By Erin Fortman
How labeled bins, pegboards, and a clear system turned tool chaos into a functional workspace.
If you’ve ever walked into your garage looking for one small thing, a drill bit, a tape measure, or that random bolt you know you saved, you know the frustration of digging through piles just to find it.
Garages naturally become the catch-all space in a home. Tools, project supplies, camping gear, hardware, and “I might need this someday” items slowly build up. Eventually important tools get buried, work surfaces disappear, and the space stops functioning the way it should.
That’s exactly the situation we walked into during this recent garage organizing project.
The good news is that this kind of transformation is more achievable than most people think, especially when you have a team helping you pull everything out, sort it, and rebuild the space with a clear garage organization system.
At Meat and Potatoes Organizing, we often help homeowners throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina, and surrounding areas tackle spaces that feel overwhelming on their own. With a team of two or three professional organizers, what might take an entire weekend alone can often be transformed in just a few hours.
Here’s how we turned this garage into an organized and functional workspace.
Before: Starting the Garage Reset
Pulling everything out is the first step to seeing what you actually have.
Before organizing: tools and supplies loosely sorted into categories before implementing storage systems.
Before we began organizing this garage, tools, hardware, and project supplies had slowly accumulated over time. Like many garages, it had become the place where items landed when there wasn’t a clear home elsewhere in the house.
The first step was pulling everything out and grouping items into categories. This allowed us to see exactly what the homeowner had and begin building a system that made sense for how the space was used.
Because this garage was primarily used for tools and home projects, we removed anything unrelated and focused on organizing the tools first.
Sorting everything first might look messy in the moment, and it really is a “trust the process” step, but it’s the key to making the final organization possible.
Step 1: Pull Everything Out and Create Clear Zones
Sorting tools into categories reveals natural storage zones.
Once the space was cleared, we sorted items into categories like:
- Power tools
- Hardware and screws
- Safety equipment
- Measuring tools
- Painting supplies
- Project materials
Grouping items immediately revealed patterns. Instead of random piles, we began to see clear zones for storage.
In this garage, the existing shelving and cabinets were in great shape, so we focused on using the homeowner’s existing storage and simply assigning each area a clear purpose.
This step is one of the most important parts of professional garage organizing.
Step 2: Clear Bins and Labels Solve the “Where Is That?” Problem
Clear containers and labels make it easy to find and return garage supplies.
One of the biggest frustrations in garages is digging through containers trying to guess what’s inside.
Clear containers allow you to instantly see what you have, while labels make it easy for everyone in the household to know where items belong.
For this project we used utility narrow stackable plastic bins from The Container Store. They are durable, the open front allows easy access, and they include a perfect spot for labeling.
Utility narrow stackable bins create clear categories so tools and supplies are easy to find and return.
For larger items like power tools, saws and sanding tools, we used clear storage tubs with lids from Target. These come in multiple sizes, which worked well with this garage’s built-in shelving.
Clear storage tubs keep larger tools organized while still allowing you to see what’s inside.
Even labeling the outside of drawers helps prevent drawers from becoming catch-alls. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference, allowing anyone to quickly find tools and return them to the correct spot.
Labels on drawers make it easy to quickly locate tools and keep the system working long-term.
Step 3: Use Vertical Storage to Free Up Work Surfaces
Pegboards keep frequently used tools visible and free up valuable workspace.
Another major improvement in this garage was using pegboards and wall storage to get tools off the workbench.
We used the homeowners’ existing metal peg hooks to hang frequently used tools and keep them easily accessible.
Tools and extension cords stay visible, organized, and easy to grab during projects.
Extension cords can also be difficult to store and often end up tangled in piles. To solve this, we used Wrap-It straps from The Container Store, which neatly contain cords and allow them to hang easily on the pegboard.
Vertical storage makes a huge difference in garages. When tools move off the work surface and onto the wall, the workspace immediately becomes more usable and projects can start without clearing clutter first.
The Result: A Garage That Actually Works
A clear system transforms a cluttered garage into a functional workspace.
After sorting, labeling, and organizing the space, the transformation was immediate.
The workbench is clear. Tools are easy to locate. Hardware is organized in labeled bins. Every category has a designated home.
The finished garage workspace with labeled storage zones and accessible tools.
Instead of digging through piles, the homeowner can now walk into the garage and immediately find what they need.
This is exactly what a well-designed garage organization system should do, make everyday tasks easier.
How Meat & Potatoes Organizing Can Help
Professional organizing turns overwhelming spaces into functional systems.
Garage organizing projects are one of the most rewarding transformations we see.
What might feel like a daunting weekend project on your own can often be completed in just a few hours with a small team of professional organizers from Meat and Potatoes Organizing.
Whether it’s building a functional workshop, organizing tools, or creating room for workout equipment or vehicles, an organized garage turns a frustrating space into one you’re proud to use and show off.
