Year: 2022

There are unlimited ways to customize your home, and while you may feel overwhelmed by the decision-making process, now is the time to embrace the opportunity. Think about adding unique features to your house that are both aesthetic and practical — everything from an organized mudroom and storage-focused kitchen to a functional office and efficient laundry room.

WG Wood Products manufactures full-depth cabinetry with an extensive selection of solutions made of solid wood. We leave the entire customization process up to you to match what works for your space. Here are five benefits of customizing your home and seven must-have home features to inspire and guide you.

5 Benefits of Customizing Your New Home

With unlimited possibilities, designing your new home should be fun and exciting. Customizing your home allows you to curate an enjoyable space that also aligns with your long-term needs. Five benefits of customizing your home include:

1. Personalization

When you design a custom home, you can create a space that matches your personality and aligns with your short- and long-term wants and needs. Your blueprint will include a floor plan of the bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms and garage. It will also detail the roofing, doors, siding, windows, flooring, light fixtures, appliances and custom cabinetry you’ll install.

2. Site and Lot Evaluation

You have the freedom to choose where you want to live, along with the size and environment of your property. By evaluating different sites and lots, you can build within your budget and control which materials, appliances and features you want to incorporate into your home.

3. Universal Customization

A universal design refers to a home built for the different stages in your life — for both immediate and future needs. Incorporating universal design allows you and your family to live in your home for a lifetime by combining functionality and aesthetics.

4. Quality

Building a home with top-quality materials can save you in the long run because they will require less maintenance. High-quality materials are more durable and last decades before needing to be replaced. As the construction industry continues to excel forward into new technologies and methods, you can take advantage of working with higher-quality resources.

5. Energy Efficiency

Every aspect of your new home can be environmentally friendly and energy efficient, including:

• Modern geothermal cooling and heating systems
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Solar panel roof
• Smart technology

Design a home that meets current energy standards to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Custom home building is beneficial on various levels. It is important to partner with a builder and other contractors with a solid reputation and good rapport with previous clients. Choosing your partners carefully will make the process more streamlined and exciting as you determine your must-have features.

7 Must-Have Features for New Homes

Building a house means everything is in your hands, like adding cool kitchen features and creating an interesting office design. With these seven design features in mind, you can build a low-maintenance, high-performance house.

1. First-Floor Mudroom

Forget about the tiny, frustrating coat closet. Your first-floor mudroom is a drop-zone for shoes, jackets, bags and sports equipment. You can design an open space with ample storage and organization, such as built-in shelves and lockers to store keys, wallets, purses and dog leashes. You can also include towel hangers and a drain area to wash feet and muddy shoes.

A well-organized mudroom helps you deal with clutter by organizing everything in one area, making life more manageable and reducing tracked dirt throughout the house.

2. Home Office

Home offices are more popular now than ever with so many people working from home. Whether you work from home full time or need a space to occasionally focus on a project, complete homework or start a new business idea, building a home office can make all the difference. Having a dedicated space is much better than trying to concentrate on the couch or at the kitchen table.

Curate a room that helps you stay focused while keeping you inspired with built-in cabinets, tables, desks or bookshelves. They’re a simple way to increase the level of sophistication while keeping you organized.

3. Dedicated Laundry Room

Make laundry day more convenient with a dedicated room on the floor with the most bedrooms. This will help avoid multiple trips up and down the stairs, making the day more efficient. You can fashion a convenient and easy-to-use space in your modern home that’s also comfortable and productive with new home built-ins like shelves, recessed cabinets and a sorting table. Think about beautiful customized cabinets to store laundry supplies — they’re a smart custom design option that keeps your room neat and tidy.

4. Game Room

Having a dedicated game room is great for everyone in the family but especially if you have kids. It can be a family-designed space recognizing everyone’s personalities with special touches. A game room keeps equipment out of your living room and other shared spaces and in a dedicated space. You can even add a home theater with surround sound speakers, cool visuals and ambiant lighting. Ensure you have enough power by installing outlets everywhere.

5. First Floor Master Suite

While you can include a master bedroom on the second floor if that’s where the other bedrooms are, you may want a more accessible first-floor suite with wider doorways and other features. Consider universal customizations that look to the future and increase your home’s value. A bedroom on the first floor can accommodate guests, older family members and perhaps yourself down the road. It can also be helpful if someone is injured short-term.

6. Large Master Bathroom

The master bedroom is your personal space to unwind and relax, and a large ensuite bathroom can do even more to help you recharge. Design a space that suits you best, whether that includes dual vanities, magazine holders, recessed toilet paper holders, luxurious linens or beautiful wallpaper. This is also a space where you can add built-in cabinetry to keep your bathroom space neat yet sleek and beautiful.

7. Luxurious Kitchen

Designing a luxurious kitchen means the possibilities truly are endless. Your kitchen can include features like:

• Double islands
• Breakfast nook
• Walk-in pantry
• Wine cellar

Double islands or a breakfast nook helps maximize your kitchen space while creating the perfect place to enjoy a snack or where the kids can do homework. Walk-in pantries add another dimension for optimal storage, organization and convenience. Store larger items and canned food in the pantry to keep the rest of your kitchen clutter-free, and install a spice rack for your smaller items. You can even opt for a wine cellar or so-called “Costco door,” a small door connecting your pantry to the garage, making unloading groceries easy and hassle-free. This door can also act as a limited-access alcove for package deliveries.

Other Customizations

You can include endless customizations for your home. Your must-haves might differ from another family’s. Other customizations for your home to consider include:

• Central vacuum system
• Hidden rooms
• Outdoor living spaces
• Detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
• Laundry chute
• Heated floors

When it comes to maintaining a tidy home, a central vacuuming system makes it easy and convenient, and anyone can use it. Building a smart home is one of the most popular ways to design a new home. You can easily integrate technology like Wi-Fi-controlled security systems, lights, locks and a programmable thermostat.

Cabinetry Is a Must-Have for Each Room

Whichever part of your home you’re customizing, built-in shelves and cabinetry are an absolute must. In your kitchen, you can integrate statement cabinets to create additional storage for food, appliances and dishes. In the office, you can add a bit of warmth and texture to keep you inspired and keep your papers, books and documents organized. Customized shelving in the master bedroom, game room, laundry room and mudroom can fit the style of every room while maximizing storage and organization.

Customize Your New Home With WG Wood Products

Don’t settle for ordinary shelving that doesn’t quite match your new home’s design. Our unique solid wood cabinets solve storage and organization challenges in your house while making a statement. With naturally finished solid wood — never MDF or particle board — WG Wood Products can customize the size and style of our recess, in-the-wall cabinetry and storage solutions.

Learn more about what we offer, reach out to a WG Woods Products representative or request a quote to start customizing your new home’s cabinetry.

Whether you have an older adult in your household or there is one in your life who you care for, you can make certain changes to a home to ensure that they are safe and well-taken care of. These tips are all the more important if an older adult is trying to maintain their independence and live on their own. If they are willing to get the help and put in the work to adapt their home to fit the specific needs they have in this new stage of life, this is possible.

Here are some tips to make sure each part of an older adult\’s current home is safe and provides them the comfortable life they deserve:

How to Organize a Kitchen for the Elderly

Allowing older adults to be independent means they need to be able to make themselves food easily and safely. Additionally, many people enjoy cooking and baking, and stripping older adults of that privilege could take some of their happiness. Here are some tips for making a senior-friendly kitchen:

1. Smart Storage

Making this change doesn\’t need to cost much. Begin by finding out from the person using the kitchen what they need most often, then place these items on lower shelves. If they use a wheelchair, ensure those most-used things are reachable from a sitting position.

One practical yet simple thing you can do to make things easier to reach is to place baking sheets, cutting boards and other flat kitchen supplies on their end and use a dowel to hold them upright in the cabinet.

Other additions such as lazy susan trays, wire organizers, pull-down shelves and slide shelving can allow kitchen cabinets for the elderly to hold more of the things they need to be more accessible.

If an older adult feels like they need to add more accessible storage than what they already have, they can invest in a framed pantry cabinet. This cabinet is easily customized and fits inside your walls, so it does not take up any additional floor space.

If the spice rack is somewhere out of reach, you can put it on the wall at a height that is easily accessible to the person\’s needs.

2. Lighting

Good lighting in a kitchen can play a big part in preventing accidents or dangerous situations for older adults. Ensure there are enough light fixtures in the kitchen and update or replace the existing fixtures as needed.

You should also inspect the light switches to ensure they are easy to use and replace those that are not. You may want to use switches that require less effort than traditional switches even if the existing switches are in good condition.

3. Drawer Handles

Older adults often develop arthritis in their hands, making pulling on round knobs challenging. Wide drawer pulls are easier for people with arthritis to use, though other options, such as a touch drawer system, are also available.

4. Sink

Though changing the sink may require some time and effort, it could make a huge difference if someone has difficulty using it where it currently is. The sink may need to move locations or become a roll-under sink for older adults who use wheelchairs. Shallow sinks will also prove to be helpful for those who have trouble reaching. Investing in a hands-free sink can also allow sinks to stay where they are if the older adult has issues reaching the faucet handles.

How to Organize a Bathroom for Older Adults

The bathroom poses several safety hazards due to wet floors, limited space to move and sharp countertops. It is vital to take precautionary measures in the bathroom, especially for older adults who are not as stable as younger people when moving around. Here are some tips to keep them safe:

5. Declutter

Having a cluttered bathroom can cause an accident or make an accident worse. If there is clutter on the bathroom floor, it could be very easy to trip over as bathrooms typically are not very big. Perhaps an older adult slips and reaches for a shelf to catch themselves. If there is clutter on the shelves, they could knock it off and further hurt themselves. An older adult could also knock clutter off countertops, making that another important place to keep clear.

6. Smart Organization

To keep spaces decluttered, you need to be organized. When choosing how to organize the bathroom, keep in mind what items an older adult frequently needs, as these things should be the most easily accessible. Look at these areas of the bathroom:

• Sink and vanity: The vanity is where people spend time getting ready for the day, taking medicine and brushing their teeth. The medicine cabinet should be placed where they can easily reach it. If an older adult has difficulty reaching over the sink, consider installing a shelf over the toilet. Having cabinets for seniors on the wall where they can more easily access them could be another solution.
• Toilet: Ensure the toilet paper and anything else an older adult may need from the toilet are close by so they do not need to reach and put themselves at risk for falling.
• Bathtub or shower: Showering or bathing can pose a serious risk to older adults. Things they need are traditionally stored on shelves in the corners of showers, which can cause older adults to need to move around more, increasing their risk of falling. A shower caddy or wall dispenser they can easily reach without as much movement can be helpful solutions.

7. Flooring

Adding non-slip flooring to the bathroom provides additional protection for older adults as they walk around on potentially wet floors. You can also get area rugs to keep areas where water is dripping dry and less hazardous.

You could also install non-slip strips in the shower or tub. These can be especially helpful if an older adult is standing in the shower to provide some extra traction.

8. Grab Bars

Install grab bars where an older adult needs support, such as near the shower and the toilet. Be sure you use bars specifically designed to hold weight, not just a towel rack or something similar. Some grab bars can be suctioned to the wall so they do not cause damage, but the most secure bars are wall-mounted.

Grab bars provide the helping hand an older adult needs when no one else is around.

Living Room Organization for the Elderly

The living room is likely where older adults spend most of their time, especially if they are home a lot. As they age, making certain changes can improve their quality of life at home and keep them safe. Here are some tips to ensure that the living room is set up well:

9. Furniture Setup

Think through the layout of the living room very practically. If an older adult has a walker, a wheelchair or a cane, there needs to be enough space for them to move easily through the living room with their assistive device. Remove unnecessary end tables, chairs or couches to increase the space they have to move around. Many items of furniture may no longer be practical anyway as people age and their needs change.

10. Furniture Choices

As people age, getting out of seats can become more difficult, especially from couches and recliners that do not provide a lot of resistance. Test the furniture in an older adult\’s home to ensure they can easily get in and out of it when no one is around to assist them. You should also avoid furniture with sharp corners as much as possible to prevent further injury if they fall.

11. Declutter

Living rooms get naturally cluttered very quickly because it is the place where so much of life happens. Though this isn\’t inherently bad for the average American household, it can be dangerous for older adults. Clutter can easily and quickly move from surfaces to the floor, where it can be a tripping hazard for older adults moving around. Clutter poses a physical risk and can make it harder for people with slow cognitive function or memory issues to focus.

Having a pet is often emotionally and physically beneficial to older adults, whether they are service animals or companions. If there is a pet in the house, store their bed, toys and other essentials somewhere an older adult can access them easily if needed but will not trip over them.

12. Electronics

Store any wired electronics carefully and secure wires along the wall so they do not create a tripping hazard. Electronics can also be complicated for older adults to use, especially if their mental state has declined as they\’ve aged. Many TVs have settings you can change to make the font on the screen bigger, brighter and overall easier to see. If an older adult has trouble hearing, you can ensure the volume is higher than it would be for the average person or turn on closed captioning.

13. Flooring

Most living rooms are carpeted, which is the safest option for older adults as long as it is a low-pile carpeting option rather than shag carpet. If the living room has tile, vinyl or natural stone, consider replacing it or adding area rugs, as these types of floors are hard and can be slippery.

If you do choose to add rugs to the floor, make sure you secure them to the floor. If rugs slide easily or the corners curl up, this can be a serious fall or tripping risk for older adults.

Bedroom Organization for Older Adults

People go in and out of their bedrooms daily. Older adults need clear paths to get to everything they use in their bedrooms. Here are some tips to help you make sure an older adult\’s bedroom is safe:

14. Organize Clothing

Going through an older adult\’s wardrobe and getting rid of clothes they don\’t need anymore can decrease fall hazards in their bedroom. Closets and dressers can be challenging to keep organized, and clothes often end up on the floor. The fewer clothes an older adult owns, the less risk there will be of tripping over them.

Cleaning out the closet will also make it easier to organize everything neatly and accessibly. You may want to add low shelves and easy-to-use drawers to the closet to ensure an older adult has no issue getting to the clothes they need.

15. Declutter

Once again, getting rid of clutter is incredibly important in keeping older adults safe. Make sure their dressers, nightstands and any other surfaces are clear of things that could be harmful should they get knocked off.

When evaluating the bedroom furniture, decide whether each item is necessary to meet the older adult\’s needs. Ensure they have adequate space to move around, and account for any extra space they may need for assistive devices as well.

16. Avoid Under the Bed Storage

Avoid storing things under the bed in an older adult\’s bedroom. It will likely be incredibly difficult for them to get to items under the bed. Additionally, older adults who have memory issues can easily forget if they put something there since it is so out of sight.

Contact WG Wood Products for Help Making Accessible Renovations

WG Wood Products was established in 2002 to fill the need we saw in the market for sustainable home improvement pieces made in the U.S. and built to last.

At WG Wood Products, we have over 10,000 items that we continually update to ensure we meet your needs. We have helped more than 1 million customers and maintain a 99% feedback rating of five stars. Our customers rate us so highly because we hold our products to a very high standard and deliver that quality every time. We also hold things with an open hand — we are always willing to consider feedback and suggestions and often make changes to our products to ensure they are the best they can be.

Our products are all made in the U.S. from solid wood and come with free shipping and free customizations. When adding things to your home to make it more senior-friendly, being able to customize it to exactly what you\’re looking for can save you time and money and keep the older adult in your life safer.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get precisely what you need. Call us at 913-829-6000 or fill out our contact form.

Toilet paper holders serve a very functional purpose, but if used correctly they can provide your bathroom with additional storage or add to its aesthetic. In small bathrooms, a toilet paper dispenser or holder may seem unnecessary or obtrusive, but many solutions can feel natural in the space. And you don’t have to be extremely handy to make it happen.

7 Frequently Asked Questions When Buying and Installing a Toilet Paper Holder

So many varieties of toilet paper roll holders are available that it can be hard to know how one should look, where it should be placed and which type is best for your bathroom. Especially if your bathroom is smaller than average, finding the right toilet paper holder and the space for it isn’t always easy.

These questions will give you recommendations for different measurements regarding your toilet paper holder that will help you know where to install it, regardless of the size of your bathroom and what surrounds your toilet.

1. Should the Toilet Paper Holder Be on the Right or Left?

If you are not catering to someone who is disabled and needs things set up a certain way, then the side of the toilet that you place the toilet paper holder on is up to your preference. Consider how much space you have on either side and where it would be easiest for you and your family to reach. If there is a wall on one side of your toilet and not the other, think about whether you want your toilet paper holder to be mounted on the wall or free-standing.

If you are considering this before your bathroom has been designed, wait to determine the toilet paper holder placement until after the toilet and the vanity have been placed. Sometimes, in smaller bathrooms, a toilet paper holder could be connected to a vanity rather than on the right or left side of the toilet.

2. What Is the Standard Size for Toilet Paper Holders?

The average toilet paper roll measures between 4 and 4.5 inches in diameter, which is what the average toilet paper holder is designed to hold. There are different sizes of holders as well if you use toilet paper that does not fall in this standard size category.

Free-standing toilet paper stands tend to be 26 inches tall. If you are leaning towards a wall mount, the proper toilet paper placement is it about 26 inches above the floor. If everyone in your household is taller or shorter than average, consider changing the height to accommodate them. The average height of toilet paper holders are often between 8 and 12 inches away from the toilet but can again be adjusted to accommodate your household.

3. Best Location of a Toilet Paper Holder in a Small Bathroom?

In a small bathroom, it may feel cluttered before you add a toilet paper holder jutting out of the wall or taking up space on the floor. However, you can do a few things to make the placement of a toilet paper holder feel more practical and cohesive with the rest of your small space. You can mount your toilet paper holder on the wall or the vanity or choose a free-standing holder.

Here are some tips if you choose to mount your toilet paper holder in a small bathroom:

• Wall choice: If your bathroom is small, your best option may be to mount the toilet paper holder across from the toilet rather than on one of the sides. This option is especially attractive if your toilet is closer to the walls than it would be in a larger bathroom, which would make it uncomfortable to reach for the toilet paper on the side.
• Vanity: If the wall across from your toilet is not an option, your toilet may be next to your vanity. In this case, you can install the toilet paper holder on the side of the vanity.
• Other hard surface: If your toilet is not near a wall or vanity, you may be able to mount it using self-adhesive options on another hard surface like the side of your bathtub. If you felt you had no other option, you could also mount your toilet paper holder on the wall behind your toilet.

If you prefer not to take up wall space, you can choose a free-standing toilet paper holder. This way, there are fewer limits on where you can put your toilet paper, and you can change your mind at any time. Here are some of your options:

• Floor stands: Floor stands allow you to have your toilet paper on the floor but still to the height you need it to be. Some have an adjustable option so you can set it at the best height. Many floor stands also come with baskets on their base so you have easy access to new rolls of toilet paper. When placed in a corner next to your toilet, these stands don’t take up much room and blend in with the rest of your space.
• Baskets: Baskets are a unique solution to hold your toilet paper. They are an excellent option if you don’t want to take up floor or wall space as they can sit in a nearby cabinet or on the back of your toilet. Baskets are available in numerous designs and are easy to pair with the current aesthetic of your bathroom.
• Over the toilet racks: Having racks above the toilet is fairly common in many bathrooms, especially small ones. This can be a good solution for storing extra toilet paper as well as functioning as a toilet paper holder. Getting the toilet paper from behind you can be tricky but would work in a pinch.

4. Where Can You Store Toilet Paper in a Small Bathroom?

Storing toilet paper in a small bathroom can be a hassle, but your toilet paper holder could be the answer. Floor stands often have baskets attached to their base for holding extra rolls. Many recessed toilet paper holders come with a small cabinet underneath that has additional storage for one or more extra rolls, keeping them conveniently at your disposal. If storage for extra rolls is an issue, consider one of these options to free up space in cabinets or drawers.

5. How Far Should a Toilet Paper Holder Be From the Toilet?

The toilet paper holder in your bathroom should be between 8 and 12 inches away from the toilet. Depending on how tall the people in your household are, you should err on one side or the other of that range. It should work well for most people as long as you do not make it more than an arm’s length away, which is usually around 12 inches for adults.

Sticking to the general rule of thumb of the toilet paper being 26 inches above the floor should make it an accurate height for most people to reach naturally.

6. How Do You Install a Toilet Paper Holder in Drywall?

Follow these steps when installing a toilet paper holder on the drywall in your bathroom.

1. Measure: Getting accurate measurements is essential for your mounted toilet paper to look nice and be functional. Determine at what point of the range of each suggested measurement you want to place the toilet paper holder. Use a stud finder to find the most secure spot to install it nearest those measurements. Carefully mark where you’ll install the holder so you know exactly where to drill.
2. Level: Because the holder will have a straight bar, it is important to use a level because installing it crooked will be obvious. Draw a line that’s the length of your holder on the wall and adjust it based on the level’s readings.
3. Drill holes and secure brackets: For mounted toilet paper holders, you will need to drill holes and secure brackets to the wall or vanity.

For recessed toilet paper holders, you will need to follow a more in-depth process. Here are the steps to follow when installing a recessed toilet paper holder:

1. Choose the location: Choosing where to install your recessed toilet paper will require the same understanding as a mounted toilet paper holder. Be aware that a recessed holder will likely take up more wall space than a mounted holder. You’ll want to use a stud finder to be sure the location you choose doesn’t have any obstructions behind the wall.
2. Measure and cut: Measure the size of your recessed holder and cut an opening in the drywall where you will install the holder. You should use a level and a pencil to draw the hole and ensure it is not crooked before you cut it.
3. Attach construction adhesive: On the toilet paper holder itself, you should attach construction adhesive to the back of the frame so it will be secure against the wall when it is in the hole.
4. Put the holder in the wall: Push the holder into the wall, making sure to press the adhesive firmly against the wall. The adhesive will dry over time.
5. Add toilet paper: Once it’s in, all you have to do is add toilet paper to your new recessed toilet paper holder, and it is ready to use.

To remove or replace your recessed toilet paper holder, follow these steps :

1. Cut: Make a similar cut to the one you made to install the holder. It should be slightly bigger than the original one so the unit can come out easily.
2. Hammer: Use a soft-face hammer to tap the top of the unit lightly. This will make it easier to pull the holder out of the hole.
3. Install the new holder: If the new holder is a different size than the old one, make the hole in the wall larger or fill it in to make it smaller.
4. Or fill in the hole: If you are not replacing the toilet paper holder with another recessed holder and are removing it completely, cut a piece of drywall to fill the hole and attach it to the wall using drywall tape and joint compound.

7. Should Your Toilet Paper Holder Be Mounted or Recessed?

Choosing a mounted or recessed toilet paper holder ultimately comes down to preference. Both mounted and recessed toilet paper holders offer a unique set of benefits to consider.

Mounted Toilet Paper Roll Holder

Here are some of the pros of choosing a mounted roll holder over a recessed roll holder.

• Larger rolls: You can put larger toilet paper rolls on mounted holders because they generally provide more space away from the wall.
• Easier replacement: If you are looking into remodeling your bathroom or changing your holder in the future, a mounted holder is easier to move, remove or replace. This could also become a factor if you choose to change something else about your bathroom and your toilet paper holder needs to shift as well.

Recessed Toilet Paper Roll Holder

Here are reasons to choose a recessed holder over a mounted roll holder:

• Takes up less space: Because a mounted roll holder juts out from the wall, it could add a tight feeling to your bathroom, especially if it is already small. A recessed holder is a great solution for small bathrooms if you want to save space.
• Aesthetic: Recessed toilet paper holders often provide a more aesthetic look to the bathroom than a mounted holder because they blend into the space better.
• Storage: Many recessed holders have a compartment to store an extra roll or two, making it easier to have them nearby and not taking up space in other parts of your bathroom. At WG Wood Products, we offer recessed toilet paper holders that have single, double or triple wooden cabinets for extra rolls.

Shop Toilet Paper Holders From WG Wood Products

At WG Wood Products, we offer quality, hand-crafted products that are unique and solve real customer needs for a great price. We provide free customizations for our products to ensure you get an item that will fulfill your needs. You can choose from different options, finishes, sizes and more. Custom orders may take more time than a regular order but will save you the time of modifying it down the road.

We are always looking to innovate and advance the industry in a way that is distinctive and helpful for our customers. One of the most recent ways we have done that is with our plastic toilet paper holder. They fit single and double rolls and have an antimicrobial additive that helps stop the spread of germs. Being plastic lowers its cost and allows for faster processing and shipping.

With over 10,000 items, 1.5 million users and a 99% customer feedback rating of five stars, we are a trustworthy solution for your toilet paper holder needs.

Browse our toilet paper holder selection to find the functional, convenient and stylish solution to your bathroom toilet paper holder needs. Contact us today with any questions and we will be happy to answer you.

The main purpose of a garage is to protect your car from the elements, vandalism and theft, though garages often also double as a space for storage and hobbies like woodworking and painting. If you feel like you don’t have much space in your garage or you have too much stuff to park your vehicle inside, it may be time for a makeover.

Storing your car inside can keep it clean and in better condition. This garage organization guide covers the best ways to give your garage a makeover and increase your storage space.

How to Pick a Starting Point When Cleaning out Your Garage

The first step to giving your garage its much-needed makeover is choosing a starting point. Depending on how much work you need to do, you may need to set aside a full day or weekend — or a couple of weekends — to complete the job.

Choose a time to clean out your garage when your whole family can participate or when your friends can offer a helping hand. The more people involved, the faster the task will get done. Additionally, try to pick a dry weekend, so you can place items outside temporarily without exposing them to precipitation.

Coming up with a time to clean out your garage is key to scheduling any donations or yard sales. Once you know when you’ll have your garage cleaned out, you can decide when you will host a yard sale to sell your unwanted belongings. Donate or sell what you can, then determine how to dispose of what remains. You may be able to sell outgrown toys and things you forgot you had and haven’t used in years, but you should dispose of expired household chemicals and broken items.

What Not to Store in Your Garage

Due to safety and pest concerns, you may want to avoid storing these items in your garage:

• Books: To preserve your favorite books, store them somewhere other than the garage. Insects like silverfish are attracted to damp, dark spaces like garages and can destroy the glue that binds your books.
• Paint: Extreme temperatures can ruin paint, which many garages experience in the summer and winter. Instead, find a more temperate space to store your paint cans. Check paint can labels to review the recommended storage temperatures.
• Pet food: Keep pet food in your home rather than your garage to prevent animals and pests from sniffing it out. If you need to store pet food in your garage, keep it in a tightly sealed metal or plastic container. Avoid using cardboard or paper packaging, as rodents can chew through these materials.
• Propane: Keep propane tanks outside, as a spark could cause a fire in your garage if you keep tanks inside. If you keep your car in the garage, a leak from your propane tank can spell disaster. The ideal space for a propane tank is outside, where it won’t be exposed to high temperatures.
• Oily rags: Do not store rags soaked with oil in your garage. The combination of oily rags and trapped internal heat is a recipe for spontaneous combustion.
• Refrigerators: Unless your garage is air-conditioned, it’s not the best place to keep a refrigerator. A fridge can be a significant energy drain if kept in your garage.
• Paper goods: It’s best to keep paper goods in your house rather than your garage, as they can attract bugs and roaches.
• Sleeping bags: Fabrics shouldn’t be stored in spaces with fluctuating humidity and temperatures, which is common in a garage. Rodents could damage fabrics like sleeping bags, and they can grow moldy. Though you may want to store your sleeping bags with your other camping supplies, it’s best to keep your sleeping bags and clothing items inside the house.

If you’ve been storing any of these items in your garage, now is the time to reorganize.

15 Garage Organization Tips

The longer you live in your home, the more stuff you may accumulate in your garage. We often toss anything that we can’t find space for in our homes in the garage. This can quickly lead to a disorganized, nonfunctional space and the need for garage storage ideas. To help you organize a messy garage, we’ve compiled a list of our best ideas for garage organization.

1. Assess Your Garage’s Floor Plan

Before you purchase any storage bins or build any shelves, write down your garage’s dimensions and the locations and sizes of your doors, windows, receptacles and switches. It’s also helpful to note how much space your vehicle uses.

Figure out where you want to store your items in your garage. If you’re unsure where items would best be located, consider how frequently you use them and how much space you have available. For example, you’ll likely want to keep your tools near your workbench and your recycling bins close to your home.

Store infrequently used items on low or high shelves, leaving more easily accessible areas for the items you use regularly. For example, if you use your bike a lot, place it near the garage door. Place seasonal items in the hardest-to-reach areas, and group items you tend to use together, such as lawn chemicals and gardening tools. Put larger equipment like your lawnmower in corners so you won’t bump them or knock them over with your vehicle.

2. Sort Items

Sort the items in your garage according to whether you want to keep them, toss them, donate them or sell them. You can mark off spots on your driveway or lay out tarps to organize these items. Then sort the belongings you plan to keep. Categories could include:

• Recycling
• Hand tools
• Camping gear
• Seasonal decor
• Sports equipment
• Car cleaning products
• Lawn and garden equipment

You can either place items in marked cardboard boxes or stackable plastic bins. It’s best to wait to buy new storage bins since you won’t know what sizes or sturdiness you’ll require for long-term storage, so use whatever you have on hand.

Return the items you’re keeping back in the garage. If you struggle to let go of belongings with sentimental value, but you don’t need them anymore, take photos as keepsakes.

3. Stack Bins

Plastic bins are great for storage use in a garage, and you can save floor space by stacking bins vertically. However, stacking bins against a wall can make it difficult to access the containers on the bottom. Storage towers allow you to stack your bins vertically to save space while still giving you easy access to each bin.

To make items easy to find, you may want to consider color-coding your bins. You can also use the sides of the tower for additional storage with mounts or hooks.

4. Install Wall-Mounted Shelves

For many homeowners, one of the best garage storage ideas is installing wall-mounted shelves. You can use these shelves to maximize your storage space with a few affordable, simple shelves, hooks and baskets. If you’re an experienced DIYer, building and installing some garage storage shelves can take just a few hours.

5. Utilize Overhead Space

Overhead space is often overlooked, but this can also function as storage space in your garage. If you have lightweight or medium-weight camping gear or holiday decorations, the ceiling can be great for storing these items. You can easily DIY overhead storage by installing wood framing with screws and sliding your bins into place.

Alternatively, you can store bulky items by installing PVC pipes and fittings together to make a simple rack. For heavier loads, bolt a straight pipe to the joists on the ceiling. The smooth surface of the PVC makes loading and unloading easy. High space is best used to store seasonal items and ladders long-term.

6. Add Storage Cabinets

Storage cabinets are a popular choice for garage organization. These cabinets can provide you with valuable storage space at an affordable price. You can also modify them to fit the specific needs of your garage. If you plan on including storage cabinets in your garage, plan your configuration beforehand with masking tape on both the floors and the wall. Ensure that every cabinet has a minimum of one stud to fasten it to the wall securely.

7. Purchase Storage Tubes

Storage tubes can create an excellent spot to keep your baseball bats, tennis rackets and any long-handled tools. Prop these tubes up to keep them secure and dry, and use a strap to secure each tube. If you’re a sports-oriented family, these storage tubes can improve your storage and organization.

8. Install a Tool Rack or Pallet

A tool rack is another popular solution for storing tools with long handles like rakes and shovels. These tools can often be difficult to store in a way that is convenient and keeps them out of the way while still being accessible. You can either purchase a tool rack or make it a DIY project to hold several items.

Alternatively, you can also choose to install a pallet to store your garden and lawn equipment. A pallet can be easily attached to exposed wall studs, so this may be a great storage option for your garage if you have a pallet.

9. Get a Recycling Bin Rack

If you have recycling bins and they’re taking up a lot of floor space in your garage, installing a recycling bin rack can come in handy. With this rack, you can get your bins off the floor and store them on the wall out of the way. If you install this rack, be sure to place it near your home so the bins are easy to access.

10. Install Corner Shelves

Almost every homeowner could use more shelves in their garage, especially corner shelves. These types of shelves tend to be forgotten, but you can take advantage of the space in your corners with these shelves for extra storage. Adding corner shelves is affordable, easy and fast. If you have scrap plywood, you can easily make shelves and fit them between corner studs. Store smaller items on your corner shelves like lawn chemicals and hand tools.

11. Utilize Rod Organizers for Fishing Gear

If your fishing rods regularly get tangled up, now is a great time to get a rod organizer for your garage. You can purchase an organizer, or you can build one. If you want to make one yourself, you’ll need to drill holes in the rod holder, assemble the frame, add braces for extra stability and customize the holder according to your needs. You can add casters to the bottom to increase mobility, and you may want to sand and paint or stain the organizer.

12. Ask for Help

Ask your family and friends for help with your garage makeover. If no one you know has the time to help, you can hire an expert or a team who can help you with the task. Without adequate help, you may quickly find the job too overwhelming and abandon it altogether.

If you have help, plan how you can direct your helpers throughout the day or weekend to make the process more efficient. Be sure you also plan how you will thank your helpers for their time and effort.

13. Donate, Sell or Discard Unwanted Items

After you clean out your garage, it’s time to donate, sell or discard what you no longer want to keep. Remember that some of the belongings you want to get rid of may be recyclable. If you tend to use your garage as a catch-all storage space, clean out your belongings each year. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to do so.

14. Stick to an Organizing Schedule

After you have organized your garage, create a schedule for ongoing cleaning and organization. Add biannual or quarterly garage organization to your calendar. Putting it on your calendar will make you more likely to stick with your schedule. Additionally, throughout the year, try to put things back in their proper locations immediately after use. This will help keep your garage organized and create less work for you later on.

Keep your garage clean by regularly hosing the floor and using a pesticide in spring and summer to prevent insects from invading. If you have any spills or leaks, you can use cat litter to absorb grease and oil.

15. Get Storage Products From WG Wood Products

Implement cabinetry and storage products from WG Wood Products. Our recessed cabinets are an excellent option for any garage. We can customize our storage products to meet your exact needs for space.

Contact Us at WG Wood Products for Garage Organization and Storage

At WG Wood Products, we can help you with a garage and garage door makeover. Our products are made in the USA, and we offer free customizations, including custom sizes. Our variety of products can help you solve different organization and storage problems. You can gain much-needed storage space you didn’t even know you had with our cabinets, no matter how much stuff you have.

Our in-the-wall garage cabinets are available in more than 20 finish colors, including stain finishes and enamels. The door to the cabinet can open right or left or can be left off the cabinet if you need more space. Contact us at WG Wood Products or browse relevant products on our site.