It’s easy to think of your garage as a catch-all space. It’s somewhere we put anything that’s too messy to be in the house, want out of sight, or just don’t know where else to store. Before long, it can become a completely disorganized mess!
Research shows that organization can have a positive impact on your mental health. You’ll feel calmer and less anxious every time you walk into your well-organized garage!
Do you need tips on how to organize a messy garage? Then be sure to keep reading for our top eight suggestions!
1. Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
When you’re getting started with how to organize a garage, the best first step is to go through everything you have. Many times, we stash our belongings in our garage and forget all about them!
When you start going through your garage, sort through your clutter and make four piles:
Keep
These are the items you need and use on a regular basis. They can be sentimental, such as holiday decorations, or items you use for yard work in the springs. They may also be expensive tools that you don’t want to replace later on down the road.
Throw Away
If there are items you don’t need, trash, or even items that you can’t sell or donate, it may be best to just throw them away. Otherwise, these small items can add to the clutter and chaos in your garage.
Sell
You may have expensive tools or equipment that you don’t need or want anymore but still have value. You can list these items on apps like OfferUp or NextDoor. You can even hold a garage sale to help find your old items a new home!
Donate
Old household items and belongings can find new life when you donate them. Habitat for Humanity ReStores accepts many donations that are then resold and used to fund affordable homes in your community.
2. Group Item Together
When it comes to garage organization, you want to be able to locate everything with ease. That’s why it’s a good idea to have different areas dedicated to different uses.
Depending on what tools you use, you may want different areas for yard tools, car maintenance, sporting equipment, or home improvement tools. Once you’ve determined what areas you need, you can start organizing your garage.
3. Use Shelving
One of the best uses of space is to use your vertical space. Industrial shelves are easy to assemble and can help make garage organization easy. Organizational systems should be sturdy and anchored to the walls. This will keep them from tipping or collapsing unexpectedly.
You can also use gear lofts, which are mounted on the ceiling of the garage. These are best used for storing items that you don’t need to access on a regular basis since they can be hard to access. But they’re great for using overhead space that would go unused otherwise.
4. Buy Containers
“Out of sight, out of mind” can be a helpful garage organization approach. When you’re able to tuck your tools and other clutter out of sight, it goes a long way to help you feel more organized.
Containers can be used to organize any garage. And since they come in many sizes, you can use them for any number of items. Stack them on your newly installed shelves to get a clean and organized garage!
5. Install Cabinets
If you want to hide your tools and items even more, then consider investing in cabinets. While more expensive, they create a much more organized garage by allowing you to close the doors on your boxes and containers.
Full-size cabinets are a great option for tall equipment, such as skis or snowboards, hockey sticks, or ladders. You can mount cabinets on the wall about a workbench for a more customized garage space as well.
6. Mount a Pegboard
Pegboards are a great way to easily change your organization to adapt to whatever you need. No matter how many tools you may have, it can be easy to store them on a pegboard.
There are a number of accessories you can use depending on what you have. Shelves, baskets, and pegs are easily moved to accommodate your specific needs. Everything is within reach and easy to grab at a moment’s notice.
7. Sweep Everywhere
Cobwebs, dead leaves, and detritus collect in the corners of your garage. Once you’ve taken everything out, but before you place it in its new home, give your garage a good sweep.
This is an excellent time to look for other issues as well. Mouse and bug infestations are common in garages. It’s much easier to address them when you’re not navigating around clutter.
Even if you’re not sure how to organize a garage, even a quick clean-up can make your space feel less cluttered and messy.
8. Make Repairs
Garage organization tips are great, but you may also need to repair or replace items in your garage. If your garage door needs to be fixed or adjusted, take care of it sooner rather than later. You’ll save yourself from more expensive fixes down the road.
It’s also a great time to consider coating your garage floor. This can help to protect your concrete, as well as give your entire garage a facelift. It can also help you increase the value of your home.
How To Organize a Messy Garage Today
If you’ve been putting off cleaning and organizing your garage, we understand. But we also know that there are a lot of great benefits to having a clean space for your cars and personal belongings.
If you’re still wondering how to organize a messy garage, we’re here to help! You don’t have to tackle it on your own. Find a location near you to get started with everything you need to design, organize, and upgrade your garage today.