Last Updated on December 9, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
If your garage is cluttered, you’re not alone. A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders found that the average American garage is cluttered with more than 300 pounds of stuff. But a cluttered garage doesn’t have to be a disaster. With these seven tips, you can turn your cluttered garage into a functional space.
Tips To Turn Your Cluttered Garage Into a Functional Space
Sort through everything and get rid of anything you don’t need
This is probably the most important step in the process, and it can be tough to do. But getting rid of clutter will make it much easier to organize the garage. Be ruthless and get rid of anything you don’t need or use. This might include old furniture, toys, or boxes of random stuff. If you’re not sure whether to keep something or not, ask yourself these questions:
1) Do I use this item regularly?
2) Is this item in good condition?
3) Does this item have a designated place to live?
4) How much space does this item take up?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it’s probably time to get rid of the item.
Install shelving and storage units
If you have a lot of stuff, you need to find a way to store it. Installing shelves for closets is a great way to do that. Visit a custom closet solution provider website or similar sites that sell closets, cabinets, shelves, and other organizing fixtures.
These online sites can provide great organizing ideas and offer products that can fit your current garage setup. Installing shelving and storage units is a great way to store items in an orderly fashion. It will also help you avoid clutter. Not only will it help you organize your space, but it will also make it easier to find what you need.
Create zones for different types of activities
This will help keep things organized and make it easier to find what you need. For example, you could create a storage zone, a parking zone, and a working zone. This will help you stay organized and avoid clutter.
A zoning system tells you and other users of the garage that there are designated areas for specific activities that they want to do in the garage. This is an effective preventive measure against clutter since activities are limited to certain areas. Keeping, storing, and finding items will no longer be a hassle.
You can also use labels to identify each area. Labels are a great way to keep things organized. They can help you clearly identify each area, which will make it easier to keep things tidy. You can use labels for both zones and individual items.
Add a workbench
A workbench is a great addition to any garage. It provides a place to work on projects and store tools and supplies. If you don’t have room for a full-size workbench, you can opt for a portable one that can be easily moved around. A foldable workbench is another space-efficient option you can try if your garage has limited space.
Hang hooks on the walls to store tools and other items
Hooks are a great way to save space. You can use them to hang tools, bikes, or other items. This will free up valuable floor space. Installing a hanging system around your garage allows for easy access to the things you need, and your vehicles can get in and out of the garage without obstruction.
Pegboards are another great way to organize your garage. You can use them to hang tools, supplies, and other items. This will help you keep your garage clutter-free and organized.
Add a garage overhead storage system
Adding an overhead storage system is a great way to get your garage organized and decluttered. These systems are available in a variety of sizes and can be customized to fit your specific needs. They are also very affordable, especially when compared to the cost of renting storage space.
Overhead storage racks are great for storing bulky and heavy items. You can store off-season motorized lawn equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws.
You can also place car roof racks, patio furniture, storage bins, and containers on your overhead rack. While tires should be ideally placed in a separate overhead tire rack, this storage rack can also accommodate tires if you don’t desire a tire rack.
It is also more convenient to store sporting and camping equipment, lawn care and snow removal equipment in this overhead space.
Use storage containers
Storage containers are a great way to organize small items in your garage. Choose containers that are stackable so you can use vertical space efficiently. Stackable bins are another great way to organize your garage.
You can find these bins in a variety of materials, colors, and sizes. They are perfect for storing items such as tools, sports equipment, and holiday decorations. If you have children, choose containers with lids to help keep their toys sorted and off the floor.
Clutter can be overwhelming and stressful, but with these simple tips, you can turn your cluttered garage into a functional space in no time. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to easily access everything that is stored in your garage. Organization is key, so don’t hesitate to get started today!Â
Do These Steps To Turn Your Cluttered Garage Into A Functional Space
Clear Out All of the Junk
The first step to making your cluttered garage into a functional space is to clear out all of the junk. Whether it is broken bicycles, old lawn mowers, or boxes full of stuff you don’t need, you’ll want to pitch it all out. Pulling everything away from the walls and piling it up in an organized fashion will make the next steps much more manageable.
Writing a mission statement for your garage might help! To create a functional space, you need to decide what that actually means. Is it where you’ll work on your car? Is it going to be a storage place? Decide exactly how you want your garage to function before you start moving things around.
Storage Is Your Friend
Next, you’re going to want some shelves. These can be built-in or portable, but having somewhere to put things will make your garage far more functional than it was before. Shelves are also great for showcasing items that you love while making everything else easily accessible. You can even buy containers that are designed to fit into shelves, so it doesn’t take up any extra space.
On the other hand, maybe it’s time to get those functional and practical cabinets that you always wanted. At garagecabinets.com, you can see cabinets that are customized and made to fit your garage. With tons of different colors and options available, you can make your garage into anything you want!
Arrange Everything Efficiently
When you finally start moving things into their designated areas, then it’s time to move everything around until it looks nice. You might need to put your tools in a different place than you used to, or your lawnmower might need an upgrade. You probably also noticed that the items you kept were those that were easy to access and fit into specific spaces – do this and you’ll be able to find everything and use it easily!
Also, try not to make your garage too specialized. You might think it’s a good idea to only keep the old bookshelf in your garage, but if you want everything you own available, then try to mix it up! A few shelves can hold all of those unique items that you’re just dying to show off.
Make Sure There’s Enough Space
A functional space is one that you can use for whatever you want without being cramped or unable to move around. When bringing items into the garage, bring just what you need for now and then purchase more or upgrade as needed. Otherwise, you might find yourself overwhelmed with how much space is available and unable to put everything away.
Try to not cram too many things into one space. You might think that you can fit everything in, but it won’t be very functional if you have to move six different items just to get at something else on the other side of the garage. Again, placing your tools so they’re easy to find is key – don’t waste time looking for things when they should just be readily available!
Don’t Forget About Safety
Safety needs to remain a priority no matter what type of project you’re doing in your garage. Some areas might require special tools while others may need heavy objects moved out of the way. Either way, you need to make sure that you’re safe and that the other people in your home are safe as well. Make sure your garage is free of debris, cords, or anything that could lead to an accident!
Make Your Garage Bigger
If you have a very small space to work with, then you might need to buy some tools that can help! For example, get rid of that old lawnmower and invest in a power tool! Not only will they be easier to use, but they’ll also help you make the most space out of your garage.
You can also add more space by buying the vertical storage shelf that is great for tools and other smaller objects. It can free up so much floor space without compromising on quality or safety! You can paint your garage to make it look different or brighter, as well. And, if you can, consider adding more squares so you have more room to work.
So, these are steps that will turn your cluttered garage into a functional space. First, get some shelves for your garage so you can properly organize everything. Second, start arranging all of your items just how you want them to be easily accessible.
Third, try not to make the garage too specialized and only keep items that are easy to access. Fourth, make sure there is enough space in the garage so you aren’t stuck unable to move around! Lastly, don’t forget about safety when doing projects in the garage!
References:
- Hgtv. (2023, September 18). 50 ways to declutter your house. HGTV. https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/stop-household-clutter-15-things-to-get-rid-of-right-now-pictures
- Inspired Closets | Garage | Library. (n.d.). Inspired Closets. https://www.inspiredclosets.com/learning-center/custom-garage-storage/
- Cahn, M. (2023, March 10). 9 tips that will make spring cleaning your garage a breeze. Martha Stewart. https://www.marthastewart.com/1526223/spring-clean-organize-your-garage
- Taylor, M. F. a. G. (2022, March 10). 15 things never to keep in your garage. Bob Vila. https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-things-never-to-keep-in-your-garage-51014