After all, what other room can serve as workshop, potting shed, storage locker, recycling plant, and carport all at once? A garage is also the best place to store many items that are not used on a daily basis such as holiday decorations, gardening supplies, tools and anything else that clutters the home.

Creating effective storage in the garage can be done with a bit of ingenuity and planning. The three DirectBuy franchises of greater San Francisco - DirectBuy North Bay in Fairfield, DirectBuy East Bay in Pleasanton, and DirectBuy Silicon Valley in Mountain View -offer these helpful hints on creating usable working space in your garage.

- When in doubt, throw it out ... Clutter can take over a garage - Before you plan your storage solutions, sort through the clutter -- have a garage sale, give it to charity or truly just throw it out.
- Get organized ... Cut down on clutter and get your garage organized by installing garage cabinets. A new set of cabinets will clear the floor of tools, supplies and athletic equipment and open new space for perhaps a workshop or potting shed. Cabinets also work well for protecting their contents from moisture and dust.
- Maximize your space ... Maximize available space in your garage by using narrow storage shelves or wall-mounted racks that can stack up neatly against the walls and leave room for cars.
- Smart labeling ... Another smart idea is to mark storage bins so they are easy to find or use clear plastic storage boxes to immediately see what you are looking for. No more wasted time searching through an unorganized mess!
"Installing effective storage solutions in your garage means you have quickly created a new room in your home. In a short amount of time and with little investment, homeowners can create a workshop, athletic storage system, potting shed, or any other working solution they may need or imagine," said Mark Magnani, co-owner of DirectBuy Silicon Valley. "DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying storage solutions for their garage, directly from the manufacturer."

DirectBuy carries a wide selection of garage cabinets to help you cut-down on clutter and get organized. A one-stop shop for all your home building and home remodeling projects, DirectBuy offers industrial quality and strength garage cabinets that can hold and organize a variety of items that would normally clutter your garage. These garage storage cabinets make a great addition to your home garage or auto shop business storing assorted parts, tools and chemicals, which can pose a threat when simply lying around.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. With three convenient locations in the area, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on DirectBuy, you can visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members' hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy prides itself in providing excellent member service. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members' dream projects a reality. It's a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. There are more than 150 franchise locations throughout North America.

Locations of the three DirectBuy showrooms serving greater San Francisco are: DirectBuy North Bay, 5090 Central Way #200, Fairfield, CA, 94534, 707-430-4400; DirectBuy East Bay, 5925 West Las Positas, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, 925-463-3232; and DirectBuy Silicon Valley, 1157 San Antonio Road, Mountain View, CA 94043, 650-810-1900.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor's Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy-sanfrancisco.com/.