Organizing a garage is a huge undertaking. Doing so though can help with all the daily and weekend choirs, helping to get them accomplished faster, and then allowing for more leisure time.
If you are like my household, the only time we somewhat organize the garage is when my husband gets the tractor ready for summer mowing, or in the fall when he gets it ready for winter plowing. This isn’t bad because we do edit a lot of what we have been storing. Being a little more organized through the rest of the year would prevent the hour-long clean-out. This one room tends to be a big project, so schedule a weekend to do it.
It would be nice that it did not need to be a major undertaking every time. Here are some ideas (hint, hint hubby) that you can implement.
Steps to Organizing:
Now is the time to get organized. First, remove everything out of the garage. While doing so group similar things together. Once you have everything out it gives you a better idea of the available space. As you pull things out question everything that you touch….
Do I need it?
When was it last used?
If I have not used it, and don’t have a need for it, recycle, throw out, or donate.
Hopefully, your piles have become smaller in this first process of organizing. Those piles that you created while pulling everything out will help you determine how much space you will need. It will also help you determine do you need more shelving or bins. Keep in mind when storing items shelving and the ceiling are great areas to utilize too. Group similar items, gardening equipment, sports equipment, tools, camping equipment, and automotive items. Knowing what you have and are keeping, gives you an easy picture of what you have, and what you do not need to buy. Organization can save you money!
Placement of items
The items you do not use frequently can be put higher up on the shelves or towards the back of the garage. Use as much vertical space as possible when bringing items back into the garage- shelving units or storage cabinets are great for fitting a lot into a garage space. If you have a high ceiling in your garage consider bins on the ceiling.
Any bins you fill with items labeled, so you know what goes in them. Smaller bins once filled, will make it easier for moving around so they are not as heavy. Get in a habit of putting things back where you originally got them from. Make it a yearly priority to organize the garage to help maintain it.
Hang tools, bikes, and larger items so that you have easy access to them. Your goal is to keep as much of the floor space open for parking cars.
Garage Organized
Once you create an organized garage you will be amazed how easy it is to access and find what you need.
Need a few more ideas? We were featured in this realtor.com article on 9 Garage Organization Hacks to help everyone get a handle on organizing a garage.
Best of luck, send me pictures of your organized garage…I might have one when we finally decide to move (wink, wink)
