The garage is notorious for being cluttered and disorganized. Many homeowners are unable to park their vehicles in the garage because of clutter. It can be difficult to know where to start when faced with a cluttered garage. With just a few carefully planned steps, it’s easy to get organized again!
1. Set Aside Time: It’s important to give yourself enough time to complete this task! You don’t want to get half-way through organizing the garage only to stop in order to get to an appointment on time. Depending on the state of the garage, it is wise to set aside an afternoon or an entire weekend day. Overestimating the amount of time necessary will ensure that no appointments are missed and that the job will get done without interruption.
2. Take Everything Out: Getting everything out of the garage allows you to assess the items stored in the garage. As each item is removed from the garage, it is wise to determine whether the item will be donated, saved, or sold. If an item hasn’t been used in the recent past, is broken beyond repair or serves no purpose, it’s time to let go. Items that are gently used or could be used by other people should be sold or donated at a local donation center.
3. Clean Out: Use the time while everything is out of the garage to give the garage a clean sweep. Dirt, cobwebs and other debris often find their way into the garage. Use a broom to get any webs off the walls and a thoroughly sweep the garage floor. Take it one step farther by pressure washing the floor. This could also be a great time to give your garage walls a little paint.
4. Decide On a Storage System: Before putting anything in the garage, it’s important to know how you are going to store all of those items. Shelving, cabinets or overhead racks are great storage solutions simply because they get items off the floor and out of the way. Utilizing lesser used spaces will allow for maximized space.
5. Separate Items Into “Zones:” To maintain organization for the long-run, create “zones” in the garage to keep everything straight. Grouping similar items together makes it easier to find items quickly. Put yard tools near the garage door, cleaning supplies near the door leading into the house, and toys/sports’ equipment at eye level for easy access.
