If you’re living in a home with a garage attached, it’s time to clear it out! After all, most homeowners only use this space as a storage area, even if there’s a car stuck in there as well. And if you’ve got a bit of spare time coming up, or you’d like to use the space a bit more constructively, or you simply want to organize your home a little better, now’s your chance. We’ve come up with some handy garage clear out planning tips down below; use them to get started on your big project.
Separate into Sections
This is the first thing to do, to ensure you’re not immediately overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have to sort through. Go into your garage with a bit of paper and a pen and draw out a very rough sketch of the layout. Once you’ve done this, separate it out into equal sections. If you start with one section, you have to finish it before going to another one - this’ll keep you productive and ensure steady progress during the clearout.
Invest in Ways to Move Things Out
You want to clear space here, above all else, on top of maybe making a bit of extra cash by selling your old stuff. This means you need to move it all out before putting anything back. So invest in some bags or boxes you can store things in, and be sure to label them into categories first. Old sports equipment, DIY materials, old pet cages etc., all need to have their own receptacle until you can either trash, put back, or set aside to sell.
Don’t Let a Car Sit for Too Long
If you do have a car in the garage, think about the way you use it. Has it been kept inside for so long you’re not even sure the battery is still charged? Or is it an older vehicle you haven’t quite managed to shift yet? Or on the opposite side, would you like to use the garage to actually store your car when it’s not in use? This is where you think about the possibilities! If you want to sell, use a website like edmunds to get informed on the process. If you want to keep, measure the space and see how much of it you’re going to have to clear.
Save it for a Weekend
You can’t clear out a garage in a few hours, no matter how hard you try! You’re going to need breaks, and there’s always a few more items in there than you first believe. Because of this, pick your moment correctly: a spare weekend when there’s nothing else going on. This way you’ve got a good 48 hours to do all of the above and then some. You’ll even have time to sleep and eat during it!
Hire a Professional
A garage is large space and even with a solid plan, it can be very overwhelming. Engaging the help of a professional organizer to either create a plan or help you execute an existing plan, is well worth the investment.
