Garage Organizing Made Easy: Say Goodbye to Clutter and Hello to Space

Let's face it—garages can be daunting. They're often the catch-all for everything from tools to toys, and let's not forget about those paint cans from eight years ago. 

For many of us, the garage is the first place we encounter when coming home. Yet, nearly a quarter of Americans can't even park their cars in there due to clutter. It's time to reclaim this valuable space and alleviate that stress.

Our favorite time to tackle the garage is the Spring. Take advantage of the warmer, but not too hot weather, and follow these tips to make your garage serene. 

Garage Organizing Tip #1: Purge! Purge! Purge!

Just like with closet organization, the first step is to pull everything out. Yes, everything! You’ll want to do this when the weather is clear, of course.

Sort items into categories—tools, holiday decorations, sports equipment, you name it. Now comes the hard part: seriously editing. Bid farewell to toys no longer played with, dusty holiday decorations, and those lingering unfinished projects.

Garage Organizing Tip #2: Find Better Homes for Keepsakes and Paint

Some items simply don't belong in a garage, especially if temperature swings are a concern (hello, midwest climate!). Paint cans, sentimental pictures, and delicate memories are best stored elsewhere, like a basement where conditions are more stable.

Garage Organizing Tip #3: Deep Clean While Empty

With the garage emptied, seize the opportunity to clean thoroughly. Sweep away those leaves, blow out the dust, and start fresh.

Garage Organizing Tip #4: Create Zones

Now that you know which things are staying in the garage, it's time to set up zones. Common zones we typically create are:

• Holiday Decor

• Tools

• Lawn and Garden

• Kids toys

• Sports Equipment

When determining which zone will go where, think about frequency of use. Holiday decorations might only come out once a year so putting them in those harder to reach areas can be better. Meanwhile, kids' toys need easy access. Don’t forget to consider vertical space while creating your zones.

Garage Organizing Tip #5: Choose Your Organizing Products Wisely

While considering vertical space in your zoning, you’ll want to invest in shelving units and hanging racks. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of options to help you meet your needs. Even a simple shelving unit can make a world of difference.

To keep out pesky bugs and dirt, we recommend avoiding cardboard boxes as organizing tools, and instead opt for clear plastic bins with latching lids to ensure longevity of your items. Even though they’re clear, we still recommend labeling your bins to create a long-lasting system the whole family can follow.

Last but not least, don’t forget about hanging storage! Racks are great for hanging yard tools like shovels, rakes and more. There are also great products for hanging bikes and even strollers. 

Garage Organizing Tip #6: Visualize a Serene Garage with a Car Parked Inside

Garages can be one of the most daunting areas to organize, so it’s important to continually visualize your end goal throughout the process. Next winter you will be thanking yourself everyday that you don’t have to brush the snow off your car in the morning! 

Would you rather us tackle your garage for you? We are happy to help.