5 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Garage
The garage may be the most disorganized room in your house. Cars are usually not the only items found there. You can also often find car repair tools, paint, hardware items, boxes of old clothing, worn-out golf clubs, even pairs of shoes that have seen better days. But, you can gain around 30 to 40 percent more space in your garage if only you get it organized.
Here are 5 easy ways to achieve an organized garage.
1. Group Similar Items Together
It is very important to first sort out everything in your garage. Group together items of similar kind: sporting equipment, hardware tools, electrical equipment, old clothing, pieces of unused furniture. You will be amazed how at much stuff you have.
Once you have finished sorting, only then will you be able to think of the best plan to organize your garage. When all the items are grouped together, you will actually see how much space you have and how you will be able to utilize such a space. You may also take into account the items that may need to be moved to the attic, to the basement, or to your next garage sale.
2. Create a Space For Seasonal Items
You may want to install a special rack or cabinets in your garage to hold tools and equipment that are only used in particular seasons. Keep all snow shovels, snow blowers and ice scrapers together. You may also include winter sports and recreational equipment such as snowboards, sleds and skis. On the other hand, items used during warm seasons, such as inflatable tools, beach balls, and paddles, should be grouped together in another cabinet. This will help you to locate the tools you need no matter the season.
3. Add Shelves and Cabinets
You may also consider mounting new shelves and cabinets onto your garage walls. This is very helpful in maximizing your space. The key is to create a space that can be very accessible for frequently or regularly used items. This will help you access the tools a lot easier. No need to play hide-and-seek every time you are looking for a specific item.
4. Designate a Working Area
If you are fond of do-it-yourself projects, you may also like to create a designated work area in your garage. You can install a table and a bench to be used during home improvement or craft projects. This is a great way to utilize space in your garage. Having a specific working area will also make frequently used tools such as hammers, screwdrivers and pliers very accessible.
5. Place Recycling Bins Near The Garage
For easier disposal of trash, keep your trash and recycling bins near the garage. This is a very good trick especially if you are the type of person who keeps things because the trash bins are far away. So every time you work on your project, or find anything that you no longer need, it will be very easy to dispose of it as the trash bins are only a few steps away.
Luke Cameron is owner of Homes Views, an online magazine offering news, tips and articles on home and garden related topics. His website can be found at: http://www.homesviews.com/ and http://www.realestatecubby.com/.