come true.

Both adding outbuildings and opting for offsite storage have their benefits and drawbacks. Those with little property to spare in the first place will find squeezing an outbuilding onto their lot a tight squeeze; and those on strict budgets may find the squeeze of a monthly storage rental fee even more uncomfortable. However, if you use a storage facility adjacent to your favorite lake for boating and fishing gear, you can save yourself a lot of hassle transporting equipment, the added convenience of which might allow you more weekends of on-lake enjoyment. Those with a little extra room on their property who opt for an outbuilding might also gain a very attractive benefit: once again having a spot to park their car out of the weather!

Rate This Article

OVERALL RATING Be first to rate this article!

YOUR RATING

Saving Rating...

Log-in to save your ratings!

Recommend This Article

Digg
Reddit
Del.icio.us

ServiceMagic Articles To-Go