If your garage is cluttered and chaotic, you're not alone. Many homeowners struggle with how to organise their garage. It can be tough to know where to start. But don't worry, we're here to help!
When it comes to their garages, most people tend to forget about them because they are hidden away. However, seeing the effects of clutter in your primary living space is a great wake-up call.
The situation can soon spiral out of control if you just toss more and more stuff into your garage every time you get in your car. Moreover, if you have trouble parking, you should probably take action.
Garage clutter is inevitable with time, but a well-organised garage is possible with a little effort. Need professional help with your clutter and garage organisation? Here at GarageSmart®, we offer extensive professional organising and declutter service.
In this post, we'll share some tips for decluttering your garage. Follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to a more organised space in no time!
How Do I Begin?
The issue "where should I start the task of decluttering my garage?" frequently arises when people are trying to clear out their garages. Surprisingly, the answer is wherever you like or the initial area that strikes your attention.
In reality, you shouldn't let this question cause you any stress. This is not the time to worry about your point of origin. Instead, as soon as you've settled on a starting point, you should work on it methodically, clockwise or anticlockwise, without leaving anything to ponder or deal with afterwards.
The systematic nature of this decluttering technique makes it manageable and prevents a major mess from being created.
You'll get into the habit of making everything you see once you start systematically tackling the box, the stuff on the shelf, and the stacks on your garage floor.
Using a systematic approach, you won't have to keep putting off a choice because you think you'll figure it out later. Because it's the failure to make a choice that causes problems in the end.
Set a timer for 25 minutes, work on the job for that long, and then take a break so that you don't burn out as you make your way around the garage, which may be a wide space.
When you only have 25 minutes, prioritise clutter reduction for the first 15 and clean up for the final 10.
However, if you have an hour or two to spend on the project, instead of breaking it up into 45-minute sessions, be sure to set a minimum of 30 minutes or so to tidy up at the end to handle the objects you've chosen to dispose of so they don't turn into a mess.
First, Create a Strategy
If you don't come prepared, you can waste hours rummaging over old photo books rather than accomplishing anything.
Make a list of everything that needs to be done when you've decided what those actions are. For example, have you already gotten the racks, bins, cartons, and cardboard boxes you need? It will be less of a struggle to get going if you've planned, and you'll get more done in less time.
Discard All Unneeded Items
Many items occupying your garage can be classified as useless clutter. Things like a kid-sized bike that has seen better days, damaged toys, and worn-out furniture all qualify.
If you declutter your garage, you'll have more room because you won't have all that garbage taking up valuable storage space. If you don't use it often, want it, or need it anymore, it's probably best to get rid of it. That can be accomplished in a few different ways, including:
- Hold a yard sale. Make some extra cash by selling your used goods.
- Charity is a great place to donate your gently used items.
- Send a full car or truck to the landfill.
- Create a "kerb alert" on the online classifieds site Craigslist. Then, place your trash and any undesired items outside on the kerb.
- Donate usable items to charity or give them to friends and family.
Try to Make Sense of the Clutter
Keep your garage door wide open and park in the driveway to get a proper view of what you're up against.
Then, gather a few trash bags and sort everything currently stored in your garage into the following categories: keep, sell, recycle, donate or dispose.
Enjoy The Cleanup
Make your garage cleanup project enjoyable so you don't lose interest in the middle of the process.
As you go about your physical labour, try listening to a podcast, sporting event, or music to take your mind off things. The best option, though, is to enlist the help of the whole household by assigning everyone a specialised task.
Think About How You're Going to Keep Everything Organised
The question is, what will go where? Furthermore, where and how things should be stored (in what box, on what shelf, etc.).
Some things, like apparel or old photographs, may be better stored in a locked cabinet or box, and your gardening tools can be hooked.
Get rid of the stuff you never use and make room for the stuff you use all the time. Consider purchasing watertight, heavy-duty cabinets if you're worried about the security of your belongings.
GarageSmart® Storage Cabinets, Draws, & Work Benches are the perfect way to organize your garage! With GarageSmart®, you’ll have plenty of storage space for all of your tools, sports equipment, and other belongings.
Install Shelving in Your Garage to Improve Organisation
Have you ever considered how much more manageable your home would be if you had shelves installed throughout?
The same thing may happen in your garage, by the way.
Shelving units made of metal and plastic that can withstand weight and abuse are available at your nearby big-box store. Shelving is great because it lets you put things off the ground and out of the way. Immediate improvement to garage mobility!
As an alternative to purchasing a readymade shelving unit, you can construct your shelving out of lumber using shelf brackets.
Achieving greater heights and positioning obstacles out of the path are made possible with this method. Another option is to place a single, long frame over the width of your garage's wall. Putting up shelves in your garage, no matter which kind, will immediately reduce the amount of chaos there was before.
Put Bins to Work in Your Garage to Reduce Clutter
In a word, clear plastic containers rock.
These containers are ideal for storing a wide variety of items, as they come with secure lids that don't require tape.
The contents are clearly shown, making locating the desired item quickly easy. They also come at a low price.
Large-scale stores routinely offer sales on transparent plastic bins. To save money, you may wait for a sale before buying bulk.
Use Labels to Simplify and Organise Your Garage
Labels are essential regardless of the container you use to keep your belongings organised.
That is true even more so for coloured bins and simple boxes. To have to dig through various storage bins or boxes to locate a single item is a major source of aggravation.
If you're in a rush, that's extremely important to remember. It's a lot less hassle to find what you're looking for and maintain order in your garage if you label everything.
Take Into Account Other Garage Storage Options
You may optimise your garage's space using one of the numerous fantastic storage solutions available today.
You can use garage storage cabinets, garage storage racks, and the walls of your garage.
Adding a GarageSmart® SmartWall is a quick and easy method to upgrade your garage's storage capabilities.
Keep It Up Once You've Got Things Settled Down
An orderly garage is a great source of satisfaction. Unfortunately, keeping things in order is the challenge right now.
Keep to your schedule, maintain order, and insist that your family members do the same.
To keep your garage in tip-top form, we recommend cleaning it out and rearranging it at least two times a year.
Conclusion
Clutter in the garage is unavoidable with time, but it is feasible to maintain order with some work.
A few suggestions for clearing out your garage are provided below. If you use a methodical approach, you won't have to keep putting off a decision in the hopes that you'll have clarity on the matter later.
When you have settled on the appropriate steps to take, write them all down. If you just have an hour or so to do the task, allot at least 30 minutes for cleanup.
Here are some suggestions for getting rid of the stuff you say you'll use but never do, so you can make room in your garage for the cars you actually do use.
Some options for getting rid of undesirable objects are donating them, selling them, recycling them, or throwing them away.
Regardless of the type of shelving you instal, they will help you organise your garage better.
You can save money by building your own shelves out of lumber and shelf brackets instead of buying a prefabricated set.
No matter what kind of storage unit you employ, labels are a must.
Content Summary
- It's not unusual to find a garage in a state of disarray.
- Garage organisation is a common problem for homeowners.
- Since garages are out of sight, most people neglect them.
- A fantastic wake-up call, though, is when the clutter in your primary living space actually starts to affect your quality of life.
- If you continue to throw things in your garage every time you use your car, the issue will quickly become out of hand.
- Plus, you should probably do something about your parking issues.
- Clutter in the garage is unavoidable with time, but it is feasible to maintain order with some work.
- Many individuals struggle with the question "where should I start the work of clearing my garage?" when attempting to organise their garages.
- Surprisingly, the answer is wherever you prefer or the initial location that attracts your attention.
- In actuality, you shouldn't let this question cause you any stress.
- Do not worry about where you come from right now.
- Instead, once you've decided where to begin, you should move systematically in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, without stopping to think about or deal with anything.
- This method of decluttering is doable and less likely to result in a massive mess because of its methodical nature.
- Once you begin methodically attacking the box, the stuff on the shelf, and the stacks on your garage floor, you will develop the habit of making everything you see.
- If you use a methodical approach, you won't have to keep putting off a decision in the hopes that you'll have clarity on the matter later.
- Because indecision is what gets in the way in the long run.
- If the garage is particularly large, you should give yourself a quarter of an hour to complete the task before taking a five-minute break.
- If you just have an hour or two to devote to the task at hand, rather than splitting it up into 45-minute sessions, be sure to set aside at least 30 minutes or so to tidy up at the end to handle the objects you've selected to dispose of so they don't become a mess.
- You can waste a lot of time looking through old photo albums if you don't come prepared.
- When you have settled on the appropriate steps to take, write them all down.
- It will be less of a struggle to get starting if you've planned, and you'll get more done in less time.
- In your garage, you probably store a lot of stuff that you don't need.
- For example, a kid-sized bike that has seen better days, broken toys, and old furniture all fit the bill.
- Getting rid of the junk in your garage will free up space you can put to better use.
- It's usually preferable to get rid of it if you don't use it regularly, want it, or need it anymore.
- There are a number of methods for achieving this goal, such as:
- To have a yard sale.
- Sell your unused items online for a quick monetary boost.
- If you have any gently used items lying around, consider donating them to charity.
- Drop off a loaded automobile or truck at the dump.
- Using Craigslist, issue a "kerb alert" to notify the public about unwanted items.
- Put your garbage and unwanted goods on the kerb outside.
- Make a charitable donation or give usable products to loved ones.
- Make some sense out of the chaos. Keep your garage door wide open and park in the driveway to get a proper perspective of what you're up against.
- Put everything currently stored in your garage into piles labelled "keep," "sell," "recycle," "donation," and "dispose."
- Make the effort to clean up your garage something you look forwards to so you don't lose interest in the task.
- Listen to a podcast, a sporting event, or some music as you work to keep your mind off the physical labour.
- The most efficient method, however, is to enlist the aid of everyone in the home by giving each member a specific job to do.
- Make a plan for how you'll maintain order.
- More importantly, the best places and methods for storing (in what box, on what shelf, etc.).
- Garments and old photographs could benefit from being placed in a lockable box or cabinet, while gardening implements can be hung up.
- Remove the items you seldom use so you can store the ones you use frequently.
- If you are concerned about the safety of your possessions, you may want to invest in watertight, heavy-duty cabinets.
- The addition of shelving to a garage can help keep things neat and tidy. Have you ever thought about how much easier it would be to keep your house in order if there were shelves at every turn?
- Also, don't rule out the possibility of this happening in your own garage.
- You may find heavy-duty shelving units made of metal and plastic at your local warehouse store.
- Having shelves to store items allows you to get them up off the floor and out of the way.
- You can save money by building your own shelves out of lumber and shelf brackets instead of buying a prefabricated set.
- The length of your garage wall might be covered by a single frame as another alternative.
- Simply by installing shelves of any type in your garage, you can instantly make things more orderly.
- Make use of containers to make your garage more manageable. For want of a better phrase, clear plastic storage containers are awesome.
- These containers have secure lids that don't need tape, making them great for storing a wide variety of products. As an added bonus, they are inexpensive.
- Clear plastic storage containers are frequently discounted at big-box retailers.
- Waiting for a discount could be a good idea before making a large purchase.
- No matter what kind of storage unit you employ, labels are a must.
- Simple boxes and coloured bins fall into the same category.
- The frustration that comes from having to go through several different containers to find a single thing is substantial.
- The need of remembering this increases when time is of the essence.
- Labeling your garage items makes it much easier to find what you need and keep things organised.
- The garage is a prime location to make the most of one of the many innovative storage systems currently on the market.
- Garage storage options include cabinets, racks, and the walls itself.
- Once you've got everything settled down, keep it up. Maintaining a clean and organised garage is really satisfying.
- Unfortunately, maintaining order is difficult at the moment.
- Insist that everyone in the house adhere to the routine you've established.
- We advise that you clear out and rearrange the contents of your garage at least twice a year to keep it in tip-top shape.
FAQs About Garage Decluttering
How Can I Declutter My Garage Quickly?
- Divide and Conquer.
- Manage Toxic Materials.
- Organize!
- Keep It Clutter-Free.
How Often Should I Clean Out My Garage?
The answer is, as a general rule of thumb, every six months. This is the perfect amount of time: it won't let too much debris build up or embed itself in your concrete, but at the same time, it isn't so frequent that you're investing in unnecessary services.
What Is A Garage Cleanout?
A garage cleanout is much more than just removing junk and sweeping - professionally trained junk removal experts usually handle all the loading, hauling away, organizing, of your garage and disposal, and recycling of your items too.
How Do I Clean The Inside Of My Garage?
First brush the interior surface to get rid of dirt, dust, debris, and cobwebs. Afterwards, scrub the surface with a gentle soap solution. Finally, use a clean, wet cloth to wipe away the suds, then a clean, dry cloth to dry the surface.
Can You Pressure Wash The Inside Of A Garage?
Electric power washers are safer than gas for use in enclosed spaces, like in a garage. Start with a thorough sweeping to remove loose debris. Begin using your power washer at the back of your garage (closest to the house) and move forward toward the door.