The most common thing people use their garage for is for tossing all things that do not have their place in the house. Even though a garage can be used for such a purpose, if you only use it for that, you will have no space for the one thing that should be in it – your car.
This is why you must take your time, clean out your garage and organize it well. There is no one perfect way to do so, but there are certain things you can do to get the job done. If you would like to learn more about this topic, follow this guide on the proper organization of your garage.
Declutter
First and foremost, before you do anything else, you must do some decluttering in your garage. If you have been putting things in it for years, you probably do not even know what all you have in it. So, dedicate one whole weekend to take all things out of cabinets, boxes, or anything else you might have there. You will probably be surprised by the things that you kept. And there is a very high chance that you no longer need them, or that they are no good anymore.
The best way to do this is to have two separate piles – one with things you are throwing away, and the other with the things you want to keep. After finishing this, you will have an empty garage that you can clean thoroughly. And then, all you have to do is put all the things left back to their place. And the best thing is that you will have space for new things. Make sure to do this on a sunny day, so that your things do not get damaged by the rain if you take them outside for a while.
Get a garage mat
The biggest factor that plays a role in your garage’s cleanliness is the things that your car picks up outside. This is why getting a floor mat for the garage is such a good idea. Moreover, they are a great tool you can use to protect your epoxy or concrete garage from damage, as well as staining. And do not worry if the size of the mat you require is not standard. You can get these mats in a custom size. You can still use the rest of the floor normally. But this mat will allow you to contain all the rain, snow, and dirt that your car brings inside.
Categorize
The key to good organization lies in the proper categorization of things. Categorize things in whichever way you prefer. It can be by the frequency of use, by their purpose, or anything else you prefer. But make sure you are being consistent in your choice. As long as you have a good system, your garage will surely be well-organized.
Label things
If your garage is your main storage space, you must have a highly organized system by which you can find things. This is why labeling is such a great idea. Once you declutter, categorize things, and put them in boxes, make very precise labels for them. If you can, take the next step and write down on the boxes all the things that they contain. This way, you will easily find anything you need, without having to dig through your whole garage. It might seem unnecessary, as you will remember where everything is in the beginning. But, after a few months, you might not even remember what all you have in your garage, let alone the exact place where it is stored.
Think what is the best layout
Depending on the frequency of use of all your items and the space available, try to think of the best layout for your garage. For instance, the garbage and the recycling bins should be near the entrance of your home. On the other hand, place your tools near the workbench, as they will be the closest to you when you need them. If you have any high shelves, use them for the things you rarely use, or for the things that you will not need for a long time. This way, all your things will be easily accessible when you need them. And rarely used items will not take their place.
Utilize your ceiling
When most people think about organizing the things in their garage, they immediately think about putting everything in boxes, and then on shelves. But, there is one part of the garage that many people are not using at all – the ceiling. Even though it would not be pleasant to have in, say, your living room, ceiling storage is a great thing for the garage. It can allow you to safely store anything you want. From winter clothing and books to your skiing equipment, these storage spaces can store anything.
So, if after decluttering you still do not have space for all your things, and maybe even your car, make sure you consider ceiling storage. You can easily install it and it can majorly help you if you are dealing with too little free space in your garage. Moreover, it will protect your things from any water that might enter the garage.
Do not tackle it on your own
Even though garage cleaning and organizing seem like an easy job, it might be a bit harder if you choose to tackle it on your own. If you can, you can always hire an expert to help you in the process. If not, make sure to round up a team of helpers. If you choose to do everything on your own, the chances are high that it will become overwhelming halfway through. In that case, you will feel stressed and you will not have even solved the problems you wanted to tackle.
Organizing your garage can be a demanding task if you do not know where to start. But, it can surely be easy if you have a good plan. Remember to declutter, categorize things and label everything. Do not forget to utilize your ceiling space, as it will allow you to have more space in the rest of your garage. And of course, to keep it clean, do not forget to get a garage mat.
