Which Room in Your Home Has Become Your Clutter Storage Unit?

For many people clutter takes over their garage. Per a Sparefoot study 47% of Americans admitted that there have been times they couldn’t park in their garage – because it’s full. But the same study showed that “on average, Americans have 3 areas in their homes, that have become storage units.” Some families may have guest bedroom where it’s easy to hide clutter that has been relocated from more public spaces. Others may have an office that has been over-run with paper and uncompleted projects. You may have a dining room which has turned into a staging area for projects and product returns.

When we can no longer use a room for its intended purpose, it’s time to ask: “Is this space working? How do I really want to use this room?”

Garage Organizing, home organizing

Summer Home Improvements: The Garage

Summer has finally arrived and with it a slew of home improvement projects. One area of the home that quickly falls into disrepair is the garage. Creating a functional and organized garage storage plan saves time, money and energy in the long-run. Knowing exactly what and where items are in the garage helps homeowners avoid buying duplicates of items already stored in the garage. Learn how to upgrade your garage from a cluttered cave into an organized and functional space below.

Assess Your Stuff: Before any storage updates are done in the garage, it’s important to review what is already stored in there. Over time, items find their way into the garage that don’t necessarily belong. Set aside an afternoon or entire day to sort through those items. Honestly answer three simple questions to determine which items stay and which items are evicted.

When was the last time I used this item? If the item is seasonal, ask yourself if it was used during that season.
Is this item broken? Can it be fixed?
Would someone else use this item more than me?

If items are broken beyond repair, it’s time they saw the inside of a recycling bin or trash can. Gently used items or items that can be fixed with a little love can be sold or donated. Once items have been pared down, it’s easier to group similar items together. Common groups include yard tools, sporting equipment, outdoor gear, cleaning supplies, and seasonal decorations.

Garage Organizing

Need to Create Space in Your Garage?

Garages have so many uses which are different from what the space was intended for…parking your car. They serve as laundry facilities, garden sheds, holiday decoration storage, home gyms, sports equipment storage, bicycle parking, workshops, household overflow and garbage can storage. It is no wonder that sometimes we can’t fit the car in there!

Clients struggle with getting started on organizing the garage for several reasons. Garages can be overwhelming. Garages tend to be dirtier and dustier than the rest of the house. Garages have that “out of sight, out of mind” thing about them. It is much easier to hide garage clutter from visiting friends and family, therefore it is easy to also postpone uncluttering. Furthermore, because garages serve all family members, often multiple family members need to present to make decisions about what stays and what goes.

donations, Garage Organizing

Best Way to Store Lumber in Your Garage

Organizing lumber in a garage can depend on the intended use of the lumber. If you are storing pieces to keep them away from the elements or will not be using them for projects in the near future, then consider using the roof beams of the garage or tops of high shelves for storing long pieces of lumber. Smaller pieces can be stored horizontally in a bin or vertically in a clean trash bin.

garage, home organizing