De-clutter that GARAGE!

What a great month to focus on the space in our homes that seems to catch all of the stuff that we don’t know what to do with……from winter snow boots, garden tools/supplies, extra pantry items, and so much more, as well as the “normal” garage stuff….lawnmowers, weedeaters, hedge trimmers and such.

Don’t stress out. BEGIN SMALL….

Focus on one zone or area at a time, since most of us do not have the time to de-clutter and organize our garage space in one day or weekend.

If your lawn and garden tools take up most of your garage space, start there. Plan a section of your garage that will store ONLY lawn related items. It may be a whole wall or a small corner area.

Sort through each lawn related item and only keep what you use on a regular basis. If you have two of the same thing, give one away.

Visualize everything up off of the garage floor (except maybe your lawnmower) and use pegboard or other garage organizing systems to help you create this space.

Lowe’s has a Gladiator rail organizing system (shown in the picture above) that mounts on your wall and can hold all sorts of items from large power tools to bikes to hoses and smaller items also. You can use this mounting system all around your garage and hang just about anything.

Stay focused on one area until everything related to that area has a specific place. From there, choose another area to de-clutter and organize (sports equipment, garden area, recycling space, kids outside toys, extra pantry items, etc.)

Remember to:

* Let go of the items that you no longer use.

* Work toward having everything up off of the garage floor, so that all items can have a home. It will also make it easier to sweep and keep clean.

* Create a SPECIFIC zone or area for EVERYTHING kept in your garage (lawn area, tool area, sports equipment, bikes, etc.)

* Use an organizing system (like the Gladiator system) and/or shelving to help you organize the things you do use on a regular basis.

* Work to de-clutter and organize your garage in small increments. It may only be 15 minutes a day, but 15 minutes every day for a week adds up and you are sure to see an improvement!

* Make sure to have your family be a team player with you as you de-clutter and organize. Everyone can help keep the garage in order.