Four Steps for Attacking Garage Organization

(Family Features) Organizing the garage may be one of the most feared tasks in household history. According to a recent Gladiator GarageWorks survey, nearly three out of four households can only park one car in their two-car garage, illustrating the need for a serious garage intervention.

The importance of having a well-organized garage isn’t only for improved functionality – it also helps add overall value to a home. More than 80 percent of real estate brokers or agents recently surveyed said that a cluttered, unorganized garage can have a negative impact on a potential home buyer’s first impression.

There are a few steps that can help homeowners prepare for the ultimate battle against clutter and reclaim their space in the garage:

1. Clean and Prep
Clutter is one of the biggest issues with garage organization. The only way to know what is in the garage is to remove all of the items inside and start with a clean slate. As you remove items from the garage, be realistic about what you do and do not use and separate them into three categories: keep, donate and toss.

2. Have a Game Plan
First, measure the garage so you can make an accurate plan for storage solutions and factor in large items, such as lawn mowers and sporting equipment. Next, decide how to group similar items and what your storage needs are. For example, do you prefer to hang items on hooks, store in baskets or be able to hide items in cabinets? Start exploring your options.

3. Build Your Storage System
Use the walls in your garage to get gear off the floor and maximize storage space by choosing storage solutions that are durable and long lasting. For instance, stackable plastic storage bins or shelving units can sometimes reduce clutter, but they aren’t always built to handle extreme temperatures in the garage.

4. Add Final Touches
Once you have stored large items in your garage, it’s time to add some final touches to maximize efficiency and make your workspace functional. Keep a trashcan nearby your work area so it stays free of garbage and debris. Hang tools near your workbench so you can easily put them back in their proper place. Utilize smaller bins and storage containers for screws, nails and other small items so they don’t clutter your space.

Source: Gladiator GarageWorks

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