Smith Family Snapshots: The Garage Project #4 - Setting Up Zones: tools and materials area

Once the peg board was in place, I set about organizing everything else.

It took a long time. Much longer than I thought.

During this time, I laid everything into different groups on the garage floor and just worked on small chunks when I had time during G's nap. Due to the nature of a garage organization project, the only time I could work on it was when little man was sleeping.

Materials Zone

paint, varnishes, toles, putty...

It is under the tool bench and out of the way. I used a shelf for all the tiles (hidden behind box) and another shelf for all the paint cans. I chose this location since these things do not need to be easily accessible on a regular basis, and they are a little bit hidden in case Gavin escapes into the garage as he gets older. As a side note, in a different area of the garage I have a large galvanized trash can holding all of our leftover wood materials.

Household Goods Storage
These are drawers that came in 6 separate units. (Sterilite Modular Drawers line of products, I purchased the drawers at Wal-mart.) It is one of the few drawer units that would fit under the tool bench. Luckily it can be configured a number of ways and it useful for this space. It holds batteries, flashlights, extension cords, trash bags and light bulbs. All items that would have been nice in the laundry room but I there was not space for them there.

Baskets and Tubs on Shelves
I used a mix of Sterilite baskets on the shelves. The baskets hold materials for our current projects, car wash stuff, oil change stuff, scrapers, sponges and rags for cleaning garage messes... that sort of thing. Not pictured, but above the peg board are containers with lids. They hold paint brushes, tape, sand paper...

Basket Details
* Sterilite "Ultra" baskets in deep/tall size (far left ones)
* Sterilite "Ultra" baskets in large size (far right ones)
Mine were bought in bulk from Amazon, both cost $21 for a set of 6.

* Mainstays Handle Storage Baskets

Above the pegboard are tubs that are part of the Sterilite Modular Stackers line. Pictured are the 4 gallon and 7.5 gallon tubs; mine were bought individually at Wal-Mart.

Rope and Cord Rack
from Home Depot

Yard Tools
Double Arm Ladder Holder from Home Depot (about $8)
Blue Hawk Adjustable Clamp Rail from Home Depot (about $12)

Tool Boxes, Power Tool Bins

I used another small metal shelf to hold his tool boxes. The unit can hold tons of weight so it seemed perfect. I also added his work shoes and knee pads to a shelf.

On the right are gray stacking bins that I stored his power tools in. Each bin has a different tool. There are better ways to do this but it was the best option I found for the space we have.

Personalizing the Space
Since this project was a gift for D I decided to add a couple of things that were tweaked for him. Walmart has magnetic photo holders that I purchased (individually). I inserted pictures of D & G working on projects around the house together and then hung them on the freezer.

And, I left my special message to him : )

A few exta things...

I did not reattach the door to this space. It is a little cramped so I left it off. Inside are manuals to the tools he owns as well as a basket with extra peg clips.