Garage Organization - 5 Steps to Get Organized

Despite garages being one of the most used spaces in homes, they are also commonly the most cluttered.

A survey conducted by Stanley Black & Decker found that 62% of homeowners named the garage as their home’s most disorganized area.

Even though it's April, many garages still have the remnants of Christmas strewn about as there is no logical system put in place to keep holiday ornaments organized. Also, the kids have likely been digging out their bikes and outdoor toys now that the weather has warmed up which only compounds the chaos.

People also feel embarrassed that they're so disorganized that they shy away from leaving their garage doors open for any amount of time.

Many homeowners would love to enjoy the benefits of parking in their garage. One benefit to parking inside is that your vehicle is more secure from theft or vandalism. Your personal safety is another great reason to move inside. The vehicle's exterior is also protected from UV exposure, bird droppings, and tree sap. My favourite is that you can avoid looking like a drowned rat when it's raining cats and dogs and you're unloading your groceries!

 1. Start with a Plan

Start your garage organizing project with a plan! Ask yourself how you would like the space to function. Would you like to park your car inside? Do you want the space to function as a workshop as well? Are you an avid outdoors person with a bunch of camping or fishing gear? Should you have an area for your children's outdoor toys that's easily accessible? Do you need an area to store back stock from those Costco runs?
 
It's a great idea to get some graph paper and sketch out the space. Measure the space and transfer the measurements to your graph paper. Take note as to where the plugs and switches are. Also, note the location of the electrical panel as you'll want to keep that area unobstructed. Be sure to plot the location of any windows or heaters as well.

Now it's time to create "zones". Zones are macro categories meant to keep like items together.
 
Here are seven zones to help you organize your garage:

• Transition Zone - coats and footwear, pet leashes...
  
• Sports & Recreation Zone: bikes, camping gear, outdoor toys...
  
• Home Improvement Zone: tools, hardware, painting supplies...
  
• House & Home: seasonal decor, toy rotation bins, seasonal clothes...
  
• Automotive Zone: car detailing supplies, motor oil...
  
• Lawn & Garden Zone: lawn mower, trimmer, hoses, fertilizer...
  
• Recycling & Garbage Zone
  

Don't forget that part of the plan includes purchasing cardboard boxes for donations and sorting items, heavy duty garbage bags for trash and cleaning supplies to freshen up your garage.

 2. Edit

As with any organizing project, it's crucial to go through your belongings.
I recommend that you create an area in your garage (if you can find any room) or perhaps haul stuff out onto the driveway if it's a warm spring day and start sorting through things and group items into the following categories:

• Things to Keep
  
• Items to Donate or Sell
• Stuff to Throw Away

As you sort things, you can begin to categorize the items you are deciding to keep into broad categories at this point. Use your "zones" as a guide.

If you have some items that you can monetize, then by all means go ahead and turn them into cash! They can help offset the purchase of some new bins or much needed shelving. Some great options for selling your unwanted items include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay or even your local Facebook Garage Sale group.

Finally, the time has come for you to let go of things that no longer have value to you or anyone else. This is the stuff we can label trash! We can place it in the trash bin, take it to the dump or hire a junk removal company to dispose of it. However you decide to get rid of it the important thing is that the junk must leave the premises!

 3. Categorize

An essential step in garage organization is to sort items into well-defined categories. By systematically categorizing items in your garage, you not only make the space more orderly but efficient as well, as you will save time when looking for specific items. This methodical approach ensures everything has a designated place, making maintenance straightforward.

Here's how to effectively categorize items in your garage:

Once you have removed the trash, identified the items that you would like to sell or donate, you will be left with the items that you would like to keep.
Using your "zones" from Step 1, you can then create sub-categories and start containerizing things. For tools, this might mean separating hand tools, power tools, and hardware. For sports equipment, differentiate between items used in different sports or activities—like cycling gear separate from fishing gear. 
You get the idea.

Once you see what items you actually want to keep you'll have a better idea of which storage solution will work best. This is the reason why I recommend waiting until you've had a chance to declutter and group things into categories before purchasing a bunch of storage items. If you're great at returning purchases that you end up not needing then go ahead and buy some bins to get you started. Just don't go crazy! You don't want to add clutter to your space.

 4. Choose Effective Storage Solutions

Investing in the right storage solutions is crucial for maintaining a functional and organized garage. Quality storage systems such as shelving units, cabinets, and overhead bins help to maximize space, reduce clutter, and improve accessibility. By choosing durable, tailored options that fit the specific dimensions and demands of your garage, you can ensure that every item has a designated spot, making it easier to locate tools, sporting equipment, and other essentials.

Garage shelving and storage totes are essential for maximizing storage and maintaining order in a space often susceptible to clutter. Shelving units enable vertical storage solutions, making use of the garage's height to keep the floor space clear for vehicles and activities. Bins work hand-in-hand with shelves, providing a way to group similar items together, protect them from dust and pests, and can be labelled for quick identification. Decide whether you prefer see thru bins or if you prefer to hide your stuff. Opt for sturdy, adjustable shelving that can handle heavy items and choose bins that stack securely and are made of durable materials to withstand the garage environment. Together, these tools dramatically improve the functionality and organization of any garage.

Don't forget that proper storage solutions also safeguard your belongings from damage and wear, which can be caused by poor organization or exposure to garage environmental conditions like dampness and temperature fluctuations. Ultimately, selecting the right storage options enhances the efficiency of your space, making daily routines smoother and transforming your garage into a versatile area that extends beyond mere vehicle storage.

Stacking open bins are a fantastic organizational tool for garages, bringing both visibility and order to common clutter zones. These bins are perfect for categorizing and storing a variety of items like gardening supplies, kids outdoor toys and automotive accessories. The open-top design allows for easy access, letting you quickly grab what you need without rummaging through closed containers. By stacking these bins, you maximize vertical space and can create a flexible, scalable storage solution that adjusts to your changing needs.

Color-coding or labelling the bins can further enhance organization, making it simple to maintain a tidy garage where every item is effortlessly found.

The Rubbermaid Fast Track is one of the most versatile track systems on the market today. It's an innovative solution for transforming your garage into a neatly organized and efficient space.

This modular rail-based system allows you to easily hang and reposition hooks, shelves, and bins, catering specifically to the needs of your garage's layout and storage requirements. The strength and versatility of the Fast Track system makes it ideal for holding everything from large power tools and ladders to sports equipment and garden tools. You can even get bike hooks that fit the rail, as well as a ball holder which is super handy if you have kids!

Its simple installation process means you can set up a robust storage system quickly, and its adjustable nature lets you reorganize as often as necessary without hassle. By utilizing the Fast Track system, you not only optimize your garage space but also ensure that every item is securely stored and readily accessible, making it a practical choice for anyone looking to up their garage organization game.

The Bag Buddy is a must have for every recycling zone.
If you recycle a lot of cans then you might want to get yourself a Bag Buddy bag holder. This is an ingenious tool that simplifies the process of recycling your beverage containers. This sturdy frame holds the bag upright and open, making it easy to toss recyclable cans in without the bag slipping or collapsing. Once the bag is full just close it up and take it to your local  Recycle Depot. This is a great way to keep empty cans from rolling around in the garage and once the bag is full it's easy to take it away. The Bag Buddy is lightweight and portable. Who knows you might even use it to hold the bag open when you're raking leaves this fall!

The Steady Rack bike rack is a standout choice for efficiently organizing bicycles in a garage, offering a sleek, space-saving solution that accommodates bikes of various sizes and styles. Unlike traditional racks that require lifting, the Steady Rack allows you to simply roll the bike onto its rear wheel and guide it into the rack at a slight angle, which is especially beneficial for those wanting to minimize strain or manage heavy bikes. This unique pivoting feature means that bikes can be swiveled closer to the wall, maximizing the use of available space.

The Steady Rack is not only practical but also protects your bikes from scratches and dings often caused by overcrowding. By installing multiple racks, you can create a clean, accessible, and scalable storage system that keeps your garage organized and your bikes in pristine condition.

A ceiling storage rack is an excellent way to leverage the often underutilized ceiling space if you have high ceilings in your garage.
Overhead racks are ideal for storing seasonal items, holiday decorations, patio cushions, camping gear, and other infrequently used belongings. These racks are typically made from heavy-duty materials capable of supporting significant weight, ensuring a safe and secure storage solution. By elevating items overhead, you not only make efficient use of your garage's vertical space but also keep lesser-used items out of the way, yet easily accessible when needed.

This method of storage not only organizes and frees up space but also protects your items from potential water damage or pest damage from being on the garage floor.

A pegboard is an excellent strategy for organizing small tools and keeping them easily accessible. By mounting a pegboard, you create a highly customizable storage space where each tool can have a designated spot. Various hooks can be attached to the pegboard to hold everything from screwdrivers to pliers and hammers to tape measures. Small hardware bins can also be added to organize an assortment of screws, nails and other fasteners.

This setup not only prevents the clutter of hand tools in drawers or toolboxes but also visually displays your tools in a neat arrangement, making it simple to spot and retrieve exactly what you need. The clear organization reduces the time spent searching for tools, streamlining any project and maintaining a clean and orderly garage environment.

 5. Label Everything to Maintain Organization

Once everything is categorized and contained, it's time to label!

The final step of adding labels in a garage is essential to maintaining an organized and efficient workspace. Labels act as visual cues that guide the organizational system, ensuring that every family member or user knows exactly where an item belongs and where to return an item. This helps promote adherence to the organizational system that you've worked so hard at creating. No sense in going through all the effort and then having the system fall apart because you didn't do the final step.
 
A well-labelled garage enhances the usability of the space, making it more inviting and functional for all types of activities.

I hope these steps have helped to break down the garage organization process into more manageable steps and inspired you to get started. It takes time, effort, and a solid plan, but once you put a great system in place, it will work for you for years and years to come!