A recent consumer survey revealed that 62 percent of homeowners identified the garage as their number one organizational headache. In light of these findings, Gladiator® GarageWorks teamed up in 2008 with industry expert, Karl Champley, to offer homeowners advice on reorganizing the garage to maximize its value.

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A seasoned craftsman from Down Under, Karl has overseen projects as famous as the award-winning glass house in the Royal Sydney Botanical Gardens. However, Karl gets just as much satisfaction helping consumers do it themselves.

"Many homeowners view the garage as nothing more than a place to hide their junk," said Lou Ann Schafer, senior marketing manager, Gladiator® GarageWorks. "Karl's hands-on experience in the industry will help homeowners looking to transition the garage from a cluttered space to a useful room within the home."

According to Do-It-Yourself expert Karl Champley, the garage is one of the few places where homeowners can set a modest budget and see phenomenal results. He attributes this to the flexibility of organizational products on the market today.

"When it comes to garages, the biggest reward for me is uncovering the untapped potential of the space," said Karl Champley. "With a few simple steps and the right products, homeowners can not only clean-up and organize the space, but add value and curb appeal to their home."

To help homeowners get started, Karl and the Gladiator brand offer the following tips:

   1. If you run out of space, look up. Don't let the size of the garage
      restrict you. Use the walls and even the ceiling to put up shelves or
      hooks that are going to help you get the most out of the confined
      space.

   2. Get Creative. Approach the garage as you would a room in the home and
      try painting the walls for a budget-friendly makeover. Just remember
      to pick a color that matches both your personality and your home's
      exterior for when the garage door is open.

   3. Take it step-by-step. Have a vision for your garage but don't feel
      like you have to spend a fortune all at once.  With a modular system
      like Gladiator® GarageWorks, you can start small and dream big.

Karl Champley and the Gladiator brand will educate consumers throughout the year on tools, products and techniques to simplify the garage. For additional information or more tips from Karl, visit www.GladiatorGW.com .

About Gladiator® GarageWorks

Gladiator® GarageWorks is the leader in garage organization delivering innovative solutions that allow garage owners to organize their space in a way that suits their individual storage needs. It is the only garage organization system to offer coordinated appliances designed for the harsh garage environment.

Gladiator® GarageWorks offers a Premier pre-assembled line and Ready-to-Assemble line for do-it-yourselfers. Products are available through local garage dealers, retailers including Sears and Lowe's or via www.GladiatorGW.com .

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SOURCE: Gladiator® GarageWorks