Spring has arrived, and with it, garage organizing season!  That makes it the perfect time to discuss eight key pitfalls to avoid when organizing this space. Read on to learn what these mistakes are and how to bypass them to make it faster and easier to organize your garage with systems that will last. 

Garage Organizing Mistake #1: Not Decluttering First

Letting go of what no longer serves you to make space for what’s most important to you now is ALWAYS the first and most IMPACTFUL step in every organizing project, including the garage. Begin by pulling everything out, sorting like with like, and letting go of the things you don’t use or need.

Garage Organizing Mistake #2: Buying Storage Solutions Before Decluttering

You don’t know what you need until you know WHAT you’re keeping and WHERE you plan to store it. Save yourself the time and energy of returning the wrong solutions to the store by waiting to make any purchases until you properly space plan based on what you’re keeping.

Garage Organizing Mistake #3: Failing To Create Zones

Designated zones for categories keep like items together, which means there is only one place to look for something, saving time and frustration.  Common garage zones include tools, gardening supplies, lawn care tools, sports equipment, vehicle-related items, garbage, and recycling.   

Garage Organizing Mistake #4: Failing To Maximize Vertical Space

The best way to maximize garage space and improve the visibility and accessibility of everything is to utilize ALL available vertical space on the walls and ceilings. Shelving, slat walls, peg boards and ceiling racks are a few of my favourite vertical storage solutions.  Click here to learn about the rest of my favourites and how to use them in your garage.

Garage Organizing Mistake #5: Using The Wrong Containment 

Most garages are not temperature-controlled, accumulate dust and dirt, and attract bugs and pests.  To avoid mold and mildew growth and creating attractive dark homes for pests, both of which can damage your items, cardboard boxes and totes without an air-tight seal should not be used.

Garage Organizing Mistake #6: Storing The Wrong Items In The Garage

Some items shouldn’t be stored in garages, even with air-tight storage totes. Things like clothes, electronics, books, photos, important documents or keepsakes, rugs and carpets, wood furniture, records, and medications are vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, humidity, attract pests or are prone to mold and mildew damage and should NOT be kept in the garage. These items should be stored in a climate-controlled and dry area.  

Garage Organizing Mistake #7: Not Adding Labels 

Labels are a fast and easy system that lets everyone know where to find and return items.  And when it’s easy, it’s much more likely to last! So, save your future self time (and frustration) and provide clarity to everyone using the space by clearly labelling all bins, shelves, and storage areas.

Garage Organizing Mistake #8: Forgetting To Leave Room To Grow

Our lives aren’t static, and our needs fluctuate and change over time (especially if you have kids whose hobbies and interests change and grow over time).  If your container, bin, shelf, etc., is 100% full after you’ve organized, the system will break down once you have more to put in/on it.  But if you leave room to grow, your system can accommodate life’s inevitable fluctuations and remain effective. 

Conclusion

Spring is a great time to tackle organizing your garage.  Just stay clear of these 8 common garage organizing mistakes and your project will be well on its way to success!

Were you making any of these common mistakes?  Let me know in the comments below.  And if you liked the post, please share it!

Happy organizing!