Organize your garage

So many American homeowners live with a landfill attached to their homes. It just takes a lot of work to nudge a car into the garage and luckier still to emerge from the car once it is parked. Homeowners continue to wrestle through the jungle of disorganization on a daily basis.

If you will consider some basic objectives, you can create a vision beyond the clutter that has littered garages during the last 100 years:

When in doubt, simply throw it out

Eliminate clutter-buildup that has overtaken your garage.

Start by having a garage sale, give to charity, take a trip to the real landfill, and take a deep breath.

Get rid of all the excess that not only blocks entry into the home but the clutter that blocks energy too.

If it is on the floor, then it is time to store

The very basic premise in garage organizing is to free up floor space. However, how does one deal with the inevitable lawn mower, wheelbarrow, snow blower, bicycles, and other large items? There is so much to deal with!

One method might be to build an enclosed lean-to shed on the side of the garage. Use dimensions of 4' x 8'. This addition will free up valuable floor space in the garage in a heartbeat!

Another option will be the storage shed in the backyard. Many subdivisions are regulated by covenants and restrictions. One may be required to obtain architectural committee approval before an addition can be built.

This is well worth looking into!

Organize and visualize

Once you can see it, you can find it. Once of the easiest methods is to create a wall storage solution. There are many solutions such a hooks, racks, custom-made cabinets, and yes, the lowly nail is a solution, but none offer a flexible solution.

Down with Pegboard!

Up with Displawallä! Pay a visit to a retail store that displays merchandise on the wall, and these same grooved panels offer the most flexible storage solution for the garage that is available today.

Displawallä is manufactured in 4' x 8' panels. Made with a durable finish, this product needs no painting or maintenance. Drill drywall screws into the grooves of the panels into the studwall in the garage and then install. Hooks fit in the grooves nicely, making placement a snap. In addition, the hooks are manufactured in varying lengths from one inch to 12 inches, so a variety of objects can be placed anywhere there is a wall. The look, flexibility and durability are all superior benefits from Displawallä.

Storage requirements change. You will appreciate having the flexibility of lifting a hook from the grooved panel. This item enables one to change or add items stored on the wall for Maximum Vertical Storageä.

Once a folding chair or lawn implement can be seen, it is indeed easy to find. Once the Displawallä is attached to the garage wall, there are no holes to drill or nails to hammer simply arrange or rearrange the hooks, as you desire.

Rubbermaid cabinets

These cabinets are both affordable and durable. There is nothing to paint and nothing to maintain. They are great! All that you need is a rubber mallet to hammer the interlocking pieces together. Next, screw the cabinets to the wall. Load capacity is about 35 pounds according to the manufacturer. Cabinets permit one to categorize items to be stored and used routinely. Place lawn and garden items such as smaller tools, plant food, and pots in a designated cabinet. Then place automotive products such as motor oil, antifreeze, and other lubricants in another designated cabinet.

To best organize your garage, plan to simplify, and simplify the plan. This takes time and effort. Once storage needs have been identified, one can create the required shelving, cabinet, and wall-storage system to best suit your needs.

As your life becomes more complicated, the need for greater organization and simplification will occur.

The concepts outlined above are very basic and you will personalize as it best meets with your particular need. It is a good start to being better organized and you can work through the glitches as they happen. Either way, you are far better ahead of the game if you decide today to become better organized. All it takes is good ingenuity and good planning. You will reap the rewards each day!

Cynthia Cunningham is also the Program Director for POSA
Professional Organizers of San Antonio