Swiss Army Garage Layout? (One garage that does EVERYTHING)

[Colin Len]

Maybe more venting here than anything, but maybe some great ideas will pop up. I've got a 17'x19' garage in my backyard (small, 5k sqft property) and have come to the conclusion that the layout just does not work for me and I'm convinced there's a much better way to lay things out. The layout was created by me trying to use every piece of a set of vintage cabinets and it should be laid out based on how I need to use the space and what needs to be stored in it.

There are so many nice garages here but most are pretty big and/or specialized for a certain type of use. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how best to layout my garage so I can:

• Store one car (Integra)
• Have a small computer desk area
• Store lots of car parts including multiple sets of wheels
• Store all of my tools (includes welder, compressor lots of mechanics tools, detailing stuff, quick jack, floor jacks, jack stands, some woodworking tools...)
• Store all of my consumables (oil, coolant, other chemicals/cleaners...etc)
• Freezer for kitchen overflow + beer fridge
• Metal bench area that can double as a welding area
• Wood top bench area
• Somewhere for a full height drill press, vise, bench grinder/polisher
• Would love to get a small lift setup eventually (in-floor scissor or something like MaxJax)
• Have a flexible workshop where I can work on any multitude of projects

I already have a 120sqft shed behind the garage which is currently full of car parts, misc home storage, and large tool overflow from the garage. This is massively helpful but I know it'd be better to get some stuff from the shed moved to the garage and vice versa. Maybe move the compressor to the shed or just outside even but that just makes room for the fridge which I currently don't have at all.

This was a few years ago but the layout is basically the same with only minor changes. And the thread in my signature will tell you more about the types of projects I work on (and hopefully that's just the start, I'd love to get into more metal working.) It should be noted that currently not all of these cabinets are full. This layout is bad because I have a lot of storage but not the right types of storage in the right places.






One thing I'm thinking I want to change is to make it so there's basically nothing on the back wall. With how shallow the garage is it's hard to have a car in the garage, working on it and have room to move and room to close the garage door. Getting everything off that back wall will help with that, especially when I want to work on something larger than my Integra.

I love all the great organization threads but most are centered on the little details and at this point I need some help with the big picture layout. To figure out how I can store all my stuff and have multiple workspaces for different types of work and I haven't seen that in many really small garages before. I need flexibility and versatility.

Jack's 12ga garage is probably the closest I've seen to what I'm trying to build and I keep coming back to that for inspiration. But, he's got 77 more sqft than I do which doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that's 24% more room than I have now. Starting to feel like this may be an impossible task (aka, I need to slip back into reality and make some big compromises.)

If anyone has any other garages they know of that I should look at (I already went through the list here on GJ) or has any suggestions for how to approach this I'd much appreciate it. So far I've just started making a list of everything I need to store and I'll follow that up with workspace ideas. From that hopefully I can figure out how much area I need for each thing and I can start trying to cram them into this space (using CAD or Revit).

Once I figure that stuff out I'll be able to move forward with the remodel I've wanted to do for a while which includes all new elec, vaulting the ceiling, high lift garage door to follow ceiling, insulation and new drywall...etc.

OK, just had to get that off my chest because it's keeping me up at night running through different layouts in my head...

 

[Trapps]

Looks like you're already quite well organized; it's a good looking set up. Some things to consider:

1. A rolling MFT with storage under it for certain tools. Something perhaps longer and narrower to preserve footprint for the car. This could be on the side and used in concert with a Flip up table of the same height giving you a larger flat surface (to practice FSD aversion techniques).
2. Nest some of the existing elements over the MFT
3. What can you suspend / hang?
4. Is a bump out an option? Recess the fridge, the compressor or both without claiming shed space? Snow/ice/temp is not a factor, just rain proofing in your zip code.
5. Lose/relocate the artwork during the reorg for more wall space?

 

[Colin Len]

Looks like you're already quite well organized; it's a good looking set up. Some things to consider:

1. A rolling MFT with storage under it for certain tools. Something perhaps longer and narrower to preserve footprint for the car. This could be on the side and used in concert with a Flip up table of the same height giving you a larger flat surface (to practice FSD aversion techniques).
2. Nest some of the existing elements over the MFT
3. What can you suspend / hang?
4. Is a bump out an option? Recess the fridge, the compressor or both without claiming shed space? Snow/ice/temp is not a factor, just rain proofing in your zip code.
5. Lose/relocate the artwork during the reorg for more wall space?

Thanks for the response!

Excuse my ignorance... but what's an "MFT"?

As for suspending/hanging, that'll depend on how the ceiling vaulting goes. I probably won't be able to hang much, if anything, from the ceiling itself but definitely plan to get some storage shelves up high. I figure boxes and bins of car parts (the ones that don't weigh a ton) can go up there. Perhaps get some of the wheels/tires up there too. For the most part I'd like to keep the center of the ceiling pretty open to allow the area to feel larger than it is and make it possible for a lift in the future.

Bump out isn't really an option and the shed is up against the back wall of the garage. Currently looking to stay within existing footprint. That said, I would like to talk to an architect acquaintance of mine to get his thoughts on the cost of what I have planned vs knocking it all down and building a larger building in place of the garage/shed. That said, I'm 99% sure that'll be way out of my budget - mainly because of the site and concrete work that would be needed. I'm kicking myself for not pulling out some equity when I refinanced my mortgage

I was thinking maybe using a water heater enclosure or something like that to house the compressor out back behind the garage / next to the back of the shed. Either way, I think getting the compressor out of the garage will be necessary as that's like 4 sqft of precious space

Artwork is all gone as far as I'm concerned. I have some stuff on the walls now and some other stuff I'd like to show off but I'm not going to make room for any of that. I plan to focus on function first and if there end up being some areas to hang some art, display helmets, memorabilia or car show trophies...etc then great but if not that's fine by me. Right now, some of those pieces of art are covering holes in the drywall.

 

[Trapps]

Multi Function Table

Plenty of examples here on GJ and other places.

 

[andyvh1959]

Even an 8' plastic folding table can be very handy for short term projects. But a table you can roll to the side is even more handy if you don't plan to clean it up/put it away after every use. A pair of Black & Decker Workmates and a sheet of plywood on top make a good temporary table as well. And we can never have too many Workmates.

 

[Colin Len]

Multi Function Table

Plenty of examples here on GJ and other places.

Ah, OK, never heard that before. But, I had seen some different benches people had made that are flexible and configurable. I don't really have any specific ideas at the moment but I figured the benches would need to be "multi-function". Just not sure what kinds of configurations are best for me.

Even an 8' plastic folding table can be very handy for short term projects. But a table you can roll to the side is even more handy if you don't plan to clean it up/put it away after every use. A pair of Black & Decker Workmates and a sheet of plywood on top make a good temporary table as well. And we can never have too many Workmates.

I've definitely out grown the plastic folding tables, lol. I actually previously had a large stainless steel ikea desk on wheels that I kept around for added workspace but eventually it just took up too much space. Even storing an extra sheet of plywood is a bit of an issue considering the circumstances.

I am thinking though that all the benches should probably be mobile so I can use them in place against the garage wall, pull them out or even wheel them out into the driveway. And maybe there's somewhere I can utilize a work surface that folds down from the wall or some sort of bench that unfolds like a transformer

 

[m6z]

Even an 8' plastic folding table can be very handy for short term projects. But a table you can roll to the side is even more handy if you don't plan to clean it up/put it away after every use. A pair of Black & Decker Workmates and a sheet of plywood on top make a good temporary table as well. And we can never have too many Workmates.

Yeah. I've gotten quite a bit of use out of a cheap folding table the wife was going to throw away and as a bonus it lives behind my toolbox completely out of sight when not needed.

OP, any chance you can make the shed bigger or taller? I'd try and utilize that space first for things like the tires, air compressor and car parts.

You could do a rolling wood top workbench and a steel top workbench that nested together. Build your welder storage into the steel top bench, etc.

 

[Colin Len]

Yeah. I've gotten quite a bit of use out of a cheap folding table the wife was going to throw away and as a bonus it lives behind my toolbox completely out of sight when not needed.

OP, any chance you can make the shed bigger or taller? I'd try and utilize that space first for things like the tires, air compressor and car parts.

You could do a rolling wood top workbench and a steel top workbench that nested together. Build your welder storage into the steel top bench, etc.

Expanding the shed is also pretty much a no-go. It's a very nice (built like a house" type shed so not easily modified on the cheap. But, more importantly it's already the max allowable size per my municipality. I don't want to get into a situation where I have to tear it down or where the city prevents me from doing any other permitted work simply because my shed isn't code compliant.

Shed is already FULL of all the things you mention. Some car parts I'd like to move into the garage for easier access. Same goes for some tools (small table saw, chop saw, metal cut off saw). And I've already got bins with my elec/plumbing/drywall/paint supplies in that shed. So, stuff needs to shift between the two spaces but other than that, there's no room to add more stuff (and ideally we have other things in the house that I'd love to move to the shed if possible). All in all, we simply don't have enough room for all our stuff in this 5ksqft property with 900sqft house and 300sqft garage. Moving isn't an option for probably another 10yrs and I've got a lot of projects I'd love to work on in a comfortable space before that

I like that nesting idea! I had thought about that previously but forgot - could be a great way to go. That said, one thing I really liked about Jack's 12ga garage is that he purposefully built EVERY bench at the exact same height. But nesting may be a better idea for more efficient storage.

 

[Colin Len]

I forgot to mention this but just added it to my original post and will put here as well...

One thing I'm thinking I want to change is to make it so there's basically nothing on the back wall. With how shallow the garage is it's hard to have a car in the garage, working on it and have room to move and room to close the garage door. Getting everything off that back wall will help with that, especially when I want to work on something larger than my Integra.

 

[andyvh1959]

Or perhaps a sheet of plywood, ripped to 32" wide, then hung/hinged to the wall so when swung up/supported it's 36" off the floor. Makes for a 32" x 96" work surface.

 

[Colin Len]

Some sort of flip up/down bench is definitely an option but I'm thinking that'll be secondary to any main benches. The reason being is that if the benches are on the sides as I have planned then I'd want them permanently down and use the space underneath for storage. I was thinking maybe a flip down bench on the back wall so I can keep that clear but also flip it down for some situations.

 

[AldeanFan]

Put everything that touches the floor on wheels.
This way you can reconfigure your shop based on what you are doing. Don’t stick yourself with one layout.
I bought HF furniture dollies and used the wheels for my bench and cabinets.

Any flat surface becomes a shelf to accumulate junk. A big bench will soon become covered with no work space. A workmate or folding table that gets folded up and put away every time forces you to keep your horizontal surfaces clear.

you’ve got a small shop so you’ll need to have small tools and equipment whenever possible.
A bench top drill press gives you storage underneath for more tools and will do almost everything that a floor model will do.
The two gallon shop vac will **** just as well as the 12gallon vac but take up way less space, you just have to empty it more often.

Putting the compressor in an enclosure behind my garage was one of the best things ive

 

[Colin Len]

Put everything that touches the floor on wheels.
This way you can reconfigure your shop based on what you are doing. Don’t stick yourself with one layout.
I bought HF furniture dollies and used the wheels for my bench and cabinets.

Any flat surface becomes a shelf to accumulate junk. A big bench will soon become covered with no work space. A workmate or folding table that gets folded up and put away every time forces you to keep your horizontal surfaces clear.

you’ve got a small shop so you’ll need to have small tools and equipment whenever possible.
A bench top drill press gives you storage underneath for more tools and will do almost everything that a floor model will do.
The two gallon shop vac will **** just as well as the 12gallon vac but take up way less space, you just have to empty it more often.

Putting the compressor in an enclosure behind my garage was one of the best things ive

Thanks, Mark! Yeah, I know that problem well. That's a big problem with my current workbench setup. It gets full and all just bleeds together between multiple projects or project stuff will end up on my computer desk area. This is one reason I want to have benches that are more specialized, I figure separate, specialized benches may be less likely to accumulate unrelated items or at least spillover. And, I had the idea a couple nights back to get a "metro cart" rack (or similar) that isn't too big but EASILY portable. Then, fill that rack with bins with the express purpose of putting all that misc stuff there. Maybe if I have a specific place for that kinda stuff then I won't put it on the benches. That cart could be shuffled around easily on demand rather than having a more permanent home.

Bench top drill press definitely would be better, but the one I have was a gift from my father in law so I'll feel like a jerk if I get rid of it. But yeah, most of the other tools are already small - I realize a full size table saw ain't gonna work for me

 

[Steve in UT]

Watch this video! it will give you some ideas on how to function in a small space.

 

[niget2002]

Can you store any of the parts in the attic? I know attic trusses aren't supposed to store a ton of weight, but maybe some stuff can go up there.

If you're not using all the cabinets, is it because drawers would make more sense? Maybe try to replace some of the cabinets with drawers?

I mean... You've at least used the setup long enough to know what you don't like. I'm still trying to figure some of that out and I have a lot more sq/ft in my shop than your garage

 

[Colin Len]

The garage does not have an attic, or trusses for that matter. I could build a ceiling and create an attic but the roof pitch is minimal so it’s be crammed and difficult to access. Either way, I’d prefer a vaulted ceiling anyway.

Lots of the lower cabinets actually have pull out shelves so they are basically like drawers but don’t look like it. I LOVE this. It’s currently where I’m storing stuff like my circular saw and other power tools. You’re correct though, that I’m starting to realize where cabinets are good vs drawers. In the end I’ll need some of each for storing different things. I’ll likely use a combo of lateral file cabinets and my current red HF tool box for the drawers. Then I would like to replace the red tool box with a larger HF box. Currently I can’t fit all of my mechanics tools into a single box so I think switching from two boxes to one, larger, more organized box will be better. Then house tools and other stuff can go in the red box I have already.

So far I’ve found generally what I don’t like but what is better still eludes me, lol.

 

[niget2002]

One thing I did when I was confined to a garage was having everything on wheels. That way I only ever setup for what I needed that day. You don't look like you have too many "big" tools, though.

 

[Colin Len]

Watch this video! it will give you some ideas on how to function in a small space.

WOW!!! That was awesome. Totally different type of workshop than I need but that was super cool and inspiring. I gotta share that with my dad and brother.

 

[Colin Len]

One thing I did when I was confined to a garage was having everything on wheels. That way I only ever setup for what I needed that day. You don't look like you have too many "big" tools, though.

Correct, not a lot of big tools. I haven’t had space long enough to have acquired anything too big. If I can find more roof to put stuff then that will change as I’m always looking for any excuse to buy a new tool

I definitely want a lot on wheels but currently pondering where that line is. I can see some benefits to having benches secured to the wall. And for some storage I think I could be more efficient with custom cabinetry that fits a space exactly rather than some sort of modular storage cabinets on wheels.

I’m leaning towards custom cabinetry on one side wall with a semi-built in computer desk. Then everything else on wheels but maybe some way to attach/detach my main bench from the wall.

 

[rayra]

Nice big fold-UP table on the back wall.

Re-order the cabinets on the left wall and extend storage space upward to the rafters. High shelf on that wall for the clutter on the ground. In fact high shelf all the way around the room.

Rolling toolboxes to whichever side of the room which will have your primary workbench. You do not want to be walking across the room or around a parked car to get tools.
Arrange the toolboxes so they are not blatantly visible to the public.

 

[crewchief888]

Arrange the toolboxes so they are not blatantly visible to the public.

^^^ this.

i'd rather have a blank back wall, or bench across the back.
my garage faces north, 2 sets of boxes and a metal wall cabinet along the west wall, 1 large set of boxes in the SE corner, none are really visible from the street. natural light from 2 small windows on the south side "fool the eyes" to the point where you cant really see inside from the street, plus the garage is uphill, and set far enough back. if i'm working in the garage i usually gave a car in the driveway blocking the view.
been here since '06 and have rearranged stuff several times as i had to move my work boxes home from the shop, and acquired for stuff. i dont do any wood working type stuff in the garage, table and miter saw stay in the basement with other wood type stuff, as well as all my machinist tools, guns and reloading gear.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I think you have a very nice looking and functional space now. I would suggest doing some Cardboard Aided Design. Cut out scale sized cardboard rectangles for each of the items you want to add to the space as well as what you have. Do this 2 ways - floor foot print and wall footprint. Then on the same scale, grids of each wall and the floor. Arrange and rearrange till you get to the best compromise. Compromise is the key word. I think you will find that all the items you listed in your original post will simply not fit, no matter how ingenious your solutions. Most troubling is the multiple sets of wheels and the freezer/refrigerator. Best of luck to you. And if you do find a way to meet all your stated goals in the space you have be sure to post the solution as many here will be interested.

 

[tyyost]

Looking at your space and your request it’s hard to visualize more dense storage than you already have, you have a ton of enclosed space. Like another poster, I’d suggest rearranging the left wall, get your big boxes over there, cabinets rearranged so they fit a workflow, store the hand boxes, and mount the chargers to the wall on the metro style shelf.

Given your requests, consider a rolling bench over your big tool box. (Nesting as suggested above) Then you can see if you need additional benches that could swing down from the wall like the 12ga garage, or a fold up/knockdown mft. Also, in your existing layout, I’d buy some clear bins to put on top the cabinets you currently have for seldom used supplies.

 

[kngelv]

Man I feel your pain. I'm literally in the same boat as you. I have a 19'6" x 17'6" garage so a whopping extra 6 inches in length and width. I also am trying to move cabinets off the back wall to fit a vehicle in there for occasional maintenance. A few weeks ago I finally bought RaceDeck flooring but have yet to put it down because I have not figured out how to arrange things. I will be checking this thread closely. I do have a couple of thoughts. I have gotten down to one overhead cabinet - from four - that I store all my manuals in. I think they make the garage feel smaller and are sort of impractical over benches. I also have metal pegboard that I thought would be a timesaver but has become more of an annoyance. Any possibility of putting toolboxes under the bench and getting rid of the cabinets?

James

 

[Colin Len]

Nice big fold-UP table on the back wall.

Re-order the cabinets on the left wall and extend storage space upward to the rafters. High shelf on that wall for the clutter on the ground. In fact high shelf all the way around the room.

Rolling toolboxes to whichever side of the room which will have your primary workbench. You do not want to be walking across the room or around a parked car to get tools.
Arrange the toolboxes so they are not blatantly visible to the public.

I'm 99% set on getting rid of these cabinets. I feel like they're holding me back. They're great storage, just the wrong type of storage for what I need. Which ***** cause they're really cool. I may keep a couple of them but not sure, I kinda don't want to split them up and that way someone else can enjoy them. The layout I've been envisioning does bring most of the tools to one side which will help keep things together but it's a small space so I'm used to walking back and forth around the car.

Some really good, high up storage I think will be critical. I'm thinking a ~2' deep shelf at top plate level on both sides. Front and rear a shelf at that location isn't too useful due to the roof pitch. But I think with those shelves on the side I can store a LOT more than I am now.

Garage is in the back of my property down a long driveway with a gate so nothing is visible to the public.

Arrange the toolboxes so they are not blatantly visible to the public.

^^^ this.

i'd rather have a blank back wall, or bench across the back.
my garage faces north, 2 sets of boxes and a metal wall cabinet along the west wall, 1 large set of boxes in the SE corner, none are really visible from the street. natural light from 2 small windows on the south side "fool the eyes" to the point where you cant really see inside from the street, plus the garage is uphill, and set far enough back. if i'm working in the garage i usually gave a car in the driveway blocking the view.
been here since '06 and have rearranged stuff several times as i had to move my work boxes home from the shop, and acquired for stuff. i dont do any wood working type stuff in the garage, table and miter saw stay in the basement with other wood type stuff, as well as all my machinist tools, guns and reloading gear.

The garage is at the back of my property, down a long driveway and hidden by a driveway gate - nothing is visible from the street.

The garage isn't deep enough for a decent bench on the back wall. I think this is the main issue with my garage compared to others. As you see there are tool boxes there now but its too crammed. I think keeping that back wall clear (or maybe only hang stuff on it that protrudes <6") to allow the space to be better utilized for working on cars.

I've seen my dad reorg his shop (jewelry) many times over the years and his layout just keeps getting better and better. I see so many people here build a fairly "permanent" garage layout that would be tough to reconfigure and I'm hesitant to do that immediately. I figure I'll probably want the flexibility to change it as I work in the space and figure out what works and doesn't.

I think you have a very nice looking and functional space now. I would suggest doing some Cardboard Aided Design. Cut out scale sized cardboard rectangles for each of the items you want to add to the space as well as what you have. Do this 2 ways - floor foot print and wall footprint. Then on the same scale, grids of each wall and the floor. Arrange and rearrange till you get to the best compromise. Compromise is the key word. I think you will find that all the items you listed in your original post will simply not fit, no matter how ingenious your solutions. Most troubling is the multiple sets of wheels and the freezer/refrigerator. Best of luck to you. And if you do find a way to meet all your stated goals in the space you have be sure to post the solution as many here will be interested.

Thank you! I laid some tape out over the weekend actually to help visualize an area I'm thinking about for the computer desk area. The problem is that most of the stuff in there now isn't easily moved to allow me to test layouts with cardboard on the floor. Eventually I'm gonna start messing around in CAD or preferrably Revit.

Looking at your space and your request it’s hard to visualize more dense storage than you already have, you have a ton of enclosed space. Like another poster, I’d suggest rearranging the left wall, get your big boxes over there, cabinets rearranged so they fit a workflow, store the hand boxes, and mount the chargers to the wall on the metro style shelf.

Given your requests, consider a rolling bench over your big tool box. (Nesting as suggested above) Then you can see if you need additional benches that could swing down from the wall like the 12ga garage, or a fold up/knockdown mft. Also, in your existing layout, I’d buy some clear bins to put on top the cabinets you currently have for seldom used supplies.

Thanks! Your points are definitely starting to sink in. Previously putting all the boxes and benches on the left didn't seem like it'd work out for a couple reasons I won't go into. But, I think I've figured out a solution to that and am really liking the idea of getting everything over there.

As for the storage, it's dense, but it's actually fairly empty and not used efficiently. I think I have too much of the wrong type of storage, not enough practical workspace and not enough of certain types of storage. I was thinking of getting a new 56" tool box and building a hutch around that to store more stuff. Then, take my current red toolbox and build that into the base of a large workbench on wheels. The black tool box, perhaps just sell that off or maybe see about integrating that into a rolling welding cart or something else useful.

Man I feel your pain. I'm literally in the same boat as you. I have a 19'6" x 17'6" garage so a whopping extra 6 inches in length and width. I also am trying to move cabinets off the back wall to fit a vehicle in there for occasional maintenance. A few weeks ago I finally bought RaceDeck flooring but have yet to put it down because I have not figured out how to arrange things. I will be checking this thread closely. I do have a couple of thoughts. I have gotten down to one overhead cabinet - from four - that I store all my manuals in. I think they make the garage feel smaller and are sort of impractical over benches. I also have metal pegboard that I thought would be a timesaver but has become more of an annoyance. Any possibility of putting toolboxes under the bench and getting rid of the cabinets?

James

Finally, someone in the same boat!

Yes, I think I'll get rid of ALL of these cabinets I have now. I need some cabinet storage but I think less than I have now. If I get all the tool boxes and benches to the left then I can cover a good portion of the right side wall with cabinets. As long as they aren't too deep they won't take up much space and will be great storage for stuff like extra chemicals/cleaners, towels, spray paint and some bins with other misc stuff.

I was actually thinking over the weekend about my metal pegboard. I like it and I don't. Wasn't sure if I wanted to keep it. But, now that I'm wanting to build a hutch over my main "mechanics" tool box I think I could put the pegboard in there and it could be really useful. Perhaps even on that left side wall above my benches which I need to design and build. And yeah, I think integrating the other tool boxes into benches or getting rid of them will be key.


Thanks for the thoughts, everyone! I know it doesn't seem like much but all the little ideas and thoughts are really helping me roll over all this in my head.

 

[rayra]

I manage to cram quite a bit into the 3rd stall in my attached 3-car, turning it into a workshop space. I put a lot of stuff on wheels so the layout can be changed at will / as necessary, and have filled one side wall with hanging cabinets on french cleats. And the top of the cabinets serve as a high shelf.

Maybe getting everything you can fit on one sidewall can give you the end and other side space you need to do vehicle work.

 

[david3921]

I would suggest looking into 5S principles. The first, and most important, is Sort. Keeping what you need and discarding the rest is most often very difficult but essential. Your storage and usage needs have to based on what you planning on using your garage for. You've talked about storing car parts. Just my opinion, but why? Are they going to used daily? Weekly? If not, they don't belong in the garage unless you really have the space for them. Maybe these types of items, if really needed, should be moved to a storage facility.

Tell us more about the car parts and why you feel they need to be stored in the garage.

Also, based on the ladder on the left, it looks like you have space up high. Can you take pictures of your rafters so we can see that space?

 

[Colin Len]

I would suggest looking into 5S principles. The first, and most important, is Sort. Keeping what you need and discarding the rest is most often very difficult but essential. Your storage and usage needs have to based on what you planning on using your garage for. You've talked about storing car parts. Just my opinion, but why? Are they going to used daily? Weekly? If not, they don't belong in the garage unless you really have the space for them. Maybe these types of items, if really needed, should be moved to a storage facility.

Tell us more about the car parts and why you feel they need to be stored in the garage.

Also, based on the ladder on the left, it looks like you have space up high. Can you take pictures of your rafters so we can see that space?

Yes! I've been sorting (mentally, not yet physically) all my stuff to see better ways to organize and set things up. And when I actually start this project I'll be going through ALL of my stuff. Sorting. Organizing. And most importantly, purging things I don't need any longer.

The car parts thing would probably require too lengthy of an answer to fully put your skeptism at bay, lol. There are a lot of factors at play here. But, I will say we have 4 cars, almost all of which are modified. In most cases I keep the original parts so I can return the vehicles to stock. For some of the cars I have spares or other various parts I've collected. Some stuff I have for my Integra now is quite rare, valuable and/or hard to come by. I'm often buying/selling parts for vehicles and am generally very good about getting rid of the things I no longer feel I need to keep around.

They don't need to be stored in the garage, they could also go in the shed. That said, my current mentality is keeping the garage storage more automotive related and keeping non-automotive stuff in the shed. Currently both areas have a mix of both types of things, so we'll see where things shake out in regards to that. I'll probably need to choose mostly based on efficiency of space rather than proper categorization. I'm 100% unwilling to pay for storage elsewhere, to me it's like throwing money away that would be better put towards my retirement / savings that will allow me to move into a larger space in the future.

There is a little space up high and the plan is to try and fix the roof structure up for an open, vaulted ceiling with high up storage on the two side walls. It's a small garage and fairly shallow roof pitch so not a ton of room up there. And I don't want to install lower ceiling, I'd like as much open, headroom as possible. I even plan to convert to a high lift door that follows the roof.

The prior owner built storage up there but it was hung from the roof which was not designed for that so there was significant sagging. I had this braced when I had the roof replaced shortly after moving in and now the roof is straight again. But the bracing is a mess and needs to be changed (cleaned up). I plan to raise the main beam that's there now and there may be a little room to hang some storage for that but as mentioned I'd like to keep as much headroom as possible. I already hit things on the overhead framing all the time and it's very annoying.

Some more info and a photo can be found in my main thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-suburban-double-17x19x8.346824/#post-6156212

 

[Dogmeat]

MY garage/party area......these are just a small example as to what the whole area looks like.....
the 3.5' wide x 6' dp x 22' LONG pit is ****!!

 

[nicholam77]

Nice to see you back @Colin Len , I used to follow your thread!

I don't have much of a leg up on you for space (18'x20') but you already have much more storage than me. If it isn't fully being used or used well, maybe it's time to give up some cabinets. You could keep cabinets to the upper portion of the walls (save for the computer desk/workstation), and keep the lower half of the walls available for mobile benches / tool carts / flip up workstations etc.

Another idea with the cabinets is you could make or buy some sort of stackable crates or inserts to fit more small stuff into them. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend checking out @lilscorpion Tooling:Reorganization thread. Lots of amazing ideas and modularity in that one.

You mentioned Jack's 12 Gauge Garage, I know you were questioning solid vs flip-down vs rolling workbenches. I think there is a place for all of them. Jack obviously makes use of the flip-downs to be able to fit more in a small space. Think about what the purpose of the bench or work surface is, and what method would be most appropriate. Maybe one of each haha.

To expand on @Trapps suggestion of the MFT... that's derived from a Festool product called the MFT/3, which is basically a foldable woodworking bench with an array of dog holes. It may or may not be useful to you depending on what you're working on. A lot of people (including myself) have riffed off that concept and made DIY versions.

Here's mine:



I use it for almost all my woodworking needs.

— clamping / workholding (has a ton of clamping options for all kinds of workpieces)
— track saw cross cut station
— table saw outfeed
— assembly table for glue ups
— cart has storage for commonly used tools in Systainer toolboxes

If you do more car and metal projects than woodworking, this exact bench might not be right, but I think the point was in a small space, a bench that can excel at more than one task is a huge benefit.

I know you said you already looked on Garage Journal, I'm sure you've seen it, but I'd also check out @dubber 3x garage builds for ideas on how to store jack stands, wheels, car detailing supplies, etc.

As someone who also feels they are short on space and doesn't have a fully functional layout... I'll be following along. But at least you only park one car in it!

 

[Colin Len]

Nice to see you back @Colin Len , I used to follow your thread!

I don't have much of a leg up on you for space (18'x20') but you already have much more storage than me. If it isn't fully being used or used well, maybe it's time to give up some cabinets. You could keep cabinets to the upper portion of the walls (save for the computer desk/workstation), and keep the lower half of the walls available for mobile benches / tool carts / flip up workstations etc.

Another idea with the cabinets is you could make or buy some sort of stackable crates or inserts to fit more small stuff into them. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend checking out @lilscorpion Tooling:Reorganization thread. Lots of amazing ideas and modularity in that one.

You mentioned Jack's 12 Gauge Garage, I know you were questioning solid vs flip-down vs rolling workbenches. I think there is a place for all of them. Jack obviously makes use of the flip-downs to be able to fit more in a small space. Think about what the purpose of the bench or work surface is, and what method would be most appropriate. Maybe one of each haha.

To expand on @Trapps suggestion of the MFT... that's derived from a Festool product called the MFT/3, which is basically a foldable woodworking bench with an array of dog holes. It may or may not be useful to you depending on what you're working on. A lot of people (including myself) have riffed off that concept and made DIY versions.

Here's mine:



I use it for almost all my woodworking needs.

— clamping / workholding (has a ton of clamping options for all kinds of workpieces)
— track saw cross cut station
— table saw outfeed
— assembly table for glue ups
— cart has storage for commonly used tools in Systainer toolboxes

If you do more car and metal projects than woodworking, this exact bench might not be right, but I think the point was in a small space, a bench that can excel at more than one task is a huge benefit.

I know you said you already looked on Garage Journal, I'm sure you've seen it, but I'd also check out @dubber 3x garage builds for ideas on how to store jack stands, wheels, car detailing supplies, etc.

As someone who also feels they are short on space and doesn't have a fully functional layout... I'll be following along. But at least you only park one car in it!

Great to hear from you, Nick!

Part of the issue with the cabinets is I don't want to split up the set. They're cool, old, metal kitchen cabinets so I feel some sort of responsibility to try and keep them together as a set. Plus, I figure I'm going to sell them so can probably get more for a full set rather than part of one.

I always love seeing those creative MFT's and rad custom organizing stuff like you shared from lilscorpion. I wish I had the woodworking knowledge and tools to build that kinda stuff. I mean, I know I could learn and buy tools but it'd be a steep learning curve and costly. As much as I'm always wanting to learn more and try new stuff I also need to learn to pick my battles. I've already got more on my plate than I can handle so with this garage re-org stuff I'm trying to figure out a practical balance between making and buying.

Between just laying awake at night thinking about this and this thread I'm definitely getting some ideas. With how my taxes went and some other home plans I'm thinking there may not be a budget this year for the BIG stuff (elec, insulation, framing, drywall...). But, I'm really itching to make some changes so I may just rip everything apart and at least try a slightly different layout. I guess look at it as a trial run.

 

[gsuty17]

You have some great answers here already. In addition to those (and probably some duplicates I missed), here is a list of my best ideas for your consolidation:

• Eliminate what you don't need. If it's not sentimental and of value, sell it. Buy it later if necessary. Space costs money.
• Flip the fixed bench side of your garage to the opposite wall, you always need to keep it free because of the door, may as well make it an isle. This also gives you a dedicated entire wall for a workbench, tool chests, and storage. Utilize the entire wall, floor to ceiling.
• If possible, stack a second toolbox on your red one and eliminate the black one.
• Use every bit of vertical space to it's maximum potential. Make a shallow rack over the garage door for ladders, creeper, saw horses, etc. Whatever is slim and lightweight and doesn't get accessed often.
• Hang PC monitor from cabinet or wall mount it to free up more benchtop space.
• Utilize space under cabinets for battery storage, charging, etc so you can eliminate that little wire rack.
• With such a small space it's critical you operate as much on one project at a time as possible, so a shelf around the top perimeter of the entire garage for totes with incomplete projects and parts is a good way of freeing up your existing bench space.
• Clean out some household closets, mudroom, etc. Can anything go in the house?

Just some ideas, your cabinets are awesome!

 

[AldeanFan]

In a small garage you can’t keep too much stuff around.
If you’ve got a huge garage then you have room for tools you rarely use, parts you may never use, and stuff that’s barely better than garbage. One of my friends has a huge barn, and he can keep everything. He’s got stacks of tires that are only good for rolling projects around, but he’s got the space so he keeps them.

With a small garage you have to get rid of those types of things. I had a big wood lathe. It was the biggest tool in my garage and I used it maybe 3 times in two years, so I sold it. I’ve missed it about 3 times since I sold it 5 years ago, but I sure enjoy having the extra space and if I really wanted another I can buy a lathe anytime.

I need to ditch some spare parts I’ve held on to for way too long, like a trunk lid for a foxbody Mustang. At one time these were difficult to find, now you can get a new replacement for $300. This old one would need more than that in bodywork.

in a small garages we don’t have space for anything we don’t absolutely need or can’t replace.

 

[Colin Len]

You have some great answers here already. In addition to those (and probably some duplicates I missed), here is a list of my best ideas for your consolidation:

• Eliminate what you don't need. If it's not sentimental and of value, sell it. Buy it later if necessary. Space costs money.
• Flip the fixed bench side of your garage to the opposite wall, you always need to keep it free because of the door, may as well make it an isle. This also gives you a dedicated entire wall for a workbench, tool chests, and storage. Utilize the entire wall, floor to ceiling.
• If possible, stack a second toolbox on your red one and eliminate the black one.
• Use every bit of vertical space to it's maximum potential. Make a shallow rack over the garage door for ladders, creeper, saw horses, etc. Whatever is slim and lightweight and doesn't get accessed often.
• Hang PC monitor from cabinet or wall mount it to free up more benchtop space.
• Utilize space under cabinets for battery storage, charging, etc so you can eliminate that little wire rack.
• With such a small space it's critical you operate as much on one project at a time as possible, so a shelf around the top perimeter of the entire garage for totes with incomplete projects and parts is a good way of freeing up your existing bench space.
• Clean out some household closets, mudroom, etc. Can anything go in the house?

Just some ideas, your cabinets are awesome!

Great ideas, thank you! You're right on with a lot of what I'm thinking. I regularly purge the stuff I no longer need so I'm pretty good about being on top of that. Plans now will almost certainly be to move the benches to the left side so that is the "workshop" side and then just computer/storage on the other side. I plan to get a larger tool box that I can use to replace the two I have now. One larger, 56" box, should fit all my automotive tools. But, I'll keep the top clear so that's additional workspace. Currently thinking I'll build a hutch over it and have my pegboard behind. Monitor and computer are already mounted on the wall (those pics are old and I now have a mac mini an ultra widescreenmonitor mounted on the wall.

Our entire house is already PACKED. Not in an overloaded, hoarder kind of way but instead in an efficient use of space kind of way. It's amazing how good my wife is at organizing all that stuff! When you live in a 900sqft house with 10x10 bedrooms you are kinda forced to be efficient with your space.

Now, sticking to one project at a time is something I've had problems with. I'll keep working on that but I also know my self so although I could make improvements here I realistically just need to plan for a bit of chaos and concurrent projects.

In a small garage you can’t keep too much stuff around.
If you’ve got a huge garage then you have room for tools you rarely use, parts you may never use, and stuff that’s barely better than garbage. One of my friends has a huge barn, and he can keep everything. He’s got stacks of tires that are only good for rolling projects around, but he’s got the space so he keeps them.

With a small garage you have to get rid of those types of things. I had a big wood lathe. It was the biggest tool in my garage and I used it maybe 3 times in two years, so I sold it. I’ve missed it about 3 times since I sold it 5 years ago, but I sure enjoy having the extra space and if I really wanted another I can buy a lathe anytime.

I need to ditch some spare parts I’ve held on to for way too long, like a trunk lid for a foxbody Mustang. At one time these were difficult to find, now you can get a new replacement for $300. This old one would need more than that in bodywork.

in a small garages we don’t have space for anything we don’t absolutely need or can’t replace.

Yeah, I hear ya there. I've only had small garages and this is my first home so this is the most stuff I've ever had. I'm constantly cycling things through - getting rid of old as I get new stuff or as needs change. This re-org will be a good opportunity to do more of that.

 

[duneslider]

One tip from me. Get rid of whatever you don't really need and get stuff out of the garage that you can.

Both of these are really hard to do, at least for me. I moved and was forced to do a bit of dumping which was a big help. I have moved the rest of the **** into my new garage and put it on shelves and am just now finding time to look in boxes that haven't been opened in 2 years. I am forcing myself to be realistic with what I find in the boxes and I am throwing out a LOT of stuff. I figure if I haven't used it in 2 years AND the value is low I am getting rid of it. Doing this is allowing me to make better use of the space and change the storage I have to work better for what I do.

 

[Colin Len]

One tip from me. Get rid of whatever you don't really need and get stuff out of the garage that you can.

Both of these are really hard to do, at least for me. I moved and was forced to do a bit of dumping which was a big help. I have moved the rest of the **** into my new garage and put it on shelves and am just now finding time to look in boxes that haven't been opened in 2 years. I am forcing myself to be realistic with what I find in the boxes and I am throwing out a LOT of stuff. I figure if I haven't used it in 2 years AND the value is low I am getting rid of it. Doing this is allowing me to make better use of the space and change the storage I have to work better for what I do.

As much as I love collecting new stuff I also get a ton of enjoyment (e.g. weight off my shoulders) when I clean, tidy and PURGE. I chip away at it here and there for things in the way and take opportunities like moving or deep cleaning to go through and do bigger passes at getting rid of things. It's one part I'm looking forward to with this garage re-organization. I don't have a lot of large stuff I can get rid of but I'm sure I'll find lots of little stuff that will hopefully add up.

The two items I'm having a hard time with right now are two tool boxes which were my grandfathers. I'd love to use them somehow but so far they just don't fit any of my needs. I really don't want to get rid of them since they were his and have some sentimental value but I'm gonna have to find some solution because as of now they're just taking up space.

 

[duneslider]

Another on that I am really working with right now is getting rid of my bigger compressor. I have a small pancake compressor that can do everything that I currently need a compressor to do. I am really tempted to get rid of the bigger compressor and just use the small one, or figure out how to get the big one out of my garage.

 

[duneslider]

As much as I love collecting new stuff I also get a ton of enjoyment (e.g. weight off my shoulders) when I clean, tidy and PURGE. I chip away at it here and there for things in the way and take opportunities like moving or deep cleaning to go through and do bigger passes at getting rid of things. It's one part I'm looking forward to with this garage re-organization. I don't have a lot of large stuff I can get rid of but I'm sure I'll find lots of little stuff that will hopefully add up.

The two items I'm having a hard time with right now are two tool boxes which were my grandfathers. I'd love to use them somehow but so far they just don't fit any of my needs. I really don't want to get rid of them since they were his and have some sentimental value but I'm gonna have to find some solution because as of now they're just taking up space.

I have a smaller metal craftsman toolbox that I got when a grandfather died. I have been using it for the tools I use for bike repair but those tools have out grown the box and I have other solutions for those tools now and I am in the same boat not sure what to do with the box. Thinking about seeing if another family member wants it, that way it stays in the family.

 

[Colin Len]

Another on that I am really working with right now is getting rid of my bigger compressor. I have a small pancake compressor that can do everything that I currently need a compressor to do. I am really tempted to get rid of the bigger compressor and just use the small one, or figure out how to get the big one out of my garage.

My compressor is definitely part of the problem. If anything, I could actually use a larger one though. Or maybe not larger but at least one that puts out more CFM. But I can make due with what I have currently so long as I can get it moved outside.

I have a smaller metal craftsman toolbox that I got when a grandfather died. I have been using it for the tools I use for bike repair but those tools have out grown the box and I have other solutions for those tools now and I am in the same boat not sure what to do with the box. Thinking about seeing if another family member wants it, that way it stays in the family.

I've already been hounding my brother about it and he hasn't had room either. That said, I realized that he's buying a condo soon and maybe he'll have room for one of them. He won't have a garage but I know he's gonna turn one of the bedrooms into a bike/hobby workspace so maybe I can convince him he needs it

 

[mepstein]

A long time ago I was a real estate agent with a perpetual messy desk. I was told your work area shouldn’t also be your storage area. I bought a banquet table, put my computer and phone on it and limited paperwork to one piece of paper at a time. It was life changing. I’m trying to do the same for my 2 car workshop. Only tools I use. Materials and other “stuff” will be kept somewhere else. It’s not for everyone but I’ve found I’m more productive and comfortable when I don’t have a ton of stuff around me. It’s also less distracting and gives me more room to work. Sometimes less is more.