Decluttering
Decluttering a garage is a lot like decluttering a storage unit, so let’s go over the basics here.
This step is about getting rid of things you don’t need. Go through your garage, one section at a time, and sort through the items. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of. This can be stressful.
If something is in great shape and you think it will be easy to sell, put it up on OfferUp, eBay, or Craigslist. Donate items in gently used condition to charity, like thrift stores, recycle what you can, and throw out the rest. Don’t let this stuff linger at your home for long, or it will just keep taking up space and contributing to clutter.
Put the Rest Away
You’ll now have things you want to keep. Put things susceptible to weather-related damage in appropriate parts of your home, including closets. You can put some, like off-season clothes or sports equipment, or things you need sometimes but not all the time, in a self storage unit.
Clean the Garage
With all the stuff taken care of, it’s time to clean the garage as you would any other room. Sweep the floor, dust, and clean stains and old spills. Open the garage door wide if the weather is pleasant to get a breeze going through.
What to Keep in Your Garage
Things that do well in a garage include your tool kit, yard tools, your vacuum cleaner, your lawn mower, sealed paint buckets, lawn furniture, and automotive items. Oh yes, it’s a great place to park your car, too.
Using Vertical Space
Rather than setting all this stuff on the floor along the walls, add some shelving. That will provide a lot of vertical space for your tools and so on. Peg boards can also work well. They’re excellent for hanging yard tools like awls and shovels.
Reclaimed Space
Congratulations! With this all done, you’ll have reclaimed a lot of space and can now park your car in your garage. It’s nice, getting out of your vehicle in the garage, especially on a snowy, rainy, or especially hot day. You’ll have less distance to carry groceries and whatever else you bring home, too. Sweep and dust every week or two to keep the room nice.
Another Note on Self Storage
If you’re reluctant to rent a self storage unit for extra stuff, think of it this way. Self storage rents for less per square foot than residential space. If you rent, or even if you’re paying a mortgage, you’re probably paying more per month for that garage than you would be for a storage unit.
