For many new homeowners, the last space that receives attention is one of the most used: the garage! Often, garages quickly turn from clean to chaos as they become a move-in day landing zone. Once all boxes are unpacked, garages are often forgotten yet remain filled with items that have not yet been given a permanent place. JSJ Builders has nearly two dozen gorgeous floor plans, and each includes a spacious, two or three-car garage. For homeowners, this additional space is perfect for storage, but organizing it can be overwhelming.

Where to begin? From A to Z, Garage Storage is easy!

1. Add helmet hangers to avoid a floor full of safety helmets. Often, helmets are hung from handlebars and inevitably fall to the ground.
2. Bike ladders offer interior, weather-free storage for bicycles without taking up key real estate. There are even DIY models that raise bikes to the ceiling for out-of-sight storage.
3. Coordinated storage bins are aesthetically pleasing and create a uniform look in your garage. Choose a color that will not go out of style, such as black or grey, and invest in a clear labeling system to prevent digging for wanted items.
4. Display canoes or kayaks with a garage pulley, hi-lift system. Your water toys will always be ready to use while remaining out of your garage’s foot traffic or storage areas.
5. Elevate your storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinets! These keep garages looking clean and offer ample storage for sports equipment, gardening tools, or knick-knacks. They can also be installed unit-by-unit, making them a bit easier on the budget.
6. Fishing rods are a staple for many residents of central North Carolina, and a rod holder will help keep them organized! Available in a variety of sizes, the days of finding your rods scattered from a fall will be a thing of the past.
7. Get creative with a bucket storage rack! Mount 5-gallon buckets to the wall to house hoses, soccer cleats, or small gardening tools.
8. Hang cleaning supplies, such as brooms, rakes, and shovels, from hooks or a custom-made hanger. Add a few extra empty hangers for items that will be purchased later.
9. Incorporate lockers! Check your local marketplace sites, yard sales, or thrift stores for lockers and quickly give them new life with a coat of rust-proof paint. Assign a locker to each family member to serve as a personalized landing space.
10. Join power tools and accessories into a common spot to avoid lost components such as chargers, bits, or blades. This will reduce clutter and lessen the chance of small hands finding dangerous tools.
11. Kid zones are a terrific way to teach children simple organization. Head to the Dollar Store and let your kids pick out a few canvas baskets for their outdoor toys. Place these on low shelves for easy access and a great life skill!
12. Look up! Overhead storage is a great way to tuck away items that are not frequently used, such as holiday decorations. Overhead storage systems can be purchased ready-to-hang, or you can build your own by incorporating your garage’s beams. A ladder ceiling hoist is a great investment for storage and to avoid the damage from a falling ladder.
13. Magnetic Tool Racks keep tools organized and out of the way. Tools such as hammers, screw drivers, and wrenches instantly connect! A bonus? All are on display for easy access.
14. Nothing is more frustrating than tracking down boots when poor weather arrives. As winter ends, collect your family’s boots and store them in a clearly marked bin, tucked away at the top of garage shelving. Think someone will need to size up next winter? They’re probably on sale right now!
15. Organization works so much better when your labels and inventory are well-defined! Purchase oversized labels so that storage bins can be marked clearly, guiding clean-up days with ease. Kick it up a notch by keeping a record that further defines what is in each storage area.
16. Pegboard walls are incredibly versatile and offer endless modes for hanging items. Cover an entire wall with a pegboard wall to give yourself plenty of storage options as you settle into your new home.
17. Quickly address a garage that is starting to slide back into a disorganized state. By setting aside a few minutes each week to straighten up shelves and storage, your garage will continue to be the envy of the neighborhood.
18. Rolling wire shelves offer a great storage solution with easy access to both sides. The taller the better, and reorganizing them is a breeze! Rolling carts are also a great idea. Use these for car maintenance supplies as they can easily be rolled outside on car washing or oil change days.
19. Secure recycling bins to the wall to free up floor space and simplify your part in green living. By raising recycling, curious pets or pests will find it more challenging to access any items that may still carry a light odor.
20. Tiny objects are tricky as they often get lost in storage units. Pick up several small, hanging planters to store small items in. Hang them in a horizontal row or vertically, one above the next, and label each clearly. While picking up those hanging planters, grab a few larger containers. These affordable options can be screwed into the wall or used on shelves for storage.
21. Upcycle! Instead of taking unwanted furniture to the dump, repurpose it in your garage. An unused desk will find new life as a workstation, and shelving that no longer works inside makes the perfect place to house garage storage bins or baskets.  
22. Vacuum-sealed bags are a terrific way to minimize space needs for soft items that aren’t used regularly. Look for “jumbo” slider bags or pick up a kit that includes a hand pump.
23. Wood plus bungee cords equals a simple DIY storage solution. Cut a few pieces of wood boards to size before drilling several holes through them. Zig-zag a bungee cord from piece-to-piece and anchor each to your garage’s wall, leaving enough slack in the cord to tuck sports equipment behind the bungee.
24. X-ray vision is not only for moms. Clear storage bins will help all family members quickly track down items tucked away until ready to be used.
25. Your family may love winter sports, but storing snowboards or skis can be challenging in the off-season. Invest in a tall, thin storage unit that will fit multiple boards and skis when not in use.
26. Zero stress and little mess! The key to a stress-free garage is keeping it well-organized by addressing messy areas promptly. Take an extra minute before simply setting items down at random and, instead, put them in their proper places to avoid those long, dreadful “clean out the garage days” down the road.

When purchasing a new JSJ Builders home, buyers are delighted to discover spacious garages ready to be put to good use. While garages can quickly become disorganized and cluttered, they can also be easily transformed into beautiful, easy-to-use spaces. JSJ Builders has new construction homes available in Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake counties, all with over-sized garages standard.

Reach out to the team at JSJ Builders today to find the floor plan that works best for you!