As you're tripping over paint
cans and bumping into rusty sleds, you may not realize that your basement or
garage are the most functional spaces in the house. After all, what other
rooms can serve as workshop, potting shed, storage locker, recycling a plant,
and carport all at once? But versatility sadly, inevitably leads to chaos (and those
50 feet of bright orange indoor-outdoor extension cord) always takes longer
than creating it. You can, however, cut the job down to size: Clean out one
area at a time instead of tackling the whole mess at once. Do what you can
when you can. You don't need to devote an entire weekend to the project. When
you have an hour, sort a couple of shelves or two boxes of old clothes. When
you have a day, sort a whole wall.
1. Arm Yourself
Organizing a garage is a messy, time-consuming job. And if you're doing it
right, you'll end up with a lot of things to throw away, give away, and get
repaired. Before plunging in, gather heavy-duty 33-gallon plastic garbage
bags, 6 to 10 large cardboard boxes (but not so large that you won't be able
to move them when they're full), a marking pen to label boxes, a roll of
packing tape to seal boxes, a box cutter to cut down any old boxes you empty
as you organize, and a ball of twine to tie up newspapers, magazines, and
cut-down boxes.
Pick a corner for sorting and then line up three boxes (first reinforce the
bottoms with packing tape). Label one GIVEAWAY, one REPAIR, and one NOT SURE.
Set up a trash bag for the things you're going to throw away.
Start pulling out items one at a time.
Put items that are in working order (and not being thrown out or given away)
on the floor in the center of the garage. As these items start to accumulate,
sort them into piles. For instance, all the tools in one pile, garden
equipment in another, sports equipment in another. Eventually, you'll create a
separate storage area for each of these piles.
Fill the "not sure" box as you go. But remember that you'll have to decide
what to do with everything sooner rather than later.
As boxes and trash bags fill
up, seal them and take them out of the garage so you have more room to work.
(Cover with tarps if you have to.) If you have things stored in the rafters,
sort them last.
Though there's no telling how long sorting and purging will take, it will be
easier and go faster if you concentrate on one small area at a time and sort
it completely before moving on
Purge One More Time. After you sort, you'll be left with a number of piles in
the center of your garage. They'll reflect your lifestyle, interests, and
hobbies.
5. Look through each pile. What you find may surprise you. Did you know you
had six tennis rackets? Maybe one or two of those should go in a give-away
box. The more things you get rid of, the fewer you'll have to put back.
Up to the attick
Use attic space for things
that you probably won't need anytime soon and that don't need preserving
like those tax documents you have to keep for at least six years.
Stash away things your kids have outgrown baby clothes, beanbag chairs but
will want back someday.
Luggage and the folding chairs and table you bring out once a year will be
safe in the attic as well
Storage Products
Though you may be tempted to buy storage products early on in the process
(after all, it's the fun part), don't. It's impossible to gauge what you'll
need until you figure out exactly what you're going to store and where you're
going to store it. Look at your piles carefully and then decide how many
boxes, shelves, and hooks you'll need.
In general, plan to store things you use regularly, like cleaning
products, closest to the door to the house. Store items you use outside, like
garden equipment, closest to the garage door.
After you've figured out which pile is going where, you'll need to determine
just how you're going to store things. Items you use regularly, like oversize
pots and pans, bulk groceries, and craft supplies, are best kept on
open shelves.
Closed-door storage is best for
hazardous items such as cleaning supplies and solvents, particularly if you
have children. Hand tools and garden equipment can be hung from
wall-mounted hooks or racks, as
can sports equipment such as Boogie boards and skis. Not only are things easy
to see when they're hung high but you'll also free up floor space for parking.
Relegate those things you use once a year or less frequently Christmas
decorations, old yearbooks to
overhead rafters or the uppermost reaches of shelves.
A Modular Resin Storage System
is an excellent, affordable alternative to expensive built-in cabinetry for
your garage or utility room! Combines convenience and practicality with style
and durability to give you a maintenance-free, versatile group of cabinets
that adjusts to your storage needs
Make the most of minimal
space by creating with a Box
Warehouse. Large storage bins can slide in and out with ease taking up
very little space. Make sure to put lighter items in upper buckets.
Transparent
plastic boxes and bins are ideal for small items like sewing and crafts
supplies because you can see what's stored inside.
Keep airtight bulk food
items, batteries, and
lightbulbs near the entrance for quick retrieval.
Hang tools on a pegboard, and
put seasonal small appliances on shelves.
Label out-of-season clothing and holiday decorations clearly so they won't be
forgotten.
Store sporting goods, gardening equipment, and lawn furniture in the garage so
you don't have to worry about bringing mud or bugs indoors.
Gasoline and anything else that's flammable (a kerosene space heater, a
camping lantern, turpentine or other solvents) should also go in the garage
ideally in a metal storage unit.
Don't put these items in the basement, a dangerous location because it's near
the furnace and the main living areas.
If your garage gets cold, keep cans of paint in the basement instead (at least
10 feet away from your hot-water heater and furnace).
Wall storage of bicycles is a
convenient solution if you are tired of tripping over bicycles, The bicycle
storage racks can often accommodate more than one bike (of different styles)
while providing additional storage for sport items on additional shelves. If
mounting is not desired try a free standing bike rack. While still space
saving there is no drilling into walls
Ceiling mounted shelving units
enable you to conveniently store heavy and bulky items. You can easily store
patio furniture, pool supplies, canoes, camping gear and many other seasonal
itemsout of the way.
Stand-alone covered storage units
secured to beams of your home, offers enough room to house a variety of items
including boxes, plastic storage totes, clothing, luggage, books, holiday
items, collectibles and much more. Youll no longer have to worry about dust,
spiders and mildew!
End the hassle of storing unwieldy lawn and garden tools with a
garden tool rack. It's a great
place for long handled tools and up to 100' of hose (or perhaps an extension
cord.) The garden tool rack even has a removable basket for carrying vital
tools and small items right out to the garden
Safely store your outdoor accessories off of the floor and out of the way with
an overhead garage storage
system. Store file boxes, outdoor furniture, lawn mowers, big tools,
snow throwers, holiday ornaments, tires, third row car seats and just about
anything else you can imagine on the ceiling while keeping your feet firmly
planted on the ground. A suspended storage rack is easy to raise when fully
loaded.
Short on space? Then you will love this patented
space-saving retractable workbench.
It adds additional work space when you need it .and additional floor space
when you dont
After you've neatly stowed the contents of all your piles in your new storage
areas, the dirty work, thankfully, is done
Donate and Dispose
The pile of trash bags and giveaway boxes may look alarming, but a few phone
calls and a few trips to the dump should dispatch it all.
For trash: Put out regular trash bags with your weekly garbage pickup. If you
have too much for one pickup, divide it over a couple of weeks. You'll have to
make special arrangements for large items, like furniture, as well as for
hazardous waste, like motor oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, and car
batteries. Call your local sanitation department or your local office of solid
waste and recycling for information
For donations: The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org) and Goodwill (www.goodwill.org)
accept many types of goods and in a lot of areas will pick up donations.
Tie Up the Loose Ends
Revisit your "not sure" boxes. With a clear head and a clean garage, you may
feel less nostalgic about those old Legos. If so, send them to the curb.
Otherwise, label the boxes and stow them in the appropriate storage area.
