Organize your Garage and Finally Park Your Car Inside!

21 Oct 2024

Organize your Garage and Finally Park Your Car Inside!

Garages are meant to store cars, but for many of us, they end up as catch-all spaces for everything except the car. Seasonal decorations, old furniture, sporting equipment, and assorted tools can take over. If you’re tired of parking outside and want to reclaim your garage for its intended purpose, Organizing Boston can help. One of our lead organizers, Chrissy Cevolani, will guide you on how to organize your garage and finally park your car inside!

 

“I recently assisted a client who wanted to be able to park their car in their garage for the upcoming winter,” explained Chrissy. “She is a senior with physical limitations from an injury, so she really needed our hands-on help to get the job done in time for winter.” Here is the step-by- step process Chrissy used to achieve her client’s objective:

 

1. Declutter 

“The first step to organize your garage is to take everything out,” says Chrissy. “Yes, everything!” By clearing out your space, you’ll get a better sense of what you have and what’s taking up valuable square footage. Once that is done you should organize everything into four piles:

• Keep: Items you use regularly and need to store in the garage.
• Donate: Things that are still in good shape but you no longer need.
• Sell: Items that have value and you could make you some money.
• Trash: Broken, outdated, or unused things that aren’t worth keeping or donating.

While you organize your garage, you can also determine which items can be stored in another area of the home. “I worked with my client to assess which items in her keep pile could be stored someplace else,” explained Chrissy. “We decided to store the items she didn’t use often in her basement.”

2. Create Zones

Once Chrissy was left with only the items that were going back into her client’s garage, she began to separate them into categories. “You need to think of your garage in terms of zones, with each area dedicated for a specific group of items,” advised Chrissy. Here are some ideas for common garage zones:

• Tools and Equipment: Shelve or hang tools and gardening gear together.
• Sports Gear: Bicycles, balls & bats, nets, and other outdoor toys.
• Seasonal Items: Holiday decorations or snow blowers can go in a less accessible area since they’re only needed once or twice a year.
• Workstations: If you have space, consider a small workbench for home projects.

By creating zones, you’ll know exactly where everything should go, and it will be easier to maintain an organized garage.

3. Maximize Vertical and Ceiling Space

A great way to organize your garage is to maximize all of the available space. This means going up! “Using vertical and overhead space is a game-changer,” said Chrissy, “especially when you want to get your vehicle in the garage.”

• Install Shelves: Adding wall-mounted shelves allows you to store bins, tools, and other items off the ground, leaving more floor space for your car.
• Use Pegboards: Hang tools or smaller items on pegboards for easy access and visibility.
• Ceiling Storage Racks: Overhead racks are perfect for storing large bins or items you don’t need often, like holiday decorations or camping gear.

This client already had some organizing utility tracks in place, so we installed additional tracks for more storage. Chrissy purchased and installed an elfa garage utility track from the Container Store. “If I have a client who has a tight budget, I often recommend the Rubbermaid Fast Track System, which is durable and gets the job done. With these systems in place, your garage floor will stay clear, making it much easier to pull the car in.”, said Chrissy.

4. Invest in Smart Storage Solutions

Sometimes, the key to organizing is simply having the right tools for the job. Invest in storage systems that make sense for your needs.

• Clear Storage Bins: Instead of cardboard boxes, opt for clear plastic bins so you can easily see what’s inside.
• Cabinets: Lockable cabinets are great for storing items you want to keep out of sight or away from kids.
• Wall Hooks and Racks: Install heavy-duty hooks for bikes, ladders, or gardening tools. There are even specific racks designed for long items like brooms, rakes, and shovels.
• Tool Chests: If you have a lot of tools, invest in a rolling tool chest. These not only keep your tools organized but can also double as a work surface.

5. Measure Before You Park

Once you’ve decluttered, created zones, and installed storage solutions, it’s time to bring your car into the garage. However, before you do, measure your car and the available space to ensure there’s enough room. Make sure you can still open doors, move around, and access your storage zones. We had a big car to fit in here and as you can see, it finally fits!

6. Maintenance is Key

All of our Organizing Boston organizer’s will tell you, the most important part of keeping your garage organized is regular maintenance. Chrissy recommends making a habit of putting things back where they belong after use, and setting aside time once a season to reevaluate what you have stored.

• Label Everything: Clear labeling helps you and your family know exactly where things belong, making it easier to maintain your organized garage over time.
• QuarterlyCheckups: Every three months, take a look at what’s in your garage. If you find things out of place, put them back where they belong. If you notice items you haven’t used, it might be time to donate or sell them.

To organize your garage may seem like a daunting task, but with some effort and smart planning, you can finally make room for your car. Declutter, make zones, use vertical storage, and invest in the right tools. By following these steps, you’ll not only create a more functional space but also protect your car from the elements.