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Alt-tag: organize your garage in a few simple steps
The garage is often the place that gets overlooked and where we tend to put all the stuff we don’t need in the house. Maybe it’s so overflowing with various items and tools that there’s no room for the car anymore! That’s why it’s probably a good time for a bit of cleaning. In this article, we prepared five quick and easy steps to organize your garage. Following these tips will help you create a clean and tidy garage space in no time!
#1 Make a good plan
People tend to make organizing mistakes, and one of the most common ones is jumping right into the process without a good game plan. If you want to organize your garage effectively and in a way that will suit your needs and wishes, you need a good plan. Think about what you need and use your garage for the most. Is its primary purpose to store the car and bikes? Or, do you enjoy the DIY projects and have lots of tools? Do you want to make room for pursuing other hobbies, or is it mainly for storing items you rarely use?
Before you start organizing, think about your goals as well as the time and resources you have at your disposal. Make a step-by-step plan that works best for you and plan for the materials you’re going to need. Cleaning the garage can be overwhelming and stressful if you don’t know what you want to do. On the other hand, a realistic and detailed plan can turn your garage into a tidy and well-organized haven in a couple of days!
Caption: A good plan is the work half done
Al-tag: A man writing in a notebook and planning how to organize the garage
#2 Declutter
The next step after making the plan is decluttering. Many people use their garage as a storage space where they simply put things for a while. However, these items slowly accumulate and can make a mess. For that reason, take all the garage stuff out and check every item. Consider what you want to keep and what you can donate or throw away. A garage sale for the things you don’t need anymore is also a good idea. Apart from making your garage tidy, decluttering has many other benefits. It will uplift your spirits and make you feel happy and energetic.
Here are some tips on where to start with decluttering. For starters, it’s best to tackle the big items first, such as a fridge, a freezer, the old wardrobe, etc. They occupy a lot of space that you could use more productively. Next, deal with things that need to be repaired. Is the item worth repairing? Do you have the time or the skill for that? Lastly, go through the items you haven’t used in a while and decide whether you really need them.
Avoid clutter in your storage unit, too
People sometimes transfer their cluttering habits to their storage units, which is not something we recommend. Storage units can lead you to accumulate more things than you need, so this should be your option only when absolutely necessary. While not everyone will have a use for a storage unit, they are an excellent solution in some cases. If you are moving or building a home, living abroad for a time, or attending college out of state, placing your items in storage temporarily will help you keep your items safe.
However, avoiding clutter in your storage unit as well is a good idea, and keeping your unit organized at all times is a must. A bit of summer cleaning there can make more room and ensure that all of your items are in good condition and well protected.
Caption: Decluttering is the first step to organize your garage.
Alt-tag: a clean and well-organized garage with a bike
#3 Clean and repair
Once all of your things are out, it’s a good time to give your garage a deep clean. Before that, check for any damages to the floors, walls, and ceiling. If there are any problems such as leaks or cracks, it’s easier to tackle them early on than to wait for them to escalate. If there’s any remodeling work in your plan, now is the best time to do it.
After that, clean the garage before you put all your items back in. Ensure you progress from top to bottom so that all the dirt falls down instead on already cleaned surfaces. Dusting, sweeping, and moping should do the trick and leave your garage sparkly clean. Sure, it might take some time and effort, but it’s definitely worth it.
#4 Storage solutions
One of the trickiest steps when it comes to effectively organizing your garage is finding the perfect storage solutions. Luckily for you, there is a great variety of options for you to choose from:
- shelves – open shelves are one of the best ways to organize your garage; they don’t take much space, and your tools will be neatly displayed and easy to reach
- vertical storing – there are many vertical space storage ideas that can work well both in the garage and in the house
- cabinets – they look nice and will give you plenty of storage space ideal for smaller items
- metal racks – they are sturdy and can hold a lot of weight
- overhead storage – it’s perfect for bulkier items because it enables you to use ceiling space and leave more room on the floor
Caption: Pegboards are one of the best ways to organize your garage, especially for smaller items
Alt-tag: a pegboard with tools
#5 Regular maintenance
Last but not least, ensure your garage stays clean and tidy. Depending on how often you use it, make regular cleaning a part of your weekly or monthly schedule. Once you organize your garage to suit your needs, a quick sweep from time to time will help you maintain it neat and tidy. Go through your belongings two or three times a year and get rid of everything you don’t use anymore. That will help you stay on top of any clutter and make your garage a pleasant and functional place where you can work or enjoy pursuing your interests and hobbies.
Meta description: Summer is the perfect time for some outdoor cleaning and organizing. Read on to learn how to organize your garage in five simple steps!
Photos used:
https://unsplash.com/photos/-flQuOWF18Y
https://unsplash.com/photos/G5i9LQ7sPOw
https://pixabay.com/photos/motorcycle-motorbike-garage-2619494/
https://pixabay.com/photos/man-write-plan-desk-notes-pen-593333/
