Written by Liz Crosswell, Professional Organizer
Liz Crosswell worked through several early career endeavors before discovering her passion for professional organizing. Once she did, it wasn’t long before she founded Crosswell Organizing – a full-service organizing firm dedicated to discerning homeowners in Houston’s most premier neighborhoods since 2008.
Organizing a garage can be a satisfying project that transforms a cluttered space into a functional area. The garage often becomes a dumping ground for things you don’t know with what to do. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Declutter and sort
Empty the garage: Start by removing everything from the garage. This gives you a blank canvas to work with.
Get brutal: People’s lives change along with their needs. When you have children, you have all sorts of toys and sporting equipment. Ask yourself, “Have they grown out of them?”
Piles: Make your donate, trash, and resell piles.
Sort items: Divide everything into categories—sporting goods, tools, camping, coolers, etc.
2. Plan the layout
Group by purpose: Think about how you use the garage and group items by function, such as tools, sports equipment, seasonal items, and garden supplies.
Designate zones: Assign different areas of the garage to each category. For example, place frequently used items near the entrance and seasonal items in harder-to-reach places.
3. Optimize storage
Install shelving: Use wall-mounted shelves to maximize vertical space. Adjustable shelves allow flexibility as your storage needs change.
Use slatwall: Hang slatwall on the wall to organize tools, small parts, and accessories.
Storage bins: Clear plastic bins with labels are great for keeping small items together and visible.
Ceiling storage: Utilize overhead storage racks for bulky, rarely-used items like holiday decorations.
4. Create a workstation
If you use your garage as a workspace, designate a corner for a workbench, tool chest, and other necessary equipment. Ensure this area is well-lit and organized for efficiency. We love installing slatwalls over workbenches to hang tools.
5. Paint
Edit paint: Go through your paint and make sure that it’s the same paint currently on the walls. Most people have paint in their garage from 2 renovations ago that is no longer needed. Make sure all of your paint is still liquid.
Recycle paint: Paint needs to be recycled at a special place that takes paint and chemicals. Dried paint can be thrown out in your regular trash cans.
Paint placement: Paint should not be in your “Prime Real Estate”. This is something you don’t need very often, so it should go on high shelves or in your attic.
6. Label everything
Label bins, drawers, and shelves to make it easy to find what you need and to keep everything in its place. In garages, we like to use large labels so they are easier to see. Our large labeler prints labels 1” tall.
7. Regular maintenance
Weekly check: Spend a few minutes each week tidying up the garage to prevent clutter from building up again.
Seasonal reorganization: Reassess your garage storage needs each season, rotating items based on what you’ll need most.
8. Personalize the space
Consider adding a personal touch with a coat of paint, flooring, or even a small seating area if space allows. Making the garage a more pleasant place can motivate you to keep it organized.
By following these steps, you can create a well-organized garage that is functional and easy to maintain.
Liz Crosswell, Professional Organizer
Liz Crosswell worked through several early career endeavors before discovering her passion for professional organizing. Once she did, it wasn’t long before she founded Crosswell Organizing – a full-service organizing firm dedicated to discerning homeowners in Houston’s most premier neighborhoods since 2008. While CO calls Houston home, the team will travel to the ends of the earth to help a client organize a vacation home or manage a move.
