Take inventory
There’s no point organizing items which are unnecessary, expired, dated, unrecognizable, or in disrepair. You’ll just waste time, energy, and resources, making organizing more difficult and less rewarding than it should be. Before you start organizing, take some time to declutter. This means pulling out everything from your space. Review each item and decide if it’s worth keeping, selling, trashing, or donating. Once you’ve sorted through your items, most likely the pile you have left to organize will be more manageable.
Sometimes your garage or shed is the place to store items you just don’t know what to do with, but several items should never be stored in these spaces. According to Mickey Goodman, writer for ThisOldHouse.com, items such as paint, propane, paper goods (which draw insects), pet food (which attracts critters), and energy-draining refrigerators are best kept somewhere else.
Install shelves or racks
Once you have your pile to organize, it’s time to group like-products together. Then take advantage of the wall space in your garage or shed.
“Wall-mounted shelves are one of the easiest small garage storage ideas. Maximize your garage storage space quickly and easily with simple and inexpensive shelves, baskets, and hooks,” advises Andrew Zoellner, writer for FamilyHandyman.com.
To help keep your items from morphing together into another mess, utilize clear storage bins, advises Elissa Sanci of The New York Times Wirecutter. You can use the bins to organize your shelves while still being able to view your items with a quick look.
“If you simply heap the stuff that was on the ground haphazardly onto shelves, then they aren’t going to solve your disorganization problem,” she warns.
Protect your tools with household storage solutions
Your garage or shed is probably overflowing with tools and equipment that can be easily damaged if not cared for properly. Take paintbrushes, for example. Throwing them into a box or bin can damage the bristles or prevent them from completely drying, rendering them useless for your next paint project. Installing a magnetic knife holder on your garage or shed wall can be the perfect storage solution.
“Hang the brushes bristle end down for proper drying and to minimize the amount of dust that collects between the bristles. You can also store other metal tools and utensils this way,” suggests Monica Weymouth, writer for MarthaStewart.com.
Maximize ceiling space
Your ceiling space can unlock the ideal storage solution for items you need but don’t access regularly — like ladders — notes Goodman.
“Make sure any shelves you hang from the ceiling don’t interfere with your garage door’s operation and there is enough clearance to avoid scraping the roof of your car,” he adds.
Transform your garage or shed from a catchall or dumping ground into a space that better serves the needs of your family. These tips can make all the difference in your organizational goals!