The demand for garage home organization products is expected to rise rapidly – 5.6% per year – through 2017, outpacing home organization product demand in general that is expected to increase 4% per year through 2017.

Several factors account for the fast-paced growth, including homeowner requests for man caves, garage makeovers and storage space for tools and hobby equipment.

Recent surveys show the average size of the garage is increasing. Carl Landgren, marketing director at storeWALL, says that the average 2-car garage has grown by 2 to 4 feet. He calls it the evolution of the garage – as more people consider it an extension of the home, it has expanded to accommodate the storage of more seasonal items and tools.

“It is sized for more than just a car,” he notes. “You can store things, create activity areas and assuming you are using that space effectively, you can get both of the cars in.”

A 2013 Racor Home Storage Products study indicates that there are approximately 67 million garage owners, 63% with a two-car garage. But, not all homeowners are using that space efficiently. According to the Freedonia Group, only 35% of two-car garages can fit more than one car, which opens up business opportunities in garage organizational product sales.

The 2013 Vance Research Cabinets and Closets study indicates that top consumer garage upgrade requests include: cabinets, shelves, workbenches, slatwall, flooring, hanging racks and overhead bins. The Racor study also cites tools, bicycles, lawn/garden supplies and lawn/garden tools as items that create the biggest clutter with consumers wanting to “get those items off the floor” to open up more storage space.

 Many organization companies such as Racor, storeWALL and HandiSolutions offer slatwall, bins, overhead bins and heavy-duty hooks and hanging racks for this type of storage. 

Garage Franchise Makes Top List
Garage Experts, a custom garage organization company, was listed #64 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2013 Top New Franchise List, another indication of the vast opportunities opening up in garage storage.

Garage Experts, with approximately 27 franchises nationwide, specializes in garage floor coatings, cabinets and racks and slatwall. It recently announced a new service: A special proprietary garage makeover 3-D software offering customers a complete view of of their “dream garage.”