Help me elevate my garage organization and layout!

[8Line]

Bought myself a new vehicle, so now I can more expensively move things around! yay!
2023 Honda Ridgeline RTL.

Its my new daily, I drive 45mins twice a day so wanted something that can carry the family, and stuff, and get decent gas mileage. which I'm averaging 26/27mpg right now so pretty pleased.


Also figured out how I want my garage layout to be completed. In time I'll add a second work bench in the middle, on casters that lock. and will eventually remove the "workbench #1" and replace it with some means of storage.

 

[8Line]

Well, found some free plastic shelving from a neighbor cleaning out his garage which helped finish most of my organizing. and then installed the bike mount to the wall to get it out of the way. I'm very pleased with this but really want to get two 48"Wx24"Dx72"T cabinets to replace all three of the plastic shelves I currently have. that will also let me hide my ladder in the corner.

 

[CraigStu]

Just keep watching the weekly ads from L, HD, Rural King, Tractor Supply, etc. Eventually someone will have cabinets you want on sale. BTW check Sams Club on line too. We wanted similar a year ago. Wife came across a sale they were having w/ free shipping. Bingo. We were amazed to find while tracking the shipping that it was coming from Cali to us in Va. I can't imagine how they didn't eat up all their profit in shipping.

 

[8Line]

Illumination!!! at least that's what I want to ask about.

This is the wiring for the existing lights in the garage (there are two lights, both turn on with a single switch). The next photos is the plug I would like to install so I can run lights all over the garage. Install looks straight forward but am wondering if there is anything I should be aware of besides flipping the breaker.

- black wires go to brass screws,
- white wires go to silver screws,
- copper wire goes to green screw.

 

[Monza Harry]

Check with a noncontact voltage sensor/test light even after the breaker is flipped, I've seen/felt problems with unknowing "electricians" (self proclaimed type) work, potential for permanent injury goes up significantly while on a ladder at height! The rest looks ok to me but I'm NOT a licensed sparky, I have worked in the trade for a year, left as the promised apprenticeships never showed. Wait for a licensed member to share approval of what you've shared. Harry

 

[rayra]

French cleats on the walls and high cabinets. Spaces look tight.

I also put a lot of stuff on wheels. Workbenchs, mobile shelves and work tables.

Look at docking mobile tool carts or tool boxes under a fixed bench, so you can roll them near to vehicle work.

Mine is a bit of a shambles right now, been busy building furniture. But when not needed, the big work table docks to the wall under the white cabinets (which are hung on french cleats). When not working on big projects it all condenses into a smaller footprint.


Why on earth does Houston / HOA require those window covers?

I'd probably arrange wall pegs so all the like-size window panels could hang flat to the walls on their matching / aligned bolt holes. That's a LOT of wall space lost to their storage.
If you have any secure yard space for something like a plastic garden shed I'd do that and stuff them all in there, OUT of the garage.

 

[8Line]

Check with a noncontact voltage sensor/test light even after the breaker is flipped, I've seen/felt problems with unknowing "electricians" (self proclaimed type) work, potential for permanent injury goes up significantly while on a ladder at height! The rest looks ok to me but I'm NOT a licensed sparky, I have worked in the trade for a year, left as the promised apprenticeships never showed. Wait for a licensed member to share approval of what you've shared. Harry

yea I have time to reserach this. I dont have the lights purchased yet. when I do it, it will be an all or nothing situation. gotta have light!

French cleats on the walls and high cabinets. Spaces look tight.

I also put a lot of stuff on wheels. Workbenchs, mobile shelves and work tables.

Look at docking mobile tool carts or tool boxes under a fixed bench, so you can roll them near to vehicle work.

Mine is a bit of a shambles right now, been busy building furniture. But when not needed, the big work table docks to the wall under the white cabinets (which are hung on french cleats). When not working on big projects it all condenses into a smaller footprint.


Why on earth does Houston / HOA require those window covers?

I'd probably arrange wall pegs so all the like-size window panels could hang flat to the walls on their matching / aligned bolt holes. That's a LOT of wall space lost to their storage.
If you have any secure yard space for something like a plastic garden shed I'd do that and stuff them all in there, OUT of the garage.

French cleats are a good idea. and I like wheels very much. I have one really nice little cart on wheels already and suits the need well.
The window boards are a part of the "Hurricane Zone" requirement for builders. its not the HOA. I did manage to store all but 3 boards in the attic above the garage. those 3 are just too big to fit in the access door. now they are shoved in the far-right corner. also mounted my bike up and out of the way with a peddle hanger, pretty cool.

 

[8Line]

I did a thing!
bought me some bigger, better shelves for the garage. Some 48"x24"x72" adjustable shelving. Planning to put them up this week/weekend. and move the golf clubs and jack stands off the floor. freeing up some space.

Oh, and then work on the new shop truck...

 

[8Line]

Well, it has been some time since I updated anything. Thought I would share the latest update to the garage - new lights! I finally had a neighbor who installed the HEX lights and he let me swing by to check them out. Boy does it make a difference. Here are some before and afters.

You can really see the brightness/whiteness in the tone of the truck in the 3rd and 4th pic. Probably the biggest improvement is the elimination of shadows.