One of the things that was sorely lacking in the new house was any form of garage organization - just a huge, empty, 40 x 18 x 10 foot box.
Next to no organization - piles of boxes and a big open mess.
I did a bunch of research, and looked at the garage storage systems in the big box home improvement stores. My impression of the systems offerred, both in metal and in melamine - was typically of mediocre quality, and a lack of flexibility. Typically, only one or two base cabinets and tall cabinets were offerred, so getting a good fit with my space would be difficult or impossible.
Then I went to Ikea and checked out the Akurum kitchen cabinet system. Here - lots of choice in base cabinets, wall cabinets and tall cabinets. Lots of widths, height, door and drawer combinations. In essence - exactly what I was looking for - full flexibility to implement a storage design taking into account my space available. (Note - I understand that the Ikea Akurum system will be replaced in 2015 by a new kitchen cabinet system - Sektion - but that shouldn't change the principles of implementing a similar solution in your garage).
Here's my post on the Akurum cabinet installation.
Here's a photo of the completed tall cabinet - loaded with racks and gear:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNNcMnEw2KR4rez3pLfe_5VUsIpksUzHj2gsTugEUTapEi-QQm_oMNlH1Fvls-6ErKCuB6EUlsyiCGPhVn_0K7SpNDnl25EfvZasYxQXwdawMSgqwdWKLZ4M567naAo-PBmCdhGnW5Ag/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1431.jpg) |
Completed Cabinet Installation - Perfect for Skis, Hockey Sticks, Thule Rack Bars |
Empty wall - ready for cabinets.... I had been wondering what I could do with this space between the mandoor and garage door.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM0sA0GgHphscohH5uKkVF38YTjQ3w6Wy0F60jJH9XKOpvVd3RUJpxHW1x91EoGdwaIOKSR_k8Va5RLa2rdYLX9ZH2KuNka81jK0mjTaOU8wYUTnEyo4O-RloGJi2J4lx4afwP8ToOWY/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1327.jpg) |
Bare corner ready for cabinet installation. I had to move an alarm motion sensor up to clear the cabinet installation. |
In order to fit the cabinet - it was a tight squeeze - I had to use the router to remove some material from one side of the cabinet - to clear the ceramic tile installed on the bottom 2 feet of the wall in my installation. Note the plastic levelling feet used - makes installation a breeze.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YEz0CunaW8qHdp5LoOFlRmA-dx1qcCP9DMMv7FSxXfyTdASvLxGqAwRMxou58a3xWNAXeSrobj7mcUjOa2ic46gvj8RqyIYJLiKpBXH7_UjLrYMNBDcbTHk-eK2h5PtzAeXVFJV17tI/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1331.jpg) |
A router removed some material from the side surface of the
cabinet to clear my ceramic tile on the lower part of my garage walls. |
A wall mounted plywood strip compensates for the thickness of the ceramic tile on the wall at the bottom. The metal hanging bracket ensures a solid installation - very simple and straighforward to hang the cabinet on the wall.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOK_CKZx6PYKQU-hbc1RwhBc0KrkZqcPDKZWrreZFBMGplOQptinoMZTtG8qGpR9S3kkhkp7Yp3WhVefUAvTouFM50Cr6U4O1XLrbGbXzr2nFXiuFq6BANH1KPbpn_L0Z-m8p93-PRt8/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1334.jpg) |
Plywood spacer and wall bracket for securing the top of the cabinet. You can also see the alarm sensor wire has been extended. |
Adding boxes to the initial wall cabinet. Levelling is quick and easy with the plastic cabinet feet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3Y3-gzQ0uA8jL1VZUbFf_0VB2uLCCYzsoZORiJli4Zw5zuQUQlo7XYwq2lrxUiYT2gPEe0GLkzFaEdOXcl_tp1qGGsxv6ssS3uFFV0gnpws_iAzAPHLgZ42qYcHsbF0G9FQ8sZYaxhY/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1335.jpg) |
Box installed, waiting for cabinet doors |
Once all the wall cabinets are installed, its time for some doors and drawers. I went for the soft close hinges and drawer slides - makes for a polished installation. I also installed a second cabinet door with extra height to hide items placed on top of the cabinet. This space is perfect for wheel holders.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a1Yl2a4YJj0dCT5djBoDF7wa78DEhklG8OvNQQvX5qfV39kFeFIOlRPDHalRRVIOprKVBcDVz1s0lHJI_IGDifCPfBIE3XiZGfQUpjuRlYOGZ9RsZ5N1z7KIU8rs5iBZgXMAIwCDAs8/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1350.jpg) |
Top door - extra height to help hide items placed on top of the cabinet. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkcc4KSSOQdNOwpr9b4uL4YtXYO0wx-PYZ_mkUqJsj79vPN06ohDez1542VsmNCKCfwvELG63eWDPVhX8TtgfOxVZ4WUsyk0ZtL9oJEJHZWIkB2c_0knIj9JK3P17lOgUW4qSP7eQd9E/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1432.jpg) |
Door installation - checking the height of the shelf with my longest set of skis. |
One tip for making the whole process go quicker - use an air powered trim nailer - brad nailer for tacking the back panels of the cabinets to the cabinet frames - this really speeds up the slowest part of the whole operation.
I also added some velcro ties to help store poles and accessories.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasCqJcLzTfxjgoBssqAFyjH39igAJbOUblST2eMtMsxUm3rPxA4uSphgZMop8YgxVDyp4YMOKDAkmu1q8Pc5HOdqPlKJiVstpcnpvVkWVJGfLvaXHMYq_rUgK8vV1IcpEHYoV9_pniR8/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1351.jpg) |
Velcro tie - held down with a wood screw and washer. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEy7o-ccbtYQXCMH2qohwaNuXoS3_BCU3fBewjbI2lvQe_B5tjHb2-KqwE_VT9TdrEaghKHJjUMdeOYCIXhZlBeCIXm64-7Ru1eitEhBG_5tjTN4KNC9SR84rOHbI9n6TWvXaKG_TKY0/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1352.jpg) |
Pefect for holding ski poles. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVnMqMzFAqxBjugP-vJFjzLcfpN_8SP6SOrIgIJQmWyXShiOb0LQc26T7Pzy2T6w7RJ_yBKpJjHNolDz70d5gnO75CIVV1Zvbb1iALA0dfQF1PaM54UnDvEXw_B_6hQC0sJLGw7SCV8I/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-1433.jpg) |
Completed installation with the door closed. |
After about 15 months - this setup is still rock solid and very practical. I can't imaging working without it now.
Final touch - was installing a second garage door remote on the side of the cabinet for convenience. I ran all the wires in surface mount wiring channels - to hide the wires and neaten the installation.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGu-okAm8d34zRPVtwe0FRoocw2yZlmQosWRY1WGTkx_qnnSdHX1TlawjiSSFirqpsSdnCNJ7a03Vtj3NqLzb6SgaEFO5z7Gp1ca_hkGXCYhwfFBAfuM7lB1-JhmgIwdnj2ao3IHavEM/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-03845.jpg) |
Garage Door Control installed on the side of the cabinet |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FTdSzBGgzd4IMYMEupdE97IFiFXaIbuLXQtijZeKyTUvArx85XQGuPPnD-F4XNnmL2oZnmGlePi1ElY2Kn4yyZ4N29Mv0qYG3pPmqlHj_Y31Gip5SUVrX4PugB_Np8bifJwaSdH6iRE/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-03846.jpg) |
Door sensor installed - wiring channels hide bare wires. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdl3_yPFvqqp9dX6mleXibX0tsqLC64MFng0Fn2gGlN6zxyR1QlZMnwa6obZRwBOdH8RxlYMxkIv_E9RGR0mR6GBxV60rB_diBO10-I0EgTlGkn3IU97vFvOcPpV2AidTZk6Wyl0dTXo/s400/Ikea+Vertical+Cabinet-03849.jpg) |
Organization of the Thule Rack Parts |
Conclusion
This was a super upgrade. When ever I need to rack up the car - my racks are right near the garage door - no running around and digging up rack components. The skis are also right by the garage door - just open the garage door - throw the skis in the car - and off to the hill. Excellent upgrade and time saver, helps the garage look neat.
Sources and Links
I hope you found this post useful. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section below. I answer all questions. If you're interested, you can help support this site by using the following links to Amazon.com in the United States. Cabinets are available at Ikea - in person or online.