‘Get Organized Today’: Tune up your garage

In the second part of the “Get Organized Today” series, Elizabeth Mayhew, deputy editor of Real Simple, suggests some tools that can help bring order to your overcrowded garage.

Day 2: How to organize your garage
Garages can serve as a workshop, storage locker, recycling plant and carport all at once, but this versatility often leads to chaos. It’s easy for the garage to become a dumping ground, since it’s not a room you actually live in and you can shut the door on the mess. If you want to be able to find things, and perhaps even park the car in the garage, it’s important to get organized.

Clean out one area at a time, and designate different areas for specific functions. Store items you use outside, like garden equipment, close to the garage door, and things you use regularly, like cleaning supplies, close to the house door.

Metro shelving: Take advantage of both vertical and horizontal space. Metro shelving doesn’t require any drilling, and it’s a terrific storage solution. Metal is better than wood, which can warp when it gets wet. www.metro.com, on sale now for $225

Plastic storage bins: Once you decide what goes where, it’s time to contain and maintain. These waterproof, plastic containers are much better than cardboard boxes and come in several different colors and sizes. Label boxes on the side, not the top, in case you decide to stack them. Rubbermaid, $3-$7 each

Grook holder: The Grook holder has specially designed rubber pressure clamps and gripper openings to accommodate a large variety of poles and handles and hold them securely in place. Perfect for organizing sports equipment, cleaning and gardening tools. This system “grabs” and “holds.” Casabella, $19.99

Peg tool board: Hang hand tools so you can see them. You can mount a peg tool board onto the wall, and outline each tool with a special pen (sold separately for $1.98), so you’ll always know where to put things back. www.tool-organizer.com, $24.50

Recycling system: Stacking bins keep recycling tidy, and wheels on a system make it easier to take recyclables to the curb. Stacks & Stacks, $46.99

Bicycle storage system: Make use of unused space by storing bikes off the floor. Tension adjustment secures the bike rack without hardware or damage to walls or ceiling. Stacks & Stacks, $119

Bungee cords: Perfect for strapping in, tying up or generally keeping things in place. Bungee cords are super-strong, stretchy and have metal hooks at each end. The Container Store, $1-$2

For more Real Simple ideas and solutions, check out the October issue (on newsstands now) or visit http://www.realsimple.com/.