Do you you have garage envy? Do you look covetously at other’s orderly garages and wish you could have one too? If you have spent more than five minutes trying to find your shovel, than it’s time for a garage makeover.

The first thing you are going to need to do is clear out the large, bulky items so you can see what needs to be done. That means move out the bikes, lawnmower, and patio chairs.

Now take some advice from doityourself.com and ask yourself:
* Which tools do I use the most?
* Which tools do I rarely touch?
* Which tools do I need quickly when I do need them?
* Do I really need that box of moldy, damp magazines?

Your job here is going to arrange your garage to be as convenient to your needs as possible. Assign sections of your garage to house certain items. For instance, keep all of your lawn tools in one corner or along one section of wall. This means that the pruners, the rakes, your lawn gloves and anything else you use in the yard should be in this area. Likewise, keep a section solely devoted to your hand tools like screwdrivers, wrenches and the sort. Why would you want your electric hand drill being stored in the same location as your hoses anyway?

A workbench with built-in drawers and shelves can keep your tools clean and organized. Many come with durable surfaces and hooks for hanging tools. Having everything at hand will make your future projects easier to start (and complete).

Now that you’ve invested your time clearing the floor, consider looking up to your rafters for storage options. Home stores have a variety of options to choose from:

Rack Storage

Rack storage is great for storing boxes and other packaged items. They’re easy to install as they simply get screwed into your ceiling rafters. They can hold and impressive amount of weight, but definitely check the weight limits before putting anything too heavy on them. Best of all, your stored items will still be visible, so if you need to get into that box of cable wires, you know exactly where to find them.

Storage Pulleys

Do you have a bicycle that keeps getting in your way when you’re trying to work in your garage? Storage pulleys work great for getting that bike out of the way by lifting it into the air. Install it close to the wall and maximize your floor space.

Garage Lift

Garage lifts are similar to the storage pulley systems but they are designed to handle a much heavier and bulkier load. Some can handle loads of up to 100 lbs.

Heavy Lift Hoists

For storing items weighing up to 250 lbs., install a heavy lift hoist in your garage. This unit features a hoist that raises and lowers a storage lift using a gear drive.

Large Accessory Storage Units

These units are specially-made to safely store large items like canoes, truck caps and so on. While these large items may still be somewhat obtrusive even when off of the floor, lifting them will provide you with more floor space in which to work in your garage. Just watch your head!

There are options for any budget. You can do something as simple as buy hooks for about ten dollars and hang your bike from the ceiling.

Once you’ve got everything off the floor, you might want to consider some attractive and practical flooring.

Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber floor mats are great for garage floors and you can even get them sized to order from many companies. They help reduce the amount of dirt and snow you track into your home and they offer a gorgeous finish to your garage. In addition, they are easy to clean and spills can be easily managed. If you have ever tried scrubbing stains out of your garage floor, you will appreciate that! Rubber floor mats are anti-slip, non-conductive and fire-retardant, which makes it an ideal flooring solution for a garage that doubles as a workshop.

Garage Floor Tile

Ever dream of your garage looking like a showroom? Garage floor tiles can help you get the look you want! Available in a wide range of colors, designs and styles, garage floor tiles simply interlock and remain where you put them. Some also offer self-adhesive backing. High quality tiles can stand up to chemical spills and other auto-related liquids which makes them a perfect choice if your garage really is a garage!

Containment Mats

Similar in scope to the rubber floor mats mentioned earlier, containment mats are simply smaller versions which fit right under your car. These mats are excellent during the winter months for catching the snow, slush and ice falling from your vehicle and they prevent the water from spreading all across your garage floor.

Floor Paints/Coatings

If your garage is well-insulated and you don’t have moisture problems, then a simple paint job on your floor may be all you need to give your garage a fresh look. There are a number of epoxy coatings and sealers available on the market which also come in a variety of colors. There are also some new products in stores, like industrial-grade polyurea flooring. Polyurea is an innovative 3-step application that results in an extremely durable floor, safe from cracking and chemically resistant to most common garage chemicals, even salt!

Now look around and enjoy the neatness and order you have created. Next time you need the shovel, you know where it will be – right where it belongs, with the tools. Remember–put it back!