Cutting Garage Clutter

Does your garage look like this?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are lucky if they can even fit a car in the garage anymore. Whether you need to get your gardening and lawn care equipment under control or sporting goods are taking over your garage storage space, it’s time to cut clutter the Home Know-It-All way.

Pick a nice, warm day for this project because you’re going to have to haul everything outside. And make certain you have plenty of time—even if your garage is in some semblance of order this could take a few hours. If your garage is a real mess? You better schedule a whole weekend or plan to divide the tasks up over a couple of Saturdays. Trust me, the time spent will be worth it in the end.

Step One. Remove your car(s) from the garage. Evaluate the items that are stored there. Recycle, throw away, or donate anything that’s damaged or that you haven’t used in the last year. (Some items, such as old paint or motor oil, must be disposed of properly. Find out where.)

Step Two. Pull everything—and I mean everything—out of your garage. Sort what you’ve decided to keep into logical piles. (No, tools and golf clubs do not logically belong in the same pile. And get those darn sleeping bags away from your hoses and fertilizer.)

Step Three. Create a storage plan. Begin by dividing your garage into zones based on the piles you created—your garage might include special areas for gardening and lawn care, recycling, automotive, home improvement, general hardware, and sports and recreational equipment. Then identify the best types of storage to keep each of these zones tidy and take measurements so you can figure out exactly what you need.

Copyright 2007 California Closet Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Garage organization systems can be incredibly simple and inexpensive or pricey and complex, depending on your needs. Install a California Closets garage system crafted with the look of brushed aluminum, above, and you may not ever want to leave the garage. Even this simpler ClosetMaid cabinet setup, below, is sleek option with its gray door and drawer fronts.

Photo courtesy of ClosetMaid.com

DIY systems may work just as well, however. The storage items you purchase don’t have to be expensive, but they should be durable. Stain-resistant laminate or plastic finishes, stainless steel, or hardwood treated to withstand humidity and solvents are best.

Build a handy workshop area by pairing ready-to-assemble workbenches with pegboard affixed to the wall for hanging small tools. Affix shelves made from brackets and particleboard to the wall to hold sports equipment and tubs of home and garden supplies. Use heavy-duty hooks to suspend bikes and garden equipment. With the right combination of modular cabinets and shelves, you can quickly turn an open expanse into a multipurpose workstation. And don’t forget to look up—ceiling-mount shelves can help you take full advantage of what might otherwise be wasted space.

One important consideration before we move to step four: It’s important to store hazardous chemicals such as fertilizers, gasoline, oil, paint thinner, and kerosene in locked cabinets out of reach of children.

Step Four. Clean your garage from top to bottom. For pointers on removing oil stains and other messes from the garage floor, see my post on driveway maintenance and repair.

Step Five. Purchase and install the components of your garage organization system and place each item in its new spot. Before you pull your car back into the garage, grab a lawn chair, sit back, and admire your handywork.

Looking for garage inspiration? Take cues from this Martha Stewart Living makeover and you’ll have your garage whipped into shape in no time. This garage is as pretty as it is functional. Oh, and here’s one more for good measure.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Comments

[mortgage loans]

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[PhyllisHOOVER]

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[plaster walls]

Very well said! I've just found your article pretty useful. Giving your reader and clients these step by step ,procedure for home modification, I am absolutely sure that at ease, they'll be able to have not just perfect remodeling but best of complements.

[garage]

http://classyclosets.com/garage.php offer endless ideas for durable and functional storage designs for your home garage. Hope this helps :)

[Closet World]

I like the step by step procedure for organizing the garage. Thanks for sharing.

-Mini

[Jonathan M.]

I was looking for ideas and products to help solve some of my garage organizing problems. Then I stumbled on a website http://www.1stchoicegarage.com and was happy to see they have lots of solutions for your garage. Car lifts, overhead storage, wall organizing products, and the list goes on, and on. I recommend you take a look at this site, and see how they can help you.

Jonathan

[David]

Another great closet company for CT, MA is Designer Closets. http://www.designerclosets.com