person in overalls carrying plantsstanding in front of garage

I was blessed to have a garage in the house I lived in for the first 18 years of my life. It turned out to be a blessing and a curse because even though it could easily fit three cars, we could barely squeeze two in because of all the storage… I mean, junk. We desperately needed to do garage organization and spring cleaning.

After I purchased my first clunker, it sat cold and shivering on the driveway, with the closed garage door laughing mockingly at its place. Fast forward a few years and a few more apartments without covered lots, and I’ve come to appreciate the trusty, old garage. Having a garage will save a good 15 minutes, 5 degrees in body temperature, and 3 hours of lost sleep due to aching arm muscles. That wretched ice scraper will always be my least favorite Christmas gift.

What I’m getting at is a friendly note to those who are lucky enough to have a garage: Don’t take it for granted! It’s time to learn how to utilize the space and get ready for spring! You may have read the humorously informative post called Mid-Life Garage. Well, I’m going to take it a step further and give you tips on how to transform your garage without overwhelming yourself.

1. Sort, Sort, Sort

This could easily be one of my favorite steps. There are three piles you’ll create: Give Away, Keep, and Throw Away. Things you thought you lost long ago will be unearthed in this step, and reminiscent memories of easier days will surmount. But DON’T let that fool you. If you haven’t needed it all of this time, chances are, you don’t need it now! Give, give, and give away (donate to here). Someone else will find better use out of it than you, and if it’s junk, then get out the trash bags.

2. Off the Floor

Once you have sorted everything, it’s time to designate a spot. Once you get everything off the ground and hanging on or from sturdy shelves, you’ll be surprised by how much space you’ve always had! Customizable hooks are amazing tools you can hang your bikes from.

3. Boxes

Honestly, get rid of those cardboard boxes! If they even get remotely wet, they’ll warp and become useless. Plus, it’ll be one more thing on the list to replace. There are some awesomely durable boxes at The Container Store that can protect your storage while looking great!

4. Label

This is where the ultra-organizer in you comes out. Make labels for those plastic bins that you just purchased. It’s smart to get the removable labels because you can reuse your bins time and time again.

5. A Step Further

Consider investing in garage cabinets if you want a more cohesive look to hide your storage. It makes organization a tad easier because you can put everything behind closed doors. Another way to finish that organized look in your garage is to refinish your garage floor. If you hate those concrete cracks or oil spills, epoxy flooring is the way to go.

As you can see, garage organization and spring cleaning don’t have to be overwhelming. Just take it one small step at a time, and you’ll have an entirely new space to use! Plus, being able to park your second car inside will easily put you in a good mood!

About today’s guest blogger:

Learn more about The Garage Authority.


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