Don’t let the size of the mess overwhelm you, just get started! Open the overhead door to let in the fresh air, and get busy. Try some of these tips to make the job more do-able:
Piles for Miles
Making separate piles and sorting stuff into piles is the best way to jump right in. Start making piles (or filling boxes) with items to keep, donate, store, or move to another location. When you’re done sorting, move the items in each pile to their appropriate locations or they may end up right back in the garage at the end of the day. This is a good organization method for indoors and out. Use it for the home, the garage, and even the shed.
Look Up to Get Hooked Up
Look at all that space in the rafters, just sitting there empty. Get yourself hooked up with a ton of new storage space by finding ways to use that area. Hang stuff, use the area to store lengths of extra wood from your favorite projects, slide a piece of plywood between two beams and stack light items on top of it (only light items will work, as this is not a secure area, and you should never attempt to climb onto the plywood).
Get Cornered
Corners are often overlooked, but they provide quite a bit of extra space. Add a corner shelf, simply stack items up neatly, or place tall items in corners to get them out of the way.
Use it or Lose it
Instead of going out and buying lots of new items for organization, first use what you already have. Wall shelves, hanging coat racks, or old bookshelves that were once used in your home may now be the perfect storage options in the garage. Place a coat rack on the wall and hang extension cords and things from the hooks. Use shelves for odds and ends. Bookshelves are perfect for keeping small baskets and boxes off the floor. An old cooler or crate may be the perfect storage container for outdoor toys. Use your imagination, and after utilizing existing items, you can fill in the gaps with new storage pieces from the store.
Spring Cleaning: Cleaning and Organizing the Garage
The Family Garage—What’s In Yours?
Using Wall Space Instead of Floor Space