How to Organize a Messy Garage This Fall

Midwesterners have more items in their garage than most—collecting summer accessories, fall rakes and blowers, and winter snow gear, in order to be prepared for every season. With a large assortment of stuff to sort through, it’s no wonder our garages are constantly a mess, making it hard to find what we’re looking for. At Uplift Garage, we want to help get your garage in shape for the winter by sharing a few organization tips, so the inside looks as great as it does on the outside.

GET INSPIRED

It’s time to do a little homework and create a vision for your garage. Gathering inspiration from other garages is a great way to make sure your space is not only functional but also attractive. Every garage is different, so use inspiration sites to search for specific ways to use the space and storage units you already have more efficiently.

A great place to start is the wonderful world of Pinterest. With so many creative ideas bouncing around, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye and gets your gears turning. You can also consult an organizational expert for a professional perspective and find a system that fits your possessions and lifestyle. Any tool that helps you break out of the confines of your current setup and make the most of your space is worth exploring!

EXPLORE GARAGE ORGANIZATION STRATEGIES

As you move through the research phase of your project, you may find that certain styles or organization methods don’t work for you. That’s completely normal. Everyone’s lifestyle and way of thinking are different, so the best approach depends on how you use your space and how your mind organizes information.

One method to try is organizing your garage by season. This allows you to store spring and summer gear out of the way while keeping fall and winter supplies easy to reach. When the weather changes, you can use a spring cleaning day to swap things around and make your warm-weather items accessible again.

Another option is to organize your garage by activity or category. This approach works well if you have a mix of tools, equipment, and gear you use throughout the year. Grouping similar items together makes it easier to find what you need.

Typical categories include tools, athletic equipment, storage bins, toys, and maintenance supplies for vehicles or home projects. The goal is to create a system that fits your daily routine and helps your garage stay organized all year long.

SPRING AND FALL ORGANIZATION DAY

Sometimes it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of “stuff” hiding in your garage. All that clutter can throw you off your organization game before you even get started.

To help combat this, set aside not just a spring-cleaning day but a fall-cleaning day as well. You don’t want to head into winter with a garage packed to the rafters, so dedicate a day or two to clearing out unwanted items and making space for what you truly need.

When you can see everything you own and cut out the excess, organizing becomes much less stressful. Plus, selling or donating unwanted items keeps your garage clean and supports sustainability by promoting reuse and recycling.

WORK VERTICALLY

Keeping your floors clear of storage boxes and equipment is important all year long. It’s much harder to sweep out debris, clean up leaves, or deal with melted snow from your car when you don’t have room to move around.

Try to keep a two- to three-foot radius open around your vehicles so you can fully open your doors without bumping into other cars, storage units, or lawn equipment. Using your wall space efficiently allows you to take advantage of vertical storage while still keeping enough room to park one or two vehicles comfortably.

If you have a shed for off-season equipment, you may need to rearrange what stays in your garage. Since space is limited, prioritize the items you use most often and store them in spots that are easy to reach.

CONSIDER THE KIDS

Store all the kids’ toys, sports equipment, and safety gear in one convenient spot. This not only helps prevent your garage from looking cluttered, but it also keeps your children safe from tools or equipment that could be dangerous.

Consider setting aside a specific cabinet or storage bin just for their items. When everything has a clear home, kids know exactly where to find their toys and athletic gear without needing your help.

Choose a storage cabinet with plenty of space and separate shelves for different types of toys and equipment. You’ll no longer have to search the garage for missing knee pads, baseball mitts, or sidewalk chalk. Everything will stay organized and easy to grab.

EXTRA-CREDIT TIP

Gone are the days where your garage ceiling is solely used for your garage door tracks. However, as your garage door experts, please be careful as you hang overhead storage containers. You want to make sure you leave plenty of room for your garage door to operate smoothly without impediment from other storage tracks. Overhead storage units are ideal for storing off-season items such as winter coats, swimming gear, and extra sporting equipment.

Your garage is the landing zone for your life. Whether you’re a soccer mom, a stay-at-home dad, or an adventure junkie, we want to help you get back in gear and prepared for the seasons to come. Offering organizational tips isn’t all we do, we also provide garage door services including roller replacement, doors off their tracks, installations, and sales. Contact us for your garage door repair needs and other helpful garage door tips.