6 Signs it’s Time for Professional Garage Storage Upgrades

Is your garage looking a little tired? Struggling to fit everything in? A professional garage storage upgrade can be a fun and exciting project to take on! After all, who doesn’t love having everything in its place and easy to access? Wondering if now is the time to upgrade your storage? Read on to find out about the tell-tale signs and how to know when the time is right.

1. You Can’t Ever Seem to Find Anything in Your Garage

Time to pull out the holiday decorations? Need your favorite screwdriver? You know it’s somewhere in the garage, but you can’t find it or remember where you put it last. This is a sure sign that it’s time for a better storage solution.

2. It’s Hard to Get to The Things You Need

Sometimes garages are well organized with a place for everything, but getting to each item is a challenge. If you’re having to unpack multiple other items or move storage boxes to reach the things behind them, you’re probably due for a storage upgrade. Each item in your garage should have a place and be easy to access.

3. You Have Little Piles of Clutter

Got boxes standing around? Is sweeping your garage a challenge because things are standing all over the place? Is it hard to park your car? A professional garage storage upgrade will help you get things packed away and off the floor.

4. Your House Feels Low on Storage

Now this one might sound strange, but poor garage storage can lead to your house feeling cramped. You might be storing all sorts of garage-things in your house – simply because the garage doesn’t have space or feels too disorganized. Proper storage solutions will help you free up space in the house and still keep everything organized.

5. You Feel Anxious Whenever You Need to Find Something

If needing something from the garage strikes terror into your heart, you almost certainly need some new storage solutions. When things are properly stored, you should be able to find them quickly and easily with zero stress.

6. You Don’t Love the Way Your Garage Looks

Does your garage match the rest of your house? Is it an inviting space that you love? Sometimes storage solutions are still functioning, but they’re just looking dated and need to be freshened up. Your garage is part of your home, so if you don’t love the way it looks and feels, then custom cabinets, some sleek new accessories, or maybe even a fresh floor might be just what you need.

 

Feeling inspired to get your garage organized and meeting your needs? Get in touch with Carolina Custom Garages to get a free estimate and find out all about our innovative storage solutions. No question is too big or too small – we’d love to hear from you and help you optimize your space!

Garage Storage Tips For Storing Holiday Decorations

The beginning of the holiday season is a magical time for many, and trimming the Christmas tree, hanging up wreaths or putting lights on the house can be steeped in family tradition. Few things make you feel more festive than when your home is perfectly decorated and sparkling with lights. However, depending on how you store your holiday decorations, decking the halls can be more frustrating than fun.

The garage is the go-to storage area for many decorations when the season is over, and in most cases, it is the perfect place to keep things organized and out of the way until the following year. However, a few key tips and tricks can make storing and unpacking decorations easier and faster, while protecting your items so they last for years to come.

 

Invest in Proper Storage

Having the right storage containers can make all the difference when it comes to storing holiday decorations, or anything else you wish to keep in your garage long term.

The best place to start is with plastic storage bins. They are much better than boxes because they are sturdier, stack more easily and safely, are easier to move, and provide better moisture and dust protection. They also don’t attract pests or have a risk of being a fire hazard, as cardboard boxes would. It’s recommended to avoid clear bins, because the items within can fade if exposed to light. A great idea is to color code your bins, either by holiday or type of decoration.

Bubble wrap is the recommended medium for wrapping any delicate items. In addition to keeping breakable items padded, it’s better than using newspapers, which can stain items if ink rubs off, or tissue paper, which can cause items to fade if it is not acid free.

Fragile ornaments such as bauble balls will be less prone to breaking in boxes with dividers, and you can purchase plastic bins built specifically for storing ornaments. You can also keep ornaments in the boxes they came in, which also offers good protection.

For storing strings of light, you can purchase reels which wrap and store your lights, or wrap them around a piece of sturdy cardboard to avoid tangles.

Finally, if you plan on storing your artificial Christmas tree in the garage, you should discard the cardboard box it came in, but invest in a tree storage bin or bag to protect it from dust.

 

Label and Organize

Once you have a place to store all your items, the way you label, pack and organize them can make a huge difference when it comes time to decorate. Be sure to clearly label your storage containers, and consider putting an index card on the outside with a list of the contents. Group like items together, and pack things in an order that puts the things you need first on top. For example, put items in the order that you put them on the tree (lights on top, followed by garland and then ornaments). Label your strings of lights with a tag or masking tape, indicating the length of the strand or where you used them previously. You should also check your light strings before packing away, replacing any spent bulbs and discarding any broken strands to avoid frustration the following year.

Declutter

When you pack and unpack your decorations each year, take notice of the items that you don’t use. If you haven’t used certain ornaments or decor for a few years, or you just don’t anticipate using certain things again, donate anything that is in good condition and toss anything that isn’t.

If any decorations are broken or missing, make a list of what needs to be replaced by the next year, discard the broken items and replace them before the following year.

 

Know What NOT to Store in the Garage

Knowing what you shouldn’t be keeping in your garage is just as important storing things properly. Fabric-based decorations such as stockings, tree skirts, tablecloths and Santa hats should be stored in the home due to humidity. Candles should also be kept out of the garage, since heat can melt or damage them. White or snow-dusted Christmas trees can yellow prematurely if stored in the garage due to temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Food-based decorations should never be stored in the garage due to their ability to attract pests. Bugs are also attracted to cardboard boxes, tissue paper and linens.

Finally, any delicate glass, items made of crystal and antique ornaments should be kept inside in a temperature-controlled environment. It’s worth taking up space in your home for any family heirlooms, especially anything that is very valuable or breakable.

Start with The Right Foundation

Before you store a single decoration in your garage, it’s important to start with a garage that has enough room and appropriate storage spaces. Sturdy wall shelving, cabinets and overhead racks are the most appropriate for storing decorations that you need out of sight for most of the year. Carolina Custom Garages offers a variety of custom storage solutions for keeping your garage organized all year round. Whether you are storing your Christmas tree, sporting goods, power tools or lawn and garden equipment, we have a storage solution or organizer for you.

Modern Garage Upgrades to Increase Your Home Value

It wasn’t too long ago that garages were just a place to keep your car, work tools, and a lawnmower. Times have changed, and many people are rethinking the layout of their home, especially the garage space. Giving your garage a modern upgrade not only makes your life a little easier, but it can add value to your home if done right. Check out a few of these popular garage upgrades, like custom cabinets, storage solutions, and floor coatings. They’ll definitely help you get inspired to revitalize your garage.

Floor Coatings 

A fresh coat of paint on the walls makes any room look bigger, brighter and newer. A garage floor is similar, it just needs a different kind of coat due to all that wear and tear. That’s why most professionals suggest using top-of-the-line epoxy flooring for your garage floor. There are countless benefits to using this type of covering. For starters, it’s durable and impermeable. No matter what type of work you do in your garage, the floor will withstand spills and stains, and hold up to the roughest activities. Because of the chemical properties of epoxy coating, a simple wipe or sweep brings the floor back to life. Some epoxy garage floor coatings have a lifetime warranty, which always brings value to a home.

Besides being functional, slip proof, and easy to clean, epoxy coating has a design element that beautifies any garage floor. Colored chips within the epoxy can be custom blended to create a unique color to match an interior or complement existing cabinets or storage units. Floor coating normally comes in standard stock colors to simplify the process.

Custom Garage Cabinets 

Let’s face it, many cabinets used in garages are poorly made and don’t stand the test of time. Professional installation of custom cabinets is a wise choice because it improves your workspace and storage solutions. It may add value to your home because of the long-lasting quality, craftsmanship, and materials used.  

Store-bought shelving products that use glue and cheap fastening systems may prove to be a waste of money. It doesn’t add value to the garage because they don’t last. Using an installation professional to install precision-built shelving constructed of heavy-duty materials makes more sense. Shelving can withstand heavy loads, making storage and organizing easier.

Most installation companies offer a wide variety of colors and designs of cabinets and storage systems to help you get the right look for your garage.

Storage Solutions

When it comes to organizing a garage, everything should have its place. From the smallest screwdriver to the largest piece of equipment, everything should be easy to reach, but not in the way. Storage hooks, mesh baskets, or slatwall systems add functionality to the modern garage upgrade, so always implement good storage solutions.

A modern garage update may feel like a major home improvement, but with the right installation professional adding new flooring, custom cabinets, and storage may increase the value of your home and make your dream garage a reality. Contact our team today to transform your garage.

 

How Proper Storage Protects Your Garage and the Items in it from the Excessive Summer Heat

It’s tempting to use the extra space in your garage for storage, but garages that are not climate-controlled can reach temperatures in excess of 100 degrees at the height of summer. Items that are not properly stored can be damaged and cause damage to your garage surfaces because of the high heat and humidity that can occur in the summer months.
Before you begin your garage organization project, be sure to check the space for any cracks and openings where hot air and rain can get in. You will want to properly seal them to avoid any potential damage to your garage.

Here are some more tips on how to protect commonly stored items and your garage space from the summer heat.

Cars

When storing your car, it’s important to keep the exterior of your car clean from anything that could melt inside the garage or drip onto the floor. Check all fluids to make sure levels are full and that there are no leaks that could potentially damage your garage floor. Clean up floors of dust and debris and consider applying a high-quality epoxy floor coating for additional protection.

 

Clothing and Fabrics

Clothing, linens, blankets, and sleeping bags are best stored inside your house, but if the garage is the only option, there are ways to store them to prevent damage. Keep fabric items in vacuum-sealed bags or covered plastic storage bins to keep them airtight. It’s best to store these items up and off the floor on wire shelving, cabinets, and overhead storage systems. Avoid using cardboard boxes for storage as they can attract pests and won’t protect your fabrics from moisture and odors.

Lawn and Garden Equipment

Lawn and garden equipment is best stored off the ground and secured. After a few hours of yard work, it’s tempting to toss tools and equipment in the nearest corner. But these items should be safely secured off the floor and out of the way. Tools like rakes and shovels should be hung up on a wall with hooks or special racks. Power equipment like weed whackers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers should have any cords neatly coiled and stored up off the floor on shelves, hanging racks, or tool closets.

Organization is Key

To safeguard stored items from the extreme summer temperature, you need to clean up, de-clutter and store as many things off the floor of your garage as possible. By using a variety of storage options, you are not only protecting your items, but your garage surfaces, too. Applying a protective epoxy coating to your garage floor adds an extra layer of protection – and it looks great, too!

As custom garage specialists, we know how important it is to create storage options that work for your life. Contact us to see how we can create custom storage solutions and protective flooring options that help protect your garage space and the items stored in it.