Ever notice that as the weather warms up and lawnmowers begin to hum, tag/yard/garage sales signs crop up throughout the neighborhood? Coincidence? As a certified professional organizer, I’d have to say no. For me, there’s a direct correlation between humming mowers and sale signs. Why? Well, in order to get at the lawnmower, you probably need to move the edger, weed-wacker and a myriad of other gardening gadgets out of the way, resulting in what I call a “mega home battle”. Spousal tempers flare over what’s important and what’s never been used.
The average garage is overflowing with unfinished projects, tools, shoes and sporting equipment, and outgrown kid’s toys. Not to mention stuff no one even knew was there.
Most homeowners have a little bit of everything in their garage: inheritance items, exercise equipment, leftover materials from projects. I’ve even seen more than one proverbial kitchen sink.
Hurdling over stuff just to get at what you need doesn’t qualify as a workout, even though you’re sweating just as much! Organizing your home’s final frontier can become a daunting and overwhelming project in and of itself. No surprise, most garages stay that way because “overwhelming” usually wins out. All of a sudden, the task that got you there in the first place seems a lotmore doable!
Why oh why must the garage be deemed the man-cave? More women than men use the garage in the day-to-day function of the home. Remember this important fact, the garage is another room in your home and it should be utilized to its maximum capacity. Currently, I liken the garage to a landfill conveniently attached to our homes. If you’re lucky, you can nudge a car inside, and luckier still to get yourself out of it once it is parked. And families wrestle with this jungle of disorganization day after day after day.
Yes, clutter rules in the garage. But now the air is warming up. Isn’t it time you ruled over it?
Here are three catchy rules of thumb that will help you move beyond the clutter that has littered your garage for far too long.
1. When in doubt, throw it out!: This step is easy! Eliminate clutter-buildup that has overtaken the garage. Broken items, still good but outgrown toys, moldy sports equipment, the baby stroller you haven’t needed for the past 5 years... you know, the stuff that we keep just in case unborn grandchildren come to visit-deserve a
trip to the landfill. For the rest: have a sale or give to charity. In each case, take a deep breath, and get rid of anything that blocks your entry into the home. You know that feeling, every time you come home and pull up the garage….what an energy drainer.
2. If it's on the floor, it's time to store: A basic premise in garage organizing is to free up floor space. But where in the world do you put the lawn mower, wheelbarrow, snow blower, bicycles, and other large items? One option is to erect an enclosed 4' x 8' lean-to shed against the garage. Another is to erect a storage shed in the backyard; but don’t forget to check whether your subdivision is regulated by any covenants or restrictions, or you need to obtain architectural committee approval.
But wait: look up! There are overhead garage storage options that up until a few years ago didn’t exist. These metal grid systems can hold bulky equipment as well as seasonal bins, just type “overhead garage storage systems” in your search engine. There are many new companies to choose from. There is even one for bicycles.
www.saferacks.com
3. Organize to Visualize: If you can see it, you can find it. The easiest method is to create a wall storage solution. Older garages typically came with small unusable shelving and, as creatures of habit; we use what we are given. The problem is, small open shelving makes it all too easy for unlike items to be thrown together. Instead, start by grouping like items together. Then you can figure out if you have adequate shelving for your stuff.
Now that you’ve got a good sense of what you’re keeping, many solutions exist. Hooks, racks, custom-made cabinets, and yes, even the lowly nail counts as a solution. Visit your neighborhood mega home repair store to check out the range of available storage options. Or look online for out-of-the-box ideas at:
www.garagesolutions.com
www.redlinegaragegear.com
www.tailoredliving.com
Before you get carried away, don’t forget that storage requirements change over time. Having the flexibility to lift a hook from a grooved panel makes it easy to change or add items stored on the wall. Cabinets allow you to sort and categorize items used routinely. Sorting is key in a garage. Place lawn and garden items like smaller tools, plant food, and pots in one cabinet. Place automotive products like motor oil, antifreeze, and other lubricants in another cabinet. Do not co-mingle your storage needs
Always plan to simplify, and simplify the plan. Once you’ve identified your storage needs, you can create the shelving, cabinet, and wall-storage system that best fits your family’s needs. Storing items within easy reach and knowing where they go goes a long way towards reducing garage anxiety. Outer space requires rocket
science, but garage space requires no science at all. With a bit of ingenuity, you, you can build fun into creating usable space in your home’s final frontier.
Eileen Koff CPO
www.tothenextlevel.net
631-553-0068
Give yourself the gift of order
Eileen Koff CPO, Professional Organizer of To The Next Level, specializes in family and home organizing on Long Island, NY. Her company was mentioned in Parent’s Magazine on the care of children’s rooms.
Previous Articles By Eileen:
- Preserving Your Children's Past While Building Towards Their Future
- The Morning Crunch Begins the Evening Before
- Green is Not Just a Crayola Color: Teach Your Children Well
- Got Photos? Get Organized!
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Editor's Note: Eileen will be sharing some organizing tips in my newsletter over the next few weeks! I would love to give her some feedback on areas in your home and life that you are struggling with so she can write the articles to fit your needs.
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