More than a place to park the car, the average garage can be transformed into an ace organisation space, workshop and much more. And whether you’re breaking a sweat or camping under the stars, if your hobbies come with loads of gear, smart storage is the answer.
Time for a change
It can be handy having some space outside your main four walls, whether for storing belongings, tackling a task that’s too loud or messy for indoors, or even just having some me-time for a workout.
With just a few adjustments, the garage can be that multifunctional space – secure, organised and with room to move. Here’s how to make your garage fit for multifunctional purpose.

Workshop meets man cave
If you love to D.I.Y., you’ll need storage for all your tools, projects-in-progress and a top notch workbench. The Pinnacle workbench is part of the modular range, so you can pair it with the sort of storage you need: a mobile unit underneath, slimline cabinet above and a strong shelving unit for all the big things. Add a Craftright creeper stool for sitting and tinkering.
Hang it up
Use the wall to keep your tools easily accessible and neatly organised. Wall brackets can hold an impressive amount of weight, while a pegboard is great for the small stuff, keeping screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers and more at hand.
Consider leaving some space for memorabilia and mementos – those things that didn’t make the cut for the living room wall, but that make a space feel personal and inviting to hang out in.

On the shelf
Every garage or shed needs a solid and robust shelving unit to hold heavy items. Use it to hold bulky storage crates or slim compartment organisers, work boots, tool cases, paint cans or whatever else needs tidying away.
For tools and hardware, a multi-drawer chest and trolley unit is ideal – fill the narrowest drawers with screws and socket wrenches, with larger tools in the big base drawer or cabinet.

Tame family clutter
Minimalist living is tricky for most families, so the garage can be an ideal home for stashing all the overflow, from scooters and sports gear to messy craft supplies. Use wall brackets to hang bulky items like bikes and scooters, as well as gardening tools, brooms, stepladders and so on.
Add a pegboard with hooks to store helmets, sunhats, the dog lead, or even a dustpan and brush for quick clean-ups.

In the clear
The bright colours of kids’ toys and sports gear make using clear tubs, like those from Ezy Storage, particularly useful; it’s easy to see which container holds what.
The Flexi Storage range is a smart pick for a flexible space that can change with your family. Combine a bracket set with deep and shallow baskets, shelves, pegboards and shoe racks, which can be configured however you like and changed as your needs shift. Set it up as a craft station, a home for sports gear, a mud room-style set up for shoes and bags – or all of these at the same time!

Turn your garage into hobby central
If your hobbies mean you are always on the go, you’ll know that with all that activity comes loads of stuff! Whether it’s bikes, surfboards, camping equipment or gym kit, the garage is usually where all the gear washes up.
Careful planning can help you store everything and still have room left over for a workout space. When wet weather drives you indoors, or if your garage regularly doubles as a gym, it’s handy to have some soft rubber floor tiles on hand. These will protect your knees and can be easily packed away when not in use.

Wheels away
StorEase smart rails can be put to work holding everything from fishing rods to skateboards – just add hooks and hangers where needed.
These rails can support bigger items like bikes as well or mount a dedicated bike hook above to make use of every vertical inch.
A pegboard is ideally suited to holding loose sports gear – use an assortment of hooks and holders to hang everything from tennis racquets and bike helmets to resistance bands.
Shelf help
For all those items that can’t be hung on the wall, a robust shelving unit – sturdy enough to hold even your heaviest kettle bells – is a must.
Add a variety of different-sized containers to hold all those little bits that would otherwise clutter up a cupboard indoors, like tennis balls and camping kit, or even paint cans and tools.

Store more in your garden shed
No garage? With clever storage hacks and good storage products, the humble shed can work as hard as a space twice its size! A solid weight-bearing shelving unit organises garden supplies vertically and keeps them off the floor.
Store like with like – bags of soil on lower shelves, pots and fertilisers together – and corral smaller items into containers or trays to make them tidier and easier to lift down and sift through.

Easy access
Turn to a pegboard for the bits you use most often, such as hand tools and garden gloves, and use wall space to hang spades, brooms and even the garden hose. Map out what you need to hang and where, and fit hooks accordingly. And don’t forget the door! Even if you only suspend a rake or a couple of brooms on the back of the door, that’s valuable real estate for storage.
More information on garage organisation
Take advantage of every nook and cranny. “When it comes to using your space creatively, there is always one section people forget to utilise: the walls,” says Steph. “Buying removable hooks or floating shelves will free up so much more space.” Create a pegboard or corkboard, put up shelves, and use hooks for calendars. Making a memory board for important notes is as easy as simply buying a mesh panel and some wooden pegs.
More storage ideas
Need more help on ways to store your tools? Check out this article: Seven handy tool storage ideas