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With all the things stored in various areas of the garage (Affiliate Link), it's no wonder we have a heck of a time organizing this space. Instead of waiting until the garage (Affiliate Link) gets unruly, why not start organizing it when you see the signs? Below, I discuss eleven signs to help you realize you need to clear out and organize the garage (Affiliate Link).
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Why organize and purge the garage?
Organizing your garage (Affiliate Link) has obvious and surprising benefits. Below are the pros of purging this space.
Make space for a car.
Yes, I know that is the ultimate goal. When it's raining, and you need to get out of the car to enter the house, you will be grateful you organized this space.
Protect your vehicle.
Piles of stuff in your garage (Affiliate Link) can fall on a vehicle and damage the paint. And, if you can't park your car in the garage (Affiliate Link), it will get weathered being outside over the years.
Able to access all your stuff quickly.
Having a place for everything and everything in its place will save you time looking for items.
It will save you money.
It will reduce the likelihood that you need to buy an item you already have.
Make additional room for kids play when the weather is not great outside.
I have found that attached garages in homes are wonderful places for kids to hang out. I once helped a client organize part of their garage (Affiliate Link) into a recreation room for her kids. As long as every dangerous item is hidden, it is a wonderful open space for the kiddos when the weather isn't great.
You will have more room to organize other stuff.
Yes, I know you don't need more stuff. But, if you purge the unused items, you can make room for stuff you will use in the future.
How do I know if my garage needs purging?
Making yourself aware of the clutter can be challenging after learning to ignore it. Visit my “How to awaken to clutter” three-post series to help you see the clutter again.
HOW TO AWAKEN TO THE CLUTTER IN YOUR HOME – PART 1
Check new arrival rugs at Boutique Rugs
Part 2: HOW TO AWAKEN TO THE CLUTTER IN YOUR HOME
and HOW TO AWAKEN TO THE CLUTTER IN YOUR HOME – PART 3
If you already see the clutter, but don’t know where to start, below are 11 signs your garage (Affiliate Link) needs purging right now. I also added some tips to get these signs back in order.
11 Signs your Garage needs Purging
1. The piles of bins have now reached five feet from the floor. Examine the bins at the bottom; are the lids compressing into themselves?
2. The car supplies have several unusable, open, and old oils. Consider bringing old items to a hazardous waste drop-off like on our Recycling Location and Shredder Events page.
3. Three or more half-full bags of fertilizer/seeds are sitting on the floor. Storing these items in a stackable plastic bin will keep them fresh.
4. The bicycles are laying on top of each other taking up way too much space on the floor. Vertical space on the wall is great for bicycles.
5. Winter supplies like salt are dwindling, and shovels/racks are leaning up against the wall and, at any moment, will tumble. Using wall-mounted tool handle holders will keep the items contained on the wall.
More Signs your Garage needs Decluttering
6. The available wall space is not used for hanging or mounting. Use vertical space to store items off the floor.
7. The dangerous toxic items are available to any child or pet who can easily access them. Keep hazardous items behind doors and in locked cabinets.
8. The gardening, home improvement, and car supplies are overflowing with duplicates and rust. Ask yourself how many gardening tools (Affiliate Link) you need.
9. There are cabinets but each shelf has mixed items in them making it difficult for you to find anything. Clearing out each cabinet then grouping them works best before returning the items in the cabinet.
10. The hoses and cords are tangled in intertwined and knotted piles. Getting cord reels and wrapping the cords and hoses around them keep the cords at bay.
11. Lastly, if your Garage (Affiliate Link) needs decluttering, look at your donation piles, which are taking up a corner of the garage (Affiliate Link) floor and hiding items you don’t want to donate. Move these items to your vehicle right away, and you will make instant room in your garage (Affiliate Link).
Check new arrival rugs at Boutique Rugs
Do any of these signs make you feel like you need to clear the clutter? If you answered yes, below I share some options to help your space get organized.
What should I use to make my space more organized?
After you purge the unwanted and unused items, it’s time to reassemble the space correctly. Below are items I love to use in clients' garages. I found these on Amazon, which offers various items to organize your garage (Affiliate Link). Note: If you click through and make a purchase on this site, I will receive a small referral commission at no cost.
Tool Organizer: Clipping Garden Tool organizer, Hold Up to 420lbs (48Inch Black)
Buy Now →
Toolbox: GEARWRENCH 3 Drawer Tool Box | 83151
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Garage Storage Cabinet with 2 Doors
Buy Now →
Garage Storage Organization Wall Mount
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Garden Tool Organizer Adjustable 68” by TVKB
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Revisiting the garage (Affiliate Link) and purging the unused stuff seasonally is an easy way to keep the space organized and free of clutter. I hope this helps motivate you to clear out the room. Do you have any signs that make you clear out the garage (Affiliate Link)? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Read more about ways to organize your garage in these posts below. The capital post titles are from this blog. Enjoy and happy organizing!
To-Do List: Organizing the Garage
51 Brilliant Ways to Organize Your Garage
4 AREAS OF YOUR GARAGE TO KEEP SAFE
HOW TO MAKE A DIY SPRAY BOTTLES ORGANIZER
7 ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS FOR ORGANIZING TOOLS
HOW TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE GARAGE ORGANIZATION
Julie Stobbe says
Our family used to use the garage as a play area. My son would shoot pucks at the garage door. One summer we used it for our pet rabbit to run around. We couldn't have it in the house because too many family members were allergic to it so we keep it in the garage. Having an organized garage makes it much easier to find tools, paint supplies and sports gear.
Linda Samuels says
I didn't even need to read all the "signs" to know that our garage could use some help. We live in a 1950's contemporary with no basement or attic. So as you can imagine, our garage functions for storing many things. My husband has woodworking equipment, tools, drums and other stuff that take up a lot of garage real estate. Periodically we will make a purge, but typically that happens in the warmer weather. So for now, things will stay as they are, but come spring I'll be happy to let go of more items.
Seana Turner says
I think the ultimate sign is that you cannot drive your car into your garage:) It is a bit cold here to work on decluttering the garage, but getting the ice melt into plastic containers is definitely worth the effort. I like large plastic buckets that I can carry around and scoop from! (Although what I would like even more is living where I never need ice melt!)