Professional Garage Organization | It Is Time to Manage Your Extra Space

Organize The Garage; Storage; Attic; Basement; Extra Space

Whether you have a small or large garage, organizing it can significantly enhance your enjoyment of life while simultaneously providing additional storage space to make your home more functional.

-Auntie Kat, updated on Mar 29, 2024

You can find in this article:

#Preparation

#Step-by-Steps Declutter

#Sort in Categorise

#How to create zones in the Garage

#Organizing Tips

#An illustration from a Professional Organizer

Preparation

Before diving into the project, gather boxes, bags, or bins to help sort items into categories such as Keep, Donate, Discard, and Relocate.

Step-by-Steps Declutter

Starting from Big to Small

1. Begin with the old cardboard, including moving and delivery boxes. Take them down and neatly fold them up for recycling or storage as backup. Storing empty cardboard in the garage can attract pests, pose a fire hazard, and clutter the space.

2. Identify a sizable area that is completely cleared. This might be an empty corner or an unexpected space that you hadn't initially intended to declutter as part of this project, or even your driveway or backyard—provided it's safe for temporary storage.

3. Let's begin with the larger items such as sports equipment, ladders, garden tools, leftover building materials, appliances, furniture, and storage containers—whether empty or stocked.

While clearing out the garage, assess the larger items to determine if any should be discarded, donated, or sold. Labeling can be helpful in this process to ensure clarity and organization.

Take each item to the designated empty spot, ensuring neatness and avoid creating a mess.

Roughly sort them into categories for easier organization.

4. By removing the larger items, you'll gain a clearer view of the space and better understand what we'll be addressing next in the organization process.

Let's begin by taking everything out and placing it in the center of the garage floor.

Depending on the amount of clutter, if there's not much left, we can tackle all the cabinets and drawers in this step. However, if there's still a significant amount of clutter visible, we'll focus on organizing what's immediately visible and leave the items in hiding for now (including book shelves).

5. This step is one of my favorites – cleaning, wiping, and sweeping. It's like preparing a fresh start for everything, making them feel like they're in a brand new home.

6. Rough sorting is a preliminary step in the organization process where items are quickly grouped into broad categories based on their similarities.

This initial sorting helps to organize the cluttered space and lays the foundation for more detailed organization and decision-making later on.

Tips

***Feel free to take a break whenever you need it. Grab a drink, relax, and recharge before continuing with the project.

Decluttering can be emotionally taxing as each item may hold sentimental value. However, parting with items unused for one or two years can streamline the organization process.

Acknowledging their past service and letting go can help create a more efficient and organized space.

***If you decide to resume this project another day, remember to bring back all the items left outdoors to a cleared spot inside the garage.

***Planning a Garage Sale is a great idea, especially when you have plenty of items to discard, donate, or sell. It's an effective way to declutter your space while also allowing others to find something they may need or enjoy.

Step II: Sort

Common Categories In Garage/ Storage

Household

Rarely used appliances
Cleaning supplies and materials
Garden and lawn supplies
Tools and equipments
Extra household and essential supplies
Pest control supplies

Seasonal

Seasonal clothing
Holiday decorations
Seasonal decors
Outdoor furniture
Sport equipment
BBQ grill

Personal

Documents and records
Memorabilla and keepsakes
Books and medias
Children's items
Craft and hoppy supplies

Other

Automotive supplies
Miscellaneous items
Home improvement materials
Workshop materials
Storage containers
Outdoor gears

Step III: Create Zones

If you're simply organizing the items in your garage to make them more functional and easier to find, sorting everything into categories and storing them in bins or racks can do the trick.

However, if you're looking to upgrade to a more versatile, multi-functional space, you have additional options to consider.

If your garage is spacious enough, consider creating distinct Functional and Storage zones to optimize the use of the space. This allows for efficient organization and ensures that each area serves its designated purpose effectively.

A functional zone in a garage is where you do specific tasks, like working on projects or gardening. A storage zone is where you keep and organize items, like tools and seasonal decorations.

Here are some more Examples and Ideas:

Functional Zone

Storage Zone

Workshop Area: This area is equipped with workbenches, tools, and storage for DIY projects, repairs, or hobbies such as woodworking or automotive maintenance.
Gardening Station: A designated space for gardening tools, potting soil, pots, and supplies. It may include a work surface for repotting plants or starting seeds.
Fitness or Workout Area: This space is dedicated to exercise equipment such as weights, cardio machines, or yoga mats, providing a convenient spot for staying active.
Crafting Corner: An area for crafting supplies, including tables or desks for working on projects such as sewing, painting, or scrapbooking.
Laundry Zone: If the garage doubles as a laundry area, this zone includes a washer, dryer, and storage for laundry supplies.
Entertainment Area: Some garages may have a designated space for recreational activities such as gaming, watching movies, or playing music.
Pet Station: A space for storing pet supplies such as food, toys, leashes, and grooming tools.
Mudroom Entry: In some homes, the garage serves as a secondary entry point, with storage for shoes, coats, umbrellas, and other outdoor gear to keep the main living areas clean.
Home Office or Study Area: For those who need a quiet workspace, a functional zone in the garage can accommodate a desk, chair, and storage for office supplies.
Hobby Nook: This area is customized to accommodate specific hobbies or interests, such as model building, photography, or collections.

Labeling

Clear labels not only streamline the process of finding what you need but also help maintain organization over time. By clearly marking storage bins, shelves, and containers, you can categorize items effectively and prevent clutter from accumulating. This promotes efficient workflows, reduces frustration, and ensures that everyone in the household can easily locate and return items to their proper places.

Shelving Units: Adjustable or fixed shelves provide vertical storage space for bins, boxes, and smaller items. They can be installed along walls or in alcoves to maximize storage capacity.
Cabinets: Freestanding or wall-mounted cabinets offer enclosed storage for tools, cleaning supplies, automotive fluids, and other items. Cabinets help keep items out of sight and organized.
Pegboards: Pegboards mounted on walls provide a versatile storage solution for hanging tools, gardening equipment, and other items with hooks or pegs. They allow for easy visibility and accessibility of frequently used items.
Overhead Storage Racks: Ceiling-mounted racks or platforms utilize vertical space in the garage to store bulky or seasonal items such as holiday decorations, camping gear, or sporting equipment.
Tool Organizers: Tool organizers, such as tool chests, tool carts, or wall-mounted tool racks, keep hand tools, power tools, and accessories neatly organized and easily accessible.
Storage Bins and Containers: Plastic bins, totes, or containers with lids are ideal for storing seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, camping gear, and other items. Labeling bins help identify contents quickly.
Bike Racks and Hooks: Wall-mounted bike racks or hooks provide efficient storage for bicycles, scooters, and other recreational vehicles, keeping them off the floor and out of the way.
Specialty Storage Solutions: Depending on specific storage needs, homeowners may incorporate specialty storage solutions such as shoe racks, ski racks, kayak hoists, or surfboard racks to accommodate outdoor gear and equipment.
Workbenches with Storage: Workbenches equipped with drawers, shelves, or cabinets offer a dedicated workspace for projects while providing storage for tools, hardware, and project materials.
Garage Organization Systems: Modular storage systems with customizable components, such as Slatwall panels, gridwall systems, or rail-based systems, allow for flexible storage arrangements tailored to individual preferences and needs.

Organize Tips

Keep frequently used items close to your access point in the garage for easy retrieval and convenience.

Depending on your most frequent use, it could be a Tool zone, Cleaning supply zone, Gardening supply zone, etc.

Investing in proper storage supplies is advisable instead of using cardboard, as it offers more durability, protection, and organization for your belongings in the garage.

Garage Project from a Professional Organizer

A professional organizer helps clients declutter, organize, and optimize their garage space. Here is an overview of a project completed and shared by Jamie McPhaul, Owner and CEO at Clutterbug Organizing

@clutterbugorganizing.com San Antonio Area, TX