5 Tips on How to Declutter Your Garage
Oh, the garage.
It’s a mess. But really, whose isn’t? The garage is a household catch-all, the place we store all the things we don’t quite know what to do with, from holiday decorations to that box of stuff you’ve been meaning to take to Goodwill.
If your garage has become your family’s “dumping ground” and is a little too full of everything, you’re not alone. According to a survey by the National Association of Productivity & Organization (yes, it’s a thing), around 44% of people found garages to be the most disorganized areas in their homes.
Most people tend to accumulate massive amounts of clutter in their garages to the point they can no longer park their cars in them. It’s quite a contradictory phenomenon if you think about it. You leave your car on the street and clutter your garage with items that have little to no monetary value.
Feeling overwhelmed before you’ve even started? Well, here’s a guide on how to declutter your garage. All you need is a plan to take back control of your space.
How to Declutter Garage in 5 Steps
Facing down a jam-packed garage can leave you feeling stressed and defeated. Where do you even start? With these garage organization tips, you can free up space in your garage and transform it into a functional, organized storage area.
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Define Your Space
First things first, you need a game plan. Do some reconnaissance. You won’t make much progress if you just walk in and start sorting through stuff. Look around and take note of what you see. It’s a good idea to make a list, maybe even take some photographs. The idea here is to get the feel of your space and determine what you want to do with it.
What is your goal?
- Do you just want a space to park your car?
- Do you want to use it for storage?
Perhaps, you need a workshop. Defining your space will help you tackle the challenge with an end goal in mind.
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Compile a Local Resource List
Before you start the decluttering process, you need to gather the right tools and supplies. Many stop halfway simply because they forgot to rent a refuse container to collect the trash. With this in mind, here are a few things you’ll need:
- Heavy-duty garbage bags
- A catch-all bin for odds and ends
- A rental dumpster, just in case
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Sort and Discard
“Start by discarding all at once, intensively and completely.” These are some sage words from decluttering expert Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let go of it. Start with some honest assessments:
- Do you need it?
- How long has it been since you’ve used it?
- Do you have the space for it?
- Is it something you can inexpensively replace?
As with any organization project, you’ll need to sort the garage clutter into three categories: keep, donate, and trash.
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Organize the Garage Into Zones
Once you’ve figured out what you want to keep, you need to organize it. Sorting your items into zones, e.g., Christmas, Halloween, Sporting Equipment, Gardening, Cleaning Supplies, etc., makes it easier to keep your space tidy and organized. Think of zones like aisles in a supermarket. Everything is organized into sections, making it easier to spot what you need when you need it.
You should also consider investing in a proper storage setup. Swap out cardboard boxes for sturdier containers designed for long-term storage. Always to go vertical. Keep the least used items higher up and leave the easy-to-access parts for items you use more often.
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Make Time for Quick Realignments
The last step is to maintain garage organization in the long term. Life gets in the way, and your garage can easily clutter up again. The key is to change your perspective and view your garage as an important, useful space. Clutter breeds more clutter. Therefore, it’s important to put items away in a timely manner.
Your garage will not always be in perfect condition, but it’s easy to keep it organized once you’ve decluttered. Plan for seasonal, monthly, or even weekly rearrangements and remember to keep floor space as free as possible. This way, it’ll be easy to get back to the organized state you love.
Reclaim Your Garage with Maid Impressions Cleaning
Wondering how to declutter your garage? Let us declutter the garage and do the deep cleaning for you. We’ll leave your house looking spectacular and feeling fresh.
Maid Impressions consists of a team of home organizing experts providing people with the means and tools to simplify and enjoy their lives. We can help you transform your chaotic free-for-all garage into a functional, organized space you’ll love.
Give us a call at (888) 658-0659 for house cleaning in Clearwater and to schedule a free consultation. We’d be glad to help you get your home organized and clean!
