Before you commit to your new garage, there are a few things to consider. Here are our organisational tips and ideas to create an orderly, manageable and accessible garage.

Zone Your Storage Areas for Efficiency

Three principles for creating order and neatness are; having a place for everything, storing similar items together, and making regularly used items easily accessible.

You can implement these principles in your garage by creating different storage zones. This ensures that every item has a place and that complimentary items are stored together.

Your specific storage zones will depend on exactly what you’re storing, but some common storage zone’s you can use are:

• Regular use zone: Keep your most commonly used items in this space and make it close to the doorway for ease-of-use. You can grab them on your way in or out of the garage.
• Working space: Do you garden, do arts and crafts, or house maintenance? Instead of putting your tools away after each step in the project, leave them on your working space to save time.
• Seasonal items: Some items are only used once a year, and so they can be stored away in a cupboard. Your Christmas decorations, camping gear and snow equipment all belong here.
• Rarely used: If you have items that are infrequently used, then put them in the space that is least accessible – this leaves you with more accessible space for regularly used items.
• Wall accessible: Put your rakes, mops, and other long tools that can be hung on the wall together. This saves room on the floor and in the cupboard and allows them to air dry. It makes them easy to grab when you have something that needs to be cleaned up quickly.

Overhead Storage Racks

High ceilings are beautiful in churches or your living room, but in garages, they’re just underused space. Instead of wasting this dry, safe and clean space, build overhead storage racks. They are ideal for storing infrequently used items.

Foldable Worktables

A big, wide workbench is amazing to work on. You can spread out all your equipment and leave parts out while you work on something else. The only problem is that they take up so much space! Instead of losing that space when it’s not in use, implement a foldable table. You can set it up when you need it and save space by folding it away when you don’t.

More Tips to Organise Your Garage

Here are some more ingenious ideas to get the most from your garage:

• Build a wall mounted toolbox – This saves space on the ground and saves your back from constant, heavy lifting.
• Use labelled mini drawers for keeping small items – This makes tiny items easy to find and use.
• Build a bike or surfboard shelf – If you cycle or surf; keep your board or bike up and out of the way, while making the most of your wall space.
• Outline your tools – creating an outline around each tool’s hanging spot makes them easy to find and ensures that everyone puts them back where they belong!

If you want to get the most out of your garage, turn to the experts at Impact Garage Doors. We ensure you have the appropriate garage roller door, panel lift door or high-end garage door for your home.

Your home garage, full of sharp tools and hazardous chemical, can be one of the most dangerous rooms of your house – especially for children and pets.

You’ve no doubt taken precaution against these risks, placing them out of reach of young hands, paws and mouths, but have you also considered the safety of your garage doors?

Electric doors in particular can cause accidents and injuries in the garage – here are some important tips to make your garage door a danger-free zone for the whole family.

Always Fully Close or Open the Door

Rule number one – never leave your garage door partially open, particularly if it’s electric. When activated again, it may travel downward, closing on anything in its path. Don’t risk this happening to the kids and pets in your household. Even though there is a built in safety mechanism which will reverse the door, it could still injure a smaller person, pet or damage to your car if parked too close to the door. For this purpose, it’s important to have your Garage Door checked and serviced to ensure the sensitivity and working order of this mechanism.

Educate Your Kids

Have a talk to your kids about the potential dangers of the garage door, and make it clear that they need to be extra careful around that area of the house. Preventing accidents from occurring in the first place is key.

Also talk to anyone else who will be looking after your kids and/or pets in your home – they’ll need to know how the garage door works, and the potential risk it can be for little ones.

Check Your Door for Changes

Make a visual inspection of the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. A trained garage door technician must make adjustments to these parts, which are under high tension.

Remote Controls Aren’t Toys

Always make sure the remote control that opens your garage door is out of reach of small children. Some children may think that the garage door remote is a toy for them to play with – don’t ever be tempted to let them play with it.

Emergency Release Can Save a Life

Consult the garage door owner’s manual and learn how to use the garage door’s emergency release feature – it could save a life, and you’d be surprised how many people don’t even know this feature exists.

Guard Your Remote Control

Thieves can gain access to your home by stealing the remote control or even the car itself, with the remote control inside. Never leave your remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. Consider using a key chain remote and always lock the entry to the inside of your home – especially if your opener is programmed to your vehicle. It is a small inconvenience to pay for safety and peace of mind.

If you’re looking to replace or upgrade your garage door, talk to the team at Impact Garage Doors. They can provide you with expert advice on the safest and best option for your Wollongong home. Call us on 02 4044 0809 or simply contact us online. Our garage door professionals can offer you a free quote and provide you with all the information you need.