Simple Garage Hacks for Outdoor Families with Too Much Gear

If you’re a family that loves the outdoors—weekend bike rides, beach trips, camping holidays, or all of the above—you know the struggle: gear everywhere.

From bikes to scooters, fishing rods to footy balls, and everything in between, it doesn’t take long for the garage to go from organised to chaotic. You can barely park the car, let alone find the tent poles you swear were “right there last time.”

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Outdoor families often wrestle with space, especially when trying to store bulky items like bikes and sports gear. The good news is, with a few simple tweaks, you can turn your garage from cluttered chaos into a clean, functional storage hub. One of the easiest upgrades? Installing a wall mounted bike rack to free up valuable floor space and keep your bikes safe and accessible.

Below, we’ll share practical garage hacks that any active Aussie family can use—no expensive renos required.

Store Up, Not Out

The number one rule in garage optimisation? Use your vertical space.

Walls and ceilings are often under-utilised goldmines for storage. If your bikes, surfboards, or kayaks are eating up floor space, it’s time to get them off the ground.

Install:

• Wall hooks for helmets, bags, and sports gear
• Ceiling hoists for items used less often (think roof racks, paddleboards, or camping gear)
• Shelving units up high for bins and tubs

Vertical storage not only keeps things organised—it also helps prevent damage to gear that’s otherwise tossed in a pile or leaning against the car.

Make Zones for Each Activity

If your family does it all—biking, camping, fishing, cricket—it’s easy for the gear to mix and mess.

Set up dedicated zones for each category of outdoor activity. For example:

• One wall for all things cycling(bikes, helmets, pumps, gloves)
• A shelving unit for camping gear(swags, stoves, folding chairs)
• Bins or crates labelled for seasonal gearlike beach towels, boogie boards, and snorkels

This way, when you’re packing for a weekend away, you’re not digging through winter coats to find your bike shoes.

Use Clear Bins and Labels

It seems simple, but it’s a game-changer.

Using clear plastic tubs lets you see what’s inside at a glance, saving heaps of time. Combine that with bold labels (get the kids involved with this one!) so everyone knows exactly where things belong—and where to put them back.

For bonus points, use colour-coded bins per activity or person (e.g., blue for beach gear, green for camping, red for dad’s random gadgets he refuses to throw away).

Ditch the Cardboard

Cardboard boxes are a short-term storage trap. They tear, get mouldy, attract pests, and don’t stack well.

Swap them for:

• Stackable plastic bins
• Crates with lids
• Storage bags with handles for lightweight gear like sleeping bags or mats

You’ll immediately feel more organised—and your gear will stay cleaner and last longer.

Put the Kids in Charge of Their Corner

This is a hack for both organisation and sanity.

Create a kid-specific corner or rack where they can store their gear—bikes, helmets, balls, scooters, etc. Make it easy for them to access (and even easier to tidy up).

Use low hooks, smaller bins, and get them involved in choosing where things go. When kids know where their stuff belongs, they’re more likely to put it back without being told (fingers crossed).

Rolling Storage Is a Winner

Need flexibility? Add wheels to your storage.

A rolling storage cart or bin can be pulled out when needed, packed up, and tucked away without hassle. These are great for:

• Toolboxes
• Fishing gear
• Bike cleaning supplies
• First aid and sunscreen station for quick access

You’ll thank yourself the next time you’re packing up at 5am for a long drive to the trails.

Install a Wall-Mounted Bike Rack (Seriously)

If you’ve got multiple bikes in the family—mountain bikes, kids’ bikes, roadies—you know just how much space they take up.

A wall-mounted bike rack is a no-brainer for outdoor families. It:

• Saves floor space
• Keeps bikes safely secured and organised
• Makes loading and unloading easier (especially when paired with a towbar rack for transport)
• Looks much tidier than bikes stacked on top of one another

Go for one that lets the bikes hang vertically for maximum space efficiency. Some models even pivot or fold flat against the wall when not in use.

And if you’re serious about weekend rides, setting up your garage to flow from storage to loading is a game-changer.

Think Like a Mudroom

No proper entryway in your house? Bring the concept into the garage.

Create a mini mudroom zone with:

• Boot trays
• Hooks for jackets and bags
• Baskets for grab-and-go gear like beanies, water bottles, or torches
• A bench to sit on when putting on shoes

It keeps dirt out of the house and puts everything you need for a quick adventure within arm’s reach.

Add a Bike Maintenance Station

If cycling is a big part of your family’s outdoor life, set up a mini bike tuning station in one corner of the garage.

Keep the essentials close:

• Tyre pump
• Chain lube
• Hex keys
• Brushes and rags
• Spare tubes or plugs

Even a foldable bike stand makes quick tune-ups easier before hitting the trails. You’ll stay on top of maintenance and be less likely to discover a flat 15 minutes before departure.

Keep It Realistic (And Regular)

Let’s be honest—your garage doesn’t have to be a Bunnings display.

It just needs to work for your family. Start simple, tweak things over time, and don’t stress if it’s not Instagram-perfect.

Set a reminder every few months to do a mini clean-out. Chuck anything broken or unused, and do a quick gear check before the next school holidays roll around.

Final Thoughts: Make Space for Adventure

Your garage isn’t just a place to dump gear—it’s the launch pad for your family’s best weekends. With a few clever hacks like vertical storage, activity zones, and a reliable wall mounted bike rack, you’ll save space, find gear faster, and be ready to roll whenever the outdoors calls.

Less time hunting through piles = more time riding, camping, hiking, and making memories.

And let’s be honest—any excuse to get out for a ride instead of reorganising the garage is a win in our books.