The
garage can be one of the most useful and fun spaces
in a home, but if this area is cluttered with so much
junk that it cannot be accessed easily, what good is
the time and money you want to invest in a garage makeover?
When you dread parking your car in the garage for fear
of old soccer balls and fishing poles crashing into
it, it is time to consider easy, low-cost ways to organize
the garage in a basic way.
A tune-up in garage organization should be scheduled
for an agreeable season, like during the warmer summer
months when many families enjoy the free hours of vacation
time. Being well rested and having the benefit of good
weather helps the job, which can require some heavy
lifting and exposure to the outside elements. Other
homeowners prefer to practice garage organization a
little bit each day, by being mindful of disorganization
and cleaning before it builds to a tipping point. Whichever
approach you choose, know that the task, however daunting
it may seem, is well worth the effort in terms of the
relief an organized garage brings.
Just before you begin to organize the garage, remember
to create a staging area where items can be placed after
they are moved from the garage. This staging area could
be a lawn, driveway, or sidewalk, so long as it provides
a safe place to store and evaluate garage contents for
the time it takes to clean and organize the garage.
Try to anticipate a day with welcoming weather, such
as sunny with low humidity, for the project, and be
sure to begin working early in the day to make the best
use of natural light. Feel free to ask for help from
family and friends, all of whom should be happy to see
a more organized garage, or ask a professional organizer
or garage organization company for their assistance.
As you work on the garage, trust your instincts about
what to keep and what to throw away. Tackle every item
as it appears before you and decide at that moment whether
you want to keep it or rid yourself of it. Put unwanted
items in a special section for trash or donation to
charities. It helps to group materials you plan to keep
into categories in the staging area, such as tools,
car items, and sports equipment, all groups of things
commonly stored in garages.
Once items are cleared from the garage, and either deposited
in a giveaway pile or sorted in the staging area, it
is a smart time to look at the organizational structure
of the garage. Consider whether any appliances or accessories
might be needed, like shelves, hooks, bins, cabinets,
or refrigerators. If they cannot be installed that day,
note where you want to install the organizational aid
in the near future. This is also a good point to clean
the garage floor and walls from any dust and grime that
gives a less organized appearance.
When placing items back into the garage from the staging
area, remember to follow the category system established
when the items were removed. Put car items, tools, sports
equipments, and other categories together. Use labels
and neat, clear containers if necessary. Place unwanted
items in the trash if no one else could use them, or
donate the items to a local secondhand shop. Help someone
else in need while you organize the garage. Or, if you
prefer to sell the items to make a few bucks, store
them out of the way until you can hold a yard sale or
post the items online for purchase.
At last, take in the look and feel of the newly organized
garage and the sense of shared achievement among friends
and family who helped. The occasional day of garage
organization goes a long way toward making the space
optimal for use. It might even be the inspiration you
need one day to order a complete makeover or redesign.
In the very least, these simple garage organization
tips will cover the basics.
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