Need ideas for organizing a 1 car garage

**Nth Degree** · 01-11-2012, 01:01 AM

I`m moving to a town home with a 1 car garage. I will have enough other storage that the garage will be a dedicated work space, but with limited space it is important to maximize floor space.

It is a rental, so the budget won`t be big, but any ideas will be helpful as they can be modified or spark other ideas.

Thanks everyone.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 01-11-2012, 01:23 AM

What are the dimensions of your space?

I`ll try to take a few fresh shots of mine tomorrow if I get a chance; it does get cramped sometimes but I`ve been able to make it work for the most part.

**sc_S13** · 01-11-2012, 02:47 AM

Get some fold out tables, a comfy chair with wheels, and some easy-assembly metal shelves.

**CT3** · 01-11-2012, 08:21 AM

I was going to suggest the shelving, what are they called muscle racks?

**mjlinane** · 01-11-2012, 08:23 AM

If you don`t have them, Werner platforms are great, both for using on SUVs/tall vehicles and as lightweight work benches for keeping your stuff off of the ground.

**daveinsweethome** · 01-11-2012, 10:42 AM

think of the different sizes of tools. i just went from a huge rigid vac to a smaller unit from power flite upon richys recommendation. also the size of a metro vac is perfect too. you must store product vertically so bins are a must. home depot is practically giving them away now. $7.87 for a brute of a container. check it out.

**embolism** · 01-11-2012, 10:58 AM

any way to use the rafter space to your advantage? throw a few pieces of plywood across the joists and move some of your less used stuff up there.

it would help free up floor space for sure

**rzatch** · 01-11-2012, 11:13 AM

Anytime you can get stuff off of the floor and mount it on the wall is a benefit. Wall mounted vacs are nice.

**Bunky** · 01-11-2012, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

W

Very nice perimeter lighting. I am still planning on adding some. I can sure miss some spots on the sides when working in the garage.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 01-11-2012, 12:59 PM

Thanks Al, the lighting definitely helps, but even with it there I still find that sometimes it isn`t enough. For those circumstances I hang another light from my shelves pointed right at what I`m working on that really helps.

A fresh coat of paint in the spring (getting rid of the black in favor of a lighter gray) along with a checkered-flag racedeck floor should help brighten things up even more.

**Rocket** · 01-11-2012, 04:31 PM

What size garage. Mine is one car but not really. It`s so small I can`t fit a normal size car in it. I could fit a Mini but nothing else will fit. My next place will have a real garage

**holland_patrick** · 01-11-2012, 05:29 PM

Pictutres would help...I did Ikea cabinets they are taller and work very well

**theamcguy** · 01-11-2012, 05:42 PM

My advice get as much off the floor as possible. Suspend shelves from the ceiling rather than from the floor up.

**Bunky** · 01-12-2012, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

Thanks Al, the lighting definitely helps, but even with it there I still find that sometimes it isn`t enough. For those circumstances I hang another light from my shelves pointed right at what I`m working on that really helps.

I am trying to see how big of a light I can put on the side of a detailing cart. I would like to go with 8 ft tubes but obviously not that practical or have 2 8 bulbs on some side stands (like those saw horses). I do not have a place to use the method you use.

**Nth Degree** · 01-18-2012, 10:18 PM

Thanks, guys, for your suggestions. Sorry I have taken a while to get back about this. I have been busy with the move.

The working space in the garage is 16` x 10`. It is actually about 2 ft. longer, but the water heater sits in the corner. In the additional space in the front I put my rolling metal shelves. (restaurant style) Perfect because I can roll it to the side if necessary. I`m hoping to be able to put shelves along each wall high enough to be out of the way. I like your mobile lighting idea, Charlie. Since I don`t want to have shelves on the sides, I might just put some sort of metal rails on the walls for the same purpose. I was also looking at getting some of these for about $400 for a set:

Has anyone here used these and able to give a review? Or have other ideas for being able to move a car side to side? I don`t want to be constantly having to maneuver customer`s cars in the tight space.

Still looking for some ingenious, space-saving ideas.

I`ll take photos if it helps as soon as I can get the mess from moving out of it.