Your garage can be a versatile space, serving as a storage hub for various items. However, knowing what you should and should not store in your garage is essential to prevent damage to your belongings and maintain an organised space.
In this guide, we’ll explore items that are ideal for garage storage and those that should be stored elsewhere.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Your garage is perfect for storing gardening tools, sports gear, seasonal decorations, automotive supplies, and outdoor furniture. However, due to temperature fluctuations, humidity, and safety risks, avoid keeping important documents, paint, electronics, food, propane tanks, and wooden furniture in the garage.
Organise your garage using vertical storage, labelled bins, and zoned areas to keep everything tidy and accessible. Regular cleaning, temperature control, and pest prevention will help maintain your garage and protect your stored items.
Things To Store In Your Garage
Only some things belong in your home; the garage is perfect for certain items that can withstand varying temperatures and conditions. Here’s a look at what’s safe to store in your garage.
1. Outdoor Equipment
Gardening Tools
A great use for garage space is storing your gardening tools. Items like shovels, rakes, and lawnmowers are made to endure outdoor conditions, so they’ll be perfectly safe in a garage.
Sports Gear
Storing sports gear like bicycles, surfboards, and camping equipment in the garage keeps them handy without cluttering your home. Use vertical storage solutions to save floor space and keep everything organised.
2. Seasonal Decorations
Garages are ideal for storing seasonal decorations like Christmas trees, lights, and Halloween props. Storing these items in labelled bins keeps your house clutter-free and ensures easy access when the time comes to celebrate.
3. Automotive Supplies
If you have a car, storing automotive supplies like engine oil, jumper cables, and car wax in the garage is convenient and keeps them readily accessible. Ensure these items are stored in a dry, cool garage section to prevent leaks or damage.
This will help maintain their quality and ensure they’re ready for use when needed. Consider using shelves or storage bins to keep everything organised and prevent clutter.
4. Tools And Hardware
Your garage is the ideal spot to house tools like hammers, screwdrivers, drills, and power tools. Installing a pegboard on the wall allows you to hang them up neatly, keeping everything organised and easily accessible when needed.
5. Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture not in use, such as patio chairs and tables, can be safely stored in the garage, protecting it from the elements. Cover them with a tarp or furniture cover to prolong their life and store them out of direct sunlight.
This will help prevent fading, cracking, and other damage, ensuring they’re ready for use when the weather permits.
Things You Should Never Store In Your Garage
While a garage may seem like an ideal storage space, only some things should be kept there. Certain items may deteriorate or become a safety hazard.
Here’s a look at what you should avoid storing in your garage.
1. Important Documents
Your garage could be better for storing important documents like birth certificates, tax papers, or property deeds. The fluctuating temperatures and potential humidity in a garage can cause these papers to degrade over time, making them brittle and difficult to read.
Store these valuable documents in a climate-controlled part of your home, such as a filing cabinet or a fireproof safe. This will ensure their longevity and prevent damage from extreme temperatures or moisture.
2. Paint And Other Liquids
Fluctuating garage temperatures can significantly affect the quality of liquids like paint. Extreme heat can cause the paint to separate or thicken, while freezing temperatures can damage the paint’s consistency.
Store them in a temperature-controlled environment, such as a basement or a dedicated storage room, to avoid spoiling paint cans, varnish, and other liquids. This will help ensure their quality and prevent any unwanted changes in their composition.
3. Electronics
Electronics, such as computers, televisions, or stereo systems, are sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. These fluctuations can damage their internal components, leading to malfunctions or even complete failure.
It’s best to keep your electronics indoors, where the environment is more stable and controlled. This will ensure longevity and optimal performance.
4. Food Items
Never store food in your garage. Pests like mice and insects are often attracted to food stored in garages, leading to infestation problems that can spread throughout your home.
Additionally, garage temperature fluctuations can spoil perishable food items like canned goods, grains, and pet food, making them unsafe for consumption. Keep your food in a cool, dry, pest-free environment, such as your pantry or refrigerator.
5. Propane Tanks
Storing propane tanks in your garage can be extremely dangerous due to the potential for leaks. If propane leaks in a confined space like a garage, it could create an explosive atmosphere, leading to a fire or explosion.
To ensure safety, store propane tanks outside in a well-ventilated area, away from any structures or sources of ignition. This will minimise the risk of a leak and prevent any potential hazards.
6. Wooden Furniture
Wooden furniture is best kept out of the garage, as fluctuating humidity levels can cause the wood to warp, crack, or even rot over time.
If you must store wooden items in your garage, consider using a climate-controlled storage unit or investing in moisture barriers, such as dehumidifiers or moisture-absorbing packets.
These measures will help to regulate the humidity levels and protect your wooden furniture from damage.
Organising Your Garage For Efficient Storage
Organising your garage properly is essential to ensuring its functionality. Here are some garage storage tips to help you maximise space and keep things in order.
Use Vertical Space
Maximising vertical space is key to an organised garage. To use wall space effectively, install shelving units, hooks, or pegboards.
This will free up valuable floor space, creating room for larger items like bicycles, tools, and gardening equipment. Storing items off the ground will create a more spacious garage and make it easier to find what you need.
Label Bins And Boxes
For smaller items, clear plastic bins are a great way to keep things organised and easily accessible. The clear plastic allows you to see the contents without opening each bin, saving time and effort.
Label the bins clearly for even more convenience, making it easy to find what you need. Group similar items together, such as holiday decorations or automotive supplies, so you know exactly where everything is. This will make your garage more efficient and less cluttered.
Keep Frequently Used Items Accessible
Items you use regularly, like garden tools or cleaning supplies, should be easily accessible. Store them on lower shelves or at the front of the garage, making them easy to grab and put away.
This will save you time and effort when you need to use them, making your garage more functional and efficient.
Create Zones For Different Items
Organising your garage into zones for different items can significantly improve efficiency and make it easier to find what you need. For example, dedicate one area for tools, another for sports gear, a section for seasonal decorations, and so on.
This zoning method will keep your garage organised and efficient, preventing clutter and making it easy to locate specific items. You’ll spend less time searching and more time enjoying your organised space.
Conclusion
Knowing what to store in your garage and what not to is essential for keeping your belongings safe and your space well-organised.
Items like gardening tools, automotive supplies, and sports equipment are ideal for garage storage, while sensitive items such as electronics, wooden furniture, and food should be stored elsewhere.
Following proper storage tips and keeping the garage clean and organised can create a functional space that maximises your home’s storage potential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage
Is It Safe To Store Stuff In Garage?
The garage is the best place to store heavy, weatherproof items. The basement or attic is safer for more fragile items like electronics. Don’t store flammable propane tanks in the garage (and other enclosed spaces), and never risk your safety around combustible or poisonous substances.
What Food Is Safe To Store In Garage?
Your garage is great for storing food supplies, including canned goods, beans, rice, and other grains. However, you must ensure it is equipped with suitable storage space and temperature conditions for safe storage.
Is It Ok To Store Furniture In The Garage?
Temperature swings and constantly changing humidity levels will wreak havoc on stored furniture, causing the wood fibres to contract and expand. This will eventually cause the wood to split or even break, sometimes beyond the point of repair.
Can I Store Outdoor Furniture In The Garage During The Off-Season?
Yes, your outdoor furniture can be safely stored in the garage when not in use. Cover the furniture to protect it from dust and direct sunlight.
Is It Okay To Store Important Documents In The Garage?
No, it’s best to avoid storing important documents like birth certificates, property deeds, and tax papers in the garage. The risk of humidity and temperature damage makes it unsuitable for sensitive papers.