Simplify Garage Storage, Inside Out

Now it's time to organize and simplify garage storage by adding back only the things you and your family members love, use often, and are necessary or practical.

Take whatever you don't use, love, or need, and dispose of the garbage. Then recycle what you can, and organize a garage sale. You can also list the items for sale in the newspaper or on Craig's List. Or if you don't want to bother with trying to sell everything, donate it!

Every item that you put back into the garage needs a space, so if there isn't one, you need to create one.

When you start to put things back into the garage, you may want to ask yourself some of the following questions:

• What kinds of storage and work spaces do you have?
• Are there enough shelves?
• Is there a workbench and an area for tools?
• Which tools or equipment do you use most often?
• Which tools or equipment do you pull out rarely?
• Do you have hobby? What special workspace do you want for woodworking, gardening, working on cars, etc.?

Here are some ways you can make the most of your garage storage space:

• I'm a big fan of using wall and ceiling space in garages to hang up tools and equipment. These are also great places to hang ladders and store boxes.
• Store rarely-used tools in cabinets or in overhead storage, and keep commonly-used tools within easy reach.
• Try to group similar items together. For example, use one corner of the garage to put the lawnmower and weed-wacker, and have above them on hooks or shelves the smaller lawn-care related items.
• Create a wall to hang and store tools.
• Add wall hooks to hang bicycles and helmets.
• As those of you who live in areas with lots of snow or rain know, when you park the car in the garage it will form puddles on the floor. If you must store boxes or other items on the floor, consider elevating them a few inches by placing them on top of plastic or wood slats or using floor mats.

Now that you've been able to simplify garage storage and everything in your garage has it's own space, make a special effort to return items to that space once you're done using them. If you can make this a habit, you garage be clean and organized for a long time to come.

Next... for all of you active folks:

Get Sports Equipment Storage Tips!

Then...