Everybody knows the dread that comes from preparing to organize a garage, let alone actually cleaning one. (Just imagine getting rid of several years' worth of clutter—anxious yet?) But the task must be done, and there's no better time than the present to do said task.
Desperately trying to figure out the best way to organize a garage doesn't need to be your approach. We've already cracked that code. Here are some of our best tips and tricks for decluttering a garage, from start to finish.
Organize Your Garage: Tips, Tricks & Strategies
1. Start with Goals
Before diving directly into cleaning your garage, take a moment to envision what the final version of your garage might look like. Maybe even jot down a few goals to help keep you motivated and focused during the decluttering process.
Here’s a few garage organization ideas and goals to get your noodle ticking:
- Use vertical space wisely (this is especially important when you organize small garage spaces)
- Ensure your vehicle is still able to park in your garage
- Improve access to frequently used objects (dog food, lawnmower, Barbie Jeep… make sure to consider all the essentials!)
- Iron out what if you're going with prebuild or DIY garage organization and storage.
Once you establish what you want to accomplish, it’s finally time to jump in and clean. You can do it!
Follow the rest of our step-by-step process to ease the burden of organizing a cluttered garage:
2. Dump & Clean
Start by dumping all loose items into a giant pile in the center of the garage. This forces you to take stock of all the objects present in the space. It can be difficult to take inventory of accumulated belongings unless this step is completed.
Yes, this makes for a bigger mess at first, but it’s totally worth doing in the end. This is a great opportunity to wipe down any surfaces that are usually full of stuff. Garages can get surprisingly grimy!
3. Sort Piles
Group everything by function. These groupings should also help you to pick out any broken or depleted products, as well as identify if anything needs to be replaced or donated.
These groups can be stored away together in bins or on shelves to help create an intuitive, tidy garage space. For example, stow all holiday decorations together in one extra-large, garage ceiling storage bin. (Or use a different storage box for each holiday and place the bins up and out of the way for use once a year.)
4. Toss
When it comes to single-car garage storage ideas, you're going to want to go ham on this "Toss" step. Discard any out-of-date, expired, or unwanted products. This may sound intuitive, but even grass fertilizer can expire! So, check any car seats, cleaning products, and art supplies for an expiration date.
While you're here, take a moment to consider if any unutilized objects would be appreciated in a new home with someone who would actually use them...
5. Donate
If you do find some items that still have a useful place in a home, just not yours, put it in a "donate" pile. Depending on how many items are sorted into this pile, you can choose to have a garage sale or drop them off at a Goodwill, Salvation Army or another thrift store that accepts donations. (It’s normal to feel attached to nostalgic items. So, keep that vintage Hyundai baseball cap if you wanna!)
6. Store
Follow Marie Kondo’s clear storage bin hacks. The main organizational takeaway is to place your belongings in a clear container so that every object in the container is visible without opening the lid. This cuts down on time spent digging through miscellaneous storage bins just to find something small.
Tip: Need a genius garage storage idea? Buy stackable, clear storage bins if possible. This helps to easily store away any items you may not use very regularly.
7. Tidy Up
Now you've got to tackle anything that’s leftover. Tidying up might be difficult—you're so tired by then—but it also means you're almost done!
Tip: Open shelves are better for garage storage than closed cabinets. Open shelves allow for more visibility of objects and reduces the need for labelling. (Because we all have labelled storage… right?)
8. Clean Your Car
After organizing your, don’t forget to clean out your car! (Clear cars, clear garages, can’t lose. Or whatever they said on Friday Night Lights.)
Grab a trash bag, some car cleaning wipes, and the rest of your willpower. Finish strong!
If you notice a need for additional space, you can buy car accessories that maximize your cargo area. Visit or contact a car parts store near you to ask about affordable cargo nets for trunks, cargo organizers for SUVs or truck bed storage solutions. Heck, you might even want to grab a steering wheel tray, which is perfect for road trips!
Still not sure what car accessories are worth buying? We'd be happy to help you make the right choice. Call Braman Hyundai Miami at (786) 623-4261 to get a rundown of authentic Hyundai accessories that'll help you keep your vehicle tidy.
Braman Hyundai is your one-stop Hyundai shop for all things automotive: auto sales, OEM car parts, service, and hospitality. Drop by our Miami dealership at 2001 NE 2nd Ave to experience the high-quality customer service that defines the Braman name.
