One-Day Garage Refresh with Milwaukee Packout

Got floor clutter and garden tools swallowing your garage? Here’s a fast, one-day way to open up space: add a wall-mounted Milwaukee Packout section and a simple shelf to lift gear off the floor.

What you’ll get:

• A clean tool wall for rakes, brooms, and odds-and-ends
• A painted shelf that blends in and keeps gear high and dry
• Practical tips to hit studs and keep everything level

Plan the layout before drilling

• Mock the hanging height with a broom or rake. Aim for handles to clear the floor but stay reachable.
• Mirror existing cabinet lines for a tidy, built-in look. Matching the top of the Packout strapping to cabinet height keeps sight lines clean.
• Clear the area first. Sweep while it’s empty—you won’t get it this clear again.

Hit studs and keep it straight

• Use Studbuddy to find trustworthy anchor points, then verify by referencing nearby cabinet screws already set into studs.
• When stud spacing gets weird, mark what you can confirm and prioritize screws into studs over adding more non-structural fasteners.
• A Ryobi Laser Level makes setting bracket and strapping heights foolproof. Set the laser to your desired height and align the top edges of brackets or boards to the beam.

Build the shelf to work harder

• Paint the shelf and the front/back faces of the strapping for a seamless look. Painting visible edges helps it blend with the wall.
• Keep outlets clear. Measure the bracket height so the shelf edge doesn’t block access.
• Three brackets on an eight-foot span is a practical baseline. Install brackets first; placing the top at the laser line speeds alignment.

Packout wall: modular and expandable

• Space the top and bottom strapping so Packout plates land securely. Matching the vertical spacing from your other Packout wall keeps accessories interchangeable.
• Fasten strapping into studs, then mount the Packout plates with sturdy cabinet screws. Start with the bottom plate to establish a clean baseline.
• The wall organizer holds rakes and brooms well; thick-handled tools may not seat as easily. Test-fit before finalizing plate locations.

Final takeaway

Lift the floor clutter onto a painted shelf and a Milwaukee Packout wall, and your garage instantly feels bigger, cleaner, and easier to use. Take a few extra minutes to find studs and set a laser—your future self will thank you.