Garage Organization - An essential space in your home.
Let’s talk about that space that we love, hate, and be indifferent to, all at the same time. The garage! The garage is a unique space. We live, work, play in it, and use it for storage, among other things. It is often a catch-all for items that don't have a designated place in the home. A little effort in the garage can go a long way. Here are six ways to keep your garage organized and maintain it over time.
Declutter regularly: The first step to an organized garage is to declutter regularly, I prefer to do it at least once a quarter. Go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need or use. This will create more space for the items you do need and use regularly.
Create zones: Create zones for each type of item, such as gardening tools, sports equipment, automotive supplies, and seasonal items. This will make it easier to find what you need when you need it and prevent items from becoming mixed up.
Utilize wall space: Maximize your garage's vertical space by installing shelving, hooks, and pegboards. There are solutions for every budget. This will provide additional storage space and make it easier to access your belongings.
Use clear containers: I’m not always a fan of clear containers but a garage is a place where it definitely makes sense. Most of the time when we store things in the garage we tend to use broad categories like “ tools”. A clear container will help you see at a glance which tools are in there. This makes it super easy to find things especially when you're looking for something specific.
Label everything: Label each container to maintain your organized space over time because it designates space as being reserved for something. That way everyone who uses the garage knows to look for the label before they dump things all over the place.
Clean and maintain regularly: Regularly clean and organize your garage to maintain your organized space. Put in a monthly reminder to spend 20 minutes looking around the garage to put things back where they belong (ideally this is done after each use), and a quarterly reminder to periodically sort through your belongings to ensure you're not accumulating unnecessary items. Additionally, periodically assess your storage needs and adjust your organizational systems accordingly.
Like with any space in your home, creating and maintaining an organized garage is all about creating systems and routines that work for you. By decluttering regularly, creating zones, utilizing wall space, using clear containers, labeling everything, and maintaining regularly, you can create an organized garage that makes it easy to find what you need when you need it. With a little effort, your garage can become a functional and organized space that makes your life easier. Maybe, just maybe, it can even become a space you love!
