Using your garage as a gym or workspace is something a lot of people practice.
However, excessive use eventually leads to a lot of unwanted stuff gathering in your garage. Clearing out your garage and organizing it ensures you can use the space efficiently.
Therefore, this article is dedicated solely to providing storage tips and a cleaning checklist. It will help you conduct your spring cleaning efficiently.
Table of Contents
1. Coming Up With A Game Plan
Before anything else, you need first to organize your plan on paper. Start with checking the total garage space you have. Take measurements to prevent buying items that won’t fit your garage’s dimensions. Divide your stuff into items you want to keep and those to be thrown into the attic or some other storage facility.
It is preferable to spend at least an entire day on an organization. This way, you can thoroughly go through all the garage clutter and not miss anything.
2. Categorizing All The Items
It will be easier to sort and store stuff if you organize them into categories. The following is an example:
- Decor
- Sporting gear
- Camping gear
- Recycling
- Tools
Temperature-sensitive items such as paint or luggage are better stored elsewhere. Once categorized, it is easy to decide where to store items in a particular category. This step also makes it easier to find specific items whenever you need them in the future.
3. Collecting Organized Materials
Once you’ve divided all items into categories, you will need adequate storage materials. The following are some organizational items you can use:
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Stackable bins
You can store anything in these huge bins, from recreational equipment to recyclables. You can stack them up on top of each other to save space.
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Clear jars
These can store small items like tools, pens, etc. You can see easily through the transparent glass to find what you’re looking for.
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Lockable cabinet
If you have any materials you want to keep out of your children’s reach, a lockable cabinet is a perfect solution.
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Label maker
Once stored, it can sometimes get challenging to locate specific materials. Labeling storage containers solves that issue.
4. Covering The Floor With A Coat Of Epoxy
Cleaning the garage space might reveal the bland-looking concrete slabs below. There might even be stains and scuffs from recent projects. A coat of epoxy makes your floor oil-resistant and easy to clean, no matter how messy your work is.
Epoxy also gives your garage a comfortable and attractive appearance.
5. Sealing Air And Water Leaks
Pests, rodents, and rainwater can invade your garage in the presence of gaps or leaks. Attaching a rubberized strip to your floor where the garage door closes can help seal one of these gaps.
As for air gaps, they allow cold and warm air to move freely, making it difficult to maintain internal temperatures. The resultant humidity can damage both the interior of the garage and the items stored within it.
6. Installing Vertical Shelving Units
Vertical shelves are easy to install and can be done by the homeowner. They help utilize the available space efficiently. You can find various systems depending on the weight you want to store.
You can even place store bins, tools, sports gear, etc., on them. This gives you easy access to whatever item you’re looking for.
7. Utilizing Cabinets And Overhead Storage
You can store items to be used at a later date in storage cabinets. They often come with locks, too, making them children-proof.
The overhead space often goes unutilized. It can be used to store items like ladders or seasonal tools. While doing so, ensure that you leave enough space for your garage door to open as it usually does.
8. Construct A Workbench
For those of you who use your garage as a workspace, you should have a workbench. It allows you to create a space designated for your projects.
Adding wheels can make your workbench portable. This allows you to move it around wherever you want. You can even use shelves and hooks to store or hang your tools.
9. Investing In Garage Door And Window Locks
Garages are a common entry point for robbers. Leaving it open or unprotected can make it vulnerable to break-ins. What’s the point of organizing all your stuff if it gets stolen?
You should invest in a high-quality security system for your garage door. Perhaps you can buy a Smart Door Opener that automatically locks the door when it closes.
You should install locks for windows in your garage to prevent burglars from entering.
10. Planning For The Future
When Organizing Your Garage, you would want to plan. If you’re planning on buying seasonal items, you must leave space for them too.
This can be done by buying storage containers ahead of time. Even if they are unused now, they will come in handy in the future.
Bottom Line
Is your garage overloaded with items too? Are you looking for ways to help you organize your garage space? These tips will help you in your quest, and by the time you finish it, you will have a wise plan.
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