6 Tips to Organize Your Garage Right Now
Colorado garage by Custom Garage Solutions. Features custom cabinets and polyaspartic flooring.
Easy Steps to Declutter your Colorado Garage
Out with the old and in with the new; for some means out to the garage to sit until who-knows-when. De-cluttering a garage can be an ominous task and one that takes some planning due to all the items that call our garages home. Here in Colorado, you may have everything from skis and snowboards, golf clubs, bikes, fishing equipment and tools in your garage – not to mention other household items and storage such as holiday decorations, toys, pet supplies and more. With these 6 steps you can create a garage that is organized, flexible and convenient.
This typical Colorado Garage - home to bikes, paint, patio furniture and more - was transformed with a cleanup and the addition of purposeful garage storage.
Have a plan.
Go into this process knowing that it is okay to get rid of things that you haven’t used in years and take a before photo while you’re at. If the goal is to have a clutter-free garage, it only makes sense that you’re going to get rid of a lot clutter! Pull the cars out and any other big equipment – think lawnmowers, bikes – that you know will be staying and then visualize what your new space will look like with fresh eyes. Your goal is to get a clean slate to work from.
Separate items as trash, donate and keep.
Start by getting rid of any extra trash or clutter that needs to be disposed. This could be actual trash that you see or things that simply have no value – old materials, equipment that isn’t in good shape to keep, or your daughter’s school project that hasn’t left the garage since she brought it home. If there is something you haven’t used in a full year – and through all four seasons – decide if it’s worth keeping. If you have significant trash to get rid of we recommend buying a Waste Management Bagster Bag. They are available at your local Ace Hardware, Lowe’s or Home Depot. These bags can hold up to 3300 pounds so there will be plenty of space to get rid of the unused items in the garage. When you are ready to have it picked up call Waste Management (1 (866) 909-4458) and they will come out in a flash.
If you have items that could be of use to someone else, find things to donate. Maybe there’s another child in your neighborhood who could use your daughter’s old bike or a family or friend who would appreciate that toy lawnmower more than your son who’s outgrown it. If not, contact your local ARC and schedule a donation pick-up so these items can go to a new home. See all accepted donation items and how ARC benefits your Colorado community at arcthrift.com/donations.
Lastly, figure out what items you need to keep. More on this below.Clear the floor and clean.
Inspect for any damage or issues and clean. Cleaning traditional concrete can be a challenge. You will need a pressure washer, bucket and squeegee…this may be one of the most difficult steps with concrete. One of the best benefits of a CGS Polyaspartic Flooring System is the ease of cleaning to ensure the shine and durability of your new flooring lasts for years. While you have the garage clean, this is also a good time to see if any repairs or paint touchups are needed. Go the extra steps and wipe down all surfaces, door handles, replace any lightbulbs and all the little steps that will make your garage feel refreshed and ready for the season.
Focus on specific areas.
Whether it is a work bench or cabinet that is full of unlike items, take one area at a time. You may find that a new organizational system is needed for some areas. Custom Garage Solutions offers several options to fit the organizational needs of our clients including overhead storage, cabinets and slatwall. Your garage is often the entry and exit point of your entire home for you so think about what areas cause you the most trouble or stress? Is it the kids bikes and play equipment? Or is it your unorganized tools in the corner? Take one area at a time and organize it to completion to find a more permanent solution.
Group like items together.
Tools, sports, lawn, storage and leisure should all have their own homes. Plan out your storage options and what each group needs to maintain an organized garage. Items in each group present their own storage challenge and many need special storing like SlatWall. CGS slatwall is a material used to display, store, and organize items on your wall. Slatwall picks up where shelves and cabinets leave off. The panels have slots or grooves which are used to hang shelving, hooks, wire baskets and many other accessories to house all the items too long, large, bulky or awkward for your other organizational systems. It also can help keep your garage safer by keeping items such as shovels, rakes or power tools off of the floor or away from little hands. Could all of the balls and sports equipment be better stored somewhere? What about your fishing equipment or skis. Think about items that you need daily or weekly access to and ones which are only used infrequently.
Take an after photo.
This may seem odd but as we know, items in the garage seem to magically appear throughout the year and seasons. Having a photo of what the garage should look like may assist you the next time you need to de-clutter! You’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment at your newfound space. You may even want to share it on social media! If so, tag us @customgarageco and we’d love to see it!
Custom Garage Solutions’ John Hatfield and Vinny Heredia install custom racks perfect for the client’s new organized garage.
It’s that simple! We know better than anyone that the garage is an extension of your home so having it be in order, accessible and versatile makes for a safer, stress-free, organized and more complete home. At Custom Garage Solutions, we offer solutions that complete and modernize garages making departing and arriving home even better than before.
If you are curious about upgrading the garage space in your Colorado home, you can learn more about our Custom Garage Solutions Floor Systems, cabinets and shelving or other custom upgrades that we can provide. You can also request a free estimate here. We’d love to work with you anywhere in the Denver area!
More from Custom Garage Solutions:
Simplify Your Season: 6 Expert Tips for Holiday Decoration Storage
An Interview with John Hatfield: Celebrating One Year of Custom Garage Solutions
7 Benefits of Polyaspartic vs Epoxy for Garage Floor Coating
Photos & Video: Build Your Dream Garage One Cabinet at a Time
Snow? Mud? Sludge? See How Easy These Garage Floors Come Clean
Our Garage Services
We offer custom garage services throughout the Denver area including flooring, door repair and replacement, cabinets and shelving and custom upgrades.