While the primary purpose of a garage is to store and protect your vehicle, they tend to be a catch all for all kinds of random crap. In one corner, you’ve got a human sized pile of cardboard boxes; in another, a dusty, dilapidated foosball table and in another, latex paints gone bad.

If you’ve read my previous blogs, you can probably guess the first step to almost every organizing project, and this one is no different. If you guessed emptying the space, you’ve guessed correctly. If it isn’t nailed to the ground, get it out of the garage.

GET IT CLEAN

Now that the floor is cleared, give your garage a deep clean. Scrub tough stains with detergent and water and treat rust with lemon juice or vinegar. Sweep leaves and debris and then mop with a warm, soapy concoction.

Concrete floors are best cleaned with a mixture of powdered laundry detergent and warm water (1/3 cup detergent to 1g water), while more stain resistant epoxy floors should only be cleaned with warm water (1/2 cup of ammonia optional).

At this point, you probably have huge stacks and piles of STUFF all over your lawn and driveway. We assure you, it gets worse before it gets better. Take inventory of what you have. Donate what you no longer use, trash what is broken beyond repair and relocate what simply doesn’t belong there.

MAKE A PLAN WITH ZONES

Map out a detailed plan for the zones you wish to create with what remains. Each household will have different zones. Sort your keep pile into categories. Each household will have completely different categories. Possible categories could include: lawn/garden tools, sports balls and equipment, camping and fishing gear, cars (cars count!), bikes or rollerblades and ladders.

In a perfect world, every single item will be off the garage floor and within reach. However, in trying to maximize vertical space, there will be items up high and out of reach. It only makes sense that you zone everyday items (e.g., the blower) down low and tools and equipment used less often (e.g., camping gear) higher up.

CREATIVE STORAGE OPTIONS

Pegboards and slatwalls provide even more customizable storage options. Both are attractive and extremely versatile. You can attach your bicycle to a slat wall— and keep your helmet, water bottle and other cycling accessories nearby. Slatwall has add-on activity organizers for all kinds of interests, even a mesh basket for balls.

If you have or want to add shelving, plastic storage containers are an attractive and efficient way to store your stuff. Whenever possible, buy stackable bins with lids. Larger vinyl labels outside each bin let you know what’s inside and streamline the whole look.

Finally, get creative with storage. Tackle boxes are a great way to store hardware like screws and nails. Magnets can be incredibly helpful for organizing tools and keeping them within reach.

We hope these tips will motivate you to get your gear in order! If you need some professional assistance, Tidier Spaces is always available and eager to help (even on weekends).