Organizing your garage for the summer!
As the hot summer months approach, most people turn their attention to outdoor activities and projects. Spending time outside, working on a project in a garage, or even working out in a barn could be the perfect getaway during the summer. We have the perfect easy-to-follow guide to making your outside spaces functional, roomy, and the perfect extension on your home to entertain during the summer months!
Declutter & Donate:
This seems like a no-brainer but I promise, people forget to do this! Before you ever start trying to create a super organized garage or outdoor space, go through and ask yourself - have I used this recently? Is this something I actually reach for to use or something I skip over? Is it age appropriate for my kids / grandkids? Is it broken, busted, or missing pieces? (I am talk to you mr. huge pool floatie that always seems to deflate mid afternoon..) Make sure you are keeping the things you truly enjoy to use and consider donating the rest! This will free up valuable space to create more room for activities, projects, or hosting during the summer months.
Containerize (& Label)
Once you have decluttered, we can then sort, organize, and containerize! (I don’t know if its a real word, but in our world it is..) This is especially important for those outdoor / garage spaces where things can get dirty & dusty. For most garages, shops, or barns, basic clear plastic totes can help store items like keepsakes, holiday decor, hand-me-downs, seasonal equipment, sports equipment, or utility type items from dust, dirt, bugs, and creepy crawlies. Once everything has been containerized. adding a label will make a world of difference when it comes to time to put things away for the fall months, or finding items needed later on down the road.
Utilize Vertical Space
This is a fun one because for most people they want their homes to be both functional and beautiful. For most people the garage / shop / barn / etc becomes a place that can be super extremely functional with less priority of it being “pretty”. That gives us the chance to take space that in other places would have been decorated and staged, and turning it into a cool (dare I say b@d@$$) space that can be multipurpose! Our favorite ways to utilize vertical space is wall mounted rail systems, wall (or ceiling) bike hooks, and shelving units! Any product we can use to get items up off the floor and hanging on on the shelf, the more room and space you will have!
Here are some of our favorite organizing products for the garage!
Rotate Seasonally
Put items that you will use during the hot months front and center, easy to access! Once the winter months roll around, switch it up and move the summer items to the back or up out of the way to make room for ideas you might need more for winter!
Safety First
Make sure you are storing hazardous or chemical materials safety. In a locked cabinet or away from small children and pets are best!
(This locking cabinet is a client fav! —— https://amzlink.to/az0aCzukPCHlP
Create a recycling center
Dedicate a spot in your garage for recycling / compost! A place for things like paper, glass, and other recyclable materials! Label each bin to help keep your family on track for sorting their recycling!
Also - if you are local, check out Good Earth Recycling! They will pick up to Lubbock residents!
Plan your maintenance schedule
Schedule regular maintenance tasks for your garage, checking for leaks, inspecting outlets, changing filters, and updating lightbulbs! Spend time to put things away in the garage or shop after your regular maintenance session!
Overall, the summer months are filled with friends, family, and all the summer camps! When you are spending more time outside, having friends over for a backyard bash, or working on some home improvement project - having an organized garage will keep things put away, spacious, and prepared for your next party, project, or even your regularly scheduled household maintenance!
If you want a helping hand on tackling your garage - getting organized, going through all the things, and creating a system - our team would love to help! Feel free to reach out for a complimentary consult!