CAR CAPACITY
STEPS TO A MORE ORGANIZED, FUNCTIONAL GARAGE
Homeowners who park in their driveways may feel that their garages have become crowded, cluttered spaces in which searching for tools can feel like scouring a haystack in search of a needle. Organizing the garage can create extra room in a home while affording homeowners the chance to protect their vehicles from the elements.
Homeowners who want to turn their garages into something more than cluttered storage areas can employ the following strategies to transform these largely overlooked areas into more valuable spaces.
Choose the right day.
Garages tend to be separate from the rest of the homes they’re a part of, meaning the only way to organize a garage is to first remove all the items from the garage and put them in the driveway during the project. Because items removed from the garage will be exposed to the elements, homeowners should choose a day that’s temperate and sunny to clean their garages.
If possible, homeowners should opt to organize their garages in late spring, summer or early fall, when there are additional hours of daylight. This protects homeowners from having to work in the dark should the job take longer than they initially anticipated.
Get rid of unused items.
One of the foremost causes of garage clutter is simply an abundance of items. By paring down their unused goods, homeowners can be well on their way to a clear garage.
“If you can go through three years and three different changes of seasons without needing it, then you probably don’t need it,” said Matt Teer of Central Arkansas Storage Systems in Greenbrier.
Duplicate items are some of the main culprits behind cluttered garages. As garages gradually become more cluttered, homeowners may buy tools they already have simply because they cannot find their original tools. When organizing the garage, create separate piles for duplicate tools, placing still-useful items in a pile that can be donated to neighbors, local charities or organizations, and another pile for old tools that are no longer useful.
Homeowners who want to organize their garages and make a buck at the same time can host garage sales. Make only those items that are still functional available for purchase, and let neighbors and bargain hunters do the bulk of your organization work for you.
Utilize storage systems.
Mini-storage rentals and backyard storage buildings can help transform garages
from cluttered storage areas into functional spaces. Off-site storage systems are great for storing seasonal items that will only need to be collected once a year, Teer said, and individuals who rent their homes or have limited outdoor space may also benefit from off-site storage. However, if space is available and stored items are used frequently, an on-site storage building may be ideal.
“The best thing to do nowadays, especially with everyone’s phone having a camera on it, is to take pictures of the stuff in your unit,” he said. “That way, if you think you remember having something, you can just scroll through the pictures real quick, find it and find out [where it is].”
Designate areas of the garage for certain items.
Once the items that won’t be going back into the garage have been sold, donated, discarded or stored elsewhere, organize the garage by designating areas for certain items. Be sure to separate items that can pose safety risks. For example, store kids’ bicycles and outdoor toys in a corner of the garage that is opposite the corner where potentially dangerous items — such as power tools and gas cans — will be stored. Keep the center of the garage open for vehicles.
Using the right organizational tools can help keep items visible and intact during storage.
“The more shelves the better,” Teer said. “One of the best things they ever invented was the plastic tote box.” Cardboard boxes may get wet or expose items to pests, he said, but plastic, sealable boxes can help keep items in peak condition while in storage.
Periodically park cars in the garage.
Homeowners who are comfortable parking their vehicles in their driveways can improve their chances of maintaining organized garages over the long haul by periodically parking in the garage. Doing so not only prevents the gradual buildup of clutter that can slowly take over the garage, but it also protects homeowners’ automotive investments. Finding the time to organize is the biggest challenge to reducing clutter, Teer said, but maintaining an organized garage can be worth the effort.
“Make the time,” he said. “It makes life so much easier when you know where your stuff is.”