Is your garage a dumping ground? We have some great tips to help you!
Make a plan and make it fun(ish!)
Be realistic about your commitment and energy levels. Are you going to take everything out and pile it in the driveway to sort through or will you tackle a section at a time?
To help you stay on task, distract yourself by listening to music or a podcast. Or even better, get the family involved and give them specific jobs to do.
Get rid of everything you don’t use
Let’s face it, a lot of the stuff cluttering your garage is junk. Sort into keep, donate or give away, sell and rubbish. Remember, if you don’t need it, want it, or use it regularly, it’s got to go. A word of warning: getting rid of your partner’s stuff will start WWIII. Be a peacekeeper and check with them first!
- Have a garage sale or list things on Facebook Marketplace or Trade Me. Don’t lose momentum, give away or donate anything that doesn't sell quickly.
- Donate gently used things to a charity like Hospice or Red Cross.
- Put a ‘curb alert’ on your local Facebook community group, then put your unwanted stuff on the curb. You’ll be surprised at what people take when it's free!
- Hire a skip, book an inorganic collection or take a carload of rubbish to the tip.
Divide the garage into zones
Now you’ve culled your belongings, it’s time to organise what you’ve decided to keep. Creating zones will make it easier to stay organised and you’ll know where to look for specific items. Group like things together and create areas to store tools, garden equipment, sports gear, camping equipment and more.
Is your laundry in the garage? Follow our tips to make your laundry zone stylish functional and versatile!
Consider your storage systems
So, what will go where and how will you store them? Make anything you use frequently easy to access. Items you don’t use very often can be stored up high or towards the back. Storage solutions like shelving, cabinets and pegboards will help you create more space and keep things off the floor. Label all boxes and containers, even clear ones, to help the whole family find things and put them away in the right place.
Now, it’s all about maintenance!
Once you’ve organised your garage, you’ll feel fantastic. The trick is to maintain it. Put things back in their zone, don’t dump things that just need to go and make sure your family does the same. Decluttering and reorganising your garage once or twice a year will help it stay in great shape.
