How do you guys do it?

[reddevildemo]

Hi all, been a lurker for a while and must say, I am jealous seeing some of these garages/shops you have.

The ideas and inspiration I have been gathering have been endless here and I say thank you.

I must know though, how do you guys get all the normal household needed items plus a truck, car, 2 motor scooters, snow blower, kayaks etc along with "shop" space to fit in a standard 3 stall garage?

We are building a new home soon and that is what I am left with, 3 stalls. I am leaving a 4 wide, 2 deep heated garage and am struggling hard with it.
Any suggestions besides getting rid of a lot of stuff?

Thanks for the help

 

[ratdoggy]

1. Buy a shed for yard stuff
2. Do not allow any household **** to go in garage. My wife doesn't even ask anymore
3. Build lots of shelves in basement if you have one
4. Get rid of stuff you think you need and keep only stuff you do need.

 

[reddevildemo]

Thanks ratdoggy but I forgot to mention, no sheds allowed, no fences either.
The basement will have a shop in it (Custom Radio Control stuff) but the painting, welding/brasing will all be in garage. There will be a storage room in basement with lots of shelves for sure.

 

[sgs]

Rent an off property storage locker. I have a 40x16 and besides the 38 foot pusher motor home its holding a lot of stuff I only use now and then.

Gordon S.

 

[justsam]

If you are in the building stage, now is the time to fight for the space, and incremental cost is low.

If an HOA issue, try for a variance to go to a four car garage, or a detached garage that matches the house in addition to the attached. In my last new home I had an attached garage and a detached garage, the only one in the neighbor hood. When it came time to sell, that added garage made a much larger price difference than what it cost me to build it!

In my current home we just did an MLS sort on any home with 4 or more garages. It really pares down the number of homes you need to visit!

 

[pattenp]

Don't live in one of those fancy neighborhoods where they can tell you what you can and can't build.

 

[reddevildemo]

Rent an off property storage locker. I have a 40x16 and besides the 38 foot pusher motor home its holding a lot of stuff I only use now and then.

Gordon S.

It may come to that Gordon.

If you are in the building stage, now is the time to fight for the space, and incremental cost is low.

If an HOA issue, try for a variance to go to a four car garage, or a detached garage that matches the house in addition to the attached. In my last new home I had an attached garage and a detached garage, the only one in the neighbor hood. When it came time to sell, that added garage made a much larger price difference than what it cost me to build it!

In my current home we just did an MLS sort on any home with 4 or more garages. It really pares down the number of homes you need to visit!

I will be checking on this and I agree. My wife is a realtor and would also agree. The house will have an exposed rear and thus an elevated deck. Another option may be storage under there for yard items.

Don't live in one of those fancy neighborhoods where they can tell you what you can and can't build.

Not a fancy one at all. To stay in the area we want for kids school and work this is it. If you want to build a new home your stuck with the new subdivisions. I mean, it's Green Bay Wisconsin, fancy does not fit

 

[Red Goat]

At the least, try to add 3 or 4 extra feet of depth to the garage. Many builders have an option available to do this and the amount of storage space you gain is huge!

 

[ratdoggy]

If you are getting it built look into attic trusses over the garage. My house was a spec house and it was almost finished before I had any input. ***** because it would have really given me a lot of room for stuff like the beadblast cabinet, compressor and storage for kayaks and lawn furniture.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Do the HOA rules allow a children's playhouse? That's your shed.

 

[PCO6]

^^^ and a big dog house.

Gotta be creative. My manual tire changer is housed under a plastic composter out in the yard. It never did produce compost!

 

[T-Mac]

i tore down my old garage before i built my new one and scraped a truck and trailer load of "stuff i might need someday"but never did. fight the urge to save things-junk is junk.

 

[ratdoggy]

No fence????
I guess you can't have a pool either then.....Not that your season would make it worthwhile

 

[Stuart in MN]

Any suggestions besides getting rid of a lot of stuff?

The best suggestion really is to get rid of a lot of stuff.

 

[nickleone]

Not knowing how far along you are with the plans/build. Do an attached "SHED/SMALL GARAGE" onto the house/garage. Use the same siding roof etc as the house.

Nick

 

[NUTTSGT]

No sheds and no fences but what about a separate detached garage for you and your garage stuff ?

 

[bczygan]

Add a "Family Room" to the house. Make it grade level, with a concrete slab floor. Call it "Future unfinished space".
A lot of what is approved in plans, depends on what you label it as.
Locate it right behind the garage, and bust out the wall after you move in. Voila...6 car garage!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Some creative ideas here. But I'm glad I'm not the only one renting a storage locker.

 

[taumac]

Using every sq inch you can.... but if can add a few feet deep and few extra wide you be amazed with what you can fit. A standard garage around here is a 18 x 20 and mine is a 23 x 20 and man it makes all the difference.

 

[regguy1]

I put a 20' x 12' addition on back of the garage and park tractor and store all kinds of stuff back there, I have a walk in door from the garage and an 8' OH door in the rear.

see it here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674&highlight=26'+30'+Garage+photos+videos

 

[ZRX61]

Thanks ratdoggy but I forgot to mention, no sheds allowed, no fences either.

You bought a house in the wrong neighborhood/town/city/county....

 

[reddevildemo]

You bought a house in the wrong neighborhood/town/city/county....

Thanks for the help.


I guess what I am looking for is more ideas on how some of you store some of these items in your garages. I know that getting a shed, storage building, barn or bigger lot would be a help but it will not work for me right now. We do not plan on being here for more than 5-8 years. We have a retirement home on a lake waiting for us. I have a 3 stall garage just for me on that property but it is an hour from our home city and storing less used items there is not pratical.

Any storage in existing garage ideas will be very welcome.

 

[spotco2]

Here are a few of the more popular threads either about organizing or storage. They might not tell you what you want to know, but look at the pics and you will see a lot of really good ideas

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10069

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174553

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36191

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464

 

[1/2 Cup]

1. Buy a shed for yard stuff
2. Do not allow any household **** to go in garage. My wife doesn't even ask anymore
3. Build lots of shelves in basement if you have one
4. Get rid of stuff you think you need and keep only stuff you do need.

I have got endorse this, without a doubt!

 

[reddevildemo]

Thanks Spotco, great ideas in those. I appreciate the links.

 

[bczygan]

Another thing to do is to make decisions on what is REALLY important.

Some of the items that you think couldn't be stored at the place an hour away...really can be.

Some of the things you think you really need...you really don't. Convert them to cash, and if you ever do need them, buy them with that cash.

Basement, attic...stuff them full.

For overflow, buy an enclosed trailer and park it and fill it. Or a van or pickup with a cap or station wagon or motor home or travel trailer. One thread on here even showed a shed disguised as a wood pile. Even an open trailer with a tarp can hold things.

I've even bought a few car top carriers and put them on parked cars as extra storage.

You haven't even begun to do all the "white trash" methods that are available.

Also, underground...can you burrow into a hillside?...Extend some basement space totally under the surface of the earth?...Build a bomb shelter?...Install a storm shelter?...Put in an extra (And extra large) septic tank?

 

[nolimits76]

I went through a similar deal awhile ago. Ultimately ended up buying a different house; however, the lesson I learned is to talk with the HOA. In my case, I found out it would be okay to extend my roof line and add a shed that was attached to the house. What I would call a "lean to". Apparently several other residents had already done this.

While it was an okay solution given the neighborhood restrictions, the house and lot layout did not easily (and inexpensively) lend itself to such a project.

You can probably do something similar at your place. Especially if it is new construction. Make a spot dedicated for your lawnmower and garden tools, even if your access doors are on the exterior.

Make the 3 car garage over-sized. I'm thinking minimum 24' x 26' in the 2 car space and a 12' x 26' in the 3rd bay.

If no living space is above the garage, use beefed up ceiling joists above your garage and lay down 3/4" plywood decking so you can store stuff in the attic. The house I ended up buying has a 3 car garage with a HUGE space like this! However, be sure to put in a heavy duty access door that is wider and can bear more weight (moving stuff up) to make it easier.

If you need to park more than 3 cars, consider buying a 4 post lift and put your least driven cars on it and then elevate and park another car below. Obviously, you need to ensure proper ceiling clearances, and make changes while you are building.

Last but not least, some downsizing on your part will likely be required. Organization is something you should think about with all your projects. Be creative. Lots of guys just think floor space, but you have walls and all the vertical space between the floor & ceilings. Use that space wisely!

 

[ffjosh]

Hi all, been a lurker for a while and must say, I am jealous seeing some of these garages/shops you have.

The ideas and inspiration I have been gathering have been endless here and I say thank you.

I must know though, how do you guys get all the normal household needed items plus a truck, car, 2 motor scooters, snow blower, kayaks etc along with "shop" space to fit in a standard 3 stall garage?

We are building a new home soon and that is what I am left with, 3 stalls. I am leaving a 4 wide, 2 deep heated garage and am struggling hard with it.
Any suggestions besides getting rid of a lot of stuff?

Thanks for the help

When I remodeled my basement i made a nice big storage area.
Im building a lean too onto my garage to store the lawnmore and other lawn care items.

 

[RalphInCA]

"4. Get rid of stuff you think you need and keep only stuff you do."

^^^This.

Make this part of your normal, daily, routine. If it's not NEEDED out it goes!

This includes extra packaging, broken tools, old clothes, old books, anything you need to come up with a justification in your mind about keeping. IOW, it isn't obvious why you are keeping it, out it goes!

That's what works for me. I enjoy a clutter free life.

 

[reddevildemo]

Thank you gentleman. Some very good ideas there.

1) I have decided, as much as I hate it, to get rid of some items. If the box hasn't been opened in over a year, it goes. I am minor pack rat, I will admit but you never know when that one part, that one tool, that one piece of angle iron will be needed. LOL

2) Talking with builder to see what the options are for a deeper garage, trying for 10' and I think the lot will allow, just comes down to cost.

3) Shed under the deck, should be 10' x 20' or there about. Fully enclosed with slab. Perfect for all those "needed yard items" and seasonal toys.

4) Attic trusses. I will be checking into this as well. Depending on cost once again, this is a nice option I never really thought about.


Thanks to all who gave ideas for my dilemma, your much appreciated.

 

[NHBandit]

When I moved from NH to Tennessee 2 years ago I had lived in the same house for 32 years and accumulated ALOT of stuff. I had a 3 bay "carriage house" that was my shop and a large barn and both were full of stuff. We brought a 28' tractor trailer load of household stuff with us, a 16' open trailer with 3 toolboxes, 2 Harleys, most of my shop equipment, etc, a rented U-haul trailer with my 67 Camaro and drove 2 loaded pickup trucks full of stuff as well. Then we went back with a 6x12 enclosed trailer & pickup truck and made another trip with everything else from the garage & barn that I really cared about. Shortly after my realtor called and said she had an offer on that house but the buyer watches too much American Pickers and wants all the stuff that was left in the garage & barn to stay. I told her to get him to sign a buyers agreement before he came to his senses... 10% of what was left there was stuff I might need someday. 90% was ****. I've been in Tennessee 2 years and so far I haven't needed a single thing that got left behind.

 

[mikees455]

Another suggestion to consider - extend the basement under the garage. You might be surprised at how cost effective this extra space is when accomplished before the first wall is dug/poured...

 

[cyamaha2007]

My good friend built a new house in "nice neighborhood near downtown" He was forced into the location due to his wifes jobs requirements. The hoa was much like yours. He made more shop space 2 ways. He used attic trusses for the entire house( ranch home). During construction he made a closet at the rear of the garage with no floor. The hole was directly over the basement. After they passed final inspection he installed a "reciprocating conveyor" or a homemade elevator. He stores motorcycles, car engines, transmissions, yard equipment in the basement. It also houses the large shop tools compressor, blast cabinet, bridgeport, lathe If it weighs less than 2 tons and will fit it goes in the basement.

 

[nolimits76]

Wow Yamaha that must be a kick *** garage your buddy has....homemade elevator, I like it!

To the OP, you are lucky to have the deck and sloped lot that will allow you to convert the space under the deck to a storage shed. Not sure what your lot looks like and what is already in the works, just remember you probably need to give consideration to a retaining wall(s). The nice thing is since it will be hidden, it doesn't have to pretty, just functional. Also, if you are wanting it to be weatherproof, you need to consider how your "ceiling" will prevent moisture, etc from above from creeping down into the storage area.

 

[reddevildemo]

When I moved from NH to Tennessee 2 years ago I had lived in the same house for 32 years and accumulated ALOT of stuff. I had a 3 bay "carriage house" that was my shop and a large barn and both were full of stuff. We brought a 28' tractor trailer load of household stuff with us, a 16' open trailer with 3 toolboxes, 2 Harleys, most of my shop equipment, etc, a rented U-haul trailer with my 67 Camaro and drove 2 loaded pickup trucks full of stuff as well. Then we went back with a 6x12 enclosed trailer & pickup truck and made another trip with everything else from the garage & barn that I really cared about. Shortly after my realtor called and said she had an offer on that house but the buyer watches too much American Pickers and wants all the stuff that was left in the garage & barn to stay. I told her to get him to sign a buyers agreement before he came to his senses... 10% of what was left there was stuff I might need someday. 90% was ****. I've been in Tennessee 2 years and so far I haven't needed a single thing that got left behind.

WOW, sounds like you have a nice collection of stuff. I am getting to the point where less is better as well. I know I have some boxes of tools that I have not touched in a while but plan on using once I get another project car.

Another suggestion to consider - extend the basement under the garage. You might be surprised at how cost effective this extra space is when accomplished before the first wall is dug/poured...

We have been talking about that as well, spancrete the garage and have a bigger basement area for shop/storage. In the end it will come down to money. I need to get the most for my buck and I don't have too many bucks left !!

My good friend built a new house in "nice neighborhood near downtown" He was forced into the location due to his wifes jobs requirements. The hoa was much like yours. He made more shop space 2 ways. He used attic trusses for the entire house( ranch home). During construction he made a closet at the rear of the garage with no floor. The hole was directly over the basement. After they passed final inspection he installed a "reciprocating conveyor" or a homemade elevator. He stores motorcycles, car engines, transmissions, yard equipment in the basement. It also houses the large shop tools compressor, blast cabinet, bridgeport, lathe If it weighs less than 2 tons and will fit it goes in the basement.

That sounds cool as hell. Must be a great set up. I'm not sure if I could get away with something like that both with the inspectors or the wife.

Wow Yamaha that must be a kick *** garage your buddy has....homemade elevator, I like it!

To the OP, you are lucky to have the deck and sloped lot that will allow you to convert the space under the deck to a storage shed. Not sure what your lot looks like and what is already in the works, just remember you probably need to give consideration to a retaining wall(s). The nice thing is since it will be hidden, it doesn't have to pretty, just functional. Also, if you are wanting it to be weatherproof, you need to consider how your "ceiling" will prevent moisture, etc from above from creeping down into the storage area.

The lot is very nice for an exposed basement, not a walkout though. The hill part is not tall enough for that. It is a gradual slope so no need for a retaining wall either.
The plan is to use the "house" as one side wall and stick build the other 3. For water, I have found several solutions on line for this. Here is just one.
http://www.gands-contracting.com/dryspace-deck-drainage-system

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi all, been a lurker for a while and must say, I am jealous seeing some of these garages/shops you have.

The ideas and inspiration I have been gathering have been endless here and I say thank you.

I must know though, how do you guys get all the normal household needed items plus a truck, car, 2 motor scooters, snow blower, kayaks etc along with "shop" space to fit in a standard 3 stall garage?

We are building a new home soon and that is what I am left with, 3 stalls. I am leaving a 4 wide, 2 deep heated garage and am struggling hard with it.
Any suggestions besides getting rid of a lot of stuff?

Thanks for the help

Park the cars outside the garage. I've never seen a mechanic park his own car in his garage ever; just inside when you need to work on it. I live next to a bunch of mechanics (2 professional, 1 semi-professional, 1 shadetree)...cars in the driveway every time. You should see my neighbor's garage, it's ridiculously filled with **** floor to ceiling; have no clue where he's hiding his tools probably in a pile in the corner.

If you buy one (or two) of those professional type tool boxes you'll be good to go, but once they're filled they're pretty much staying where they are. I'm a bit more mobile than that so it doesn't work for me. I have my tools set up in a triangle: mechanics against the far wall, woodworking on the right, general purpose on the left, and assorted stuff in holders/bags on the side. Works for me. Granted woodworking requires more room and machinery (finishing pieces) so my setup is for utilitarian stuff, I don't do finishing at all because it's not for sale it's for use.

 

[spotco2]

You haven't even begun to do all the "white trash" methods that are available.

I used to use a couple of CONEX boxes tucked back in the tree line for storage.

A friend has 2 school buses buried in a hillside so all you can see is the back doors.

 

[pbraun]

You may have heard the expression "get a bigger hammer" - can be applied here and changed to "get a bigger garage". helps.

 

[reddevildemo]

Park the cars outside the garage. I've never seen a mechanic park his own car in his garage ever; just inside when you need to work on it. I live next to a bunch of mechanics (2 professional, 1 semi-professional, 1 shadetree)...cars in the driveway every time. You should see my neighbor's garage, it's ridiculously filled with **** floor to ceiling; have no clue where he's hiding his tools probably in a pile in the corner.

If you buy one (or two) of those professional type tool boxes you'll be good to go, but once they're filled they're pretty much staying where they are. I'm a bit more mobile than that so it doesn't work for me. I have my tools set up in a triangle: mechanics against the far wall, woodworking on the right, general purpose on the left, and assorted stuff in holders/bags on the side. Works for me. Granted woodworking requires more room and machinery (finishing pieces) so my setup is for utilitarian stuff, I don't do finishing at all because it's not for sale it's for use.

That's not an option, I am very **** on how cleean the truck looks and parking outside in the winter here is a no go for sure.
I like your idea on different tool areas though. That is very interesting to me.

I used to use a couple of CONEX boxes tucked back in the tree line for storage.

A friend has 2 school buses buried in a hillside so all you can see is the back doors.

I wish !! The lot size is too small for this though.

You may have heard the expression "get a bigger hammer" - can be applied here and changed to "get a bigger garage". helps.

Yes I know, think I am trying to work it so I can get 10' depth added to all 3 stalls. This will be a huge help in the end.

 

[lilscorpion]

I feel your pain. 3 years ago, during a marital compromise (wife wanted a nice house with an attached garage, I wanted a nice garage with an attached house), I ended up with a double tandem (3 car, double wide, one is double deep). An idiot created such a thing, it's essentially a 2 car with excessive lawn mower/bike space. After some contemplation, and not a lot of choice, i decided to make it work. I sat in front of the compute and spent hours in CAD trying every possible combination and what i found was that the footprint just couldn't handle as much stuff as I had. I started looking around and what seemed to be the most common garage solution was to go vertical - something I've never had to do before (last garage was an oversized 4 car). By utilizing a lot of both suspended and normal shelving I decided to build lots and lots of cabinets and drawers. This is what I did with a single stall. Please excuse the mess, I'm in the middle of fall cleaning.

The left wall perspective

Right wall perspective. 50% of the stuff on the suspended shelf goes into the truck (so temp storage)

Not bad when you consider the list of stuff in there includes a 5k, 8-foot lathe, a knee mill, 2 lista cabinets, a 40-inch craftsman tool chest, a bolt bin, 5 drawer bases which combined have 25 drawer, and 14 cabinets...and all of the stuff in all them. That doesn't include the list of the stuff on the shelves.

As for the snow blower, mower, etc...again, vertical. I tried this lift that I found on Amazon. Whatever is not in season, is on the lift. I lower it and raise it twice a year. The bottom of it is at about 7-feet and I'm 6'1". Works well.

In the pic you can also make out the bikes hung from the ceiling. I have 5 suspended with RAD bike hoists. They work awesome. I can get all of the bikes down in just a few minutes and as soon as the family gets back, they all go back up just as quick.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VOX1XU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Gotta get creative to get a ton of **** into such a small space. If you're not willing to get rid of anything and you still want a useable garage, you gotta figure it out.