It’s funny to me how a garage that was originally intended as a protective parking space for vehicles, a workshop, or a gym can easily turn into a storage container without any organization or system. It’s such a waste of space, and I don’t believe all that clutter is useful, even for someone trying to work out of their garage. This is why I’m sharing this guide on how to declutter your garage.
Like any decluttering project, it’s always good to start with a plan.
A good plan has an objective and a strategy.
In this case, the objective is to get rid of unnecessary items from your garage and organize it for optimal use. The manner in which we can do this is by sorting our belongings into categories and removing items one category at a time.
Following this process ensures that we do not get rid of something we actually need while organizing our garage optimally.
These are the categories that I find most useful:
- Functioning items and non-functioning items.
- Essential tools and work items.
- Valuable items and non-valuable items.
- Necessary spares and unnecessary duplicates.
- Sentimental items
- Waste and leftover items
I like to separate all my possessions into these categories and sort through them.
Usually, all non-functioning, non-valuable, unessential duplicates, some sentimental items, and waste get discarded, donated, or sold.
Everything that remains gets reorganized in a space-saving manner where access is factored into consideration depending on the frequency of use for each item.
So, for example, if my garage doubles as a home gym, dumbbells would remain in clear and easy access versus wood carving tools that are only used for my hobby of wood crafting.
This is the plan that I use, and it works like a charm.
Related article: 8 Tips to clear clutter from your home
A Full List Of Items To Declutter From A Garage
After careful consideration and research, I put together this list of items that you may declutter from your garage. Work through this list, following the categories mentioned above, and get rid of these items.
Whether you trash, donate, or sell them is completely up to you. I will recommend selling most equipment, tools, and appliances because they are still valuable, even if they aren’t functioning..
Unused or Broken Tools:
- Unused power tools
- Old or broken hand tools
- Duplicate tools
Unnecessary Sporting Equipment:
- Bicycles that are no longer used
- Broken or outgrown sports gear
- Unused exercise equipment
- Stretch bands, benches, or dumbbell plates that you will never use
Old Electronics:
- Outdated electronics
- Broken or non-functional gadgets
- Old cables and chargers
- Video casette players
- Radios
Unused Building Materials:
- Extra tiles or flooring
- Unused lumber or wood
- Leftover construction materials
- Hoses
- Empty containers
- Unused screws, nails, or bolts
- Empty or near-empty paint cans
Old Furniture:
- Broken or outdated furniture
- Unwanted chairs, tables, or shelves
- Curtain rods and broken blinds
Unused Garden Tools:
- Broken or unused garden tools
- Rusting tools
- Outdated or broken pots
- Broken or unused wheel barrow
Paint and Chemicals:
- Expired or leftover paint
- Old pesticides or chemicals
Unused or Broken Outdoor Equipment:
- Broken lawnmowers or trimmers
- Outdated or unused outdoor furniture
- Unused gardening equipment
Old Decorations and Holiday Items:
- Broken or unused holiday decorations
- Outdated or unwanted seasonal items
- Old and outdated mugs, plastic trees, and other things alike
Unused or Old Car Parts:
- Spare parts that are no longer needed
- Old tires
- Broken car accessories
- Old car fluids
Paper Clutter:
- Old newspapers and magazines
- Unwanted cardboard boxes
- Outdated documents and manuals
- Product boxes of low value or expired guarantees
Unused or Broken Home Appliances:
- Old appliances that are no longer functional
- Duplicate or unnecessary appliances
Unused Clothing and Textiles:
- Outgrown or unwanted clothing
- Old linens or towels
- Unused fabric or sewing supplies
Broken or Unused Outdoor Toys:
- Damaged or unused bicycles, scooters, etc.
- Broken or outgrown toys
Random Items:
- Miscellaneous items without a clear purpose
- Unlabeled boxes or containers
By the time you work your way through this list, I am certain that your garage will be transformed.
Then, whenever you consider storing something in it, go through this list and determine if that specific item belongs to the list above.
If it does, immediately trash, donate, or sell it to avoid cluttering the garage ever again.
That brings us to the end of this garage decluttering guide. I tried to keep it as streamlined and useful as possible. Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. I would really appreciate it if you shared this article with your friends and family who are looking to embrace minimalism or who want to declutter their home.
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