Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner, and if you're anything like us, you're making a list of chores you need to complete before your guests arrive this holiday season. The chore most of us cringe at is the garage. "How did it get that messy? Where did all this come from?" are usually the questions you tend to ask yourself, or your spouse for that matter year after year. Today, we're going to show you how to declutter your garage in 5 easy steps to save you from the embarrassment when your family arrives and to keep your garage looking great all year long!
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Declutter It, Literally
The most essential part of cleaning your garage is throwing out items you don't need anymore. Throw away anything that is not of use to you, whether it be old parts, a tent that was "supposed" to get fixed this summer, old appliances, bicycles from year's past that are too small for your kids, and so on. Don't think twice about it! This will clear out space for you to be able to plan how to organize your garage, and home, from here on out. It will also make you feel really, really good.
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Garage Zones
A great way to make your garage more organized, and keep it that way, is to designate zones. Obviously the center of the garage is the vehicle zone, so let's discuss the surrounding areas. Find out the best spot to place your tools (Tool Zone), and storage for items such as paper towels, batteries, etc, also known as the Storage Zone. This way, when you come into the garage to grab something, you'll know exactly where it's located based on the zone.
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Organize Your Salvaged Items
Whatever items you didn't throw away, you'll need to keep those organized either in your specific zones, or make new space for them. For instance, a lot of families hang their tools on the wall so it's easy to reach for them when need be. Lawn and garden equipment such as your mower or backhoe may not fit in one specific zone, so be sure to place them close together or beside the same wall. This same rule applies for your seasonal furniture and holiday decorations.
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Label All of Your Storage
If you're anything like us, there are some items you don't want to get rid of, and that's okay. It's always a good idea to place items in storage boxes and label what each box holds inside. This way, when you're looking for something specific, instead of opening all of the boxes, just read the labels until you find what you're looking for (be descriptive). This saves a lot of time, and energy!
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Add A Bench
If your kids play a lot of sports, you may not have enough time to place their gear in designated zones every day — especially when they need to get homework done, eat dinner, shower, and prepare for bed after practices during the week. It may be ideal for you to install or place a bench in your garage in order for the kids' gear to stay on the bench, making it easier for them to pick up and drop off, and run less risk of getting run over by the car.
If you follow this list, or even complete a few of these tips, you're sure to get your garage back to normal before the Holiday season! If you are looking to move towards the Western North Carolina area, it's great to have this list handy before you clutter your brand new garage up!
Let us introduce you to the Vista Communities — a scenic area giving you a slower-paced lifestyle with plenty of fun activities to enjoy. If you picture mountain views when you think of your next front porch view, then contact us online or give us a call today to discuss which of our developments has the perfect home for you!
