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Organizing the space
Home » Home Improvement » Garage Organization » Organizing the spaceOnce you have assessed the space and acquired the necessary pieces to help you organize your belongings, it is time to get the most out of your garage. Empty the garage, sorting everything into categories. Separate all lawn maintenance tools, sporting equipment, electric tools, etc. Once you realize how much you have, you can determine the best ways to organize and store it. Keep what you actually use, donate what you can, and toss the rest. It doesn’t matter if the item is old or new, expensive or cheap, a gift from a relative or a hand-me-down. The bottom line is that if you don’t use it then its stealing valuable space.
Next, start planning how you'll fit the remaining items back into the garage. Place everything you can in actual containers and label them or designate a space for each item in a cabinet putting like items together. Assign everything to a particular place. The key to sustaining an organized garage is to make it convenient to put things away in their proper place. Here is a list of pointers for storing space:
• store articles within area of first use
• store within easy viewing and reaching distance
• store like things together
• use space completely and efficiently
• make storage units flexible
• discard what you don't use
Here are some additional storage tips that don’t require containers:
• hammer a nail into a stud, using the nail head as a hook - most hanging items have a hole in the handle, so use large finishing nails with heads small enough to fit through the holes. If an object doesn’t have a hole, use a drill to create one. If it’s too small to drill a big enough hole, thread string or cord through the hole, tie a knot, and hang the item up
• hammer two nails in half way, side by side, spaced far enough apart to accommodate the width of a tool handle. Hang tool with the tip of the handle pointing downward, the nails will support the larger end
• make good use of the exposed studs and slats in an unfinished garage by hanging things on nails or hooks attached to the fronts or sides of the studs themselves or hang things from the support ledge between the studs by using large screw-in cup hooks
• nail clothes pins to a stud with finishing nails and you can clip small items, such as goggles, to the stud
• store items between the studs by suspending bungee cords between two nails or nail 1''x2'' furring strips cut to the desired length, into the studs to hold the items in place - this is a great way to store long items such as rakes, skis, and lumber, keeping them out of the way and off the floor
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