Garage Storage: Keep Kids' Stuff in Check

Vehicles, tools, lawn equipment — your garage needs to hold a lot of important items. But families with children find that toys, clothes, and other gear tend to take over the space, leaving little room for necessities. What’s a parent to do?

For starters, carve out a dedicated zone for your children’s belongings. Barry Izsak, author of Organize Your Garage in No Time and owner of Arranging It All in Austin, Texas, recommends claiming space near the garage doors for easy access. "The last thing you want is for your kids to bang up the cars as they tote their stuff in and out of the garage," he explains.

For a fun twist on traditional storage, paint colored lines (or adhere strips of colored tape) on the floor to serve as dedicated parking spots for wagons, bubble mowers, and strollers.

While mounting bulky items on the wall, like these canoes, saves valuable floor space, kids often want easy access to their bikes. Consider adding a specially designed rack on the wall or floor that holds bicycles, scooters, and skateboards. Izsak recommends storing bike helmets on the seat or attached to the handlebars. "Not only does this keep the helmet handy and convenient," he says, "but it also reminds riders to use it."