Organizing Tips for the Garage | Scottsdale Real Estate

Organizing Tips for the Garage | Scottsdale Real Estate

Organizing Tips for the Garage | Scottsdale Real Estate

Garages most often become the place to stash away those items that will not fit in the closets inside your home.

They are big open spaces and therefore they are easy targets for that suitcase that won’t fit in the closet, the rollerblades your daughter doesn’t want to throw away yet, the sewing machine you need to give back to your neighbor, and anything else that doesn’t have a set place.

Now is a perfect time to roll up your sleeves and dive head first into the clutter. Follow these 6 tips to clean your way to a neat and organized garage.

1.   Use as much vertical and ceiling space as possible. This rule is particularly important if you’re planning to actually park your car here. Make sure that you’ll have room for your car without running into or onto anything.

2.   Before reorganizing, try taking everything out of your garage. Looking at the space you have as a blank canvas can give you a better idea of what you’re working with. Working with a clean slate can help you decide which areas are best to designate for certain activities.

3. Decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away. When you find yourself questioning a particular item, ask yourself :

• Do I love it?
• Do I need it?
• When was the last time I used this?
• If I donated it, could it be safely used by another person?

Clearing out clutter is incredibly satisfying, and odds are you won’t really miss that fifth spare tennis racket. When in doubt, donate or toss it. Recycle as much as possible, and be sure to dispose of paint and other hazardous waste safely.

4.   Group like items together so they’re easy to find.  A few coats of paint, metal shelving and some cute decals for the door completely transformed the space without spending a lot of money. A neat and tidy shoe and coat rack encourages her children to place their own clothes in the right place and makes it easy when searching for that much-loved pair of pink Velcro sneakers. Storage on the ceiling and walls saves room for larger items, and things that are used on a daily basis.

5.   Decide which area of the garage is going to be used for what purpose. Think carefully about what you want your  garage to be used for, and the best possible way that this space can be divided up.

6.   Label absolutely everything. Taking the time to label each and every drawer and shelf can make a world of difference. Tired of drawers and bins full of a hodgepodge of nails, screws, and bolts? Take the time to organize each individual piece by type and label accordingly. Tedious? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

Provided by the Luxury Valley Homes Team who can be reached at 480-595-6412 | Scottsdale Real Estate