How to Declutter Your Garage in 4 easy steps

If you took a peek into Americans’ garages, you’ll often find clutter, not cars. A quarter of homeowners admitted in a 2015 survey to keeping such a chaotic garage that they can’t fit their cars inside. They also say they keep the door shut to keep others from seeing the mess inside. While this might make you feel less alone, it’s no reason not to take action now to make a change.

Imagine having a garage so organized that you could use it for hobbies, storage, and for its intended purpose: parking a car indoors. Armed with a game plan, a few blocks of time, and some dedication, you could be that person who throws open the garage door with pride. Here are the steps you need to declutter your garage.

1. Divide and Conquer

The first step to achieving garage nirvana is separating all the clutter. Give yourself a full weekend dedicated to this task. Don’t look at it as a chore. Get the kids involved and make it a game.

You’ll need to make three piles or have three containers for these categories:

  • Keep
  • Donate or sell.
  • Throw away.

If you have an emotional attachment to things, enlist the help of a friend who can help take an objective look at the items.

As you consider which items will go into which pile, ask yourself, “Have I used this in the past year?” If the answer is “no,” then it should go. Athletic gear for skiing, climbing, or other action sports is probably outdated if you haven’t used it in more than three years. If you’re hanging onto things you might one day use, think of how you could better use the space they’re taking up. If you have duplicates, keep only the best one and toss the repeats.

If you have expensive items you’re holding onto because of how much you spent, put them in the “sell” pile. If you plan to host a yard sale, schedule it now. Invite your neighbors to join in, and donate whatever doesn’t sell. As for the items in your “donate” pile? Don’t wait! Take them to the nearest donation drop off or schedule a pickup now.

2. Manage Toxic Materials

Batteries, old paint, cleaning products, fertilizers, and waste oil all need to be disposed of properly. Don’t pour anything chemical down your drains! Most counties have drop-off locations for toxic items.

3. Organize!

This might take you several days, so give yourself the time you need to do it properly. How well you organize your garage will have a lot of bearing on how well you can keep it organized. So without further ado, here is how to organize garage clutter!

First, determine how much space you need for your car, lawnmower, and other large items, and then plan your storage accordingly. Develop a logical storage system: Break the garage into zones and store categories of things together. Keep automotive items in one area, cleaning products in another, and so forth. If you don’t already have shelving in your garage, install some. Replace cardboard boxes with sturdy, insect- and rodent-proof plastic bins. Label them clearly.

Bicycles and garden tools (shovels, rakes) can hang on a wall. Tuck away rarely used items such as holiday decorations on high shelves. Frequently used items should be within easy reach. The important thing is to designate a space for every item that you’ve decided to keep, preferably off the floor.

4. Keep It Clutter-Free

Once you’ve got your garage in order, you’ll need to develop strong habits for keeping it tidy and clutter-free for the long haul.

Putting things back where they belong reduces clutter, but it also keeps you from buying replacements for tools you already own. Taking care of your mower by properly winterizing each year will stop your garage from turning into a lawnmower graveyard. Keep the floor space clear, and sweep on a regular basis. Whatever you do, don’t just shove things into the garage to put them out of the way.

Having a clean garage will make your life easier. You’ll no longer spend hours searching for things, and you’ll be able to park your car inside when it snows. But remember: Decluttering is an ongoing process. Performing an annual purge of your garage will ensure clutter doesn’t re-accumulate. If you feel calmer just thinking about all the space you could reclaim by clearing out your garage, sit down and make a plan now. Get rid of your garage clutter and proudly throw open your garage doors.

Guest post By Lyle Campbell: Lyle Campbell is a home stager and freelance writer for Wikilawn, He enjoys gardening and home projects and admits to having way too many power tools. Still, he can’t pass a hardware store without looking for the latest gadgets.