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Family Handyman published a start-to-finish garage storage makeover led by its editorial team for a Milwaukee-area family. The report documents planning steps — decluttering first, working around utilities, traffic flow and sloped floors — and details the storage system built, including drawer stacks, slatwall and a countertop.
Family Handyman has published a start-to-finish account of a garage storage makeover, documenting how its build team converted a cluttered 2½-car garage in the Milwaukee area into an organized multipurpose space for a family of three. The report, led by Deputy Editor Ethan O’Donnell and Head of Editorial Kirsten Schrader, doubles as a planning guide, laying out the decluttering, layout and installation decisions homeowners can replicate in their own garages.
The project began with a common problem: five years after moving in, the Schrader family’s toys, grilling supplies, sports equipment and lawn gear had piled up with no dedicated homes, leaving storage limited to a small bank of upper cabinets. “Piles! So many piles!” Schrader said of the before state. The first step, according to the report, is decluttering before buying anything — donating outgrown items, discarding broken supplies and identifying the gear used most often. For the Schraders, that meant relocating toys their 5-year-old son had outgrown.
The finished system, designed by O’Donnell and the Family Handyman build team, was built around the family’s existing refrigerator and combines drawer stacks, wall cabinets, open shelving and slatwall, plus a countertop for grilling prep and small projects, and a slatwall-mounted TV. A large slatwall panel near the exterior door keeps frequently used items accessible without blocking foot traffic around parked cars.
The report also flags practical constraints homeowners should plan around: existing plumbing, wiring, outlets and appliances; garage door tracks, windows and ceiling height; floor slope (most garage floors slope toward the door, so cabinets may need shimming to stay level); and lighting, where overhead LED shop lights at roughly 4,000 K to 5,000 K color temperature are recommended for general work light. Electrical work beyond simple additions should go to a licensed electrician, the report advises.
The makeover speaks to a widespread issue. A 2022 survey commissioned by Craftsman found that 36% of homeowners have a garage so cluttered they cannot park a car inside, according to the report. The Schraders were not in that group — their garage had ample space but poor organization — illustrating that usable garage storage is often a design problem rather than a square-footage problem.
The report’s approach is also notable for tailoring storage to lifestyle rather than installing generic shelving. Because Jim Schrader grills multiple times a week year-round, the design included a dedicated spot for grilling tools and a way to conceal the charcoal bag. Drawer stacks became a favorite feature, Kirsten Schrader said, because “everything is laid out in a drawer versus stacked up in a cabinet” and there’s no need to crouch and dig through deep cabinets.
How the Design Took Shape
The project was documented by Family Handyman as both a real renovation and a teaching example, with photos by Emiko Franzen showing Schrader and O’Donnell fine-tuning the design on site. The garage serves as what Schrader called the family’s “lifestyle” hub — holding toys, lawn chairs, bikes, golf clubs, a pool hose and a beer fridge — and the layout was shaped around those items and the family’s routines, including time spent in the driveway with their young son.
Beyond storage, the report suggests features matched to how a garage is used: workshops benefit from extra outlets, task lighting, dust collection and tool organizers; DIY mechanics may prefer rolling tool carts; and garages used as gathering spaces can add Bluetooth speakers, comfortable seating and temperature control such as an insulated garage door or heater.
“Piles! So many piles!”
— Kirsten Schrader, Head of Editorial, Family Handyman
Costs and Results Not Fully Detailed
The report does not specify the total cost of the makeover, the brands of cabinets and slatwall used, or how long the build took. It also does not present independent performance testing of the storage products; the assessment of the finished space comes from the family and the Family Handyman team that designed it, so the results reflect their experience rather than a neutral evaluation. Because this was a professionally designed and built project, DIY readers attempting similar work — particularly anything involving electrical additions for a TV, refrigerator or workbench — should factor in the cost and safety considerations of hiring a licensed electrician.
Applying the Approach at Home
Homeowners adapting the report’s methods can start with a decluttering pass, then map the garage’s utilities, traffic flow, ceiling height and floor slope before purchasing storage. The report suggests prioritizing frequently used items near doors and reserving overhead storage for seasonal gear. Readers considering electrical additions, heavy overhead storage or wall-mounted cabinets should verify wall structure and consult licensed professionals where required, and check local permit rules before starting work.
Key Questions
What is the first step in a garage storage makeover?
According to the Family Handyman report, declutter before buying anything: donate unused items, discard broken or expired supplies, and decide whether seasonal gear is better stored elsewhere. This reduces what needs organizing and reveals which items you reach for most often.
Why do cabinets in a garage sometimes need shimming?
Most garage floors slope toward the door to drain water outside. The report advises accounting for that slope during installation by shimming cabinets so countertops, shelves and work surfaces stay level.
What lighting does Family Handyman recommend for garages?
Task lighting over a countertop or workbench for focused light, plus overhead LED shop lights for general illumination — the report suggests looking for bulbs with a color temperature around 4,000 K to 5,000 K.
How common is it for garages to be too cluttered to park in?
A 2022 survey commissioned by Craftsman, cited in the report, found that 36% of homeowners have a garage so cluttered they cannot fit a car inside.
Should I hire an electrician for garage storage projects?
For new power needs such as a TV, refrigerator or workbench, the report recommends adding outlets or calling a licensed electrician. Hidden wiring and plumbing stacks should also be checked before mounting cabinets.
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