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A garage can quickly turn into a catchall space for everything we don’t want in our homes. Over time, old things pile up and are forgotten, making decluttering an overwhelming task. It also turns your garage into an unusable space. In Denver, storing your car in your garage is non-negotiable during the hail and winter seasons. The coverage protects your car from premature aging, damage from golf-ball-sized hail stones, and constantly scraping snow off your windshield. 

This short guide will provide five tips to declutter garage storage fast and keep it that way.

Get Organized Before You Organize

You’re not alone if you’ve gone years without cleaning your garage. 50% of homeowners claim that their garage is the most disorganized part of their home. While most want to organize their garage, many put it off because it feels so daunting. 

That’s why you need to plan and prepare in the week leading up to your decluttering sessions. A plan is essential to ensuring that the job gets completed and will help you tackle it in stages vs. all at once. Working a little at a time improves the likelihood that you’ll actually do it instead of getting overwhelmed and abandoning the project altogether. 

Questions to consider during planning:

• What websites will you use if you want to post things for sale?
• When/how will you donate items?
• How will you discard large and/or toxic items?
• Do you need extra storage supplies and tools?
• If you choose overhead storage, will it interfere with your garage door?

Discard Things First

After you’ve made your plan, gathered your supplies, and created your online profiles, it’s time to start tossing things. Decluttering before organizing is the key to getting the job done fast and with the least stress. Start with something that will make the biggest difference first. This will give you a quick win versus dumping everything out on a tarp and sorting through it. 

Ask yourself, what do I want to keep? This question helps you see everything as a potential purge item and helps you get rid of things that may be useful, but you likely won’t ever use again. 

Typical items to throw out:

• Old paint
• Old building and gardening materials
• Outdated electronics
• Non-seasonal things you haven’t used in a year
• Unwanted holiday things
• Unused exercise and sports equipment
• Boxes, books, paper items
• Clothes and old furniture

Create Zones

Zones make organized spaces easier to navigate and maintain.  They give everything a home based on type, size, and frequency of use. The first step in creating usable zones is determining what you use your garage for. 

Zones to create in your garage:

• Car maintenance/care items
• Gardening tools
• Passion project workstations

Nearly everyone has a temporary drop zone or overflow area in the garage. This is temporary storage for things you can’t find a place for in your home. Remember to create a zone for this so your garage stays uncluttered and easy to move around in.

Examine if Your Garage Can Take Ceiling Storage

For small spaces or multi-purpose garages, overhead storage is a godsend. Whether it’s stationary or motorized shelves, these units free up floor and wall space, giving you more flexibility for functional zone creation. 

However, the type of garage door you have will determine if ceiling storage is possible for you. For example, wall-mounted garage door openers free up ceiling space from a hanging operator and any rails, chains, or belts needed to operate the door.

Schedule a Routine Purge

Many homeowners choose a biannual purge to discard unused items in their garage. Scheduling a routine purge is especially important if you have children. Children grow out of things so quickly that you start to collect years of unused toys, clothes, and equipment. If you routinely collect things in your garage, once a quarter may be better. 

It’s easy to keep your garage decluttered when it’s easy to clean. Investing in storage systems and painted flooring can inspire you to maintain your organization regularly. 

Upgrade Your Home with a Decluttered Garage

Making small improvements like decluttering your garage makes your garage more functional and enjoyable. Coming home after a long day can be as easy as pressing a button and being welcomed into an inviting space. After more than 30 years in business, we know that garages and garage doors can change the entire feel of a home. And we specialize in creating a luxury homecoming experience with custom garage doors. Contact American Garage Door for all your garage door needs today.