Picture this: you’re standing in your dark, cluttered garage, unsure of where to step next. You’re looking for the spare light bulbs you could have sworn were on a shelf somewhere, but between the donation piles, shipping boxes, and everything else you set in the garage until you have time to get to it, bikes that need to be tuned up laying on the floor, and old, broken yard equipment you haven’t gotten around to getting rid of, you feel stuck. You can’t find what you’re looking for, and to be honest, you don’t even really know what you have.
Now picture a different experience. You step into your custom garage system to find those same light bulbs, only you know exactly where they are: in the storage cabinets lined with overflow supplies from the house, tucked behind a smooth-sliding bypass door. You easily walk over to this dedicated storage zone, no tripping hazards in sight. You look around and see all of your stuff–tools, bags of potting soil, the lawnmower, your latest woodworking project, and so many different types of balls–everything in its carefully planned, dedicated place. Plus, you even have space for a stationary bike, and not to mention, plenty of room for the cars.
Can you feel the difference? From usable storage space to organization options and even lighting, a garage organization system has layers of challenges. So, it’s important to think about each way a non-functioning garage is impacting you and your family. How much is it worth for you to be able to park both of your cars in the garage as intended? How much is it worth to be able to easily find things? Have you thought about the mental price you pay living with an undercurrent of stress that garage disorganization causes?
A garage with thoughtful, custom-designed storage makes a huge mental and logistical difference in those little daily moments, and as you use the space over the years. Plus, investing in a custom garage system that enhances usability is a financial decision that immediately pays off when protecting your things and upgrading your space, and it adds value to your home for when it’s time to sell down the road. Working with experts to customise your garage storage solutions will help you feel confident that you’re getting things right and ultimately maximizing both your space and your investment.
What is a Custom Garage System?
A custom garage design consists of different storage solutions that are selected and configured to meet your specific needs and work well in your exact space. Custom, built-in garage storage is both designed and installed by the experts so you get a solution that is tailored to your exact specifications and executed by professionals who really know what they’re doing. Plus, when you work with a team as opposed to handling everything yourself, the process is a lot less stressful.
A key distinction between generic, one-size-fits-all garage storage and custom systems is that custom options are generally built with strong, high-quality materials that are actually meant to be used in a garage. Everything from the shelves to the cabinets should be able to handle large, heavy items, keeping your things safe until you need them. Ideally, the materials should also be easy to clean and stand up against the dirt and grime that often makes its way into the garage. When your garage storage solutions are selected and designed just for you, you can feel confident knowing you’re getting top-notch products.
Cabinets, Shelves, & Workbenches
First, we have the heavy-lifters of custom garage systems: wall-mounted, floating cabinets, adjustable shelves, overhead storage, and workbenches. Some of our favorite ways to customize these solutions are by adding sliding bypass doors to save space, opting for soft-close drawers to prevent wear and tear, and including integrated lighting so you can easily find what you’re looking for, day or night, as well as brighten up dedicated work areas.
Whether you need a dedicated Costco closet, custom garage cabinets for outdoor cushions, storage above your garage door for the heavy stuff you don’t often use, or shelves for totes of seasonal decorations, we’ll configure a garage design that has space for it all.
Slatwall, Layered Bars, Hooks, & Baskets
Next, we like to incorporate other flexible storage options to create specialized sections for tools, sports gear, hobbies, and more. Wall-mounted slatwall and our layered hanging bar systems both save a ton of space by moving stuff off the floor. You can get a wide range of hooks to hold items like rakes, hammers, fishing poles, and life jackets, plus different-sized baskets for balls, cleaning supplies, and gardening needs.
Because you can easily reconfigure these garage storage solutions as needed, and add more options to accommodate new items and hobbies in the future, there’s no need to completely redo your garage storage down the line. Investing in flexible organization options now will help you make the most of your money in the long run.
Finally, we have the garage entryway. If your family regularly comes and goes from the garage entrance as it is, this is an ideal spot to create a mudroom-like space. Plus, it gives you even more storage for stuff a lot of people keep in their garages anyway.
From our Shoe Shrine® with shelves you can move up and down to accommodate different footwear heights, to a built-in bench for safe and easy shoe removal plus extra hidden storage, to designated lockers and cubbies with hanging space and plenty of room for gym bags and backpacks, a designated garage entryway makes coming and going so much easier. We can even create a drop zone for keys, mail, sunglasses, and all of the other little things you need to grab on your way out the door.
Benefits of a Custom Garage System
Maximize Space & Organization
All of the built-in garage storage options mentioned above come together to create a layout that will make your life significantly easier. Investing in custom garage cabinets in particular can even improve your home’s organization and storage efficiency by 20% on average. This doesn’t just boost the functionality of the space, in turn saving you time and lowering your stress levels, but it also makes it look a lot better, therefore bringing you genuine joy and a sense of pride.
When your garage is thoughtfully planned according to your needs, it makes it so much easier to eliminate clutter and keep your space clean and tidy. Designated storage zones (think one area for tools and yard equipment, another for sports gear, and another for overflow bulk storage) help to ensure everything has a place so staying organized feels simple.
Enhance Garage Functionality
Your garage can be so much more than a place to store things and your cars. All it takes is a new perspective (in this case, the creative mind of one of our design experts) to envision the many other ways your garage can work for you. From the aforementioned entryway/mudroom space, to garage workspace solutions, a hobby area, home gym, or even a place to host and entertain, multi-purpose spaces add so much fun and functionality to your garage.
And let’s be clear, you don’t need to sacrifice your entire garage to these plans either. With space-saving storage and smart design, you’ll still have plenty of room for everything you need and want your garage to be able to do.
Protect Your Investment in Tools & Equipment
A custom garage system that has dedicated organization for all your items goes a long way to keep everything secure, protected, and in good condition. From power tools, to bikes, to the lawnmower, ensure the things you invest your money into are stored properly to prevent damage and reduce repair and replacement expenses over time.
Probably the biggest investment you keep in your garage is your car. Or, maybe you don’t currently have enough room for the car, but you’d ideally like to be able to fit it inside to keep it safe and protected from the elements. Most of us know the truth though–it’s common that other things pile up in the garage, forcing cars out onto the driveway or the street. However, with custom storage that gets things off the floor and saves significant space, there will be room for your car in the garage once again, allowing you to protect your ride and use the space as intended.
Investing in custom garage cabinets improves organization and storage efficiency by 20% on average
How Much Does a Custom Garage System Cost?
The cost of a custom garage system comes down to a few things: the size of your garage and the amount of product you need for it, the storage features you choose, and your final colors and finishes. With a custom solution, you’re also paying for the expertise of the designer and the installation crew. However, partnering with professionals ensures your project is done right the first time so you don’t have to spend additional money on remodels in the future. Plus, with Inspired Closets, you know you’re getting high-quality product that will stand the test of time. That’s why so many people go custom–it’s the most cost-effective way to tackle garage storage in the long run.
Long-Term ROI: Is It a Smart Financial Decision?
A customized garage organization system adds significant market value to your home by creating more storage, adding convenience, and giving the garage an elevated look that reflects care and attention to detail. Studies indicate that a well-designed garage renovation can add anywhere from 5-10% to your home’s overall value, providing a significant financial return when it’s time to sell.
Aside from improving the home itself, when you maximize your garage’s storage capabilities, you can also eliminate the need to spend money on external storage units. Let’s face it, most of us have a lot of stuff. In fact, in 2023 alone, 11.1% of American households (14.6 million households total) rented a self-storage facility. With storage units costing anywhere from about $50 to $450 per month, things can add up quickly. Having room to hold onto your kid’s moving boxes while they’re apartment hunting, keep party supplies on-hand, or comfortably acquire more seasonal décor will lead to significant savings over the years.
Lastly, the garage can be such a big mess for so many people that it’s often hard to hunt things down. And, when we can’t find what we need, we tend to re-buy it. When your garage is clean and thoughtfully organized with everything having a designated place, you’ll actually be able to find what you’re looking for so you can stop spending unnecessary money on duplicate purchases.
A well-designed garage renovation can add 5% to 10% to your home’s value
Time & Stress Savings Over the Years
Along with the many financial benefits, a garage organization system that actually works how you need it to will have a significant positive impact on your mental health over time.
Eliminating clutter and chaos in the garage leads to:
Easier access to items
Less wasted time
Increased storage capacity
More ways to use the space
Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved maintenance
Final Thoughts: The True ROI on Custom Garage Storage
Long story short, a custom garage system is worth it. A better-looking and better-working garage will pay off both financially and emotionally as the years go on, and partnering with the professionals is the smartest way to get the job done. If you want to get more ideas for how we can upgrade your garage, make sure you download our digital brochure.
We know renovating the entire garage can be a huge undertaking. If you want to be sure you’re making the right move, we can take a multi-phase approach and tackle one garage wall at a time. Our designers will help you determine where to start, and then come back in subsequent years when you can’t wait any longer to get the most out of your space. We work with you to ensure you’re making the smartest investment for your home. Ready to get started?
Our designers are great listeners, and fabulous at what they do, too, so let’s talk. Oh, the best part? Our in-home design consultations are free. Yep. FREE! Let’s get started.
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