Parenting Pointers: Garage Organization

If you're like most people, you don't really think about your garage much. It's a place to park your cars and hide all the random junk that goes outside. Some people turn their garages into masterpieces, putting everything in its place, giving it a spiffy paint job, and making it look like a nice, sharp, well-organized space. Others have so much stuff in their garages (or it's so poorly organized) that the cars don't even fit. Most of us are somewhere in between.

It is helpful to have your garage well-organized (although having a great paint job isn't necessary but does look cool). This can save you time looking for things you know you have, and it can save you money by preventing you from buying things you already have or by minimizing the amount of toys and things that get broken from improper storage or getting other things dropped on them or tipped over into them.

One important piece of garage organization is the organization system itself. Sites like gladiator garageworks sell a wide variety of garage organization products, including cabinets, flooring specifically designed for use in the garage, ceiling storage implements, wall storage, a refrigerated designed for garage, and lighting. It's a good idea to use products designed for use in the garage, because garages are often subjected to extreme temperatures (even attached garages have more fluctuation than the house), more moisture, and other debris and liquids such as engine fluids if there's a leak or carpentry debris.

If you have a lot of time, the best way to organize your garage is often to empty it and start from scratch. Take everything out, and as you do, make sure to inspect for anything not currently in working condition. Make piles: broken and not able to be repaired, broken but fixable, no longer needed, and things that will go back in the garage. Toss anything you can't repair (or list on a free site like Craigslist; someone else may know how to fix it). Things you don't need, like tools that were for a one-time project or toys your kids have outgrown, can be donated or you can try to sell them on Craigslist or in a garage sale. Set aside one small area for items that need repair, and then work with the rest of the garage.

Keep items that are in the same category together, and use baskets or bins to collect small items that would roll around otherwise. Maximize use of space by hanging hooks and brackets from the ceiling or using rafters for rarely-used items. Place the largest and hardest-to-store items first, and then fit smaller things around them. If you have little kids, it can be helpful to use pictures to show them where to put their toys back when they're done.

If you don't have a lot of time, then work on one section at a time, following the same process. Now is also a good time to clean out the inside of your car, too - take out any garbage, give it a quick vacuum, etc.