Maybe it's the size of the stuff to be organized or the sight of that big open space full of clutter, but for many people, organizing the garage just seems too overwhelming. It doesn't help that most garages have no storage to begin with. But a simple plan of attack can have your garage ship-shape in no time.
Sort It Out
Start by sorting out what you have. Get rid of the junk and unused items and keep only what your family actually uses. Unwanted items in good condition can be donated to charity, given away or sold, so you won't be the only one benefiting from your clean-up. Once you've streamlined the clutter, the organization will be much easier.
Prioritize What's Left
Determine how frequently each item gets used. Seldom-used items, like holiday decorations or seasonal pieces, won't need to be as accessible as things like bikes, shovels and tools. It's also helpful to divide these groups by size or usage. For example, unwieldy tools such as rakes and brooms can't easily be stored in boxes, so they may require their own location. Also, you might want to keep all the sports equipment in one area where the kids can reach it easily.
Overhead storage
Storing off-season items and even bikes overhead can free up floor space for the cars and the lawnmower. Your local hardware or big-box retail store can be a great source for storage units. Online retailers like mygaragestore.com and garagestorepro.com offer complete systems from ceiling-mounted wire racks to pull-down units. These can be used for storing anything from plastic storage bins to sports equipment and bikes. Most systems can easily be installed by the average homeowner in a weekend and can be placed nearly anywhere in the garage, depending on the height of your vehicles.
Customized storage
For small or difficult-to-pack items, consider creating a "custom" storage system. Old-fashioned pegboard mounted to the wall can be an inexpensive method for hanging tools, rakes and shovels. Small wall-mounted lockers or cabinets provide enclosed storage for goods like power tools or dangerous chemicals. A free-standing storage cupboard can also be convenient for frequently used pieces like the kids' .
Considerations
Before you go out and start buying supplies, take the time to sort and plan. The fanciest storage system in the world won't do you any good if you still can't put away the rakes and brooms that keep banging into your car.
Tags: sports equipment, rakes brooms, storage system