Easy Ways to Organize Your Messy Garage

Like finally getting in shape or traveling to the country of your dreams, many of us put off finally organizing our garage. But with the right game plan and some good ideas, you can transform your garage into a clean and useful area.

First, take as much out.

The best way to really know what kind of space you’ll have to work with is by emptying out the garage as best you can. Working with a blank canvas can help you plan ahead and decide where certain items will be kept. You’ll also get an idea of where you’ll get the most use out of cabinets and drawers.

Sort & store together

Another great start is by sorting your things. One by one, take your stuff and put it in a pile or area along with other related belongings. This includes pet supplies, gardening equipment, holiday decorations, etc. Once done, you can then store items together so you always know where to find and, more importantly, where to return them so you avoid another mess.

Invest in shoe & clothes racks

Although they don’t take up a ton of space, shoes tossed wherever can make a garage look chaotic. This is especially true if you have a large family and everyone throws their shoes and boots chaotically inside the garage. To keep things tidier, invest in a shoe rack where everyone will be storing their footwear from now on. A clothing rack is also recommended if you live in a rainy or cold area where coats take up some of your garage space.

Take advantage of the ceiling

You can create walking space and make the garage look less cluttered by using ceiling hooks. They are handy for hanging everything from bikes to sports equipment. Ceiling storage racks are also perfect for keeping boxes and bins up in a space that would normally serve no purpose. You can also improvise with bungee cords if you want to hang things in a low, accessible spot.

Use the wall to leave less on the floor

Like the ceiling, your garage walls can serve a greater purpose when it comes to keeping the area tidy. Go to your local hardware store and get as many holders as you need to keep things like your yard and cleaning equipment off the floor. Install normal holders for brooms, shovels, hoses, weed eaters, rakes, and other light items and heavy-duty hooks for big items like a lawn mower or wheelbarrow.

Labels are your friend

You’re making a big mistake if you plan on organizing your garage without labeling every drawer and box in there. Doing so will allow you to avoid another mess because you’ll know exactly where to find everything. More importantly, it gives others no excuse to toss screws or their snow boots into whatever box they please. Although it sounds tedious, you’ll be thankful you did it down the road when more items join the garage family.

Decide what you need and what you don’t

At the end of the day, the best way to reduce clutter in your garage is by suppressing the inner pack rat inside all of us. Take time to decide what items are keepers and which ones you’d actually be fine without. You might even end up making extra cash if you have a yard/garage sale with all those unnecessary things.

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Want to learn more easy tips for cleaning your home? Read about how you can make your spring cleaning a breeze.