18 May 2021

Garage Organizing Basics

Let’s face it – everyone is guilty of clutter in their garage at some point in their lives. Clutter, clutter, clutter. Everywhere you turn is clutter.  If you have a garage, then chances are you are encountering this mess at least twice a day (when you leave and when you come home). Here are some pretty simple steps from Organizing Boston’s Professional Organizers to decluttering your garage this summer: welcome, Garage Organizing Basics!

One Step at a Time: It’s important to take the decluttering process slow. You don’t want to get overwhelmed before you even start. Try to focus on one area then move on to the next area when you’ve finished.

Don’t Be Afraid To Let Go: For most people, one of the hardest things to do is let go of stuff. It’s perfectly normal to hold on to things, but for how long is the golden question. The trick is if you haven’t used something in 1 – 2 years then you probably don’t really need it anymore. Throwing things away or donating items isn’t a bad thing – it’s actually very healthy! Ask yourself these questions to determine what items in your garage to keep and what items can go:

1. When was the last time I looked at or used this item?
2. Do I have all of the pieces to make this item functional?
3. Would someone else be able to use this item more than me?
4. Is this item broken beyond repair? Would it be worth it to pay for repairs?
5. Do I have multiples of this item?

Don’t Put Off Donating: If you’ve decided to donate some of your items, it’s best to bring your trash bags or boxes to a donation center as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will simply add to the clutter in your garage.

Clean Up: When you clear a space of clutter, you may want to dust, vacuum or wipe the space down. It’s always better to organize your items on a clean surface.

Organizing: Maintaining a clutter-free garage is easy if you create some storage solutions and organizing systems throughout your garage.

1. Shelves and Racks: Wood, wire, steel or plastic – all great options for shelving systems. Garage storage is best along the walls, but you can find ceiling mounting racks too for more compact or single car garages.
2. Hooks, Wall Cradles, Hangers and Hoisting Systems: Imagine a “home” for every item in your garage. Using hooks and hangers for bikes, helmets, tools, gear, etc. will help create a neat and tidy space. If you have larger items, such as a kayak, you may want to install a hoisting system to store it above your car or off to the side.
3. Bins and Labeling: When organizing items in bins, try to use clear bins so you easily see what is inside. Bins or totes can be stacked on top of each other, like these bins at The Container Store. Labeling bins by category and season makes it easier to find certain items throughout the year.

Don’t let your messy garage overwhelm you! Grab a broom and some heavy duty trash bags and get to work!

If you want your garage to look like this, contact Organizing Boston today and we’ll help you whip it into shape while maintaining safe social distancing.