Quick tips for garage organization and storage.

1. Move

Thoroughly clean out the garage and move it to the driveway or patio. Review each item and decide when was the last time you used it. It’s a good idea to organize your items into 3 groups at this point. Frequently used items should be quickly accessible in the garage in low storage, items you use occasionally should be stored higher up and out of the way, and items you haven’t used in over a year get rid of.

2. MAKE A PLAN

Your garage is an expensive room, but most people don’t treat it that way. If you treat it like any other room in the house, it’s worth making a plan. Just like you would with your kitchen or bonus room, take measurements and write your plan down on paper.

3. CATEGORIZE

Decide what items you store in the garage but use around the house. Keep those items near the front door of the house. Large items like a lawn mower, pressure washer, or snow blower should be stored under a shelf so they don’t take up as much space. Storing them in the corner is a waste of space and also makes keeping the floor clean much more difficult. Remove string trimmers, brushcutter, shovels, and rakes from the ground and place them in a storage system. There are many systems available to help store these items.

4. GARAGE CABINETS, SHELVES AND CONTAINERS

Ideally, everything should be stored off the ground. Keeping things in a cabinet, on a garage shelf, or in a bin not only allows you to get them off the floor, but also keeps them clean. Not only does it keep your items clean, but it also makes keeping your floor clean a breeze. Shelving is ideal for items you need to grab quickly or when your hands are full.

5. SAFETY TEST

Chances are your garage contains hazardous materials such as fertilizers, pesticides, and paint. Keep them up high and out of reach or lock them in a garage cabinet. It’s also a good idea to store your sharp gardening tools and chainsaw in a locked cabinet or high on a garage shelf. The one item that should never be missing is a fire extinguisher. Chances are your garage has a lot of flammable items, so make sure you’re covered if a fire starts.

bill garvin