7 Mistakes to Avoid in Garage Organization
For many families, the garage is the most difficult space in the home to keep organized. Seemingly wide open where anything can go, it’s easy to overlook its primary role to house your cars and other outdoor items and instead, use it for pretty much anything you don’t know where else to store. Seasonal holiday décor, bulk shopping supplies, and mismatched shoes compete for prime real estate with sports equipment, lawn care supplies, and space for a hobby area or workbench for everyday tools.
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to tackle a garage organization project. To help you prepare, check out our tips for how a custom storage solution can help you avoid the top seven garage organization mistakes homeowners make every single day
Take Inventory of the Items in Your Garage
The first step in any organization project is taking inventory of what you own and then decluttering the things you don’t need or use. Once you have a good handle on what you need to store, you can think about how to use shelves, cabinets, racks, and hooks to better organize the garage. And when you work with a garage organization expert, they’ll help you maximize the space you have to store your things and leave space for your car too! Decluttering your garage is as simple as sorting items into basic categories and then taking action on them based on how they are assigned. A project you can do in sections overtime or tackle in a weekend, as you remove items assign them one of three categories: Keep, Donate, and Discard.
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AS YOU WORK THROUGH YOUR THINGS, ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY WHICH CATEGORY IS BEST:
Often used items get labeled “Keep”. A good rule of thumb is that if an item is in good condition and hasn’t been used within the past year, it’s time to let it go. Label those items “Donate”. And for anything that is broken or obsolete, label it “Discard.” You might surprise yourself when you realize how freeing de-cluttering can be. Odds are you won’t miss the old backyard games that no one uses anymore or the outgrown sports gear that has seen better days.
Pro Tip
Be sure to safely “Discard” potentially toxic items such as old electronics and paint.
02 Avoid Buying One-Off Garage Storage Products
Your empty garage is a blank canvas, and your organization project can help you paint any picture you want. Start with the help of a garage organization expert who can work with you to identify your storage needs and incorporate just the right design features and organizing products that will help you get and stay organized for years to come. This way you’ll avoid feeling the inevitable disappointment that will come from pursuing your garage organization project without defining your needs first.
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The best way to identify what you need is to identify what does and doesn’t work in your current garage space. Think about the way you use your garage right now and then compare that to how you wish your garage could function. This is a key component in designing your garage organization project. For example, you might use your garage as the main entrance to your home. If this is unlikely to change after the project, make sure you plan for a way to keep coats, backpacks, and shoes organized.
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Looking for an out of the way yet convenient space to pursue your favorite hobbies? Think about your current garage storage and then take a fresh look at the lighting and table surfaces needed to accommodate your hobby. Your garage organization expert will help you incorporate this creative space into your garage, making it as functional as possible.
Pro Tip
Say goodbye to that mountain of shoes just inside your garage door by including an Inspired Closets Shoe Shrine® and a bench to make them easy to find and even easier to put away.
Avoid Over Planning for Your Custom Garage Solution
If you are finally ready to tackle organizing your garage, there’s a good chance you’ve got a Pinterest Board full of inspiration that can help shape your vision. The challenge comes when those ideas are too large or complex for your space.
Your garage organization expert will take precise measurements, making sure to maximize every available inch of the garage – including vertical space.
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Your design will include correctly sized and adjustable organization products.
Wasting Your Money on Low-Quality Garage Materials
When it comes to home improvement, quality counts and that’s just as true for your garage as it is your closet or laundry room. By investing in quality materials now, you never have to redo your garage organization project ever again. Say goodbye to open-wire shelving and instead, choose a custom solution that can offer you the best garage organization products made of high-quality wood that won’t sag or warp over time.
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Pro Tip
For a clean and pristine look, choose closed storage solutions like cabinet doors and smooth-rolling drawers with organizers to keep the items inside ready to use.
Poorly Installing Your Custom Garage Storage Products
When installed correctly, quality wall organizers, hooks, shelves, cabinets, overhead storage, and other organization products are strong and designed to carry a heavy load. Haphazard installations can cause damage to garage walls. Plus, if the organization products detach from the wall, your belongings and family are at risk of taking a fall.
That’s why we recommend working with a garage organization expert to guide your project from beginning to end. At Inspired Closets, our experienced installers are well versed on how to install custom garage organization products with ease, bringing the proper materials and equipment with them. They’ll respect your time and your home, leaving your garage in better condition than when they found it.
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Pro Tip
For a clean and pristine look, choose closed storage solutions like cabinet doors and smooth-rolling drawers with organizers to keep the items inside ready to use.
Choosing a Garage Storage Solution Without a Warranty Offer
With so much excitement over tackling your new garage organization project, it can be easy to overlook the value of a warranty. That’s why choosing the right custom garage organization expert matters.
With a complete line of products, you’ll have the confidence you need to invest in quality materials that are backed by a limited warranty and that the installation team that comes to you home will be well qualified to get the job done.
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When you work with Inspired Closets, you’re making a choice to protect your investment giving you peace of mind to pursue your custom garage organization project.
07 Choosing a Garage Organization Solution that Does Not Help Your Home Value
As the housing market ebbs and flows, the need for an efficient and organized garage stays the same. A home improvement project that will add value to your home for years to come, it’s important to choose durable and well-designed custom garage organization products that will stand the test of time. Your garage organization expert will help you choose everything from product colors to accessories, making it possible to create a solution that is an extension of your home, reflecting a dash of your personal style with long-term value in mind.
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Pro Tip
Space-saving built-in cabinets with sliding doors and shelves, overhead storage, wall storage, and garage floor coatings not only look and work great, but they also become integrated parts of the home. That means these types of upgrades can give you the best return on your investment by increasing home value if you ever plan to move in the future.
Taking on a custom garage organization project can seem daunting. When you work with Inspired Closets, we’ll make sure you avoid the seven garage organization mistakes while guiding your project through to its final success. A functional, beautiful garage is easy and fun. Give us a call to get started today!
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