If you’re like many Americans, chances are your garage is more of a cluttered mess than it is a functional, usable space. In fact, a recent report found that 82% of homes in the US have two-car garages or larger, but only 15% use them to park a car inside. These big, open spaces are magnets for everything from gardening tools and outdoor gear, to old cans of paint and items that don’t quite fit in indoor closets.
With these five creative tips, you can roll up your sleeves and organize your garage to make it a clean, usable space.
Tall Walls Are Your Friend
By using as much vertical and ceiling space as possible, you can free up valuable floor space. To achieve this, start by going through everything in your garage and determining what you want to keep, what you can give away or sell, and what could be thrown in the garbage. Before replacing the items, give your walls a fresh set of paint, scour the floor, and give any old cabinets a facelift. You can also use this time to install tall shelving and hooks on the walls, as this will help get things off the ground.
Create Categories
When gearing up to replace the things you’re keeping back in your garage, sort everything into broad categories. Popular categories include sporting gear, gardening tools, camping equipment, etc. Having categories for your things will make it easier to designate specific places in the garage for these items, and you can adequately label and store these things in areas that will be most effective.
Make A Plan
By drafting a floor plan ahead of time, you can save money and organize quickly. Take down all of your garage’s dimensions and be sure to note the size and location of windows, doors, switches, and receptacles. Also, make sure you understand how much space your car will take up when it’s in the garage. Then follow these tips when determining what you’re going to put where.
Store similar items together such as lawn chemicals, gardening tools, etc.
Make sure big items like lawn mowers and grills are stored in out-of-the-way locations so you won’t hit them when you pull into the garage.
Give frequently used items a place close to the garage door so you don’t have to dig through clutter to access them.
Stow away seasonal items and things you don’t frequently use in those hard-to-reach areas.
Know What Is Not Garage-Friendly
There are several items commonly stored in garages that shouldn’t be. These items include:
Paint: Extreme cold or heat can quickly ruin paint. Consider storing it in a temperate area instead.
Propane: Even a small spark can ignite the fumes from propane. Keep all propane tanks outdoors and away from wood siding.
Paper goods: Not only do paper goods have a tenancy to get moldy and soggy, but they are also a magnet for roaches and other bugs. Keep them in your pantry.
Refrigerator: Though refrigerators are commonly found in garages, they drive up your energy bill if your garage isn’t air-conditioned.
Pet food: Pet food easily attracts possums, rats, mice, and other critters. Keep it sealed in a container inside your home.
Remember that the most important factor when maintaining a clean, organized garage is to keep things off the floor. This will ensure that there will always be enough room for your car and you won’t have to worry about hitting or damaging any of your items.
Making sure your garage is clean and clutter-free is a great way you can take care of your home and make the most of your space. Another way you can care for your investment and protect your home is with a reliable homeowners insurance policy. As the leading San Pedro home insurance provider, Insurance Center Associates is here to work with you in creating a plan that provides you with the coverage you need. Contact Insurance Center Associates, today, for more.