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No matter their size, garages can commonly become catchalls. Whether holding cars, tools, trash bins, or all of the above, keeping a garage space organized and its items accessible doesn’t happen without some effort. But as a team that regularly uses their garages for DIY projects and maintenance tasks, we hate to see you sacrifice any possibilities of what this useful space can be.
With a little planning, some basic upgrades, and a few reasonably priced purchases, you can transform your garage from chaotic clutter into a well-thought-out and intentional multipurpose area. Storage systems like adjustable shelving, wall hooks, and drawer organizers will go a long way toward providing homes for every item. By adding simple heating, cooling, and flooring options, you can keep your garage functional year-round. Regardless of what your garage looks like now, items from this list of budget-friendly garage finds can help you create a space you truly appreciate.
1. Garage Heater
We tested this ceiling-mounted industrial heater from Comfort Zone as part of our best garage heaters lineup. It took the top award due to its convenience and ample heat output. We love that it’s ceiling mounted, so it’ll add warmth and expand the usefulness of your garage without taking up valuable floor space. It also features a built-in sensor that automatically switches the heater off if the temperature gets too high, protecting the unit and your home. One note about installation: While our tester found this unit very easy to install, it doesn’t come with the necessary 240-volt pigtail adaptor, so you’ll want to purchase that separately.
Get the Comfort Zone garage heater at Amazon for $116.06.
2. Garage Air Conditioner
To transform your garage into a four-season storage and work area, it’s wise to set up an air conditioner in addition to a heater. After testing and researching several of the best garage air conditioners, we recommend this 12,000 smart unit from Dreo for its ease of installation, excellent performance, and overall great value. As a portable AC, the Dreo wheels anywhere you want and is controllable via the unit itself, the included remote, or the Dreo app. It’s also quiet and efficient, operating at a low hum while dropping the temp in our uninsulated garage from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in just 45 minutes on a 98 degree Fahrenheit day. It even features an advanced dehumidifying setting that’s ideal for sticky climates.
Get the Dreo garage air conditioner at Amazon for $407.98.
3. Adjustable Shelves
Life is full of choices, and if we had to choose only one budget-friendly addition for our garage, it just might be this shelving. At under $75 per unit, these adjustable plastic shelves from HDX are sturdy enough to hold up to 150 pounds per shelf yet inexpensive enough to earn the best bang for the buck in our hands-on test of the best garage shelving. Lightweight, easy to assemble and move, and water-resistant, these shelves are a steal that will make a significant difference in your space.
Get the HDX adjustable garage shelves at The Home Depot for $69.98.
4. Motion Sensor Light
Are your hands typically full when you step out into your garage? Ours, too. So, believe us when we say installing a garage motion light is a game changer. This model, the Brilliant Evolution Wireless Motion Sensor LED Light, was the top flush-mount option in our test of the best outdoor motion sensor lights. Since it runs on three C batteries and screws easily into drywall or onto a beam, it’s also an ideal no-wiring-needed indoor option. We like having one right next to the door so it turns on immediately when we step into the garage. No more fumbling to flip on the light—simply step out and see.
Get the Brilliant Evolution motion sensor light at Amazon for $19.98.
5. Garage Hooks
Shovels, brooms, bikes, and ladders—garages have no shortage of unwieldy items in need of wrangling. We’re all for great garage cabinets, but garage hooks can’t be beat as quick, budget-conscious storage implements. Kofani’s 16-piece set of assorted wall hooks can be installed in drywall, wood, or brick, and its steel construction can support items up to 88 pounds. The set includes three sizes of U hooks, two sizes of J hooks, two extension storage straps, and 28 wall anchors. While that’s certainly a comprehensive kit, we bet you’ll end up wanting more than a single set.
Get the Kofani garage hooks at Amazon for $23.74.
6. Tool Chest
Just in case a few packs of garage hooks won’t be enough, consider a major garage upgrade with this Husky Standard-Duty 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench Cabinet. After testing an array of the best tool chests, we emphatically awarded this one the honor of best overall. With nearly perfect ratings for ease of assembly, organization, build quality, portability, and value, we think you’ll find this 267-pound wood-top workbench to be an excellent addition to your workspace. It has large caster wheels, a built-in power strip with six outlets and two USB-A ports, soft-close locking drawers, and padded drawer liners. This bench is a beauty to behold and a joy to use!
Get the Husky tool chest at The Home Depot for $498.00.
7. Garage Storage Totes
Whether it’s camping equipment, holiday lights, or off-season clothes, some items are better stored in plastic totes than anything else. These classic black and yellow bins from HDX seem to be a staple in many garages, sheds, and basements—and for good reason. Available in over half a dozen sizes, these stackable high-grade resin totes feature recessed snap-on lids with integrated zip tie/padlock holes and ergonomic handles. While some may prefer clear bins for easy item identification, we’ll stick with these heavy-duty totes and simply pop on our own labels to keep everything organized.
Get the HDX garage storage totes at The Home Depot for $9.98.
8. Garage Refrigerator
Who says garages can’t be stylish spaces? The retro vibes of this apartment-size fridge and freezer from Frigidaire instantly add visual interest plus practicality to climate-controlled garages. Though its 7.5-cubic-foot capacity will most likely be less than that of your main refrigerator, it still offers plenty of storage as well as removable glass shelves, a full-width door bin, and a transparent crisper. Whether you need more space to stock soda, cerveza, soup, or sausage, this option from our list of the best garage refrigerators will have you covered.
Get the Frigidaire garage refrigerator at Amazon for $299.
9. Doormat
Rain, snow, dirt, and mud make their way into garages more often than we may like. But with this heavy-duty recycled tire mat from Durable Corporation, it’s much easier to keep these elements contained. As our pick for best heavy-duty in our test of the best outdoor doormats, this massive 24-inch-high by 36-inch-wide 15.4-pound multi-purpose mat is ideal in front of doors or as an anti-fatigue option in work areas. It doesn’t budge when stomped on and is easy to clean with a simple spray of the hose.
Get the Durable Corporation garage mat at Amazon for $58.91.
10. Potting Mat
For those with plenty of space, we’re all for putting one of the best potting benches in a garage. But since garages are commonly multiuse areas without tons of excess room, this extra-large potting mat from Onlysuki is an excellent space-saving alternative. It provides plant lovers and gardeners with room to fertilize, repot, and sow seeds but folds up for storage when not in use. Made from waterproof fabric with raised edges, this mat is ideal for containing dirt and water during use to keep your garage clean. Though it’s not a full bench, this mat exceeded our expectations during testing and is an excellent value for the price.
Get the Onlysuki potting mat at Amazon for $11.99.
11. Drawer Organizers
We love a garage with built-in custom cabinetry. But just because it’s custom doesn’t mean it’s up to today’s standards, especially if you’re living in an old house. Our previous home came with a wall of garage cabinets and drawers, and we loved these interlocking organizers from Madesmart for things like scissors, screwdrivers, and fasteners. As the best bang for the buck pick in our best drawer organizers guide, these customizable small plastic bins are under $10 for an eight-piece set. In addition to being economical, they’re also durable and easy to clean, making them great for nongarage drawers as well.
Get the Madesmart drawer organizers at Amazon for $9.99.
12. Steel Pegboard
Many garages have sections of pegboard for hanging hand tools, power tools, levels, and tape, but this pack of galvanized-steel pegboard from Wall Control takes the basic version up a notch. Since it’s made of metal, it’s much stronger and more durable than a traditional pegboard. It installs easily into studs or Sheetrock and doesn’t require any additional framework. The set comes with two 32-inch-high by 16-inch-wide rust-resistant panels for under $50. At that price, it might be nice to run them along an entire wall for super-easy tool access and storage.
Get the Wall Control pegboard at Amazon for $43.26.
