Garage Organizing Systems

Garage organizing systems can turn a messy, unorganized, and inefficient garage into a place you want to invite guests to peek into, because you’re so happy with the space.

Here’s what it takes to create that kind of garage:


Step 1: Reduce what you need to organize

Before you go out and invest in one of those elaborate garage organizing systems, start by clearing out the excess from your garage.

(By the way, I call that excess stuff “clutter.”)

This step is where the bulk of your effort will come, and doesn’t have to be done all in one day, contrary to what most experts tell you. Do NOT take everything out of your garage on a Saturday morning, pile it all in the driveway, and expect to go through it all that day. Most people get exhausted or frustrated about half-way through, and then shove everything back in the garage in a big heap until the next time they feel motivated enough to tackle the garage.

Make it easy on yourself and take it in small sections, like one shelf or one pile at a time. Look at the items on that one shelf and see what you’re ready to let go. Anything you don’t love or use, get rid of it. And then decide if you have the time and energy to do another shelf. Continue doing one segment of your garage at a time until you have cleared out all the clutter.

When you are done clearing out your garage clutter, you will hopefully only have about half of the stuff you started out with. About 50-75% of the stuff in most people’s garages and homes is no longer serving them, and can be let go and not even missed.

Seriously.

I promise.


Step 2: Look at the items you need to organize

Once you have cleared out the clutter, then it’s time to decide how you want to simply and easily organize what’s left in your garage. (It will be much, much easier because you have cleared out the clutter first.)

So look at the stuff you actually need and want to organize and see what’s there. Notice what you've got. Identify your stuff.

It can help to make a list of the items by category.

• For example, if you have 7 cans of paint, you’ll want room for 7 cans of paint (probably on a shelf off the ground) plus room for some extra cans in case you get more.
• If you have 3 bikes in your household, you’ll want to have storage space for 3 bikes.
• If you have outdoor yard tools, you'll need a space for them, too: rakes, shovels, brooms, and so on.

Most garage organizing systems are a combination of open shelving, closed shelving, racks, and hooks, so you can find the system that fits both the stuff you need to store and organize as well as the look and feel that you want for your garage. 



And when you're ready, move on to Garage Storage: Wall Storage.

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