4 Easy Steps to a Garage Declutter Without Getting Overwhelmed
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Do you want to have a garage declutter without getting overwhelmed? Most Americans cannot park their vehicles in their garages because they are cluttered with things that need to get thrown, recycled, sold or donated.
The original purpose of a garage was to store your automobile; however, many Americans use garages for storage, home gyms, man caves, and workshops. Some of the world’s biggest companies, like Google and Nike, were born in garages.
So, why do we tend to clutter this precious space with -let’s face it- junk? The reason does not matter. If you have a cluttered and messy garage, you are missing out on all the potential usage of this space in your home.
- Take all the clutter out of the Garage.
The first step in achieving garage declutter peace is scheduling a weekend to take everything out of the garage. You need to start with a clean slate and clean space before organizing. You need to make this a fun activity, so get your kids involved or use this time to listen to your favorite music or binge on your favorite shows. If you are nuts like me, use this activity as a workout session. Just keep in mind to use proper form when lifting heavy items.
- Separate all the Clutter
As you are taking everything out, you will need to make piles for items to 1) sell, 2) trash, 3) recycle, 4) donate, and 5) re-organize. If you dispose of any batteries, old paint, products, fertilizers, or other toxic items, use your local drop-off locations or visit the Hazardous Waste Program Website.
For your garage declutter, you should also have boxes or garbage bags to quickly dispose of items that can be thrown, recycled, or donated. If you are attached to things because they were expensive, then try to resale them on eBay, OfferUp, or Poshmark. You can also plan a neighborhood yard sale with your neighbors or HOA.
- Organize and Label
This is a difficult step in your garage declutter because you need to take the time to determine how much space you need for the more oversized items and plan your storage accordingly. If you get it right, you might be able to fit your car in the garage again! You need to break the garage into zones or categories. If you have ever entered or worked in a Warehouse, you know that items are categorized and labeled for easy retrieval and visibility.
- DIY or Buy Organization Units
If you do not have shelving in your garage, DIY or buy them. There are several genius ways to organize and DIY storage solutions. You should replace any cardboard boxes with plastic bins to repel insects or rodents and place labels where you can easily identify the items stored in the bin.
Remember to use the walls and ceiling, and tuck away items that are rarely used, such as Holiday decorations and seasonal outdoor items. Items that you use frequently should be placed within easy reach. A garage declutter is an ongoing process which is why you should organize the garage in a way that is easy for you to place items back where they belong, preferably off the floor.
This blog post was all about decluttering your garage.
