Garages often become the busiest—and messiest—spaces in a home. That was the case for Head of Editorial Kirsten Schrader, whose family’s garage had become the staging area for everything from barbecues to bike rides, but lacked the organization to keep up. “No one ever told me how much time you spend in your driveway once you have kids!” says Schrader, who lives in the Milwaukee area with her husband, Jim, and their 5-year-old son, James.
To make the space work better, Deputy Editor Ethan O’Donnell and The Family Handyman build team designed a multipurpose storage solution tailored to the family’s routines, hobbies and expanding gear collection. The result is a more organized, functional garage built around how the Schraders actually live. Below is a start-to-finish look at the makeover, along with practical storage ideas, planning tips and DIY touches you can use in your own garage.
Cut the Clutter
Five years after moving into their home, the Schraders needed better garage storage. Toys, outdoor equipment and entertaining supplies had piled up, making everyday activities harder than they needed to be.
If you have a garage, chances are it’s full of stuff. A significant number of homeowners report garages so cluttered they can’t park a car inside. While the Schraders didn’t need space for a second vehicle, their 2½-car garage had only a small bank of upper cabinets, leaving toys, grilling supplies, sports gear and lawn equipment stacked wherever they fit. The result was constant piles and frustration.
Before you buy cabinets or shelving, decide what truly belongs in the garage. Donate items you no longer use, dispose of broken or expired supplies and consider storing seasonal or seldom-used gear elsewhere. Decluttering first reduces what you need to organize and clarifies which items you reach for most often.
For the Schraders, that meant finding new homes for toys James had outgrown and identifying frequently used items. “Jim grills multiple times a week year-round,” says Schrader, “so we wanted a dedicated spot for grilling tools and a way to conceal the bag of charcoal.”
Design for Your Space
Schrader and O’Donnell fine-tune the garage storage system’s design.
Once clutter is cleared, evaluate the physical features of the garage. Appliances, outlets, windows, floor slope and ceiling height all influence what’s feasible.
- Utilities: Plan around existing outlets and switches, and be aware of plumbing stacks and hidden wiring where you’ll mount cabinets. If you need power for a TV, refrigerator or workbench, add outlets or hire an electrician.
- Traffic flow: A good layout helps movement around parked vehicles, opened drawers and entry doors. In the Schraders’ garage, a large slatwall near the exterior door stores frequently used items without obstructing walkways.
- Space constraints: Consider garage door tracks, windows and ceiling height. High ceilings are ideal for overhead storage reserved for seasonal items.
- Flooring: Most garage floors slope toward the door. Account for that by shimming cabinets so countertops and work surfaces stay level.
- Lighting: Additional lighting improves usability. Add task lights over counters and bright overhead LEDs (around 4,000–5,000 K) for general projects.
… and Your Lifestyle
Decluttering clears the way for a more organized, intentional space.
“This garage holds all our lifestyle stuff—everything we need to hang out as a family or entertain,” says Schrader. “Toys, lawn chairs, bikes, golf clubs, a hose for the kiddie pool … and of course the beer fridge!”
That variety shaped the final design. Built around the existing refrigerator, O’Donnell’s plan uses drawer stacks, wall cabinets, open shelving and slatwall to handle everything from small toys and art supplies to bulky outdoor gear. A countertop offers prep space for grilling and a surface for small repairs, while a wall-mounted TV makes the garage a welcoming family spot.
Lower drawer stacks became one of Schrader’s favorite features because they keep items visible and accessible without crouching into deep cabinets. When you design your garage, think beyond storage: workshops need extra outlets, bright task lighting, dust collection and large work surfaces. Mechanics may prefer rolling tool carts, and gathering spaces benefit from seating and audio. Also consider insulation or a heater to extend comfortable use through the year.
Why RTA Cabinets?
Supervising Project Editor Carmen De La Paz assembles RTA drawer stacks before installation.
Although O’Donnell has experience building custom cabinets, he chose ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets for their balance of cost, quality and convenience. RTA systems often arrive quickly, are easier to transport, and come in many sizes, finishes and configurations. Mix in DIY elements like open shelving and countertops to accommodate oversized items and create a custom appearance. Upgraded hardware and consistent placement (using a simple jig) improve the finished look.
The team selected shaker-style Leyton cabinetry in Fern Green, combining drawer stacks and wall cabinets with soft-close drawers and easy-to-clean finishes. Assembly takes patience, but most RTA kits are DIY-friendly; after the first one, the rest go faster.
Don’t Skip the Prep Work
Before install day, the team emptied the garage, repaired drywall, primed and painted the walls. Preparing walls improves the finished result. Light-colored paint brightens dim garages, and a satin finish balances durability and scuff resistance.
If you plan to seal the concrete, do it before installing cabinets—especially if you work on cars or track in road salt. Electrical upgrades are also easier when the room is empty.
Installation at a Glance
Shims compensate for the sloping floor, and soft-close drawers complete the assembly.
With the garage prepped and cabinets assembled, consider these installation tips:
- Install base units from a measured high point on the floor and use shims plus a laser level to establish a true, level base before attaching countertops.
- In many systems, wall cabinets are easier to mount while the floor is clear, but the Schraders’ wall units sit on the countertop, so the team started with base cabinets placed next to the refrigerator as a fixed point.
- Plan custom features in advance. The team built a paint-matched open shelving unit between drawer stacks, joined butcherblock countertop slabs with biscuits, and added a scribed, painted toe-kick for a seamless look.
- Finish the walls with slatwall or pegboard, fastening to studs or using proper anchors. Route electrical needs like outlets and TV connections before panels are in place to conceal cords cleanly.
Finishing Touches
The best storage keeps gear tucked away yet easy to reach. Roomy drawers with smaller organizers keep toys contained, accessible and ready for play.
As you return items to the garage, keep daily essentials within easy reach and assign higher shelves to infrequently used gear. Use adjustable storage for seasonal items and slatwall accessories for bikes, sports equipment and yard tools. Expect to tweak the arrangement as you learn what works best.
For the Schraders, the updated garage now supports daily life: James can find and return his toys, Jim’s grilling gear has a dedicated home, and the family has room to gather—without a single pile of clutter in sight.