Spring Organizing For Your Garage


Yes, this is the time of year to get all of the dust out of the garage and clean up the mess you made all winter long.

Get organized for spring chores, get all of the tools and equipment ready and hunt down all of the ‘lost’ winter fix-it tools.

Plan of Attack

Set aside 2 consecutive days for organizing your garage. One day for tearing it apart and putting it back together and the next day for organizing wall space. You will need to take everything out, boxes, bikes, lawnmowers, snow blowers etc.

Dump and Declutter

Keep in mind when you might use items again! “Just in case” is not a sufficient reason to keep all the items in your garage. Decluttering is just as important in this space as any other in your home. Once you have made decisions about what you are keeping, it is time to define categories for storage. Categories for your garage might be outdoor toys, hardware, tools, gardening, and automotive. If you have wood scraps, be sure to store these together but don’t keep every scrap, the ceiling is a good place to store these items. Don’t forget you have storage room above the overhead doors that can be used for long flat things.. Also, take this opportunity to clean your garage, sweeping out bugs, dirt and more!

Keep It Within Arms Length

Once you have created your categories, put things that you use the most in easy access and things that are ’sometime’ things can go up higher. Use wall and ceiling space to maximize your area. Put up shelves to put boxes on and label them so you can ‘look and find’. Electrical, hardware, peg hooks, etc. However, keep as much as you can off the floor, it is easier to keep your garage clean. Organizing Bins, Storage Containers Etc. When purchasing organizing products for your garage, stores have inexpensive products, look in every department for things to use You will get ideas for inexpensive tricks.

Such as a pcv pipe works great in the yard for running wire through in front of the steps for the outside lighting.

Also a piece of pipe is good for hanging things on and very sturdy and unbendable; Garage items can be very heavy and need extra support, you might want to add extra supports or make them out of wood.

Metal shelving units are handy, but don’t forget to use the wall space at the top of the wall. Shelving can go up here, be out of the way and is great for those things you only use once or twice a year.

Sturdy plastic containers with lids that seal (rubbermaid etc.)are an excellent way to keep bugs and dirt away. Label everything you have in containers for easy searching. Don’t just put on the label “Electrical”, add sockets,wire,switches etc.

Being able to actually use your garage and find everything without wasting time hunting for it are rewards for your hard labor.

Do you have any idea how much money you are going to save without having to go and purchase new items for the things you lost.

Good by to the saying; “I know I have one; someplace!

About the Author

Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer and an author of articles on the internet. Get your free Organizing Your Life THE EASY WAY pamphlets called; 50 Things To Do in 10 Minutes or Less and Guilt Busters For Working Moms. Get instant satisfaction for a job well-done!!?For more ideas, articles and FREE tips go to Jan’s website at http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com and Get Organized THE EASY WAY!

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