The main function of a garage is to park and protect your vehicle, right? However, the garage can easily be turned into an extra large closet, storing unlimited items rotated in and out based on their need and current season. With this combination, a garage can easily get cluttered and disorganized. Over time, you may find there’s no more room for your car!
Thankfully, there are easy and inexpensive ways to tackle a garage makeover so you can not only have room to store your stuff, but you can also find it when it’s time to use it. This may seem like an overwhelming task but starting off by making a SIMPLE organized plan will help guide you through the process; you can do it!
Sort: The first step to transform an untidy garage into an efficient and enjoyable space is to purge. Break down items into big categories: sports, car, hardware/tools, gardening, paint, etc.
Identify What to Keep: There’s no point keeping items that are unused or broken. Toss what’s not usable and donate what is. Before putting anything back, give your garage a good cleaning by sweeping, dusting and wiping down items.
Make a Home for It: Think through what is the best space in the garage to store the various categories of items that you plan to keep. For items that are not used frequently, store towards the back of the garage or up high. Keep your everyday items, like gardening tools and sporting equipment, readily available in a specific and organized place.
Put it in Containers: Now is the time to install a garage organizing system! A steel pegboard is great for smaller gardening items, or hand tools. A couple sheets of plywood will create a variety of shelves. Plastic bins and totes provide an easy, inexpensive way to store all kinds of things.
Label: This is important so that everyone know where everything belongs when they are done using it!
Establish a System: To keep your garage organized, put things back in their established home when you are finished using them. As new items come in, don’t just dump them, store them with “like items”. Make time once a year for a touch-up.
Every now and then, you have to slow down, rid your space of the clutter, and resolve to make changes. Your garage can most certainly be a functional and multi-use building with proper organization. With these tips, you can makeover your garage easily and with minimal investment. For more help, contact us at Come To Order to learn more.
© Kathy Jenkins, Come To Order
Kathy Jenkins, President of Come To Order, is a Residential Professional Organizer, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO and ICD and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.
