Your garage is a versatile space to have in your home. Although they are specifically meant to house your cars, it is not uncommon for homeowners to use their garages for things other than just a space for their car.
Some use it as a workshop for their home projects, while others take the time to turn it into their entertainment rooms. But one of the most popular alternative uses for a garage is for extra storage space.
Why the Garage?
You may wonder why people prefer the garage to store their excess stuff when more common spaces for storage such as attics and basements exist. For one, garages are more accessible than attics and basements.
It is easier to carry things, especially heavy appliances when you don’t have to deal with stairs. Apart from that, garages are made to be spacious. Given that they are made for cars, they always have excess space to spare for other things.
Is It a Good Thing?
Although it seems harmless to use your garage as an alternative storage space, it may do some damage to your home organization. People tend to overestimate how much space they have left in their garage. This can lead to a cluttered space that may cause you to stop using it.
A survey even found out that 1 in 4 Americans have a garage that’s too cluttered to fit their car. If you are included in this statistic, you are putting your car in danger. Keeping your cars in your driveways puts them at risk of damages by the outside elements. Cars parked on driveways and along your streets may also be more at risk of them being stolen.
For that reason, you must start avoiding the habit of storing things that don’t typically belong in your garage. It can be a difficult habit to stop, given that you may always be acquiring new things over the years. If it has gone to that point, maybe it’s time to give your garage a visit.
Uncluttering Your Garage
It’s best to first assess what you have put in your garage over the years. If you have accumulated years’ worth of clutter, it may be tricky to spot what to get rid of and what to keep. This may need time but it is worth the effort if you want to restore your garage to its former glory.
It rsquo;s best to start uncluttering an area where it is most accessible. If your garage is too full for you to move around, be sure to open up the garage doors for extra moving space and ventilation.
You can divide the garage into quadrants for a more systematized way of uncluttering. You can choose to take everything out all at once and then decide which ones to keep or slowly work your way through the mess. Your initial goal is to take everything out and dispose of what you do not need.
Deciding What To Keep
A general rule of uncluttering is disposing of anything that you have not used for more than six months. Of course, you don’t have to follow this. But it will help you decide what’s useful in your life at the moment. With that, it will help you know what to keep and what to dispose of. This does not apply to tools and equipment that you rarely use.
Make sure to get rid of things that do not work anymore. It’s okay if you don’t want to fix them. If you are disposing of home appliances and batteries, make sure to dispose of them properly. These often release substances that are harmful to the environment.
Once you have decided which one to keep and which ones to let go of, it’s time to clean and organize your garage.
Wipe Everything Down!
Some things may have left leaks or have caused moisture in some areas of your garage. Give the entire a thorough wipe-down before organizing your things. Use a bleach and water solution to disinfect the entire place. You may do a lot of wiping to clean everything properly so be sure to buy rags in bulk before cleaning out your garage.
Keep It Spacious
You want your garage to be spacious. So neatly arrange all your things on the side. Make use of cabinets to keep all your tools and equipment. You can also install shelves to organize your things. Keep everything on the sides to make sure your car fits inside the room.
It takes good habits to keep your garage free from clutter. Practice the habit of not storing things in your garage that do not belong there. Develop this habit and you won’t have to leave your car out in the driveway ever again.