Organizing the garage can be one of the most daunting tasks regarding home organization. Left unchecked, the garage can very quickly and easily become a dumping ground for all of our outdoor goods and anything we don’t want to store inside of our house.

Garage accumulation is a special kind of overwhelm and knowing where to start can keep us stuck spinning our wheels for months or even years. In this article, I’m breaking down the steps you can take to start confidently organizing your garage.

Step 1. Assess the Space

Taking a moment to objectively assess your space is the key to starting your garage-organizing journey. Oftentimes we’ll feel the overwhelm of our garage, without actually being able to articulate specifically what is bothering us.

Assessing your space allows you to take an honest and thoughtful inventory of the current state of your garage so that you can get a clear understanding of your biggest pain points and opportunities. The information you gather in this exercise will help you answer the most difficult and frequently asked organizing question… “Where do I even start?” Answering this question is the first and most important step in making an organizing action plan.

The assessment shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes. Start with a walk-through of the garage, and take notes on what’s currently working and what is not working. If multiple people use the space, include them in this exercise. The more thorough and honest you can be, the better results you will get.

As you walk through the garage and take notes - capture your observations from two different views.

Macro View: Standing in the doorway or the center of the garage, take a 360* look at the room and document what you see.

Is the floor clear or cluttered?
Are the tabletops or surfaces in the space clear or cluttered?
Are there specific areas where clutter seems to accumulate? What kind of clutter is accumulating there?
Do you see any blank wall or floor space that could be used for storage?
What IS working from this view that doesn't need to change?

Micro View: Once you understand the macro view well, take some time to look a little closer. This is your chance to look at those areas that maybe you haven’t touched or seen in a while (hint hint - this could be potential future storage space!).

Look inside the cabinets, shelves, and any enclosed storage in the garage. Is it clear what’s stored in there? Are they overstuffed? Are items easy to access?

Look down low - what’s on the shelves? Or in the corners of the garage?
Look up high - pull out the step ladder if you need to. Peek inside of those totes and boxes you’re storing up high.
Take note of the general categories of items you currently have/want to store in the space. These are items you’ll need to find a home for.
Take note of items you no longer wish to store in that space. You’ll need to reallocate these items to other areas of the home.
Take note of any obvious items you wish to let go of. You likely have some quick wins of items you know need to go (broken furniture, clothes that don’t fit, toys that are outgrown, etc. ).
What IS working from this view?

After considering all of these variables, take a moment to jot down your vision for the space. What do you want it to do for you that it can’t do today? What problems do you envision going away? How do you want your space to serve you?

From there, jot down the goals for your space and the steps you need to take to get there. Generally speaking, when organizing any space, you’ll need to start first with decluttering and removing anything that no longer serves you. Then you organize it in a way that supports your lifestyle. Trying and get specific here for your garage. Maybe some items need to be sold, or returned back to other people, or donated to specific places. Take note of all the steps you’ll need to take to get it done. This is going to inform your plan.

Step 2. Make a Plan

Organizing your garage may seem like a daunting task, but having a well-thought-out plan in place can significantly streamline the process and ensure its success. First and foremost, making a plan for organizing your garage helps you set clear goals and priorities. Following the assessment you completed, you should have a general idea of what items you have, what needs to be stored or discarded, and how you want the space to function once it's organized. This will all inform your plan! Without a plan, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, leading to frustration and wasted time.

Here are the key components to making a solid plan for your project:

Scheduling

One crucial component of a garage organization plan is scheduling. Allocating specific time slots or dedicating entire days to the project can help you stay focused and committed to the task. Breaking down the organizing process into smaller, manageable steps and setting deadlines for each can prevent procrastination and ensure steady progress. For example, you might dedicate a day to tackling different sections of your garage or certain days to tackle certain categories of items (day one to tackle tools and gardening supplies, day two to tackle sports equipment and holiday decorations, etc.). This ensures the work is manageable, you continue to make progress, and you don’t burn out trying to tackle it all at once.

Additionally, scheduling allows you to coordinate with any helpers or family members who may assist you in the process, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. You’ll want to consider how many days you’ll need, what the weather will look like, and pick dates to get it done. Ideally, you choose dates when the weather will be warm and free of rain, so you can sort items in your driveway.

Asking for Help

Another essential aspect of a garage organization plan is identifying the help needed. Organizing the garage can be a really big job! Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you may need assistance from friends, family members, or professional organizers.

Clearly outlining who will be involved and what tasks they will be responsible for can help streamline the process and prevent confusion. Consider asking for help from friends or family if there is a considerable volume that is overwhelming for one person to tackle, you have a timeline you’re working towards or the possessions in the garage are shared/owned by other people.

When enlisting help, be clear on your goals for the project, what needs to be done, and how much time you think it will take. Gain agreement on the tasks to be completed and the dates that you’ll work together. This ensures that you aren’t going it alone or leaving it to chance for schedules to the line. Make sure everyone involved has the dates on their calendars.

Determine Resources Needed

If you’re doing a large garage cleanout, you’ll want to think ahead about the trash/recycling/donation removal plan.

Check with local donation sites to confirm their drop-off hours, as well as what kinds of items they accept. Clear out your vehicles to ensure they’re ready to load and haul items to donation.

If you live in Pierce or King County, grab a copy of my friend donation guides which outline where to donate:

If you anticipate having a lot of junk that needs to be removed from the space, consider renting a large dumpster, arranging for a junk hauler to come and collect it, arranging for large trash pick up with your trash service provider, or asking a friend with a truck or trailer to haul it to the dump for you. Having a plan will ensure the trash gets removed from the garage, rather than getting moved around and still taking up valuable space.

Lastly, you’ll want to have trash bags and boxes readily available for sorting, throwing things away, and donating items. Additional helpful supplies for a garage organizing project include work gloves, face masks to protect from dust and debris, packing tape, and Sharpie markers for labeling boxes. You’ll also want to ensure you stay hydrated and wear comfortable clothing and shoes to work in.

Step 3. Execute the Plan

I attribute my handywoman skills to my father. He taught me everything from how to mow the lawn, to changing a tire and the oil on my car. His signature saying before we’d start any house project was “You have to make a plan. Then you have to execute the plan.” That’s stuck with me forever. It’s such easy and sage advice! So let’s talk about executing the plan.

Sticking to the plan is paramount when it comes to organizing any space, including your garage. A well-crafted plan serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the process and helping you stay on track toward your goals. However, it's essential to recognize that unexpected challenges or changes may arise along the way. Flexibility is key, and adjusting the plan where needed allows you to adapt to evolving circumstances while maintaining forward momentum.

One crucial aspect of sticking to the plan is maintaining accountability. By holding yourself accountable to the goals and deadlines outlined in your plan, you can stay motivated and focused on making progress. Regularly reviewing the plan and tracking your accomplishments can help you stay on course and identify areas where adjustments may be necessary. Additionally, communicating any changes or challenges with any helpers or family members involved ensures that everyone remains aligned and committed to the overarching objectives.

While it's essential to stay committed to the plan, it's equally important to recognize when adjustments are needed to keep moving forward. Whether it's reallocating resources, revising timelines, or modifying tasks, being open to flexibility allows you to overcome obstacles and continue making strides toward your ultimate goal of an organized garage. Remember that the plan is a tool to guide you, not a rigid set of rules. By remaining adaptable and proactive in addressing any setbacks or changes, you can ensure that your efforts toward garage organization are both effective and sustainable in the long run.

In Summary

Following these steps, I’m confident you’ll have a solid plan in place to start organizing the garage. It only takes an hour or so to make a plan and will save you time, energy and frustration down the road. Organizing the garage is a big task and a little planning goes a long way to make sure you get the results you want!

If you’re in the Tacoma metro area and are looking for professional supporting organizing your garage, I’d love to chat. Book a free call today to discuss your project and explore how I might be able to help you.

How to Start Organizing the Garage