ORGANIZING YOUR GARAGE IN 4 EASY STEPS

My garage is my sanctuary.  It is the protector of my vehicle, a room for DIY projects and it’s the only place where I’m allowed to display all the beer mugs and neon signs I collected in my 20’s.  The more projects I have, the more the garage gets disorganized, because the remnants of projects past add clutter, and the tools do not always make it back to the original location.

Each spring, the garage needs a refresh.  I plan a full day to give it some feng shui and eliminate the negativity associated with walking into a mess every day. There are four steps I take to make it all happen…

Take the car out and clean the floor.  I recommend a deck broom to scrub the caked mud, etc., but a shopvac produces much less dust.  My garage is well lit, but I still like to use my Radiant 170 Clip Light to see into dark corners, under shelves, and between crevices to remove cobwebs and look for remnants of critters I may need to remove.

The Gear Tie Bendable S-Hook is great for hanging hand tools with handles on wire shelves and getting shovels off the floor. I try to make sure that the only items on the floor have wheels (snowblower, mower, etc.) so they won’t get wet or run over.

Create regions around the garage where like items are stored so that you can easily find them or explain to someone where they can be located. One tip here is to put the most frequently used items up front or more readily accessible.  If you have to go through a maze to put something back, you might want to reconsider your regions. Mine are:

1. 1. Car Accessories / Car Supplies
   2. Pegboard / Hand Tools / Work Area
   3. Power Tools (Drill, Jigsaw, Pneumatic Equipment, etc.)
   4. Activity Areas (Camping, Biking, Skiing/Snowboard)
   5. Power Equipment (Snowblower, Chainsaw, Lawn Trimmer, etc.)
   6. Needs Repair

Please note that if you are going to store fuel in your garage, use an appropriate storage container and make sure it is at least 50 feet away from flame sources.

Go through each region and look for misplaced items, things you want to keep, and stuff to throw away or donate. Clean and test some of the tools/equipment to make sure it is still operational, or if you need to move it to the repair pile or dispose of it. Make sure you recycle or donate whenever possible.

Go through each region and look for misplaced items, things you want to keep, and stuff to throw away or donate. Clean and test some of the tools/equipment to make sure it is still operational, or if you need to move it to the repair pile or dispose of it. Make sure you recycle or donate whenever possible.

Organizing is one thing, but making it pretty brings in the pride factor.  Do not just throw things on shelves – face them so you know what they are at a glance and keep it that way.  Use different colored Gear Ties to wrap hoses, power tool cords, and extension cords.  The S-Biner Plastic Dual Carabiner #10 or #8 are also great for hanging cords, cables, hoses, or packs.

The bottom line is your garage is a part of your home and should give you the same feeling of comfort and joy that any other room in the house offers. Check out the OrganIZE collection to discover other products that help you wrangle and tidy anything from your keychain to your basement.