Fall is the perfect time for a garage reset. As summer winds down and cooler weather arrives, it’s time to put away the bikes, kayaks, camping gear and lawn equipment and make room for the things you’ll actually need this winter.
A little fall garage organization now can make a huge difference when that first snow arrives. Instead of digging through piles of summer equipment to find your snow shovel, you'll know exactly where everything is.
The goal isn't to create a picture-perfect garage. It's to create a garage that works for your family and the season you're in.
Start With Garage Decluttering
Before you start moving things around, take a good look at what you're storing.
Fall is a great time to do some garage decluttering and get rid of things you no longer use, need or want.
Ask yourself:
Do we still use this? Will we use it next year? Would we buy it again today?
If the answer is no, it may be time to let it go.
Here are some common garage items that may be ready to leave:
Holiday decorations you no longer use. If you've stopped putting something out year after year, there's probably no reason to keep storing it.
Old sports equipment. Kids outgrow bikes, skates, scooters and other equipment quickly. If they've outgrown it — or your family no longer participates in that sport — consider donating it or passing it along to another family.
Camping equipment. If you know you're not going camping anymore, you don't need to keep an entire collection of camping gear taking up valuable space.
Old or broken tools. Get rid of tools that are broken, duplicates you never use, or things that have been sitting untouched for years.
Old gardening supplies. Broken pots, worn-out gardening tools and supplies you no longer use don't need to spend another winter in your garage.
Things you've been saving “just in case.” If you've had something for years and haven't used it, be honest about whether you ever will.
You don't have to get rid of everything. The idea is simply to make sure the things taking up space in your garage are things you actually use or value.
Clean Out the Garage
Once you've decluttered, it's time to clean.
Sweep the garage floor, remove dirt and debris, and knock down those summer cobwebs. If you've moved things out of the way, take advantage of the opportunity to clean areas that are normally difficult to reach.
And here's an important tip: don't immediately put everything back exactly where it was.
Instead, think about what you'll need over the next several months.
Move Winter Items to the Front of the Garage
This is one of the simplest ways to make your garage more functional.
Put the things you use most often in the easiest-to-reach areas.
During the summer, that might mean keeping bikes, lawn games and gardening equipment near the garage door.
In the winter, your priorities change.
Move your:
Snowblower
Snow shovels
Ice melt
Winter sports equipment
Snow brushes and other winter gear
toward the front of the garage, where they're easy to grab.
You don't want to be moving boxes and summer equipment around while standing in the garage during a snowstorm just to find your shovel!
Put Your Summer Equipment Away
Summer equipment can now move toward the back of the garage or into higher storage areas.
Bikes, kayaks, camping equipment, lawn games and other warm-weather items probably won't be used as often during the winter.
This is also a great time to take a second look at those items before storing them.
If something is broken, hasn't been used in years, or your family has simply moved on from that activity, don't automatically store it for another season.
Declutter it now and you'll have less to deal with next spring.
Prepare Your Lawn Mower for Winter
Before you move your lawn mower and other summer equipment to the back of the garage, clean them up and prepare them for seasonal storage according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The same goes for your trimmer and other lawn equipment.
Once everything is clean and properly prepared, move it toward the back of the garage.
That way, your lawn equipment is out of the way but still easy enough to access when spring rolls around.
Get Your Snowblower Ready Now
Don't wait for the first snowstorm to discover that your snowblower needs maintenance.
Fall is the time to make sure your snowblower is ready for winter. Check it over, perform the maintenance recommended by the manufacturer, and make sure you know where everything you need is located.
Then move the snowblower toward the front of the garage.
The same goes for your snow shovels, ice melt and other winter supplies.
If you need it during a snowstorm, you should be able to reach it quickly.
Don't Store Everything in Cardboard Boxes
Your garage may not be the best place for everything you're currently storing there.
Cardboard boxes can absorb moisture, which can be a problem in a garage — especially for books, papers, photographs and other items that can be damaged by moisture.
Whenever appropriate, consider using sturdy plastic storage containers with secure lids instead of cardboard boxes.
And remember that some items shouldn't be stored in the garage at all.
For example, paint generally shouldn't be stored in a garage because freezing temperatures can damage it. Always follow the manufacturer's storage instructions for paint, chemicals and other temperature-sensitive products.
Organize Your Garage by Season
One of the easiest ways to maintain an organized garage is to organize it according to how often you use things.
Think about your garage in three zones:
Front: Items you'll need throughout the current season.
Middle: Items you use occasionally.
Back or higher storage: Seasonal items you won't need for several months.
This simple system makes it easier to find things and makes your seasonal garage clean-out much easier each year.
When spring arrives, you'll simply reverse the process — moving summer equipment forward and winter equipment toward the back.
Fall Garage Organization Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
You don't need a fancy storage system or an entire weekend of complicated organizing to get your garage ready for winter.
Start with the basics:
Declutter. Clean. Move. Organize.
Get rid of the things you no longer use. Clean the space. Move your summer equipment toward the back and your winter equipment toward the front.
Most importantly, make sure the things you need most are easy to find and easy to reach.
The snow will be here before you know it. A little fall garage organization now will make getting through those first snowy days much easier.
Get your garage ready for winter now — before the first snow arrives!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
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