Helpful Tips to Organize Your Garage

If you are like many people, your garage is where you put everything that does not have a place inside your house. When you use your garage as a receptacle for anything and everything, there is a good chance it will become cluttered and disorganized. While years of using your garage like this can create a mess, you can reclaim the space.

If you are ready to reorganize your garage space, use the tips found below. From installing garage storage shelves to getting rid of unwanted items, keep reading to get your garage organized and clutter-free, once and for all.

Make Time to Work on Organizing Your Garage

It is a good idea to set aside a few days, such as a whole weekend, to organize your garage. This ensures you do not have to leave your sorted items in piles too long. Make sure you choose a dry weekend for organizing your garage. This way you do not have to worry about your items getting wet.

Get Help

Do not try to tackle a garage organization project alone. Get your family involved, or if necessary, hire a professional. If you do not get help with this project, it may become overwhelming and you could wind up abandoning it halfway through. Make sure you have a plan of action and that everyone has a specific role or job to ensure the process moves along efficiently.

Categorize Everything in Your Garage

Some common categories include recreational and sports equipment, recycling, seasonal décor, tools, garden gear, camping gear, and automotive items. For items like luggage or paint, see if there is somewhere else you can store them. It is easier to handle organizing your garage after you have organized the remainder of your house. After you have figured out how you will use storage inside your home, you may be able to relocate some of the items in your garage.

Group Your Garage’s Contents

After you have categorized the items you are keeping in the garage, start to group them together in the middle of the space or in your driveway. Using cardboard boxes for this step can help. Make sure you label your boxes. Do not buy containers for getting organized yet. You do not know exactly what you are going to need.

Donate or Trash Items You Do Not Want or Need

If you have items you do not want or need, or that do not fit in your pre-established categories, consider donating or trashing them. If there are items that you want to keep, but that does not fit in your categories, put them in the box with the most closely related items. If you do not want them, start a trash or donation pile and get rid of them.

Determine the Best Layout for Your Garage

Figure out where you want each of the items to “live” in your garage. To do this, consider how often you use the item and what space is available. For example, you should never put your recycling close to the entrance of your home and your tools should be nearby the workbench.

When organizing your garage, you should also consider the most valuable real estate available. Areas to park your vehicles and shelving at eye level are considered “valuable real estate.” Real estate that is less valuable would be the lower or higher shelves and these should be used for items that are not used as often.

Getting Your Garage Organized

When it comes to getting your garage organized, there are a lot of things to consider. By using the tips and information above, you can create a plan of action that will help you get the organized space you want and need. As mentioned above, you can hire the professionals, who can help to organize any space, regardless of size. Being informed will pay off and help you reclaim your garage, even if it has been disorganized for years.