Maximize Garage Space With An Easy And Affordable Storage Trick

For many homeowners, the garage is the final frontier in home organization. It becomes the catchall for all the things that have no other home anywhere else in the house, as well as all the outdoor gear you accumulate for your kids, hobbies, and home maintenance. 

One huge challenge for garage organization is the sheer range of sizes and shapes of items, from children's toys to garden tools to camping gear. Another is where to put everything so it's out of the way but still accessible. And most people don't want to break the bank over garage organization, either. We've got a super simple one-word storage solution to answer all of these challenges: Hooks! 

Wall-mounted hooks from the hardware store are an easy way to utilize vertical storage space in your garage on the cheap. They come in all sorts of sizes, designs, and strengths to accommodate just about anything you want to get off the ground, from rakes to power tools to wheelbarrows. Going vertical is one of the best strategies to maximize storage space, and using hooks is a budget-friendly way to organize your garage.

As professional organizer @kristincoorganizing7619 shows us, you don't want to just start installing hooks haphazardly in your garage. First, you need to think through your items so you can reorganize your garage like a professional. This means planning ahead for what you want to hang and where. Some questions to ask yourself include: What items should be lower to the ground and accessible for kids? What can I put up high because it isn't needed as often yet still keep it visible? Where is the most convenient place for each item? Start to imagine your items on the wall like a puzzle according to your needs and preferences. Also, start with the bigger items first because it will make it easier to declutter your garage as you can fit in smaller items as you go along. 

When it's time to buy your hooks, make sure you have all the information you need to make the right selection. Consider the size and weight of each item you want to hang, and make a list of the hook sizes and weight capacities you'll need. You can either shop for individual hooks or get a set like the Kofani 16-pack of Steel Heavy Duty Garage Hooks, which can hold a max of 88 pounds. Get creative with how you utilize the hooks, like laying your folded beach umbrella across two hooks and hanging your beach bag and cooler on those same hooks for an instant beach gear storage station.