Find more storage everywhere in your house!
Genius DIY Storage Hacks for a More Organized Garage and Home
Updated on Jun. 25, 2025
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Lattice Rack
Plastic lattice works well in the garage for storing long lengths of miscellaneous pipe, trim, flashing and conduit. Just cut matching pieces, then screw 2x4 cleats to the ceiling and screw the lattice to the wall studs and cleats. Now you can quickly find those oddball leftovers instead of going to the hardware store and buying yet another piece.
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Bungee Cord Organizer
Elastic cords can quickly become a tangled mess. Find the one you need at a glance with this handy rack made from 3- or 4-in. PVC pipe. Just drill 1/2-in.-diameter holes in the pipe to match the slightly stretched lengths of your cords. Keep it in your trunk or shop, out of the reach of children. Check out this other genius bungee cord hack.
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Recycle Peanut Butter Jars
Plastic peanut butter jars work better for storage than glass baby food jars because they hold a lot more hardware and won't break into shards if you drop one. Attach the lids of 28-oz. jars under a shelf with two screws (so the lid can't spin when you loosen the jar) and screw on the loaded jar. For quick access, cut away half of a 64-oz. peanut butter jar with a sharp utility knife, leaving the neck intact, then attach the lid and jar to the side of a cabinet. If you load it with lemon drops, we won't tell.
Click here for more workshop organization tips.
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Kitchen Organization: Racks for Canned Goods
Use those leftover closet racks as cabinet organizers. Trim the racks to length with a hacksaw and then mount screws to the backside of the face frame to hold the racks in place. The backside of the rack simply rests against the back of the cabinet. Now you can easily find your soup and check the rest of your inventory at a glance with this pantry storage solution.
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Overhead Rag Storage
Make a little nest for your disposable paper rag box in the ceiling joists.
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Plastic Bag Dispenser
To make it easy to stow and reuse plastic bags, make a dispenser from a discarded 2-liter soda bottle. Cut off the top and bottom with a razor knife. Trim any jagged edges so you don't tear the bags when you pull them out, then screw the dispenser to a cabinet door or closet wall (or attach with hook-and-loop tape).
Click here for more kitchen storage ideas.
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Kitchen Storage: Under-Sink Archives
Don't file away the manuals for your kitchen and bath fixtures. Instead, slip them into a locking plastic bag and hang the bag in the cabinet under the sink. They'll always be right where you need them. Toss in paint samples and spare cabinet hardware too.
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Portable Storage for Free
You can drop a few bills buying storage totes for supplies like nails, screws and plumbing parts. Or you can make your own with laundry detergent jugs and a utility knife. They're big, tough and mobile—and they'll make your workshop stink nice.
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Nuts and Washers Stored on Pegboard
Old-fashioned shower curtain rings (12-packs available at home centers) can organize and conveniently display nuts and washers on your pegboard. Load up the rings, add a tape label, and hang them near the wrenches. You can also toss them in a nail apron for on-the-go repairs.
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Shoe Pocket
Hanging shoe bags are great for closets, but they can also cut the clutter in your garage, workshop or laundry room. A shoe bag like this one costs about $15 at discount stores.
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Color-Coded Chargers
Strips of colored masking or electrical tape take the confusion out of mating cordless tools with their chargers. No more matching by trial and error!
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Magnetic Mini Storage
Want to build this handy storage roost for all the little screws, earplugs, nuts and washers in your shop? Pick up a pack of 4-oz. cups, a magnetic strip, several 7/16-in. washers and a tube of E6000 glue (available at craft and hobby stores). Apply glue to the cup's concave bottom, press in a washer flush with the bottom rim and let the glue set for 24 hours.
That's it. Mount the magnet, load the cups, snap on the lids and all your itty-bitties are easy to spot, nab and put away. Magnetic strips are available at woodworking stores and online. The magnetic strip provides more than enough magnet power to hold a cup crammed with screws.
FAQ
How do I choose the right storage containers for different items?
Choosing the right storage containers involves several considerations, including the size of the items, how accessible you need the items to be, and what types of storage containers make it easiest to maintain your system. Also think about what types of containers you prefer, including aesthetics, whether you want drawers or bins with lids, etc.
What are the best ways to prevent clutter from building up again?
One of the best ways to prevent clutter from building up again is to leave room for future items. “Leave extra space,” says Lee. “If your storage is maxed out, it’s too small. For example, if your shoe rack is completely full of shoes, you need to edit down your shoes, or get a bigger rack. Without breathing room, an organization system will fail and clutter will begin to collect. Why? A full system is too difficult to interact with for most busy people because it requires more effort to use.”
How often should I reassess and reorganize my storage system?
When you notice clutter building up, that’s a good indication that something isn’t working and it’s time for a reassessment. It’s also important to remember that organization is not a once-and-for-all event. Instead, expect to declutter and re-organize periodically and consider setting designated times for this, such as weekly, monthly, and/or seasonally.
About the experts
Kenna Lee is the founder and chief product officer of Calm Spaces, a professional organizing firm serving clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and Atlanta, GA. She holds a Certificate in Essentials of Organizing from NAPO, a Foundation Certification in Chronic Disorganization, and a Certificate of Study in ADHD from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. She also has a Specialist Certificate in Brain-Based Conditions, and a Specialist Certificate in Life Transitions. She excels in working with high-net-worth households, people with ADHD, and clients navigating major life transitions and is a sought-after expert on clutter, overwhelm, and organizing with empathy.
