How to Organize a Garage in 5 Steps Just in Time for Spring

Understanding how to organize a garage will help you declutter your space just in time for all the warmweather activities around the corner. A day (or two) dedicated to clearing out and organizing your garage can help you take control of clutter so all your tools and gear fit neatly in one place.

Ready to begin your spring cleaning? Explore our garage organization tips to start this season out on a clutter-free foot.

Before You Start: Have a Plan

Many things can happen inside of a garage during the winter season, so your first focus should be to restore order. Experts suggest starting with a goal in mind. Do you need easy access to sports gear, or does your garage need to double as a storage space? Make a list of everything you would like to accomplish. You can even sketch out a rough plan of the final result. Then open the doors, back out your cars, and begin!

Clear the Floor

The first step of garage organization is to give the floor a good once-over with a broom or shop vacuum. Look out for any nails or other small items, oil, or chemical stains and any evidence of furry or winged creatures that may have taken up residence in your garage. Once your workspace is clear, you will be ready to start sorting.

Organize the Garage into Zones

Experts advise homeowners to pull everything out of the space and sort into zones to help you take inventory. A driveway is an ideal place for this. However, if there is not enough room, work on the garage in zones and declutter slowly. You will want to begin by grouping like items with like items. This may include things like car supplies, sports equipment, and tools.

Think of zones like departments in a store, such as the tools section and the garden area. This will help you differentiate where each item "lives." You can think as small or as big as you need to with this zone concept. You should also toss out anything that you know is trash and divide the rest of the items into two categories: keep and donate.

Plan Garage Storage

Once you have everything sorted, assess your garage storage space and begin placing items in their proper homes. Here are a few ways to create more storage space in your garage:

• Utilize vertical space to store bikes and other large items.

• Use what you have or purchase the right products to complete your space.

• Make sure dangerous items — like chemicals and tools — are stored in a locked cabinet, especially if children are in the house.

Keep in mind that you should take stock of the items you plan to store in the garage before buying an organization system. Take a conservative approach and start with some basic organizers, such as shelving, then expand out as you see fit.

Maintain Garage Organization

The last step is to maintain your new setup by tidying up as often as you need to, whether that is seasonally, monthly, or even weekly. Garages are often high-traffic areas, so the more frequently you clean and organize this space, the less time it will take. A good rule of thumb is to reorganize your garage twice per year.

Understanding how to clean a garage will ensure that your space will look its best year-round. Are you looking for a new home that offers ample storage space? Explore and compare Perry Homes’ move-in ready properties in some of Texas’ most desirable communities today.