For many homeowners, the garage becomes the "catch-all" for everything — tools, sports gear, seasonal décor, and random items without a home. Over time, clutter takes over, making it hard to find anything or even park a car inside.
Good news: an organized garage is possible — and it can even become one of the most efficient spaces in your home.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to organizing your garage for good:
1. Set Aside a Full Day (or Weekend)
Garage organization isn’t a 30-minute project. Block out enough time to tackle it properly. If possible, recruit family members to help.
2. Empty Everything Out
Take everything out of the garage. Yes, everything.
This gives you a clean slate and a clear view of your space (and forces you to deal with every item).
· If this is far too overwhelming or you can not dedicate an entire day start with these 3 steps:
o Take a trash bag and get rid of all of the trash, anything that is broken
o Get a box/bag and go through the entire garage looking for all things you can donate
o Next – is there anything that you can sell on Kijiji or FB Marketplace
3. Sort Items into Categories
As you remove items, group them into categories:
Tools
Sporting equipment
Lawn and garden supplies
Holiday decorations
Automotive supplies
Donate/Sell/Trash pile
4. Purge Ruthlessly
Be honest about what you really need.
Ask yourself:
Have I used this in the last year? Can I live without it?
Will I realistically use it in the future?
Is it broken or missing parts?
Donate or sell usable items. Trash anything broken or unsafe.
The City of Calgary has free Community cleanup days throughout Calgary communities to drop off items that are too big or don’t belong in the black garbage bin. Check their site for locations, dates, and what you can / can’t drop off.
The City of Calgary also has drop offs all year for hazardous wastes, such as paint, propane tanks, garden chemicals, automotive fluids. Check their site for locations and clarification on what you can drop off.
5. Plan Your Space
Think about how you want to use your garage:
Parking your car?
Workshop space?
Sports storage?
Assign areas for different zones (tools, garden, sports, etc.) to keep similar items together.
6. Invest in Storage Solutions
Maximize vertical and overhead space to keep the floor clear:
✅✅Snap together plastic shelving is inexpensive and makes a big difference.
✅ Wall-mounted shelving: Great for bins, paint cans, and small equipment.
✅ Pegboards: Perfect for tools — easy to see and grab.
✅ Hooks and racks: Hang bikes, ladders, hoses, and garden tools.
✅ Storage bins: Use clear, labeled bins for seasonal decorations, camping gear, and smaller items.
✅ Overhead storage: Install ceiling racks for seldom-used items (like holiday decorations).
7. Label Everything
Clearly label bins, drawers, and shelves.
The easier it is to find (and put away) items, the more likely you are to stay organized.
8. Create a Maintenance Habit
Once your garage is organized, spend 10–15 minutes each month doing a quick tidy-up:
Sweep the floor (or vacuum with a shop vac for less dust)
Put items back in place
Get rid of anything you no longer need
A little regular maintenance prevents the garage from becoming overwhelming again.
Organizing your garage can feel like a big task, but it’s 100% worth it. Clutter = Stress.
You'll save time, protect your belongings, and maybe even rediscover space you forgot you had.
Comments:
Post Your Comment: