First world problems but here goes: I am looking for ideas of how to organize a garage. Here are the specs. 10' wide x 20' deep. Unlike a normal garage door, I have a left/right "barn door" style garage and only the right door opens properly (just wide enough to fit a motorcycle through). I have 4 full size motorcycles, 5 full size bicycles, air compressor, pressure washer, generator, 2 2x4' work benches plus endless amounts of motocross equipment, tools, gas cans, helmets and more. The goal is to access each motorcycle without having to move another. I just realized tonight that if I park them all diagonally then I can back each out without pulling one out to access another. However, the 2' gap between each one makes me think "Oh, I could fit my pressure washer in there". And around we go. Anyone have ideas or photos or a cool free design software. I'm tired of tripping over everything just to get a 30 minute ride in before work.
Do what I did and build a 24 X 40 with a 12 x 10 foot door 12 foot ceiling washroom and in floor heating, cost less than a 100.00 month to heat all winter. Best thing I every did for my self and it added value to my home. in a big way. So it is money well spent i will benefit from the added space for my toys and up the price of my home. Plus what a selling feature. the Lads just drool. Why not hang the bicycles on the ceiling, everything else try to get it off the floor, build shelves for your lose stuff, put it high enough that you can put your bikes under it. or over your benches. is there a crawl space above, put all the things you do not need up there.
Up is the way to go. If you have small bikes it is easy to shelf some of them. I have considered doing that with some of my trials bikes. Bicycles are easy to wall mount or hang. Also if the Air compressor is small move it up out of the way. A lost if a good idea for storage of bike parts. I use labeled plastic bins for bigger parts and as well as peg board to store new small stuff like bearings and brake pads. If you cant make room you can sell me that Z50 cheap Randy
Sounds to me like you need to do some spring cleaning / purging (I know, its painful), or build a Garage-mahal. Design software has come a long way, but still takes time to learn - so kickin' it old skool by grabbing a few sheets of graph paper, pencil, eraser (and scissors to make scale cut-outs so that you can arrange the variables) will likely be the best / fastest way. Link below is for a very basic layout using Excel and just happens to match your 10 x 20 outline (the video assumes that fundamental concepts like architectural scale are understood, eg. 1" = 1'-0"). Visio is pretty good for drawing to scale, assuming it is included in your MS suite. If you're a Mac kinda guy, I can't offer any advice. Good luck !
I would agree with Paul B get out the graph paper and draw out your garage, then do cut outs of everything that needs to go in your garage and play around with layout. If your compressor is a big one. I know a couple of guys that put insulated compressor storage on the backside of their garages, then plumbed hard lines into the garage. It is a bit of a pain in the butt because you need to insure you have enough air for it to breath. Be able to open up more air to help it not over heat in the summer and be sure your not freezing water in the tank in the winter. That being said, it can free up a good chunk of room. Also like the other guys said, going vertical is the way to go. If you have an attic space, that is a great spot to store things you don't need on a regular basis. Good luck and get some before and after pics up when your done!
Reorganizing a garage is often just a temporary solution. If space is kinda tight, the plan gets screwed up as soon as you add something, like a new piece of shop equipment, or? This has happened to me several times. As mentioned by others, the easiest and best thing is to get as much stuff off the floor as possible. Shelves, bike winches, etc. etc. Sometimes, a bit of minor Reno/reconstruction may help as well? You could also put a couple of the bikes you don't use much in the living room as art work. They match everything and work great as accent pieces. They also are great conversation pieces when company is visiting. Win-win. Momma bear might squawk a bit at the idea first, but once she sees them in place, plus a couple of well timed bottles of wine, she'll come around....
I think this is a great idea, Brian. However I'd like you to come over and convince Momma Bear personally!
+1 - This would help me out considerably! I'll supply the wine! Great thread btw. Can always use these kinds of tips. I've never been able to actually park a car in my 10x20 garage.
My suggestion would be a good quality yard shed if you have the yard space. The newer style corrugated plastic one offer good dry storage as long as you build a good wood floor to sit it on. . I used to store my little snowmobile and two enduro bikes with ease in an 8x10 with lots of room to maneuver. Build some shelves on onside and the bikes line up in front of the wide double door and on the other side. Keep it under 80 square feet and no need for a permit ether. You never have enough space as we always fill what is empty. I have three garages and would be jammed if it was not for the portable tent garage for the junk. Any one want a s10 v8 project truck? Maybe an old straight axle toyota pickup?
If you have a small 2x6 ramp that elevates every 2nd bike's front wheel then you can pack them tightly with the diagonal design. This way the handlebars can overlap (one high, next low, etc) and yet bikes can be moved individually. I recently moved and my garage is now the dumping ground with my bike buried deep. Garage space is priceless...
Great idea about the garden shed. I'm building one this Spring. That way I can get all lawnmower(s) rakes, shovels, chairs etc., out of my Man Cave!
Yep, me too as I also want a place I can do some wood working. So the plan is to build a shed the maximum size that Mississauga will allow without a permit -- 10m^2 (~107sqft) and 3m high. I intend to build this shed long and skinny like my backyard -- 8' wide by 13' and a bit long. It will be gambrel (barn) style so it will have an attic roughly 3' high that will be additional storage space. I will also have it wired... so in the summer when the motorcycles are in the garage and the bbq is on the deck I will use it for a woodworking shop that I can make filthy with sawdust. In the winter I'll pack the woodworking tools tight, pack the bbq, patio furniture, and motorcycles in tight and reclaim my garage for car use. Bicycles will most likely reside in the shed's small attic, as I can't remember the last time I took a bicycle for a ride.
I built my shed 10 x 14' and 1 1/2 storey: I made the trusses with a 45° pitch which gives me about 4' height in the attic. The attic is good for storing Christmas decorations, toboggans, chair cushions and a ton of other "treasures". As for my small workshop, I try to not "store" anything in there; it's only for tools and on-going projects. Materials & projects that are not needed now get stored elsewhere to give me maximum room to work. When dealing with limited space, staying organised is very important: regular cleanups, putting stuff back where it belongs to minimise clutter. Taking the time to build shelving & storage: get as much stuff off the floor & up. This is a great thread...Good luck Shawn, Michel
People keep stuff they don't use for too long. When I bought my home it already had a 1,600 sq foot shop , as well as the garage on the house. < large shop was wife's requirement when house shopping > I have been in my house almost 20 years and guys have cars in my shop that were here 7 years before I bought the place. They keep paying so I keep storing their stuff. Does not make much since really. I have about 600 sq feet heated for my projects. The trick is just like Michel said. Keep things organized. I ended up custom building shelving and storage areas. Space gets used up fast. I also went the loft style garden shed for the yard stuff.
