Having organized sports equipment in your garage can make a huge difference in how easy it is to find what you need and keep things tidy. With some thoughtful planning and the right storage solutions, you can maximize your garage space and keep all your gear accessible.
Page Contents
- 1 Assess What You Have
- 2 Categorize by Sport
- 3 Utilize Wall Space
- 4 Use Sturdy Shelving
- 5 Store Gear in Containers
- 6 Add a Workbench
- 7 Use Specialty Sports Racks
- 8 Use the Floor Space
- 9 Add Storage Hooks
- 10 Keep Dirty Gear Separate
- 11 Label Storage Areas
- 12 Add Lockable Storage
- 13 Utilize the Garage Ceiling
- 14 Keep High Traffic Areas Clear
- 15 Allow Room to Move Around
- 16 Store Gear Near Usage Areas
- 17 Add Portable Storage
- 18 Invest in Quality Materials
- 19 Add Lighting
- 20 Keep a Storage Map
- 21 Edit and Reduce When Needed
- 22 Conclusion
Assess What You Have
The first step is taking stock of everything you need to store. Make a list of all your sports gear and equipment for each sport. This includes things like bats, balls, gloves, helmets, sticks, pads, skates, uniforms, shoes, towels, water bottles, cones, targets, weights, bags, coolers, first aid kits, and so on. Knowing the volume and variety will help determine the right storage solutions.
Categorize by Sport
Grouping similar items together makes them easier to organize. Have designated areas, containers or shelves for each sport. This allows you to keep things visible and readily available when needed. For example, store all your soccer gear together – shin guards, socks, cleats, balls, cones, etc. Do the same for baseball, lacrosse, tennis, basketball and other sports.
Utilize Wall Space
Take advantage of vertical storage by mounting shelves, racks, pegboards and slatwall panels on the walls. Wall storage can hold bulky or oddly shaped items that would otherwise take up a lot of floor space. For example:
- Use shelves for helmets, knee pads, gloves, balls, shoes.
- Install slatwall panels for hanging bats, tennis rackets, sticks, jerseys, bags.
- Mount a pegboard to store tools, first aid supplies, rolls of tape.
- Use bike hooks to hang bicycles upright and out of the way.
Use Sturdy Shelving
Free standing shelving units are great for dividing space and keeping things organized. Consider these tips when using shelving:
- Use heavy duty metal shelving that won’t easily tip over.
- Make shelves adjustable to accommodate different item sizes.
- Install shelving brackets and mesh panels to corral odd-shaped gear.
- Label shelves clearly so items can be returned to proper spots.
Store Gear in Containers
Plastic storage totes, canvas bins, mesh bags and other containers help corral loose items. Use them to organize and carry gear to practices or games. Some ideas:
- Plastic totes for shin guards, socks, jerseys, balls, etc.
- Mesh bags for shoes, water bottles, towels.
- Clear plastic bins for medical kits, tape, ice packs.
- Canvas cubes for cones, agility ladders, foam rollers.
Add a Workbench
Having a workbench or table provides a place to unpack gear, make repairs, fill water bottles and handle other pre- or post-game tasks. Look for a sturdy, durable workbench that won’t easily tip over when loaded with heavy gear bags.
Use Specialty Sports Racks
There are racks designed to hold specific sports gear and make it easily accessible. These include:
- Ski racks – wall-mounted racks hold skis upright and have shelves or baskets for poles, boots and helmets.
- Lacrosse racks – upright racks store lacrosse sticks neatly in slots.
- Ball racks – wall-mounted racks have cradles or netting to store basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc.
- Baseball bat racks – upright or slatwall-mounted bat holders keep bats organized and prevent damage.
Use the Floor Space
Take advantage of floor space for large, bulky items like sporting goods bags, coolers, pop-up tents, cones and training equipment. Store these items neatly along walls, corners or under work tables.
Add Storage Hooks
Hooks on walls or storage racks provide a place to hang items like hoops, targets, agility ladders, jump ropes, nets, goalie masks and sleds. Hooks keep the items off the floor and easily accessible. Space hooks at least 12-18 inches apart for organization.
Keep Dirty Gear Separate
Have a ventilated mesh bag, bin or hamper for storing dirty or muddy gear separate from clean equipment. This prevents odors and mess from spreading. A separate gear drying rack is also useful for wet gear.
Label Storage Areas
Use signs or labels to identify where sports equipment belongs. For example, label bins and shelves with “Soccer,” “Lacrosse,” “Baseball,” etc. Make it easy for family members to return gear to the proper storage spot.
Add Lockable Storage
For shared or public spaces, have lockable wall cabinets or lockers to safely secure valuables. These are great for keeping smaller items like watches, wallets, keys and phones protected.
Utilize the Garage Ceiling
Use the vertical space above eye-level for infrequently accessed items. Shelving mounted high on walls or ceiling rafters can store overflow or off-season gear. Place it at least 18 inches below the ceiling for easy access with a ladder when needed.
Keep High Traffic Areas Clear
Avoid blocking the garage entrance, main aisles and work areas with gear. Store most items along walls or the perimeter. Keep just a few portable containers accessible in high traffic zones for convenience.
Allow Room to Move Around
When organizing gear, be sure to leave enough space for people to walk freely. At least 30 inches between storage units, shelves and racks allows comfortable room to move and remove items easily.
Store Gear Near Usage Areas
Place equipment conveniently near where it will be used to avoid carrying across the entire garage. For example:
- Near access door for loading/unloading cars
- Close to work bench for equipment repairs and prep
- Near wash area for cleaning dirty gear
Add Portable Storage
Use portable gear bags, trunks on wheels and utility carts to conveniently transport equipment. These can be wheeled in and out of the garage for practices, games, trips to the park, etc.
Invest in Quality Materials
Durable storage solutions made of heavy duty materials will last longer and resist damage:
| Material | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Steel | Very strong, dents resistant |
| Aluminum | Sturdy but lightweight |
| Plastic | Affordable, waterproof |
| Canvas | Breathable, washable |
| Wood | Attractive, eco-friendly |
Add Lighting
Proper lighting makes it easier to see everything that’s stored. Add LED shop lights on ceiling rafters to brightly illuminate gear. Install strip lighting under wall cabinets or shelving for extra visibility in those areas.
Keep a Storage Map
Having a mapped plan of your organized garage can help family members put gear away properly. Update it anytime you add new storage solutions. Tape it inside a cabinet door for easy reference.
Edit and Reduce When Needed
If your sports equipment still seems cluttered and crowded, it may be time to edit. Consider these tips:
- Remove duplicate or unneeded gear.
- Donate usable items your family has outgrown.
- Limit each sport to one or two storage units.
- Use multipurpose gear when possible.
- Share gear with teammates.
Conclusion
Organizing a garage full of sports equipment just takes some thoughtful planning and the right storage solutions. By categorizing gear by sport, maximizing vertical and floor space, using shelves, bins, racks and labeled containers, you can keep all your family’s sports gear neatly arranged and easy to access. Invest in durable, high-quality storage products made to handle the heavy use of sports equipment. And remember to leave adequate room to walk around and move gear in and out with ease. With an organized sports equipment garage, you’ll save time looking for what you need and have a tidy, functional space for enjoying sports all year long.