“Do you organize garages?” YES, we absolutely do!
If you have a garage, are you able to park in it? Are you able to walk into your shed and find exactly what you need? Or does the thought of opening the door make you break out in hives, so you just continue to ignore it and allow things to pile up?
You’re not alone! Most people tend to use their garages or sheds as a non-functional storage or junk room. A place for things to go and be forgotten about. For things to rust, deflate and sit in a box. But what if your garage was functional? Organized? Clean, even? What if it was used for its intended purpose – a place to park your car?
Garage organization and clean out will likely take more than just purging and purchasing a few new storage bins. Below are a few simple questions (and answers!) to help you get started in tackling what might be one of the most daunting spaces in your home.
This project is not for the faint of heart. Prepare for it to take several days or weeks to complete. In fact, it has taken me almost two months to complete our garage overhaul! Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Do you have the right shelving system?
While it is an investment, it is key to keeping your garage organized. And unless the previous owner prioritized garage organization, chances are there you have just three walls with little to no shelving.
We recommend measuring your space to see if there is enough room for some type of shelving unit. Either stand-alone shelves, custom shelving units, storage cabinets or ceiling storage racks. When measuring, keeping in mind the size of your car(s) and leave room for the doors to open!
I used The Container Store’s Custom Elfa Shelving System on one of our garage walls and it made all the difference!
Here are some of our recommendations for garage organization systems:
When is the last time you used an item?
While there might be a few exceptions to items you store in your garage, most of them apply to the same rule of thumb we go by for other rooms in your house. The one-year rule: have you used this item in the past year? If not, it can go.
Example of easy items to throw out in your garage are:
Excess pool towels
Expired returns that never made it back to the store
Broken or outgrown toys (bubble wands, pool floats, balls, bikes)
Unused large items: camping tents, folding chairs, old light fixtures, old or excess coolers
Broken or unused furniture
Example of items your husband might not want to throw away (and we agree):
Redundant toolsets
Back-up tile, grout, paint, hardware for your current home design
Scraps of wood (substantial enough for a quick DIY project)
Extra extension cords
After you’re done purging, where does it all go?
Great question. You’re ready to start but have zero clue on how to logistically get rid of it all. Sometimes the most daunting part is deciding where it all goes – and taking it there.
Here are a few suggestions on where to take items and who to call if you need someone to come do the heavy lifting for you:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Phone: (254) 756-0131
ReStore is a great place to take old or excess hardware, light fixtures, tiles – any building supplies that are in good enough shape to be reused. They’ll even come pick up if its large items or appliances in working condition! Call your local ReStore number for more information on donations and to learn about their pick-up service.
Your City’s Recycling Center
Check your city’s website for the most up-to-date information and details regarding bulk and large item trash pick-up.
Some cities include complimentary large trash pick-up, while some require a reservation or charge a fee. Waco limits the size of your trash pick-up. Woodway has 2 pre-scheduled large trash clean-ups per year for all residents.
Waco residents are allowed up to two large /bulk item dumpster drop-offs at Cobbs Recycling Center each year with a valid ID.
College Hunks Hauling Junk Waco
Phone: (254) 233-9967
This company will come whisk away large and heavy items out of your garage. And depending on the item’s condition, they will try to donate before taking to the dumpster. They charge by the square foot and will provide you with an estimate onsite before you commit to their services.
Call the Art of Neat!
Phone: (205) 914-1881
Yes, we take care of garages! We can help you purge and coordinate all bulk pick-ups, measure / order / install shelving units, purchase weather-proof bins and of course our specialty – organize and systemize all garage items!
The Art of Neat would love to help you make sense of the space or area in your life where you feel stuck. If you’re interested in a complimentary consultation, simply fill out our online form to get started. It only takes a few minutes! We can’t wait to be friends.