The garage often becomes a home’s catch-all storage space, a place to stash everything from holiday decorations to sports equipment and power tools. Many homeowners feel overwhelmed by garage clutter, but with some planning and elbow grease, you can get the garage clean, organized, and functional in no time. Here are a few tips and tricks to organize the garage.
Organize the Garage: Get Everything Off the Floor
The first step in any good garage organization project is getting everything off the floor. That way, you can see what you have and clean and repair the floor if necessary. Cleaning the garage will help you assess the area and determine how to make room for your belongings.
If you have space, install shelves around the perimeter of the garage. To provide additional storage, hang pegboards on the walls to store smaller items such as tools or cleaning supplies. Just be sure to secure the pegboard properly, so it doesn’t fall and cause damage.
Sort Your Belongings
Now that everything is off the floor, it’s time to go through your stuff and decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. Make four piles: one for trash, another for items to donate, one for things to keep, and finally, one for belongings that need repair. Use a cardboard box to collect items you no longer want or need. When the container is full, carry it to your car so you can donate it next time you run errands.
Throw away the garage, and find a plastic tote or basket to hold things that require repairs.
While sorting is also a good time to create an inventory list of everything in your garage. A list will make it easier to know what is stored in the space.
Create Storage Zones to Organize the Garage
Once you’ve sorted the belongings, it’s time to start putting things back. Create a storage plan that makes sense and allows items to be found quickly.
Designate zones in the garage for different activities or storage needs. For example, make an area for gardening supplies, another place for sports equipment, and another space for holiday decorations. If you have room, you might create a workshop area with a workbench and shelving for your DIY projects.
No matter what types of storage you choose, clearly label boxes, bins, drawers, cabinets, and shelves. The labels help everyone in the family know where things belong, so it’s more likely the item will be returned to its proper storage place.
A well-organized garage makes storage simple. Items stored there will be easy to find when needed. Following these helpful tips and tricks, you can turn that cluttered mess into a neat space in no time.
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