When cleaning and decluttering the house, the garage is often overlooked. It's where items for a rainy day get stored. However, if you have a garage, it's a great space to utilize if you keep it neat and organized! From tools and sports equipment to gardening supplies and cleaning products, the key to an organized garage is to designate storage zones and stick to a layout that makes sense for you and your family.

Start with a clean slate
The best way to organize your garage is to take everything out of the garage. If you try to organize the space while everything is still inside, it can quickly turn into an overwhelming mess. Hopefully, you can enlist friends or family members to help clear everything out. Create piles with similar things. You can also create ‘donate,’ ‘sell,’ and ‘trash’ piles for things you no longer use or need. From there, you’ll better understand what you need to organize and make room for!

Garages can get quite dirty. Before you start organizing, ensuring your garage is clean is important. To tackle this, gather sponges, brooms, bleach, and vinegar. If you store vehicles in your garage, mop the floor and remove motor oil stains using clay cat litter to absorb the oil and dish soap to cut through the grease. Then, use a wire scrub brush to clean the surface thoroughly.

Keep it up
Get things up off the ground and into cabinets and other storage spaces! A garage is much easier to keep tidy when you have space to move around. Plus, it’s nice to be able to use your garage for its original intention… storing a car or other large items! Don’t let things pile up on the floor– including basketballs, shoes, storage bins, etc. Make a habit of putting things where they belong (i.e., designated shelves, hooks, etc.) and resist the urge to toss them on the ground.

Create sensible storage solutions
Suppose you decide to use bins, either clear or clearly labeled bins, so that you know where everything is when you need it. Also, be sure to organize in a way that makes sense for you; for example, seasonal decor can be placed high and out of the way for most of the year, while tools or other things you use more frequently should be placed in easy-to-access spots. If you install shelving, ensure it is sturdy enough to hold what you intend to put on it. 

Of course, there is no one right way to organize a garage. You may have more sports equipment, an extra fridge, pantry items, woodworking supplies, or a classic car… every garage is different! Try other things and space-saving techniques until you find the best system for you and your family.