Aside from the car, you may be wondering what is okay to store in the garage and what isn’t.  Garages make a great area to extend storage space, but there are some things that may not be smart to store in the garage.  Here are a few guidelines about what to put in the garage and what to put in another area in your home.

Store it in the Garage

Car Supplies

Obviously, since the car is stored in the garage it makes sense to store car supplies nearby for easy access.  The garage is also a good place to store things you haul around in your car, like a roof rack, camping gear or sports gear.  Using cabinets or shelving for the smaller items used more frequently, and overhead storage shelves for the bigger, bulky gear you don’t use very often are smart storage options.

Yard/Gardening Tools

The garage is the perfect place to store tools and machinery you use outdoors.  Storing shovels, hoses, gardening tools, etc. with a wall system for hooks and baskets is a great option.  Larger items like the lawnmower, leaf blower and snow blower can be stored on the floor. Winter salt, bags of soil, fertilizer, etc. can easily be stored on open shelving that can withstand heavy weight.

Seasonal Toys/Sports Equipment/Bikes

Outdoor entertainment items are perfect to store in the garage when not in use.  These items can easily be hung from a wall system using hooks and baskets for smaller items.  This also makes the items easy to access without being in the way.

Don’t Store it in the Garage

Hazardous Materials

Take care with flammable materials, chemicals, or other hazardous materials.  Don’t store propane tanks in the garage, instead store them outside in a well-ventilated area.  Gasoline, paint, oil, etc. are okay to store in the garage as long gas they are in the appropriate containers. 

Items that Attract Pests

Insects and small vermin are good and finding items of interest in garages and easily make their way in without invitation.  Don’t tempt them by storing items they seek.  Items like bedding, old books and papers and firewood, and most especially food.  Human food, dog or cat food and bird seed should all be stored somewhere other than the garage.  Don’t make your garage enticing to small pests.

Fragile Items

Even if you have insulating your garage or have it heated, storing fragile items in the garage is not recommended.  Outdoor temperatures do fluctuate and can warp, crack or damage more fragile items.  If you wouldn’t store an item in your trunk, don’t store it in the garage.