Wondering how to maximize your garage space? Aren’t we all. Luckily, our experts have a ton of garage storage ideas and solutions that can transform a cluttered and crowded garage into an organized, efficient, and roomy workspace.
Our guide explains why your layout matters, how to create organization zones, and how to utilize walls and ceilings to the max. Follow these 5 steps and you’ll have room for your car again! More importantly, you’ll be able to find what you need faster and work on car and home projects in a tidy and organized space. Let’s get to it!
Want some design help? Map your layout and peruse Armadillo Tough’s selection of garage cabinets, shelving, racks, and workbenches with our free Design Studio.
5 Steps To Maximize Your Garage Space
A smart layout multiplies usable space without having to add square footage. Work through these steps in order, and you will reclaim floor space fast and keep it that way (see It’s Not Over: Maintenance Tips!). Remember: A place for everything, and everything in its place!
1. Purge, Measure & Create Garage Organization Zones
Fifteen minutes of sorting can save years of hunting. Start with a quick purge: donate, toss, or relocate anything that doesn’t belong in the garage. Then measure wall runs, ceiling height, and the clearance for your garage door tracks and opener.
Map a few simple zones so everything has a home: Tools, Sports, Lawn & Garden, Crafts, Seasonal, Household, etc. Which items go where matters. Keep daily use items at eye or waist level, store seasonal items up high, and lock hazardous materials inside a cabinet.
How To Measure Wall Runs
Wall runs are the clear, continuous stretches of wall you can actually use for storage. Use this quick method to measure them accurately:
- Start at a corner. Measure from the corner to the first obstacle, like a door, window, water heater, electrical panel, or garage door track. That length is Wall Run 1.
- Keep going! From that obstacle to the next obstacle is Wall Run 2, and so on around the garage.
For each run, note:
- Width of the usable section.
- Max usable height to the lowest obstruction (opener arm, window sill, conduit, etc.).
- Depth clearance near parked vehicles so garage cabinets do not crowd them. This is why an 18-inch cabinet depth works well near cars.
- Small things to work around, like outlets or hose reels.
Planning by runs makes it easy to mix and match shelves, slatwall or pegboard, hooks, and cabinets without bumping into doors or tracks.
2. Go Vertical: Walls First!
Open wall space is the biggest win for maximizing garage storage. Use a mix of wall-mounted and free-standing shelves, magnetic tool strips, pegboard or slatwall, and heavy-duty hooks to move your tools, gear, keepsakes, and cleaning supplies off the floor.
Start with these simple upgrades:
- Mount wall shelves up high for long‑term storage and to keep bins and coolers off the floor. Armadillo’s 2×4 Wall Mounted Shelf offers 8 square feet of storage and holds up to 600 lbs when installed correctly.
- Add free-standing shelving for everyday grab‑and‑go items and bulk supplies. Stable and easy to reposition, you can easily move a free-standing rack if your layout or needs change. Try the Armadillo 5-Shelf Storage Rack which supports up to 800 lbs per shelf and assembles without tools. Or step up to the 4‑Tier Mega Rack for extra‑heavy storage, holding up to 2,000 lbs per shelf.
- Add a pegboard or slatwall for hand tools and sports gear. Magnetic strips keep frequently used metal tools visible and easy to grab.
- For secure storage, mount lockable wall cabinets. The Armadillo Garage Wall Cabinet is built from 22‑gauge steel and keeps essentials organized and out of reach.
Good Candidates for Vertical Wall Storage:
On Garage Shelves:
- Labeled bins (light or medium)
- Household backstock (paper products, filters, etc.)
- Small coolers
- Camping duffels
- Power‑tool batteries with chargers on an open shelf for airflow
On Pegboards, Slatwall, or Magnetic Strips:
- Tools
- Yard/garden equipment
- Sports equipment
- Cleaning supplies
- Car care items
On Hooks:
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Brooms
- String trimmers with hangers
- Extension cords
- Air hoses
- Sports bags
In Wall Cabinets:
- Small parts & fasteners
- Tapes & adhesives
- Measuring & marking tools
- First aid kit
3. Utilize That Ceiling Space
Your ceiling is prime real estate for seasonal or bulky items. Use overhead garage storage racks and ceiling hooks to get things off the floor and out of your way.
- The Armadillo SkyRack 4x8 has a 750 lb capacity when weight is evenly distributed. The Convertible SkyRack can be built 2x8 or 4x4 to fit your layout.
- Add ceiling‑rated hooks for long or awkwardly shaped items. Always check clearances for the garage door, vehicles, and walk paths.
Good Candidates for Overhead Racks & Ceiling Hooks:
On Storage Racks:
- Labeled storage totes
- Holiday décor
- Camping gear
- Patio cushions
- Coolers
- Roof cargo boxes
- Spare tires
- Other seasonal items
On Hooks:
- Bikes
- Ladders
- Kayaks
- Paddleboards
- Folding chairs
- Strollers
- Extension cords
- Garden hoses
Tip: Keep liquids and fuel-powered tools in cabinets at ground level for safety.
4. Put It in a Cabinet
Closed storage keeps the garage looking tidy and uncluttered and makes cleanup simple. Choose cabinet sizes and depths that fit your space and the types of gear you store.
- A versatile base cabinet is ideal for car-care and cleaning supplies, paints and adhesives, small power tools, and household backstock. We recommend the Armadillo 2-Door Cabinet. It supports up to 150 lbs per shelf. Adjustable shelves let you set heights for bins and bottles.
- A Gear Locker is terrific for storing tall or bulky gear like golf clubs, camping totes, long yard tools, and seasonal gear you want secured behind a lock. Ours supports up to 750 lbs with adjustable shelves and full‑height interior space.
*Armadillo Tough cabinets are built on a welded internal steel skeleton, include lockable doors, and are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
Prefer plug‑and‑play? Choose from our Preconfigured Cabinet Sets for common garage sizes, or create a custom set-up with our free Design Studio, where a designer will create a layout to fit your exact specifications.
5. Create a Workspace
Create a dedicated work zone for your many and varied projects. Keep commonly used tools within reach of your workbench and tidy up often so there’s always room to start on something new.
A typical garage workbench height lands between 34 and 38 inches. Choose a height near two inches below your elbow with shoes on. Add a stool and task lighting to finish the station.
You can pair a garage cabinet set with a solid wood top or choose a standalone bench like our 56-inch or 84-inch Garage Workbench; both options can support up to 1,500 lbs of evenly distributed weight.
It’s Not Over: Garage Storage Maintenance Tips
A tidy garage stays that way with a few simple habits.
- Keep everything off the floor.
- Use labeled bins.
- Return items to their zone after each project.
- Do a 15-minute reset once a week and a 30-minute seasonal sweep each quarter.
- Use a one-in, one-out rule for duplicates and impulse buys.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Even good plans stumble on a few common pitfalls. Watch for these and use the quick fixes below.
- Buying only deep cabinets. For most garages, an 18-inch depth works better near parked vehicles. Utilize taller lockers, hooks, or ceiling-mounted racks for bulky gear instead of deeper cabinets.
- Ignoring overhead storage. Racks and ceiling hooks free up walking space and reduce tripping hazards.
- Stacking totes on the floor. Move them to wall shelves or a SkyRack and label them on two sides.
- Mixing hazardous & household items. Lock chemicals and sharp tools in a cabinet and place them away from kids and pets.
Safety Tips
A safer install protects you, your family, your vehicles, and your gear. Keep these basics in mind.
- Anchor wall and ceiling units into studs or joists. Follow the weight rating and distribute load evenly.
- Secure free-standing shelves with anti‑tip brackets and straps into studs. Place the heaviest items on the lowest shelves.
- Check door and vehicle clearances before drilling. Measure twice and mark openers, tracks, and hood heights.
- Use gloves and safe lifting techniques. Get help for heavy bins or long items.
How To Maximize Your Garage Space: Final Thoughts
Did these steps help you figure out how to maximize your garage space? It’s all about zones, walls, ceilings, durable steel cabinets, and ongoing maintenance. And once you have a plan, it becomes as simple as 1, 2, 3…4, 5!
Armadillo Tough makes it easy to maximize your space with products that assemble quickly without the need for power tools. Our innovative storage solutions are reinforced with a welded steel frame and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Ready to start working on a layout? Plan it with our free Design Studio and start your transformation today. Any questions? Contact us today!