Organized Home: Clearing Spaces in the Garage

Photo by @kelvyn on Unsplash

As much as possible, you want to take care of your car. It is not only a huge investment, but it also requires you to spend a few bucks on repairs. If you wish to avoid cashing out, you should practice extra care by parking it in the garage. But before you leave it there, you must first organize the place. You might end up damaging your vehicle instead of maintaining its state.

Like other rooms in your home, your garage is also worth your attention. Remember, it's not only the place where you dump your supplies, your pet's worn bed or a bunch of power tools. It's also the haven of your car. Thus, it's a must to keep the area clean and organized to avoid accidents and clutter. To do that, you can follow this step-by-step instruction for your home at The Courtyards Vermosa.

1. Set a day for purging items

You should dedicate a day for going through all of the things in the garage. You can quickly get the job done when you focus all your attention towards what you are doing. When deciding when to declutter, you must be sure to include everyone in the family. That way, everyone is hands-on with clearing the space. It gets the job done swiftly compared to when you have to do it by yourself.

2. Check everything

Don't leave anything behind. Go over boxes, plastic bins, and other storage solutions you came up with since you moved into your home. You might find several items you can still use and put up in the rooms. There's a chance you kept a family heirloom and forgot about it because it got under a pile of junk you accumulated over the years. You can find a lot of useful things when you go through all your stuff.

3. Group your items into three piles

Separate your things into three groups - keep, donate or sell, and throw away. You can get a huge box or lay your items on top of tarps. You can also separate areas of your driveway with chalk. Broken pieces beyond repair expired chemicals, and things you haven't used in a year or two are examples of what to include in your toss pile. If you're finding it hard to let go of some items, then you should snap a photo for keepsake.

4. Have separate containers for the things you would keep

After getting rid of the stuff you no longer need, you now have the things you might use daily. These can include sports equipment and hand tools. Place them in boxes and clear containers with labels.

5. Donate or schedule a yard sale

You should let go of the items in your donate and sell pile as soon as you are able. Look for friends and relatives who are looking for the same tools and supplies that you have. You can give the rest to charities and other groups who might need the same items. Meanwhile, you can sell those items that are still in excellent condition. Let your neighbors know you are having a yard sale. You can also post photos of the stuff you have online to attract more buyers.

6. Find proper storage for these items

Do not place paint in extreme cold or heat. It's best to keep them in temperate areas. Propane is highly sensitive. A spark could ignite the fumes that is why it is best to put it outdoors. On the other hand, stacks or paper and supplies made of paper such as plates and cups attract roaches and other bugs. To be safe, you should move them in the pantry and file papers in your study. Lastly, possums, critters and other animals can sniff out your pet's food. You should keep them in a sealed container.

7. Make your place fireproof

Besides tools, it's likely you will store gas and other flammable items in the garage. Ensure your safety by anchoring a five to ten-pound extinguisher with an ABC rating. The extinguisher must be effective against wood, oil, and electrical fires. Also, it's best to have a carbon monoxide detector and a U.L.-listed motor along with an auto-stop feature on the garage door. It prevents the entry from closing in case your child or pet is underneath.

8. Prepare a floor plan

Take the dimensions of your garage and note the size and location of windows, doors, and switches. You should also measure how much space your car takes up. Knowing exact measurements and location of what's in the room helps you find a home for all of your things. It also a way to come up with ideas of what storage solutions to apply and where to place them.

9. Establish rules for keeping items

Store items that you use together. For example, gardening tools, fertilizers, and lawn chemicals should be on the same shelf or container. Bulky equipment must be in a corner that far from your car. That way, you won't bump or knock them over. Bikes and other things you usually use must be near the garage door while those you only need once or twice a month can be in hard-to-reach spots.


These are the basics of keeping your garage organized. A neat and tidy garage allows you to park your car in peace. Most of all, it provides ample workspace whenever you have to bring your vehicle for a wash.