How to Get More Storage in a Car: Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Space
How to Get More Storage in a Car: Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Space
Blog Article
Whether you're embarking on a road trip, moving to a new home, or simply need extra space for everyday items, maximizing storage in your car can make your driving experience more comfortable and efficient. Cars often lack the kind of storage space we might wish for, especially when we need to transport luggage, groceries, sports equipment, or other bulky items. However, storage for auto with a little creativity and some useful accessories, you can transform your vehicle into a more organized and spacious environment.
In this article, we’ll guide you through several practical tips, tricks, and solutions to help you get more storage in your car, ensuring that every inch of available space is put to good use.
1. Declutter and Prioritize What You Keep in the Car
Before considering any storage solutions, the first step in maximizing space in your car is to get rid of any unnecessary items. Over time, cars tend to accumulate a lot of clutter—old receipts, snacks, books, extra clothes, and other odds and ends. By decluttering your vehicle, you’ll free up valuable space.
Steps to Declutter:
Remove all non-essential items: Go through the glove compartment, trunk, and under the seats to clear out items you don’t need on a daily basis.
Keep only the essentials: Limit the items you store in your car to only what’s necessary, such as emergency kits, first-aid supplies, and perhaps one or two extra jackets or blankets.
Use organizers: For items you need to keep, consider using small bins, pouches, or organizers that help you store them neatly and prevent things from rolling around.
2. Use the Car’s Vertical Space
One of the most underutilized areas in a car is the vertical space. The trunk, back seat, and even the footwells can be used creatively to store items, provided you use appropriate accessories.
Trunk Organizers:
Stackable bins and crates: Using stackable bins or crates in the trunk is a great way to organize your belongings while using the height of the trunk. This prevents items from shifting and keeps things organized.
Hanging organizers: These can be hung from the back of the seats or from hooks in the trunk. Hanging organizers are ideal for storing smaller items such as snacks, toys, or tools.
Overhead Storage:
Overhead storage nets: Many vehicles have overhead compartments or even hooks on the ceiling. Installing a storage net or mesh bag in this space allows you to store lightweight items like jackets, umbrellas, or a small bag.
3. Use the Back Seat Area Wisely
The back seat is another area where you can maximize storage space. Whether you’re driving passengers or not, these seats can be transformed into additional storage zones with some smart accessories.
Seat Back Organizers:
Organizers for backseat storage: These are typically installed on the back of the front seats and provide pouches or compartments for storing snacks, toys, books, tablets, and more. They help you keep the back seat tidy and organized.
Back seat cargo nets: These are a great way to secure smaller items without worrying about them rolling around or falling off the seat. They are perfect for keeping items in place during longer trips.
Folding Seats:
Fold down the back seats: Many cars come with the ability to fold the back seats down. This can significantly increase your cargo space. If your car has a 60/40 split-fold rear seat, you can fold one side down for larger items while still keeping one seat available for passengers.
4. Add Roof Storage Options
Roof-mounted storage is a game-changer when it comes to adding extra storage space to your car. If you regularly travel long distances or need to carry oversized equipment, installing a roof rack or cargo box can create a significant amount of additional room.
Roof Racks and Roof Boxes:
Roof racks: These are perfect for carrying large or bulky items such as skis, bikes, or surfboards. Roof racks allow you to utilize the space on top of your vehicle without sacrificing the interior storage.
Roof cargo boxes: If you need more enclosed storage, a roof cargo box offers a secure, weather-resistant option for storing luggage or camping gear. Many models can be mounted on top of your car and offer ample space for your belongings.
5. Utilize the Glove Compartment Efficiently
The glove compartment, while small, can be an ideal space for storing essential but small items. However, it can quickly become cluttered if you don’t manage it well.
Glove Compartment Organizers:
Dividers or trays: A small divider or tray can help separate your glove compartment into sections, making it easier to access things like insurance papers, registration, or a small first-aid kit.
Use a small pouch: Instead of letting your gloves and other items pile up, keep everything in a small pouch or zippered bag within the compartment. This allows you to take out everything in one go if you need to.
6. Use Under-Seat Storage Solutions
The area under the seats is often overlooked, but it can be a great place to store items you don’t need to access frequently, such as emergency supplies, blankets, or even your vehicle’s manual.
Under-Seat Storage Bins:
Sliding bins or trays: These bins are designed to fit under your car seats and can be pulled out when needed. They’re great for storing small, non-essential items.
Seat-back hooks: In some vehicles, there are hooks attached to the back of the seats that can be used to store lightweight bags or grocery sacks.
7. Install a Trunk Divider or Divider Net
For those who use their trunk frequently but want to keep it organized, trunk dividers or divider nets are extremely helpful. They allow you to create separate sections within your trunk, so your items don’t mix or shift around. Divider nets can be especially useful for securing grocery bags, sports equipment, or pet supplies.
Trunk Organizers:
Adjustable trunk dividers: These dividers can be rearranged to fit your needs, allowing you to create custom storage compartments. This is particularly useful when you need to store a combination of smaller and larger items.
Foldable storage bins: These bins can collapse when not in use, making them ideal for versatile and flexible storage. They provide compartments to store things like clothes, groceries, or toys while maintaining order in the trunk.
8. Utilize Car Seat Hooks and Hangers
Car seat hooks are an excellent way to store lightweight items like grocery bags, purses, or bags of clothes without letting them roll around the car. Some vehicles come with built-in hooks in the back seat area, but you can also buy removable hook accessories that attach to the seat.
Tips for Seat Hooks:
Reusable grocery bags: Use car seat hooks to hang your reusable grocery bags, preventing them from spilling their contents all over the car.
Luggage racks: If you often travel with suitcases or backpacks, consider using seat hooks to keep your luggage in place while still having access to the back seats.
9. Keep Essentials within Arm’s Reach
When maximizing storage in your car, it’s important to strike a balance between convenience and accessibility. You don’t want to stash everything away so securely that it becomes difficult to access what you need during a trip.
Door Pocket Organizers:
Car door organizers: The door pockets in most cars are perfect for storing small items you may need on the go, such as maps, chargers, tissues, and hand sanitizer. Use small pouches or organizers to make the best use of this space.
Bottle holders: Many vehicles come with cup holders or bottle slots in the doors. Instead of leaving them empty, use them for water bottles, coffee cups, or other small items.
10. Consider a Portable Storage Solution
If your car still doesn’t have enough room even after trying all of the above suggestions, consider investing in a portable storage solution. This could include an additional suitcase, travel bag, or even a compact cooler that can be removed when not in use. Portable solutions are especially useful for those who occasionally need extra space, like when going on road trips or transporting large purchases.
Conclusion
Maximizing storage in your car is all about using the available space efficiently and being resourceful with the accessories and solutions you implement. From utilizing vertical space and the back seat area to installing roof racks and cargo boxes, there are a variety of ways to increase the storage capacity in your vehicle. By incorporating a few of these strategies, you can create a much more organized and spacious driving experience that accommodates both your daily needs and occasional storage demands.
Ultimately, it’s all about being strategic with your space and ensuring that the items you store in your car are both accessible and secure. With the right approach, you’ll make the most of your vehicle’s storage potential without sacrificing comfort or convenience.