Five Steps to Clearing Clutter From Your Garage
Garages were created as a space to protect cars from the weather.
To allow you to get in and out of your car with out the challenge of keeping yourself dry or warm.
Yet the garage has become extra storage for many homeowners, leaving their cars on the streets or the driveways.
Most items that occupy the garage (like most causes of clutter) are a result of indecision.
There are things we are emotionally tied to, things we think we might need someday and also things that are infrequently used.
The only way to get control of the clutter in your garage is to get started.
Step One is to carve out a space that is manageable to tackle.
I recommend a 5' x 5' square.
Go through the items to identify what belongs in the space and what belongs elsewhere.
Be certain to set aside the items that belong elsewhere.
This ensures that you do not leave the space you are working on and end up distracted, never completing your organizing project.
Be honest with yourself as to what really needs to be kept.
Would a charity benefit from your old tools or clothing? Step Two is to assign locations for the items that are staying.
Create zones such as hardware, sports equipment, holiday decorations, and memorabilia.
Label the zones to make maintenance easier.
Step Three use the vertical space in your garage with shelving or peg board.
Containers stack well, but if piled on each other, it makes it difficult to use the items in the bottom container.
Shelving alleviates this problem.
Step Four.
If using containers place a 3x5 card on the outside of the container listing what is in the container, to prevent the need to open each container and identify what is in it.
For example a Christmas Decoration Box would be labeled as such, but would also list, 'lights, decorations, tinsel'.
While another might list 'wreath, address list and pre-bought gifts'.
Step Five is to maintain your organized space.
Set aside a time at the beginning of each season to revisit your garage space.
At the beginning of winter you may put your rake and lawn mower in a less prominent place and put your snow shovel and sleds in that space instead.
Having an organized garage space allows you to protect your car and find things easily.
As a result you will get what needs to get done more quickly, allowing you more time to enjoy the things you want to get done.
To allow you to get in and out of your car with out the challenge of keeping yourself dry or warm.
Yet the garage has become extra storage for many homeowners, leaving their cars on the streets or the driveways.
Most items that occupy the garage (like most causes of clutter) are a result of indecision.
There are things we are emotionally tied to, things we think we might need someday and also things that are infrequently used.
The only way to get control of the clutter in your garage is to get started.
Step One is to carve out a space that is manageable to tackle.
I recommend a 5' x 5' square.
Go through the items to identify what belongs in the space and what belongs elsewhere.
Be certain to set aside the items that belong elsewhere.
This ensures that you do not leave the space you are working on and end up distracted, never completing your organizing project.
Be honest with yourself as to what really needs to be kept.
Would a charity benefit from your old tools or clothing? Step Two is to assign locations for the items that are staying.
Create zones such as hardware, sports equipment, holiday decorations, and memorabilia.
Label the zones to make maintenance easier.
Step Three use the vertical space in your garage with shelving or peg board.
Containers stack well, but if piled on each other, it makes it difficult to use the items in the bottom container.
Shelving alleviates this problem.
Step Four.
If using containers place a 3x5 card on the outside of the container listing what is in the container, to prevent the need to open each container and identify what is in it.
For example a Christmas Decoration Box would be labeled as such, but would also list, 'lights, decorations, tinsel'.
While another might list 'wreath, address list and pre-bought gifts'.
Step Five is to maintain your organized space.
Set aside a time at the beginning of each season to revisit your garage space.
At the beginning of winter you may put your rake and lawn mower in a less prominent place and put your snow shovel and sleds in that space instead.
Having an organized garage space allows you to protect your car and find things easily.
As a result you will get what needs to get done more quickly, allowing you more time to enjoy the things you want to get done.
