Help Organizing Your Garage
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

Everyone knows that organizing the garage can be an overwhelming task. This is especially true if the garage is cluttered from top to bottom with random miscellaneous. Where should you start? What are you going to do with everything? How can you make the most of the space in your garage?

There is an easy and efficient way to organize the garage. It will take some planning on your part and a group effort from the rest of the family, but this dreadful task can be completed with gleaming results. Listed below are some helpful tips to get you started and show you the ways in which you will be able to turn your chaotic garage into an organized, usable workspace.

Planning:

Grab a pencil and a notebook and start writing down the items that are currently occupying your garage. Sort and categorize the items under the headings; Trash, Long Term Storage, Short Term Storage, Garage Sale, Sports Equipment, Lawn Tools, Miscellaneous, etc.

Once you have everything categorized, make a separate list of all of the problem areas. Think about why the garage became so unorganized in the first place and in what ways can you avoid that happening again. Also, this is a great time to take note of any repairs that may need to be made.

Use your notes as a guide for cleaning out the garage and placing items in a new organized position. You'll be amazed at how much stuff just gets thrown away. Work together with the rest of your family and agree on ways to utilize the garage the best. Then redesign the interior so that the space is used resourcefully.

Storage Cabinets and Shelves:

The best way to reorganize the garage is to install extra cabinets and shelving. This will open up more room and make finding things so much easier. It is a great way to store gardening supplies, tools, auto parts, and sporting equipment. Also, installing secure hooks on the walls is a wonderful way to get bikes, lawn chairs, rakes, shovels, and other oddly shaped items out of the way and in a safe place.

Storage bins come in handy with miscellaneous items. You can place items in plastic tubs or bins and stack them so that they are out of the way, but still easy to get to. Also, if you have children, you may want to create a designated area for their toys, sports items, and anything else they may use frequently. This will keep them out of dangerous areas. Make sure to organize shelving to be child proof too.

Trash and Recycling:

During the cleaning process, make sure you are separating garbage from the items that need to be recycled. Recycled items include batteries, heavy metal car parts, cans, and oils. Throw away everything that you do not use. I know it's often hard to say goodbye to certain items, but you will greatly appreciate it when it's gone and you have that extra space to make your own. Also, certain items may not belong in the garage. Think about what can be moved to the basement, attic, and storage closets.

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