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Family Handyman reported on a storage makeover designed for the routines and gear of editor Kirsten Schrader’s family in the Milwaukee area. The project combined drawers, cabinets, open shelves, a countertop and slatwall after the family assessed what it used and how the garage functioned.
Family Handyman has documented a garage storage makeover for editor Kirsten Schrader’s family in the Milwaukee area, showing how a system built around daily routines can organize toys, grilling supplies and outdoor gear. The project matters to homeowners trying to make a garage easier to use without blocking vehicle access or everyday traffic.
Schrader, her husband Jim and their 5-year-old son James had lived in their home for five years when the garage’s scattered toys, sports equipment, lawn gear and entertaining supplies became difficult to manage. The family had room in its 2.5-car garage, but storage was largely limited to a small bank of upper cabinets. “Piles! So many piles!” Schrader said, describing the result.
Deputy Editor Ethan O’Donnell and the Family Handyman build team designed a layout around the existing refrigerator and the family’s activities. It combines drawer stacks, wall cabinets, open shelving and slatwall, with a countertop for grilling preparation and small projects. A TV mounted on the slatwall is another feature of the family’s multipurpose space.
The article recommends sorting belongings before buying storage: donate items no longer used, discard broken or expired supplies, and identify what should be stored elsewhere. The Schraders made room by finding new homes for toys James had outgrown. They also prioritized grilling tools because Jim grills several times a week throughout the year.
Storage Built Around Daily Routines
The project illustrates how the intended use of a garage can shape its storage plan. For this family, the space supports family activities, entertaining and practical projects as well as keeping equipment. Drawers made frequently used items visible and accessible, while the countertop serves both food preparation and repairs.
That approach can help homeowners avoid choosing cabinets or shelves before understanding what they need to store. A workshop may call for task lighting and more outlets; a garage used for gatherings may need seating. Planning for these uses can make storage more practical and preserve clear paths around parked vehicles and doors.
From Clutter to a Planned Layout
The article describes the makeover as a response to a specific family’s needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all renovation. Schrader said the garage holds the family’s “lifestyle” items, including toys, lawn chairs, bikes, golf clubs and a hose for a children’s pool. The layout was tailored to that mix and to the family’s routines.
As broader context, the report cites a 2022 Craftsman-commissioned survey in which 36% of homeowners said their garage was so cluttered they could not park a car inside. That figure describes survey respondents; it does not establish how common the problem is across all homeowners or indicate a change over time.
Before installation, the team considered outlets, switches, appliances, plumbing, windows, garage-door tracks, ceiling height and the floor’s slope toward the door. The article advises accounting for sloped floors when installing cabinets and reserving overhead storage for seasonal or rarely used gear.
““No one ever told me how much time you spend in your driveway once you have kids!””
— Kirsten Schrader, Family Handyman head of editorial
Project Costs and Results Unreported
The source material does not state the makeover’s cost, installation timeline or product specifications. It also does not report measurements of how much storage was added or whether the family’s ability to use the garage changed by a quantified amount. The article presents this as one household’s project, so its layout may not fit garages with different dimensions, utilities or needs.
Plan Around the Garage’s Constraints
For homeowners applying the ideas, the next steps described in the article are to declutter, inventory frequently used gear and measure the space before selecting storage. The plan should account for vehicle and foot traffic, doors, utilities, floor slope and ceiling height. The source does not identify a further project milestone or say that the Schraders plan additional work.
The article says to call an electrician if new outlets are needed and to check for wiring or plumbing where cabinets will be mounted. It recommends task lighting for work surfaces and bright general lighting for larger projects. Any electrical changes should be handled by a licensed professional, with applicable safety and permit requirements followed.
Key Questions
What storage did the makeover add?
The design combined drawer stacks, wall cabinets, open shelving and slatwall, plus a countertop for grilling preparation and small projects.
Why did the family choose drawers?
Schrader said drawers let the family see items laid out instead of stacked in a cabinet, and reduced the need to crouch and search through deep storage.
What should homeowners do before buying garage storage?
The article recommends clearing out unused or broken items, identifying frequently used gear, and checking the garage’s dimensions, traffic paths, utilities, floor slope and ceiling height.
Does the report give a cost for the makeover?
No. The supplied report does not state the project’s cost, timeline or specific product prices.
Source: rss
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