Extra Garage Space? What to Store and How

Garage storage is a handy solution for your extra stuff, but all those boxes, tools, and old furniture can overcrowd your available space. Moreover, while it’s perfectly fine to use a garage to store most items, you’d better keep some of your possessions elsewhere.

This guide is for those who’ve ever asked, “What can I store in my garage?” Learn what items are suitable for garage storage, how to store stuff safely, and how to make the most of your garage space.

What Should You Consider When Assessing Your Garage Space?

If you want your garage to work as a safe and efficient storage space (rather than something that belongs in an episode of “Hoarders”), you must consider two elements: available square footage and access to items. This will ensure you don’t overstuff your garage and make your life much easier whenever you need to hold a moving day garage sale.

Size and Dimensions of the Garage

How many square feet do you have in your garage? If you also use it for its intended purpose (to keep your car), how much space is left over? Also, look into your garage ceiling’s height to consider vertical storage options.

Accessibility and Organization

Before you start cramming stuff into your garage, think of how you’ll access these items later. All your things should be easily reachable, especially items you use often. A well-organized garage will also help you go through your stuff more quickly when sorting items for a pre-move donation.

Common Items Suitable for Garage Storage

When you ask, “What can I store in my garage?” the possibilities are endless. The following items are among some of the most commonly stored in garages.

Tools and Equipment

Your garage is ideal for storing bulky equipment that would take up too much space inside your home. Drills, impact wrenches, lawnmowers, potting soil, and miscellaneous gardening tools can all find a place in the garage.

Sports Equipment

A roomy garage is also great for storing sports equipment like baseball bats, tennis rackets, skis, balls, helmets, and goggles. Rods, tackle, and other fishing supplies are also handy to store in a garage.

Automotive Supplies

You can store automotive gear and supplies, like inflators, extra wipers, or a roof rack in your garage. This kind of setup is especially convenient if your car sits in the garage.

Outdoor Gear

Tents, camping chairs, beach umbrellas, grills, and other outdoor items are also suitable for garage storage. Stash them away until your next BBQ or camping trip.

Home Improvement Materials

You can also use your garage to store home improvement supplies and materials. Paint rollers and buckets, plastic drop sheets, and foam rolls are some examples.

Specialty Items and Collections

A well-organized garage can also keep your collections or special tools in order and your home uncluttered. If you already have a place for your day-to-day stuff, consider using your garage for some or all of the following.

Specialty Tools

If you’re an avid DIYer, you may use lots of not-so-common tools like circuit testers, clamp meters, adapter kits, and bender pliers. Your garage is perfect for holding all those cool gadgets you can’t resist purchasing.

Recreational Vehicles

Depending on its size, a garage can hold not just a regular car but also various types of RVs, motorhomes, and travel trailers. Keep them safely in the garage until you hit the road.

Seasonal Vehicles

Do you have a motorbike you use for summer road trips or a snowmobile that only sees light a couple of times a year? Your garage is a handy place to store these when not in use.

Holiday Decorations

Many of us love to go overboard with Christmas ornaments, Halloween wreaths and lanterns, or decorative stars and stripes for the Fourth of July. Save room in your closets by keeping these items in the garage.

Miscellaneous Items

Your garage is also great for keeping various odds and ends. Garage storage can keep all those items within easy reach while preventing them from hogging up your everyday-use space.

Furniture

A garage can hold guest beds, or an extra-large folding chair set you only haul out when you host all your family for Thanksgiving. You can also store furniture in a garage temporarily, for example, when repainting a room or building an addition to your home.

Boxes of Personal Belongings

You can use your garage to store sentimental items like your children’s first shoes and clothing sets. Your garage can also hold boxes of stuff your adult kids need to store while they’re in college or before a move. Just make sure rodents and other pests don’t get into your stuff.

Extra Household Appliances

Do you have a second refrigerator, an extra-bulky vacuum, or other household appliances you only use sporadically? Store them in the garage instead of cluttering your home.

What Items Should You Avoid Storing in Your Garage?

Once you have the answer to “What can I store in my garage?” let’s talk about stuff unsuitable for garage storage. Unsafe, climate-sensitive, or extra valuable items will need a different storage solution.

Temperature-Sensitive Items

Less-than-perfect insulation and fluctuating temperatures are typical for most garages. This makes a garage less fitting for storing temperature-sensitive items like musical instruments, antiques, vinyl records, art, and some types of furniture (like couches with leather seats). These items need a climate-controlled storage space with the right temperature and humidity levels.

Perishable Items

A garage is also unsuitable for storing perishable items like food, pantry goods, and wine or other alcoholic beverages. Store these items inside your home, in a pantry or wine cellar. Storing pet food in the garage isn’t a good idea, either, since it can attract pests. If you absolutely must use your garage to store pet food, keep it in tightly locked metal or plastic containers.

Explosives and Flammable Materials

Never use your garage to store flammables and explosives like propane, diesel, or oil. If a propane tank leaks, even a tiny spark could start a fire in your garage. Keep any combustibles away from spaces that could experience high temperatures in the summer.

Paints and Chemicals

Another common mistake is storing leftover paint in the garage. The temperature fluctuations of a garage can ruin paint and make it unusable. Read the instructions on the can label to choose an appropriate storage space.

Important Documents

Don’t use your garage to store important paperwork like car documents or insurance policies. Excess moisture could warp the paper, and insects could get into your documents. Store physical documents in a binder or filing cabinet inside your home. Keep extra-important documents in a safe.

Valuables Prone to Theft or Damage

Your garage isn’t a good place for any valuables that could attract burglars or easily become damaged. Moreover, your homeowners’ insurance policy may place coverage limits on items you store in a garage. Store your valuables in a safe, a bank deposit box, or a secure storage vault.

What Are Some Effective Storage Solutions and Organization Tips for Your Garage?

A garage with an efficient storage system can hold more stuff without overcrowding. You should be able to walk into your garage comfortably and access whatever item you’re looking for without climbing over boxes or dodging shelves.

Shelving Units and Cabinets

You can purchase sturdy and inexpensive open shelving units for your garage, install cabinets, or both. Cabinets are slightly less easily accessible than open shelves but will create a more uniform look and help keep dust away from your items.

Wall-Mounted Storage Systems

Storage racks, peg boards, and other wall-mounted systems are ideal for storing odds and ends. Use them to keep cables, hammers, screw boxes, and other items within easy reach.

Overhead Storage Racks

Overhead racks work great for items you only need occasionally, so you can save floor and shelf space for more frequently used stuff. Just make sure those racks aren’t low enough to hit your head.

Labeling and Categorizing Items

Have you forgotten what’s in that big box sitting in the corner of your garage? Labeling will help prevent such issues. Stick clear labels on all non-transparent containers and boxes.

Utilizing Bins, Totes, and Containers

Use plastic bins and containers to hold items that won’t sit neatly on a shelf. Choose transparent containers to see what they hold easily, or opaque bins for a neater look.

How Can You Ensure Safety When Storing Items in the Garage?

After asking, “What can I store in my garage?” you should also consider safety. Do the following to keep your garage free of household accidents.

Properly Storing Hazardous Materials

As we already mentioned, a garage isn’t the ideal place to store chemicals and hazardous materials. However, if you must do so, follow safety measures. Keep chemicals in their original containers and protect them from extreme temperatures. Consider lockable storage for extra security. You may also opt to place chemicals on protective surfaces in case a container leaks.

Fire Prevention Measures

To reduce the risk of a fire in your garage, make sure you don’t overload circuits and practice caution when using electrical tools. Never use generators or grills inside a garage. Cut down on clutter and debris since these can make a fire harder to extinguish.

Child Proofing and Pet Safety

Keep any chemicals away from children and pets. Store hazardous materials on a high shelf, in a locked cabinet, or in another location children or pets can’t reach.

Weatherproofing and Environmental Considerations

A garage is usually more exposed to heat and harsh weather than other areas of your home. If you use a garage for storage, it makes sense to invest in some weatherproofing.

Protecting Items From Moisture and Humidity

Check your garage roof for any leaks and address them quickly. This will protect your items and help prevent issues like mold and mildew. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may also consider using a dehumidifier in your garage.

Insulating the Garage

Adding insulation to your garage helps keep your stored items in better condition. It also allows you to use the garage as a workshop, home gym, or studio. You should also weather-seal the garage door.

You have many options for garage insulation, such as fiberglass, rigid foam insulation, and cellulose board. You could complete an insulation project yourself or hire a professional, depending on your skill and budget.

Preventing Damage From Extreme Temperatures

A garage can overheat quickly during California summers. Use off-the-floor storage for as many items as possible to prevent damage. Also, ensure your garage is well-ventilated to prevent heat accumulation.

Tips for Maximizing Garage Space

The answer to “What can I store in my garage?” is “A lot of stuff — until you run out of space.” The following tips can help you make more of your garage’s square footage.

Utilize Vertical Space

Vertical storage solutions are great for garages since they keep the floor free and items more easily accessible. Check out wall-mounted shelves, hanging hooks and racks, and over-the-door storage for your garage.

Declutter Regularly

Many people shove an unused item into a garage and forget all about it until they move house. This creates clutter and takes up valuable space. Go over your stored items regularly and consider giving away furniture, equipment, and tools you don’t need.

Create Zones for Different Categories of Items

You can allocate garage areas for certain item categories, such as the back wall for sports equipment, a side wall for automotive tools, and the overhead shelves for winter gear. This will help you find items more easily when you need them.

Invest in Multi-Functional Storage Solutions

If you also use your garage as an extra living or working space, you can invest in multi-functional furniture that doubles as a storage solution. For example, you could use an ottoman with a built-in storage compartment or flat boxes for under-sofa storage.

Are There Legal Restrictions on What You Can Store in Garage?

There are few legal restrictions on what you can store in your home garage. However, if you’re renting, some landlords impose limitations on garage storage. California HOAs may also have some boundaries that influence garage use. If you’re a renter or a HOA member, check with your landlord or homeowners’ association to be sure.

Can You Store Firearms in Your Garage?

In California, careless storage of a firearm is a criminal offense. You must store your gun in a safely locked container and ensure it isn’t loaded. You must also ensure children and unauthorized individuals don’t have access to your gun. If you insist on storing firearms in the garage, keep them in a gun safe and check regularly for signs of damage.

Is Your Garage Overstuffed? Lighten Your Load With Easy Donation PickUp

After learning the answer to “What can I store in my garage?” you might want to dive in and start organizing your garage space right away. If you find any unwanted items in good condition, consider donating them to local veterans through Easy Donation Pickup.

Simply schedule a pickup and pack your items, and our team will arrive to get them. We work across Los Angeles and Orange Counties.