A guide to organizing your garage

Garages are often a catch-all for everything we don't have space for, from old sports equipment to holiday decorations.

It's easy for them to become cluttered and disorganized, making it hard to find what we need and even harder to park our cars. However, with a little bit of planning and effort, it's possible to turn your garage into an organized and functional space.

Here are 8 tips to help you get your garage in order and make it a more enjoyable space.

1. Start with a plan. Before you begin organizing your garage, it's important to have a plan in place. This will help you stay focused and on track as you go through the process. We find it helpful to write a check list of things you want to change and refer to that throughout the process.
2. KonMari your Garage! Hold each item in your hand and decide if it sparks joy. Go through your items and create a keep, toss and donate pile. We often keep clutter and junk in the garage, thinking we will one day use these items. As a general rule of thumb, if it hasn't been used in the last year or so, you likely won't ever use it again so consider tossing or donating.
3. Use plastic storage containers. To help keep your garage organized, consider using storage containers. They will help keep things in their place and make it easier to find what you need, when you need it. Plastic is key because it's weather proof and won't sag or get damaged over time. It also helps keep your items clear of dust and other debris that may be floating around your garage.
4. Utilize vertical space. Your garage likely has a lot of vertical space that you can use for storage. Consider using shelves, racks, and other storage solutions to take advantage of this space.
5. Label everything. Labeling your storage containers and shelves will make it much easier to find what you need when you need it. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.
6. Make use of the ceiling. The ceiling of your garage is often an overlooked storage space. Consider using overhead storage solutions, like this one, to keep items off the floor and out of the way.
7. Use a pegboard to organize tools. A pegboard is a great way to keep tools and other small items organized and easily accessible.
8. Use hooks and hangers. Hooks and hangers can be a great way to keep items off the floor and out of the way. Consider using these to store items such as bicycles, lawn tools, and other items that can be hung up.

Organizing your garage can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of planning and effort, it's possible to turn your garage into an organized and functional space... and maybe even uncovering enough space to actually park your car in there!