Top Items for Efficient Garage Organization
The garage is an unusual spot where you store everything from bicycles to screws to that box you vowed to donate last year. (You might even have an additional fridge in there.) It might seem simple to postpone organization since it's filled with random items that don't really need to look nice, but you should arrange the area. Think about how much simpler your next endeavor will be if you can actually locate your screwdriver.
First: Tidy up the garage
Approach the garage like any other room in your home, decluttering it and getting rid of items you truly do not need. Embrace any decluttering method, but I'll suggest Andrew Mellen's Organizational Triangle as a starting point for this job. It depends on three fundamental notions: Every object has a designated spot; keep like with like; and use a "something in, something out" approach. You'll need numerous storage boxes for this mission.
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Separate the garage gradually; don't attempt to clean the entire area at once. Commence with a workbench, shelving unit, or heap of stuff, then extract it onto the floor. Sort things accordingly—place everything similar together. Fasteners come together. Bicycle tools come together. External stuff, such as blowers and lawnmowers, come together. Create piles of everything similar, then go through each pile and discard everything you do not need or use. This task can be difficult regardless of what you're tidying up, but the garage is an especially perilous location since it's incredibly simple to say, "I haven't required this type of screw in years, but what if I do?" Fall back on the reliable 20/20 rule to help you make decisions. "Could I replace this item for less than $20?" and "Could I replace it in less than 20 minutes?" If you respond affirmatively, dispose of it. The space you preserve is more beneficial than the $20 you might spend three years from now if you ever truly require that object.
If something is beneficial and still operational, feel free to donate it, but ensure you do that promptly so it doesn't continue to occupy space. Upon completion and elimination of unnecessary items, install the objects you're keeping into containers. Every item has a home, and similar items should be stored with one another.
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Top Tools for Arranging Your Garage
Peg boards are the first item you'll need. While massive shelving units are great, they may become cluttered over time, and a pegboard will help you utilize vertical space effectively.
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Ultrawall 2 Pcs Metal Pegboard Wall Panels$35.99at Amazon $39.99Save $4.00$35.99at Amazon $39.99Save $4.00The allure of using a peg board is that you can buy numerous add-ons: Hooks, hangers, slots for specific tools, and containers can all snap into the holes on the board, allowing you to designate storage spots for various garage tools. Purchase a set similar to this.
FRIMOONY Pegboard Hooks Assortment with Pegboard Bins, Peg Locks, for Organizing Various Tools, 80 Piece$16.99at Amazon $19.99Save $3.00$16.99at Amazon $19.99Save $3.00Storage racks are also essential, although you might wish to upgrade to ones with doors so you can conceal infrequently used items. They don't have to be pricey or large.
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CJF Metal Storage Cabinets with Shelves and Doors$87.99at Amazon $109.99Save $22.00$87.99at Amazon $109.99Save $22.00Within that, smaller containers aiding organization are essential too. Remember that everything has a designated home and should be stored with similar items. Utilize basic baskets for this.
Lastly, I stated you should optimize vertical space, and I meant it. Any objects that are not fastened in one location can hurt your car or trip you up, which is especially dangerous in a garage, so store them above and out of the way. Invest in an overhead storage rack for large containers, bikes, and other substantial items, such as shovels. Store seasons out-of-use items in the rack and swap them every half year.
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Upon starting the decluttering process, consider donating items you no longer need but are still in good condition. Your local charity might appreciate a working garage door opener or a well-maintained lawn mower. It's essential to clear out the garage to make room for your organized tools and equipment.
After organizing your garage with storage solutions such as pegboards and hooks, you can use containers to store smaller items like screws or nails. Labeling these containers will help you easily find the specific item you're looking for and prevent clutter from building up again. Since your garage is now an extension of your home, you can keep its appearance in mind when organizing it. Follow the 'something in, something out' rule and regularly go through your storage boxes to remove items you no longer need or use.
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