Garage Organization Steps for Homeowners

Many homeowners store items in their garage that don't have a home in the house, leading to clutter and stress as things pile up. When your garage is stuffed full of junk, it's time to go through it and get everything organized. Try these tips to get your garage cleaned out today.

Remove Items from Garage to Declutter

When clutter has been packed away, it's difficult to see how much has accumulated. Boxes hide behind boxes, inside larger boxes, and on shelves that mask the amount of stuff that has built up. That's why it's essential to remove all of your belongings from the garage itself to sort through them effectively. Following these steps can make this process less overwhelming:

• Remove all belongings from the garage and boxes
• Group objects by type
• Eliminate duplicates and any unwanted belongings

By following these steps, you can create a system that will make it easier to reduce the unnecessary items in your garage.

Create Streamlined Storage Options

Once any unwanted items have been removed, it's essential to create a storage system that is both functional and easy to maintain. Many homeowners may find that although their belongings are organized shortly after cleaning, they fall into disarray over time because the organizational system isn't easily sustainable for them.

Options for garage storage include workbenches, wall storage systems, and ceiling trays for holding boxes. Just remember not to create an excess of storage space, or you may accumulate stuff just to fill it up.

Designate Spots for All Possessions

Once new storage systems are in place and any possessions have been thinned out, it's time to designate a home for your belongings. By creating a place for everything, homeowners will be able to reduce clutter and stay on top of cleaning.

To make this easier, store frequently used items like home improvement tools in more easily accessible locations while storing less essential items like holiday decorations in less accessible spots. Consider a labelling system to avoid digging through boxes to find the right ones.

Organization Tips for Small Garages

Small garages pose a problem when it comes to storage space and having the ability to store everything that would typically be stored in a two-car or more oversized garage. Instead of dealing with storage shelves, install cabinets close to the ceiling to park the car in the garage or hang storage areas from the ceiling. Corner shelves allow for multiple layers of shelving and get tucked away in a corner not affected by a parked vehicle. Storage bins can also be stacked in a corner area of the garage. Finally, hang tools on the wall with hooks or a wall-mounted tool holder. 

How to Keep from Accumulating Clutter in the Garage

After all the work you've done to clean your garage, the last thing you want is to start piling up more items. Some tips to help prevent clutter from accumulating in the garage include: 

• Use baskets and organizing bins to put different items taken into the garage. Additionally, the containers can be carried to another room to sort through. 
• Reuse old jars to hold items such as nails and screws to prevent them from accumulating on the garage floor and leading to a flat tire. 
• Have a worktable and use it to place items needing to be put away or tools. 
• Use garage shelving to keep things off the floor and organize them in storage bins. 

Cleaning the garage is a hard task, but your home and your life will be better for it once it's done. Get started today and enjoy a clean, organized garage you can use for storage and anything else you need.