Lowes and IKEA! = "spectactular" garage storage!

I have an idea... get organized (again)!  I ventured into the man's area that my husband "Wanted to organize," so I let him -- now I had the time to fix that mistake!  We built our house on the design that my husband got the garage that he wanted.  I wasn't sold on the house until I got to monkey around with the "inside" design... Now I love it!  BUT -- HE was STILL unsatisfied with garage space... I think he is full of malarkey!  There is never enough of it -- I know, but build some storage and sort everything out!  When everything has its place its clear you can produce much more room.

So I got the inspired organizer in me out and got to thinking... We just needed to hide some of the junk we have!... Find that place for everything!...

Most important to me was to have a storage area for the not so pretty, but totally organizational thing known as "the big red tool holder," well to me anyways!!...aka Craftsman tool chest.  Also, the eyesore of a garbage can needed a place within our "let's get organized production."

Our garage has 2 single garage doors on the left side and 1 single garage door on the right side (YOU can find room in your garage too!  I know you can)... with an outstanding area calling my name for storage in the middle...some of the house (mudroom and bathroom) is located within it also.  So, with the perfect area configured and a set counter height (above the tool chest), length available for the project was determined (minus the garbage can).

Area before:

I had fallen in love with the IKEA organizing system of 3 buckets!  ADORABLE... All garage storage areas should be referred to as adorable right?  I HAD TO in cooperate these into my house in some way and since my kitchen was all set... I bought them for nail/screw/small parts storage solutions!   Ok so mine needed to be "adorable" and items needed to be stowed out of site -- as this work area is steps outside of the door I use the most to exit my house -- so obviously, if you know me there was NO WAY -- I would look at a mess when I head out. 

IKEA organization -- doesn't
it look stellar!

We measured the Craftsman tool chest and marked 2 inches above that measurement on the wall... Luckily, the electrical plug-in was in the perfect spot!  Great access for our workbench.  After much debate (can't go to Lowes -- or shopping period -- without a debate if we both go!), we agreed on the three unfinished cabinets shown below.  Just a quick quote I heard that fits our shopping experiences perfectly -- Going shopping with your husband, is like him hunting with the game warden!  = not much fun at all is it?!

The biggest challenge for us was the lower cabinet was too short to accommodate our tool chest height... we thought adding a nook above it by placing particle board on top of the cabinetry (because they are open) was the best use of space -- vs. something under it to lift the height.  With the added additional inches needed, we gained the perfect area for a small tool box that my grandpa thoughtfully developed especially for our wedding -- It contains many of his tools... so a special spot for a heartfelt box!

Peg Board -- What garage organization is complete without peg board!... so we had to add it too!  Most of the smaller tools had their place in the tool chest, but it is sooooo handy to have the hammer, screwdrivers, and a tape measure so easily accessible.  Someday I am still going to add our initial to the peg board (as seen on pinterest -- where else!?)... just a little more character to a fun, workable space!

After:

We are far from professionals -- but completely able to achieve the goal of garage organization for around $350!  We even had some extra shelving from inside the house for closet organization! so we added a shelf above the garage can.  Now there is a bit more "space" in this spacious garage... maybe I can avoid hearing about the lack of it for a little while -- until we acquire more tools I suppose!