Get an Organized Garage

 Make your garage “all it can be!”  – Just like the Marine Corps!

This is the first in a series of articles on organizing and making creative use of your garage.

 Organizing your garage can be a tiresome task for many homeowners.  Like any organizing task, it takes planning to make it efficient – but is well worth the final product.  It seems that the garage is that one place on earth where we all seem to love to be disorganized, however the sooner you get organized, the sooner that that space will become amazingly useful.  When you think about organizing your garage you should keep in mind that this activity is intended  to find a designated place for everything while keeping your goods available for everyday use. The following five steps compromise a simple system for garage organization.

Garage items should be sorted
First of all sort and categorize all the items in your garage, for this you should empty your garage and start sorting everything into categories. Separate the tools from sporting equipment, electric tools, etc. You will realize how much stuff you have and only then you will be able to determine the best ways to organize and store everything. Misplaced items in your garage should be returned to their proper place. Also you should sort the things that should be in the garage from the things that should actually be in the basement, attic or better, sold at a garage sale.  Where possible attempt to recycle everything that you decide to throw away.

Separate seasonal items and equipment
A special rack should be installed to hang bicycles and lawn maintenance tools and to keep them accessible yet out of the way. If it is near winter place snow related tools like snow blowers, ice scrapers, snow shovels and also skis, snowboards and sleds grouped together. Also the items for warm seasons should be stored in a special cabinet. Near the beginning of every season you should plan this activity and rotate the cold and warm items places in the cabinet. For the other sporting equipment, shelves and drawers should be designed.

Additional garage storage space
While organizing you should consider adding additional garage storage space to help you maintain the organization. Shelves and cabinets should be mounted on the walls. The basic principle is to store the items that you use on a regular basis in a way that makes them accessible every time you need them.

Create efficient working area
Installing a bench or a table would be a good choice if you use your garage as a workshop. A sturdy tool chest and a pegboard are great in storing your tools and keeping them easily accessible.  There are multiple opportunities for creativity in this area. 

Reposition trash and recycling containers near the garage
To easily dispose unwanted items from your garage a good idea is to relocate the trash and recycling bins near to your garage entrance. This way you won’t be tempted to keep certain items because the trash bins are too far away – if you’re not going to use it, toss it, or keep another container as the “salvation army” pile. 

Now would be the time to hire a handyman to have cabinets, closets and shelves built right into your garage. Invest in some good storage units as described before and start organizing, sorting and storing.

We all have different styles, but the tips above are a good beginning to a “better garage”. 

About the Author:
Paul Hamilton loves his garage. He’s also the operations manager for Packupthehouse.com, a moving and relocation website where he helps visitors to find the just the right supplies to get organized, be it garages, closets or a whole house. He also assists those who are preparing to move from their homes or businesses with moving boxes and supplies, and rental trucks. 

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