By Rachelle Wilber
The garage is an often-overlooked part of the house, but it's also an essential one. It is where you park your vehicles, and store your equipment, your tools and other household items that don't fit indoors. However, since we rely on it so much, it tends to accumulate clutter pretty quickly, making it challenging to find what you need when you need it. Fortunately, organizing it doesn't have to be a daunting task.
Declutter
The first step in organizing your garage is to get rid of things you no longer need. Sort through your items, and consider donating, recycling or throwing away any items that are broken, outdated or unused. Be ruthless in your decluttering as the more you get rid of, the more room you'll have for the things you need to keep.
Categorize Items
Once you've decluttered your garage, it's time to organize it. Start by categorizing your items solely based on their use. Separate sporting equipment from gardening tools, electrical equipment from automotive tools and home decoration from long-term storage items. This practice will not only make it easier to find things when you need them but also help you decide where to put your boxes in terms of which ones you'll need easy reach to.
Utilize Wall and Ceiling Space
One of the best ways to save space in your garage is by using your walls and ceiling. Install polymer shelving, hooks and hangers on your garage walls to store tools, equipment and sports gear. Ceiling racks and large wall shelves are also great storage solutions for things you won't need often like seasonal decorations and long-term storage. It’s important to ensure your roof and ceiling integrity before putting it under strain with shelves and installments so be sure to inspect and have your roof repaired by professionals, like those at classic remodeling, before putting up any ceiling racks.
Label
Adding labels to your storage containers, shelves and racks can save you time and effort in finding the things you need. Once everything is neatly categorized, add labels, so you always know where everything is and belongs. This will also make it easier for anyone else in your household to find things when they need them without the hassle of trying to give directions to find things.
Take Time to Put Things Back
After getting an item out of your garage, make sure to take the time to put it back in its designated place after use. This way, you won't have a pile of random items that never get returned that will quickly lead to clutter again. Taking a few extra minutes each day can go a long way toward keeping your garage organized!
Schedule Regular Clean-Outs
Finally, set a reminder to regularly clean out your garage. This may be every six months or once a year depending on how quickly your items accumulate. Cleaning out and checking all your boxes is a great way to make sure items are still in their designated spots. Try to discard any extra clutter you no longer need while reorganizing the remaining items to ensure that everything is properly stored and easily accessible when needed again.
Organizing your garage may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By decluttering, categorizing items, utilizing wall and ceiling space, labeling storage containers and taking the time to put things back after use, you can keep your garage neat and tidy. Additionally, scheduling regular cleanouts will ensure that all of the items in your garage are in their designated spots and that any extra clutter is discarded. With these tips, you can keep your garage an organized and functional part of your home.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach or at the gym. Follow her on twitter: @RachelleWilber
