A garage doesn’t have to be a recycling centre in miniature. Instead, it can be an inspiring addition to the home where work or hobbies are carried out.
Believe It Or Not
The Chinese art and science of Feng Shui is based on the theory that balancing the energies of any given space can help assert the fortunes and health of those who live there. Whether you are a believer or not, there is something to be said for applying the basics of this system to your garage. A good spring clean can not only maximize your garage storage, but also transform the space into an environment suitable for a number of other activities.
A Clean Start
The most efficient way of seeing just how much space you are not using effectively is to give your garage a much-needed clear out. While this may require some effort, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
To begin, you need to prepare basic storage solutions. This means finding any storage boxes or bins you might have and giving them a rigorous clean. Not only will this inspire you to clean or mend anything you put in them, it will also help to protect your items against damage such as rust or staining. Once you have cleaned your storage equipment, line them up outside your garage, bearing in mind that there is always the possibility that you may need to buy more.
The next stage is possibly the most difficult, but also the most liberating. Garages often become receptacles for household storage, acting as the final resting place for items that have seen better days. If possible, assemble all your items in the centre of the garage and begin to sort through them. You should have three categories in mind for each item - keep, repair or bin (or in our more environmentally aware times, reuse, repair and recycle). As a guideline to help you make your decision, consider just how much you have needed or used the item in the last year. If the answer is little or none, then the item should be thrown away or recycled. Items needing repair should be put in a container marked ‘For Repair’. Signs such as these often inspire us to carry out mundane tasks when we have little else to do. The items that you know you will need or absolutely cannot do without should be placed in the containers you have earlier cleaned. There is no need to mark them just yet; you will develop your own filing system according to what you have and can mark them later. The key here, though, is to be ruthless. If you don’t need it, don’t keep it.
Ace the Space
Once you have stored the items you are keeping, it is time to look at the space itself. It is certainly worth cleaning out cobwebs and dirt, but it may also be worth applying a lick of paint. Consider the space in the same way you might consider any room in the house. What do I want to use this room for and how can I achieve the right effect? Now is also the time to consider storage solutions, whether that’s mobile storage shelves, tool storage units or any of the storage systems available. Consider the space on the wall and on the ceiling. If it can be used, you will only gain more space and be able to access the essentials with greater ease.
Fill the Space
Once you have implemented all the storage solutions on your list, you can begin to reorganize your space. However, leave your ‘For Repair’ items in their container. Once you have found new homes for all your other items, you may find that you are inspired to further your home organization and begin the necessary repairs. Once you have done so, these items can be moved back into the house or installed in their rightful places, giving you even more space to play with.
Friday 25 June 2010
How to increase home storage capacity
Once the prerogative of warehouse-based businesses, mobile shelves are now available for domestic use, offering homeowners a convenient and effective way to increase the potential of their garage storage.
Shelves that Move
Warehouses required to know just where stock is and access it quickly have relied on the ease of mobile shelving for a long time. These innovative storage solutions allow businesses to increase their organization and maximize their efficiency. Many homeowners are faced with similar problems, although on a much smaller scale. With garages perceived as an extension of home storage, their true use is often lost and, with it, their potential to optimize home organization.
Mobile shelf units are available in many sizes, allowing them to be used in a variety of environments ranging from industrial to domestic use. Not only do they increase the amount of floor space available, but they can also make even the most awkward of items much more accessible. Depending on the size of the garage, there are a range of systems available to cope with things such as basic tool storage to the accommodation of bigger, more inconvenient items.
Types of Mobile Shelving
In its most basic form, mobile shelving appears as a series of shelves mounted on a track. Operated by a handle, the track can rotated both clockwise and anti-clockwise, so that the operator can quickly access the item he is looking for. Using a domestic garage, this can provide a simple solution to finding items that would otherwise become lost or inaccessible. They are perfect for housing items that are used infrequently, such as camping equipment or heavier, bulkier objects that would otherwise take up space which could be put to better use.
Pallet Racking systems are more appropriate for those with bigger garages. Typically, they are used in warehouses to stack pallets holding heavy materials or items and are loaded and unloaded using fork-lift trucks. However, many hobbyists and those using their garages as miniature warehouses for small businesses have found the benefits of using smaller versions of pallet racking systems. These storage solutions are sturdy and strong, again optimize the floor space available to the owner.
There are even types of mobile shelving designed with particular storage ideas in mind. Those with plenty of books to store could easily benefit from archive storage systems that are not only constructed to house books and documents, but are also designed to offer them protection. Alternatively, those with small catering businesses can investigate the ranges of storage systems that are built to accommodate both sturdy and delicate types of equipment that are associated with this business. Other mobile shelving uses include the potential to turn a garage into a miniature wine cellar; shelves constructed specifically to house and protect bottles allow safe storage and convenient access.
However, mobile shelving is also available for those who simply want to make the most of their garage space, no matter how large or small it may be. While industrial units are neither cost-effective nor appropriate, those designed with domestic garage owners in mind are a fantastic method of preventing potential storage space becoming dead space.
Shelves that Move
Warehouses required to know just where stock is and access it quickly have relied on the ease of mobile shelving for a long time. These innovative storage solutions allow businesses to increase their organization and maximize their efficiency. Many homeowners are faced with similar problems, although on a much smaller scale. With garages perceived as an extension of home storage, their true use is often lost and, with it, their potential to optimize home organization.
Mobile shelf units are available in many sizes, allowing them to be used in a variety of environments ranging from industrial to domestic use. Not only do they increase the amount of floor space available, but they can also make even the most awkward of items much more accessible. Depending on the size of the garage, there are a range of systems available to cope with things such as basic tool storage to the accommodation of bigger, more inconvenient items.
Types of Mobile Shelving
In its most basic form, mobile shelving appears as a series of shelves mounted on a track. Operated by a handle, the track can rotated both clockwise and anti-clockwise, so that the operator can quickly access the item he is looking for. Using a domestic garage, this can provide a simple solution to finding items that would otherwise become lost or inaccessible. They are perfect for housing items that are used infrequently, such as camping equipment or heavier, bulkier objects that would otherwise take up space which could be put to better use.
Pallet Racking systems are more appropriate for those with bigger garages. Typically, they are used in warehouses to stack pallets holding heavy materials or items and are loaded and unloaded using fork-lift trucks. However, many hobbyists and those using their garages as miniature warehouses for small businesses have found the benefits of using smaller versions of pallet racking systems. These storage solutions are sturdy and strong, again optimize the floor space available to the owner.
There are even types of mobile shelving designed with particular storage ideas in mind. Those with plenty of books to store could easily benefit from archive storage systems that are not only constructed to house books and documents, but are also designed to offer them protection. Alternatively, those with small catering businesses can investigate the ranges of storage systems that are built to accommodate both sturdy and delicate types of equipment that are associated with this business. Other mobile shelving uses include the potential to turn a garage into a miniature wine cellar; shelves constructed specifically to house and protect bottles allow safe storage and convenient access.
However, mobile shelving is also available for those who simply want to make the most of their garage space, no matter how large or small it may be. While industrial units are neither cost-effective nor appropriate, those designed with domestic garage owners in mind are a fantastic method of preventing potential storage space becoming dead space.
Garage Storage Ideas
The typical garage is a dingy place, containing as much ‘dead space’ as it does cobwebs. However, many homeowners forget the fact that garage has the potential to be a high-traffic asset to their storage problems.
Plane Thinking
A garage can add considerable storage solutions to any household. However, too often it is seen as a dumping ground for items that are in need of repair – or in need of throwing out. A lack of thought can result in space that is used ineffectively and offers little benefit to the owner. In essence, a garage is a place of storage and could be a place that people frequent regularly. In this respect, it is much like a kitchen, which many homeowners spends hours designing to maximize their home organization. By applying the same ingenuity and creativity, garage storage can take on a new dimension and even become a selling point, should the house ever go on the market.
When designing a kitchen, thought is applied to all the planes in the room to create as many effective storage solutions as possible. The same thought processes could be implemented in maximizing the potential storage capabilities of a garage. What can be hung vertically? Can anything be hung from the ceiling? Are there areas of space that could be used better? In answering these questions, the garage can take on a completely different quality, offering itself up as a space that can be used for other purposes.
Lofty Ideas
For some, the answer is to add a loft to their garage, creating space where there was none before. However, this can be a false economy, as unwanted and unused items still find their way into the main space in the garage. A better way to manage this space is to use garage storage systems. They are much less expensive than a loft extension and the visibility of systems such as tool storage racks makes important items much more accessible.
Using garage storage systems often inspires a level of previously untapped creativity in many homeowners. Suddenly, the walls and ceiling become a blank canvas with potential for home storage; some owners use ceiling racks for clothes storage, hanging winter-wear in the summer and summer-wear in the winter. Using a well-organized garage to store household goods opens up space within the home without compromising the space within the garage. Other ideas include using wall-space on which to hang outdoor furniture during the colder months. Not only does this reduce clutter in the garden, but can extend the longevity of these items that are protected from rain, hail and snow in their new home.
Garage storage systems are now more advanced than ever before. Peg boards, hangers, cabinets and fittings for ceilings can all combine to create a space that is organized and effective. Many homeowners are astonished to find that they have far more space than they originally thought and are able to find new and inspired ways to use the reclaimed areas. If the garage is considered as an extension of the home rather than a place in which to hide waste, it can offer tremendous benefits in return for just a little thought.
Plane Thinking
A garage can add considerable storage solutions to any household. However, too often it is seen as a dumping ground for items that are in need of repair – or in need of throwing out. A lack of thought can result in space that is used ineffectively and offers little benefit to the owner. In essence, a garage is a place of storage and could be a place that people frequent regularly. In this respect, it is much like a kitchen, which many homeowners spends hours designing to maximize their home organization. By applying the same ingenuity and creativity, garage storage can take on a new dimension and even become a selling point, should the house ever go on the market.
When designing a kitchen, thought is applied to all the planes in the room to create as many effective storage solutions as possible. The same thought processes could be implemented in maximizing the potential storage capabilities of a garage. What can be hung vertically? Can anything be hung from the ceiling? Are there areas of space that could be used better? In answering these questions, the garage can take on a completely different quality, offering itself up as a space that can be used for other purposes.
Lofty Ideas
For some, the answer is to add a loft to their garage, creating space where there was none before. However, this can be a false economy, as unwanted and unused items still find their way into the main space in the garage. A better way to manage this space is to use garage storage systems. They are much less expensive than a loft extension and the visibility of systems such as tool storage racks makes important items much more accessible.
Using garage storage systems often inspires a level of previously untapped creativity in many homeowners. Suddenly, the walls and ceiling become a blank canvas with potential for home storage; some owners use ceiling racks for clothes storage, hanging winter-wear in the summer and summer-wear in the winter. Using a well-organized garage to store household goods opens up space within the home without compromising the space within the garage. Other ideas include using wall-space on which to hang outdoor furniture during the colder months. Not only does this reduce clutter in the garden, but can extend the longevity of these items that are protected from rain, hail and snow in their new home.
Garage storage systems are now more advanced than ever before. Peg boards, hangers, cabinets and fittings for ceilings can all combine to create a space that is organized and effective. Many homeowners are astonished to find that they have far more space than they originally thought and are able to find new and inspired ways to use the reclaimed areas. If the garage is considered as an extension of the home rather than a place in which to hide waste, it can offer tremendous benefits in return for just a little thought.
Advanced Garage Storage Systems
Many householders are using their garage storage ineffectively. Rather than using it as a solution to their storage problems, the garage is often used as a dumping ground for household items that are waiting to be repaired, waiting to go to the recycling centre or haven’t yet found their place in the house itself. Creating effective storage solutions in the garage can be a great way to maximize the space and the way it is used.
Reclaiming the Space
Part of the problem in siphoning off household items into the garage is that it often transforms the space into an ‘elephant’s graveyard’, where old goods come to die. Householders who are guilty of this fail to see the garage as an extension of the home. Instead it becomes a vacuum to be filled as and when required. However, just because there are no people living in that space, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated with respect. Organizing aspects of the garage, such as tool storage, can open up further space to be utilized for other things.
The first stage in reclaiming garage space is to organize a ‘cull’. This means ruthlessly looking at what is stored there and deciding just what can go. Items that are surplus to requirement can be donated to charity, sold as part of a garage sale or sold on online auction sites such as eBay. Often there are items in garages that are inconvenient to move. If that is the case, charities are able to arrange pick-up and anything sold online can have that proviso attached.
Maximizing the Space
Once the bulk of the surplus has been cleared, it is then time to structure that which remains. This is where garage storage systems such as tool storage racks can come into their own. Most of the remaining items should be packed into clearly labeled boxes. However, it is items that are frequently used – such as tools - that will benefit most from storage kits.
Storage kits are often able to utilize space that is otherwise redundant. While many garages have a shelf or two, there are many storage solutions that make efficient and maximum use of any hanging space available. With each tool or item that is hung up, more floor space becomes available. At this juncture, the garage is no longer just a dumping ground but an extension of the home, and can be used for home storage as well as those items that need to be kept out of the house itself. Garages that use these systems to enhance home organization often act as a convenient place to store other goods, such as camping or skiing equipment - items that are not used often, but can otherwise take up a lot of space.
Once the space is organized, many householders are astounded to find just how much space they actually own. There can be space to carry out hobbies, incorporate other household items - such as freezers – to maximize home storage and, in some instances, householders may even find they have space in which to park their car!
Reclaiming the Space
Part of the problem in siphoning off household items into the garage is that it often transforms the space into an ‘elephant’s graveyard’, where old goods come to die. Householders who are guilty of this fail to see the garage as an extension of the home. Instead it becomes a vacuum to be filled as and when required. However, just because there are no people living in that space, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated with respect. Organizing aspects of the garage, such as tool storage, can open up further space to be utilized for other things.
The first stage in reclaiming garage space is to organize a ‘cull’. This means ruthlessly looking at what is stored there and deciding just what can go. Items that are surplus to requirement can be donated to charity, sold as part of a garage sale or sold on online auction sites such as eBay. Often there are items in garages that are inconvenient to move. If that is the case, charities are able to arrange pick-up and anything sold online can have that proviso attached.
Maximizing the Space
Once the bulk of the surplus has been cleared, it is then time to structure that which remains. This is where garage storage systems such as tool storage racks can come into their own. Most of the remaining items should be packed into clearly labeled boxes. However, it is items that are frequently used – such as tools - that will benefit most from storage kits.
Storage kits are often able to utilize space that is otherwise redundant. While many garages have a shelf or two, there are many storage solutions that make efficient and maximum use of any hanging space available. With each tool or item that is hung up, more floor space becomes available. At this juncture, the garage is no longer just a dumping ground but an extension of the home, and can be used for home storage as well as those items that need to be kept out of the house itself. Garages that use these systems to enhance home organization often act as a convenient place to store other goods, such as camping or skiing equipment - items that are not used often, but can otherwise take up a lot of space.
Once the space is organized, many householders are astounded to find just how much space they actually own. There can be space to carry out hobbies, incorporate other household items - such as freezers – to maximize home storage and, in some instances, householders may even find they have space in which to park their car!
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Great garage storage ideas from Storagemaker
Storagemaker, the UK’s leading storage solutions designer and manufacturer, is delighted to announce the launch of their latest garage storage kits on their new look website. Aimed at the individual customer rather than just corporate contacts, the new storage solutions offer an innovative, practical and good-looking alternative to traditional storage solutions.
The garage storage kits contain everything that the customer needs to tidy up everything from errant hose pipes right through to tools, cans and jars. “The basic idea is simplicity itself,” explains Stephen Richards, Online Manager of Storagemaker. “The kits come with everything you need to create your own individual garage storage solutions. By simply putting up the slatwalls and then inserting the wire hooks, multi-purpose grab hooks and storage baskets, the customer can utilise the wall space within a garage so that everything is clearly visible and organised to their specifications,” he adds.
A place for everything and everything in its place…
The garage storage kits come in a range of sizes to suit any storage solution requirement. The ‘starter’ pack contains four, two-metre long slatwall sections and a selection of multi-purpose hooks and a basket for smaller spaces. The kits then go up in size to the largest kit, which contains 12 slatwall panels and consists of 79 pieces for larger storage areas. “With these garage storage kits, you can finally find a place for everything and put everything in its place,” explains Stephen. “The kits are so simple to use and install that you could transform a cluttered garage space into a well-organised and smart-looking area in an afternoon,” he adds.
Storagemaker have been one of the UK’s leading storage solution providers for over 15 years, and their ethos is simple solutions, innovative design and practical application. “It doesn’t matter what you want to use your storage solution for, whether it’s tidying up your gardening equipment or organising your tools. The multi-purpose hooks are designed to work for any application, and their simple, clean and elegant lines add a touch of professionalism to any garage space,” explains Stephen. “We have been providing these kits to some of the largest new build organisations for over 10 years. So we thought it was time that the public, who may be drowning under a sea of clutter in their garages, had the opportunity to utilise the very latest in storage solutions for themselves. The garage storage kits offer the ideal opportunity to make what is often a wasted space into an area of the home that can be used for more than just parking the car or storing odds and ends,” he adds.
Garage storage organisation kits are available online at the company’s website at www.storagemaker.co.uk, with secure, online payment facilities and next day delivery options to mainland destinations.
The garage storage kits contain everything that the customer needs to tidy up everything from errant hose pipes right through to tools, cans and jars. “The basic idea is simplicity itself,” explains Stephen Richards, Online Manager of Storagemaker. “The kits come with everything you need to create your own individual garage storage solutions. By simply putting up the slatwalls and then inserting the wire hooks, multi-purpose grab hooks and storage baskets, the customer can utilise the wall space within a garage so that everything is clearly visible and organised to their specifications,” he adds.
A place for everything and everything in its place…
The garage storage kits come in a range of sizes to suit any storage solution requirement. The ‘starter’ pack contains four, two-metre long slatwall sections and a selection of multi-purpose hooks and a basket for smaller spaces. The kits then go up in size to the largest kit, which contains 12 slatwall panels and consists of 79 pieces for larger storage areas. “With these garage storage kits, you can finally find a place for everything and put everything in its place,” explains Stephen. “The kits are so simple to use and install that you could transform a cluttered garage space into a well-organised and smart-looking area in an afternoon,” he adds.
Storagemaker have been one of the UK’s leading storage solution providers for over 15 years, and their ethos is simple solutions, innovative design and practical application. “It doesn’t matter what you want to use your storage solution for, whether it’s tidying up your gardening equipment or organising your tools. The multi-purpose hooks are designed to work for any application, and their simple, clean and elegant lines add a touch of professionalism to any garage space,” explains Stephen. “We have been providing these kits to some of the largest new build organisations for over 10 years. So we thought it was time that the public, who may be drowning under a sea of clutter in their garages, had the opportunity to utilise the very latest in storage solutions for themselves. The garage storage kits offer the ideal opportunity to make what is often a wasted space into an area of the home that can be used for more than just parking the car or storing odds and ends,” he adds.
Garage storage organisation kits are available online at the company’s website at www.storagemaker.co.uk, with secure, online payment facilities and next day delivery options to mainland destinations.
Storagemaker launches new look website
Storagemaker, the UK’s leading home storage solution provider, is delighted to announce the launch of their new look website. The website has been designed to showcase the organisation’s unique collection of storage solutions and is an easy to use, easy to navigate site filled with useful information and great products.
"Storagemaker" PB National Products Ltd has been established since 1995 as a volume manufacturer, supplier and installer of optional extra products to the new house building sector. The company has grown rapidly and now includes seven of the top ten house builders nationally as valued clients.
“Our reputation has been built on being the most cost-effective supplier of storage solutions for the new build market,” explains Stephen Richards, Online Manager of Storagemaker. “With the new website, we’re opening up a whole new marketplace, with individual customers able to incorporate some of our most innovative and effective solutions into their own homes. It’s a great step forward for us and a very exciting time for the entire team,” he adds.
Award winning design
Storagemaker has built an enviable reputation for innovation and design over the last 15 years, coming up with elegantly simple but highly effective storage answers for the most knotty of problems. Their unique garage storage system uses foamed PVCU extrusions and formed, painted carbon steel accessories, achieving both form and function in one simple solution. “It’s not just about effective storage. It’s about making sure it looks right too. So we place as much emphasis on design aesthetics as we do on functionality,” explains Stephen.
The new website at www.storagemaker.co.uk guides visitors around the selection of their top products with a rolling panel that visitors can click on to take them straight to the details of their selected product. Safe and secure online shopping facilities and the option of a next day delivery service means that customers can get their goods quickly and easily.
“We thought very carefully about how to construct the new website and we realised that our customers want three things. They want to know what we sell, they want to know how much it is and they want to know when they can expect it to be delivered. Like many of our products, the answers are simple but effective and we think that the new website is very much in keeping with our company’s ethos of service, reliability and innovation,” says Stephen.
Detailing Storagemaker’s innovative range of garage storage solutions, storage accessories and heavy duty
"Storagemaker" PB National Products Ltd has been established since 1995 as a volume manufacturer, supplier and installer of optional extra products to the new house building sector. The company has grown rapidly and now includes seven of the top ten house builders nationally as valued clients.
“Our reputation has been built on being the most cost-effective supplier of storage solutions for the new build market,” explains Stephen Richards, Online Manager of Storagemaker. “With the new website, we’re opening up a whole new marketplace, with individual customers able to incorporate some of our most innovative and effective solutions into their own homes. It’s a great step forward for us and a very exciting time for the entire team,” he adds.
Award winning design
Storagemaker has built an enviable reputation for innovation and design over the last 15 years, coming up with elegantly simple but highly effective storage answers for the most knotty of problems. Their unique garage storage system uses foamed PVCU extrusions and formed, painted carbon steel accessories, achieving both form and function in one simple solution. “It’s not just about effective storage. It’s about making sure it looks right too. So we place as much emphasis on design aesthetics as we do on functionality,” explains Stephen.
The new website at www.storagemaker.co.uk guides visitors around the selection of their top products with a rolling panel that visitors can click on to take them straight to the details of their selected product. Safe and secure online shopping facilities and the option of a next day delivery service means that customers can get their goods quickly and easily.
“We thought very carefully about how to construct the new website and we realised that our customers want three things. They want to know what we sell, they want to know how much it is and they want to know when they can expect it to be delivered. Like many of our products, the answers are simple but effective and we think that the new website is very much in keeping with our company’s ethos of service, reliability and innovation,” says Stephen.
Detailing Storagemaker’s innovative range of garage storage solutions, storage accessories and heavy duty
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