(BPT) – Did you know over half of Americans (59%) feel that engaging in hobbies helps relieve stress? This was one finding in a survey of over 3,000 Americans conducted in 2017 by Kelton Global on behalf of Gladiator, the nation’s leader in customizable garage and household organization solutions.
While work and family obligations may prevent many from pursuing their favorite activities, the survey revealed that another factor acting as a roadblock was having enough space to store equipment or supplies needed for hobbies. Whether you love biking, crafts or other activities, chances are you need easily accessible space to store your gear.
Here’s where your garage comes in. The same survey found that 3 out of 4 Americans prioritize storage as the leading use for their garage – but that 28% of Americans can’t even fit a car in their garage because of the clutter.
What’s the solution? Get motivated to optimize your storage space so you can easily access all the things you love to do. Once you’ve rid yourself of the clutter, you can start clearing out even more floor space for your vehicle, woodworking bench, arts and crafts or drum kit for your garage band.
Here are some smart ways to make the most of your garage.
1. Figure out your needs
First, determine how much room your vehicles take up, then map out how much floor space you’ll need for any other items, such as a work bench or space to maneuver items you use frequently. Group the items you want to store in your garage according to category, then get ready to create more storage possibilities for all your gear.
2. Optimize your walls
Take a good look at all the wall space that’s currently being unused in your garage. Fortunately, there are solutions for your walls that don’t involve building bulky shelving that further encroaches on your floor space. For example, the Sports Caddy GearTrack Pack by Gladiator can hold much more than just basketballs and baseball bats. It installs easily on the wall and includes a ball caddy, which holds up to 25 pounds, that you can use for anything from helmets to sleeping bags, bags of potting soil or other bulky items you want kept off the floor. It also has two scoop hooks for heavier sports gear, backpacks, purses, garden tools and more.
3. Foldaway storage solutions
Another versatile option is to use a storage product that can transform from a wall­-installed storage cabinet to a sturdy work surface. Gladiator’s Ready-­to­-Assemble Foldaway Work Station provides both a space-­saving storage cabinet and a functional work surface that can be mounted to their GearTrack or GearWall for easy wall storage. The versatile work station can be used as a gardening center, paint station or as a cabinet for power tools.
4. Look up
There’s another area of your garage that is most likely underutilized – the overhead space.
To safely use overhead storage space in your garage, you’ll need a very secure, heavy-duty solution like the steel Overhead Storage Rack made by Gladiator, which has a weight capacity of 750 pounds spread across 96 cubic feet of storage space. The unit is flexible, and its height can be adjusted so you can lower the rack for easier access.
With smart solutions that use every area of your garage both safely and efficiently, you can make the most of your garage this year. Optimizing your garage storage space allows you to make more room in your life – for all the things you really love to do.
