The garage: a place for cars, tools, and…everything else? Over time, this once-organised space can become a cluttered catch-all which doesn’t actually have space for a car! In this article, we’ll share decluttering tips on how you can transform your garage from a chaotic abyss into a haven of functionality.
Step 1: Estimate available space
As with any decluttering project, the first step in tackling your garage is to take everything out. This includes furniture, boxes, tools, sporting equipment, and any other items that have accumulated over time. While this may seem daunting, seeing the full extent of the clutter can be a powerful motivator to help you make tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
One popular decluttering approach is the KonMari method, developed by Marie Kondo. This method emphasises the importance of only keeping items that “spark joy” and encourages a mindful, category-by-category approach to decluttering. Experts recommend exploring this method to help you make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
Decluttering a garage can be particularly challenging, as it often contains a diverse array of items. Seek out advice from professional organisers and designers who specialise in garage organisation. They can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you tackle the clutter effectively.
Step 2: Sort
Grab some bins, boxes, or even trash bags (be honest!), and get ready to sort your belongings into four distinct piles:
- Keeper pile: This pile is for items you use regularly and envision staying in your decluttered garage. Be realistic! If it’s a tool you last touched 5 years ago, consider letting it go.
- Discard pile: This pile is the designated farewell zone for anything broken, unusable, or expired. Be ruthless! If it’s beyond repair or poses a safety hazard, toss it responsibly. Consider hazardous waste disposal guidelines for items like paint or chemicals.
- Resell pile: This pile is for items in good condition that you no longer need. These could be gold nuggets in disguise! Consider holding a garage sale, listing them online, or taking them to a consignment shop.
- Donate pile: Feeling generous? This pile is for gently used items that can bring joy to others. Donate them to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores. Not only are you decluttering, but you’re also helping someone in need!
If you are thinking about how to choose between the piles, ask yourself these questions for each item:
- Have I used this in the past year?
- Is it in good enough condition to use or sell?
- Would someone else benefit more from this than me?
- Do I have a designated storage solution for this item in my decluttered garage?
Step 3: Maintain
When dealing with the items you’ve decided to keep, it’s important to group similar items together. Invest in sturdy shelves, bins, and cabinets to keep things organised and easily accessible. Labelling shelves and bins can be a game-changer in maintaining order.
Utilise the walls and ceiling
Remember to make use of your vertical space. Hang bikes, tools, or gardening equipment on sturdy wall hooks for pegboards to free up floor space.
For rarely used seasonal items, consider installing overhead storage racks or a sturdy hanging shelf from the ceiling to maximise your available space.
Consolidate and downsize
Take a close look at your belongings and see if you have any duplicates of tools or sporting equipment. Consider selling or donating some of these items to free up valuable space.
Special considerations
Be mindful of hazardous materials like paint, pesticides, or car fluids. Dispose of them responsibly at a designated hazardous waste collection centre to ensure safety.
For larger items like furniture or appliances that you can’t sell or donate, check if your local bulk trash collection services can haul them away.
If your garage houses a combi boiler, prioritise its safety and accessibility. Avoid storing flammable materials nearby and ensure proper ventilation around the unit.
Alternatively, going for solar panels could help you get rid of your reliance on a combi boiler and eliminate the need for extra generators or fuel canisters. Opting for the best solar panels in the UK generates clean electricity that can power your home’s electrical appliances, potentially including your water heater.
And the best part is that solar panels are placed on the rooftop – you have some space there, don’t you?
This can significantly reduce your dependence on boilers for hot water, and in some cases, eliminate the need for them entirely.
Maintaining the decluttered space
Implement a “one-in, one-out” rule, where for every new item you bring into the garage, you must get rid of something old. This can help prevent the accumulation of clutter.
Create a specific area for incoming items to prevent them from becoming clutter magnets and maintain the organised state of your garage.
Schedule regular decluttering sessions to keep your garage in check and address any new accumulations of items.
By following these strategies, you can effectively tame the keepers, address special considerations, and maintain a decluttered and organised garage space.