How to declutter and organize your garage…and maybe even park a car in there! - Guidance from the owners of Get Organized RVA

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The thought of organizing and decluttering your garage may be one that induces panic or overwhelm.  But it doesn’t have to be!  Just imagine a future where you enter a car that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter because it’s been nestled nicely in your cleared out garage. Or picture next Christmas when the decorations are clearly labeled and easy to access.

Part of what overwhelms people about this particular area of the house, is that there are so many different categories of items, and so many tiny parts and pieces.  And let’s be honest, most garages have some significant dust, dirt, leaves, debris and (gasp!) mouse excrement. (Ask us how we know…)

So how do you begin to tackle what may be the most daunting space in the home?  Here are some tips to get started, get going, and get it done! 

Get Started 

• Decide on your goals for the space.  Do you want to fit one car in there?  Two cars?  Move the Christmas storage into it (or out of it)? Set up a workbench for projects and repairs? Make sure the kids have their bikes and toys easily accessible? You’ll probably need to remember this goal when you’re part-way through thinking, “What on earth have I gotten myself into?”

• Set aside time.  Garage organization isn’t something you schedule in a two-hour block between the kids’ little league game and the neighborhood cookout.  You’ll need a solid chunk of time to devote.  Potentially even a full weekend depending on the number of items.

• Ask for help. Whether it’s a spouse, friend or neighbor,  Things will move more quickly (and will be easier to move!) if you have help.

• Get your materials: Boxes, trash bags, work gloves, a respirator. Use boxes for donations, and bags for trash. 

A few notes about safety:
-You may need a dolly for heavier items. 
-Wear shoes that are closed-toed. 
-Make sure to have plenty of water accessible if it’s a warm day. 
-If you have elevated storage, you’ll need a ladder AND someone to help ensure your safety by holding it.
-If you have an active mouse problem, research how to prevent spreading potential viruses during clean-up and wear a respirator or call in a professional. (We have found that the majority of garages do have evidence of mice. It’s nothing to be ashamed of!)

Get Going

Once you’ve decided the time, the team and your goals, sorting and decluttering are the next steps.

1. Sort items by broad category first: Tools, holiday, car care, home repair, garden, etc.
2. After the broad categories are sorted, get more detailed. The holiday category becomes Christmas, Halloween & Easter.  The tools category becomes screwdrivers, wrenches, hardware, etc.  How else will you know if you own 7 hammers? Sorting and categorizing are the only ways to find out.
3. Declutter.  Ask yourself specific questions to determine whether you need to keep something.  
   • Do I use it? 
   • When was the last time I used it?  
   • Do I have something else that serves the same purpose?  
   • Could I borrow it from a neighbor if I really needed it?  
   • How much would it cost to replace if I gave it away?  Some people use a $20/20 min rule for items they haven’t used in a long time: If you can replace an unused item for $20 or less, in 20 minutes or less, then it can go. 

This is the most labor-intensive (and draining) part of the process so hang in there. Put on some music, rely on your team, and keep those goals in mind! 

Get It Done (and Maintain It!)

Once you know what you are keeping, only then should you decide about storage and layout.  

• Keeping the items in the categories you sorted them into, take inventory of what needs to be stored and what types of storage would make the most sense. 
For example: does the storage bin need to be weather- or critter-proof so that items are protected?  Is it easier if items are accessible without having a top on the bin?  Do you need bike storage?  Children’s toys? Feed for animals? Do tools require a tool chest and/or pegboard?  Are there chemicals that need to be locked away from little hands? These various items will require different types of storage for the correct accessibility and protection.  

• Some people like the aesthetics of everything in bins and others prefer items to be accessible without the extra step of putting it in a bin. In our professional opinions, bins help maintain the space much better than loosely organized items that are not contained. 

• Labels are the key to maintenance.  Whether you live alone or live with a family or friends, labels make the system maintainable.  And when there are multiple people utilizing the garage items, labels are essential.  They don’t have to be fancy.  Painter’s tape and a Sharpie work!

If you try this and still get stuck, or if even just reading this makes you feel too anxious to start, don’t hesitate to reach out for your FREE 30-minute consultation.  And we aren’t scared of mouse poop. 
Call us: 804.905.8475; email us: info@getorganizedRVA.com; or visit us below!