Modern Vespa

Mrs. Gogogordy and I have been in a residential transitional phase of our lives here lately (read: new to us smaller home, single story ) and inasmuch I'm finding the new garage situation is...well taking some getting used to like a new pair of shoes...

While we went from 3 car garage, to a 3 car garage we formerly were a 3 bay wide (3 in 1)arrangement which housed 2 small cars, 4 small scooters, 3 assorted bicycles, and a cast of thousands (of boxes. Of...what? I don't even know) Add in my substantial-for-an-amateur parts inventory, tools, and riding gear and after 13 years...it all seemed to work. Fung Shui...workflow, ambiance, etc.cll it what you will.

Flash forward to our new (hopefully last) house and we are now in a 2 car/1 car arrangement and I'm still working out some of the details. For instance...the garages are on polar opposite side2 of the house, and although we are still moving/settling in, it seems like the tool or hardware I need is ALWAYS in the "other garage". The one I'm not in at the time.

The spatial consequences of completely dividing the same area into that 2 & 1 config. vs the former 3-in-1 has exhibited both plusses and minuses as is usually the case, but the upshot is the new arrangement all but eliminates using any floor-space (more precious now) for sundry storage.

My question is does anyone have or use any unique or overlooked storage solutions which won't encroach on floor-space, or protrude from the walls in their garage? Something easily accessed yet completely out the way?

Suggestions? Pictures?

Matt,

My garage is a 3 in one but I have a wall separating the single from the double. So it's kind of like your situation except that the walk between the 1 and the 2 is very short. I use a lot of ceiling hanging storage to try and relieve the space crunch. I like the ceiling racks that can be lowered on cables to make loading heavy items easier. I only store things that I don't need frequently in the hanging racks.

Edit: I also use hooks to hang the bicycles from the ceiling. The downside is Debbie needs help getting her bike down. But nice to not have to squeeze past them.

-Craig

I think Craig nailed this one with the ceiling racks/shelves that can be lowered via cables or pulleys.

Yep, he got it.

Also look at the space over your overhead garage doors (when they are in the up position.) If your ceiling is high enough this can be a lot of useful but often overlooked space. There are kits around to do this. If your ceiling is finished don't be afraid to bash holes in the dry wall to get hooks over the joists. You might want to do this when Mrs is not around.

I have a great time looking at a particular web site that users submit their ideas. It's called http://www.pinterest.com

You have to sign up with an email address, but no spamming crap. In the search bar, just put garage storage. Hundreds of cool and inexpensive ideas.

Beware, don't share site with wife! LOL

I am going to do ceiling racks in mine too. I have a 12 foot ceiling so I can put a row 10' long by 4' wide right over the door. I can only access it when the door is closed, but thats ok.

I saw some on Amazon that have a crank that attaches to a drill and you can lower and raise them out of the way. I thought about these too down the middle.

Uh, she balances the checkbook (After I un- balance it)

Yes, will check, Pinterest....when nobody's looking.

Thanks for the input everyone!

I saw this today on deadspin and thought of your post.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GHO9FK?tag=deadspinamzn-20&ascsubtag=[referrer|deadspin.com[type|link[postId|1582171946[asin|B004GHO9FK[authorId|5727177402741770316

Any resolve yet?

I like that. Want to put some of those above the garage door rails, in what is totally un-used space. Easily accessed? Not so much. Not terrible though. Will need the door down to get to them.

I haven't come to a full conclusion, but I am getting there....trying to think things out twice, and act once (counter-intuitive to me!)

Overhead storage will be key. Thanks.

Seattle for a while required townhouses to have a 1-car garage in order to meet zoning/permitting rules. So the developers would build a garage that might fit a classic mini or a Fiat 500 if you were real careful. Consequently, every time I see on of our townhouse neighbor garage doors up, invariably they have installed a bunch of these to turn their garage into a dense storage area with bicycles below.

Above posts are right on regarding making use of ceiling/upper wall spaces...

Might add - if you are REALLY wanting to commit to the idea of expanding your space - you might want to look at attic space as well if it is available above the garage ceilings. You can add a 'hatch'/foldable stairs - lay some plywood out on the ceiling joists - etc. You could go whole-hog and reconfigure with a larger opening and semi-permanent shelving in that space that is viewable/accessible from below (may require qualified engineering/contracting work).

Some things can even be mounted/strapped to the insides of garage doors if flat enough/light enough.

Edit: take an inventory of what you have to see whether or not 'stock' shelving is the most efficient use of space for your stuff. A lot of times there winds up being a huge waste of space (shelves are too deep or too tall for your things). If so, consider doing custom shelving - it doesn't have to be expensive (1X planks and shelf brackets) - that can be adjusted to perfectly fit your stuff with no wasted square footage...

Interested in seeing what you come up with!

Desi B.

Really wish I had a picture to show you but...

In a kill-3-birds-with-1-stone idea...you could build an indoor ramp on one side of the scooter garage that runs the full length of the garage, front to back. Make it wide enough to park all 4 scoots on top of it & high enough to be useful as a 'lift' to make working on the scooters easier. The space underneath would be used to store all your tools so they'd be literally inches away whenever you need them. I'm thinking at least 4' wide, 2' tall & run the length of the entire garage. It won't be cheap or easy...but it would be awesome. Just my 2 cents.

Matt,
I put in some nice folding stairs into the attic that opened up a fair amount of extra storage. They are aluminum instead of wood and very sturdy. Good luck on finding what you need!

I like that idea. Here through about half the year the attic gets too hot to make it tenable, and can make storing certain things (items susceptable to heat breakdown....tires, fluids, etc) unwise.

I know it also gets hot in your neck, does heat play in to your in-attic storage arrangement?

Can you affix a thermostatically controlled exhaust fan up there? Would that help?

Congrats on the move Matt!

The suggestion of ceiling storage is great. Another option is getting thin, upper cabinets. Old kitchen uppers from the re-store would work, and putting them up high enough to be out of the way - possibly along the back wall above the bench. You can store a lot of "stuff" in shelves like this. Ask me how I know...

Again, congrats brother!

You can even do a 'self contained' solar powered one that wouldn't require any wiring at all if you are up to the task...

Yep, you called it. You do have to be careful what you store up there. Even some of the cheaper plastic containers got out of shape. Now I just use the ones I get at Costco.