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8 Simple Strategies for Organizing and Decluttering Your Garage

Updated on March 31, 2023 by Joseph D. Nielson

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It’s all too easy for a garage to become a tangled mess of kids’ bikes, hose pipes, tools and sports equipment. It may seem like every time you open the garage door more stuff has found its way in there! If this rings true for you, perhaps you’ve just walked into your garage and you’ve spotted a disaster before you, you may feel compelled to take action … but you simply don’t know where to start. 

Organizing and decluttering your garage can be a daunting — and let’s face it, not very exciting — task, especially if you’ve been putting it off for weeks, months … or years! You may find yourself overwhelmed by the thought of sorting through all of the clutter and coming up with a strategy on how to store things in a neat and organized manner moving forward. Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough space, or that organizing your garage will be too messy or time-consuming.

We understand the struggle of effectively trying to tackle organizing areas of your home, but don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll provide eight simple strategies for organizing and decluttering your garage so that you can finally make sense of the mess.  Let’s get started!

Why it’s important to declutter and organize your garage

The thought of purging and organizing your garage can feel overwhelming; the end result is well worth it — trust us! A neat garage can help you make better use of the space, keep items off the floor and create easy access to everyday items — you might even be able to park your car in there once we’re done! As an extra boost, a tidy garage can even make your home look more appealing from the outside.

Having a tidy garage also helps provide a sense of satisfaction; everything has its rightful place. You can say goodbye to searching through piles and stacks of stuff just to find what you’re looking for! Plus, it reduces stress levels by eliminating the feeling of being overwhelmed by chaos and clutter. 

Coordinating and downsizing the items in your garage will help you make the most of this valuable space in your home. You’ll be able to store items that are necessary for daily life, as well as having a safe and secure storage space for special things that hold a sentimental value. Furthermore, if you’re preparing your home for resell, an organized, useful space is sure to boost buyers interest — every square foot counts!

Are you ready to get started? Let’s dive into some tips and strategies!

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Decluttering Your Garage

Before you can begin organizing your garage, the first step is to purge and get rid of the items that you don’t use and no longer need.  Here are some tips to help for an effective and efficient purge.

Tips for creating the right mindset

First of all, it’s important to have the right attitude when tackling this project. Start with a positive outlook; remind yourself why you’re doing it in the first place. Visualize the end result and the satisfaction that will come with having a neat, usable space. Setting a positive tone from the off is sure to set you up for success.

Steps for eliminating clutter

Start by sorting through items and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Go through one section or area at a time. You could even implement a criteria, for example, ‘If I haven’t used it in the past year, it’s time to go.’ 

Separate items into piles – piles for donation and recycling, and another for selling. Be ruthless — don’t be afraid to get rid of items that you no longer have a use for.

It’s also helpful to set limits on how many items you can keep in a certain area or category. This helps to keep things from getting too cluttered. For example, if your kids have five footballs, it’s probably time to get rid of at least three of them.

Ideas for donating or selling items

When it comes to donating or selling items, there are a few options available. Consider donating items to your local charity or thrift store. If you’re looking to make a bit of money, try selling on online marketplaces or via buy and sell groups. Sometimes garage sales or yard sales are an option as well, though this depends on your local regulations — check with your city or township.

Organizing Your Garage

Once you’ve decluttered and gotten rid of things, it’s time to start organizing the items that are left. Here are some helpful tips for creating a sense of order in your garage.

Strategies for creating a system of storage

Creating a system of storage is key when it comes to organizing your garage. Start by grouping items together based on their function or purpose – tools, sports gear, lawn care items, etc. Then use bins, drawers and shelves to store each group or category separately. Label the containers with a Sharpie or paper labels so that you know what is in them at all times.

Ideas for keeping items in their place

Once you have a system of storage in place, the next step is to make sure that items stay in their place. Put away items after each use and designate areas for specific things. Have your family members follow these rules as well to help keep the garage organized. You can also create a checklist or schedule to remind yourself of tasks such as putting items away or cleaning. This will help to keep the garage clutter-free and organized moving forward.

Tips for making use of wall space and overhead storage

Making use of wall space and overhead storage can be a great way to maximize your storage potential, too. Use pegboards or shelves to hang tools, gardening supplies, bikes, and other items off the ground. Overhead storage units are another great option for storing seasonal items such as holiday decorations or camping gear. Just make sure that you install them in a secure manner to avoid accidents! Put items that kids or shorter people might need on low shelves so that they can easily access them themselves (and put them away!).

Set of Tool Wrench

Final Words

Organizing and decluttering your garage is essential for creating a more functional space. With the right mindset and strategies in place, you can easily keep it clutter-free and orderly for good! 

Start by breaking the process into manageable tasks, such as sorting through items and getting rid of any unnecessary ones. Create a storage system by using bins or shelves to store items separately, making sure to label containers as you go to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. 

Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of wall space and overhead storage options to maximize your storage potential.

FAQ

Q: What should I do with items that I don’t need?

A: Avoid sending items to landfill. Consider donating them to charity or selling them online or offering them for free online. You can also try having a garage sale or flea market to make some extra money.

Q: How can I keep my garage organized?

A: Creating a system of storage that works for you. Make sure to label containers to help you find what you’re looking for quickly. Put away items after each use, and make sure your family members follow these rules as well. Finally, make use of wall space and overhead storage units.

Q: What is the best way to declutter my garage?

A: The best way to declutter your garage is to start by sorting through items and getting rid of any unnecessary ones. Get the whole family involved to speed up the process and so everyone has a sense of ownership. Implement effective storage solutions like Rubbermaids and shelving and label boxes as you go; this will make it easy for all household members to easily find what they’re looking for without causing too much chaos as they go. 

With these tips in mind, you (and your family!) can keep your garage neat, tidy and easy to clean with minimal effort.

Joseph and Family
About Joseph D. Nielson

Former journalist and editor for various press groups, I now dedicate my time to reviewing products for the home and family life. When I get time to myself, I enjoy rock climbing, taking my dirt bike for a rip, and most importantly providing my family with the best home possible!