Photograph Credit: Target
My garage is the dumping area for items to be donated, seldom used items, and the extension of my pantry. I also happen to park one of our vehicles in our 2-car garage, keep tools, lawn equipments, and our freezer.
To return the garage to an organized state, my husband cleans out the garage about every 6 months. This project involves taking everything but the shelving out of the garage, sweeping it out, and replacing similar items together. Every time the garage gets cleaned, we have more space and more items to trash, donate, and sell.
Before my husband cleaned the garage this summer, I decided to organize the large cabinet in the garage that holds items I use periodically. On the day of this project, I prepared to work.
Preparing to Organize
1. Opened the garage door
2. Backed out the car
3. Brought out all the bicycles and outdoor toys for the kids to play
4. Assisted my children in play
5. Set up a card table for my workspace
Organizing the 5-shelf Cabinet
With the children playing, I began working from top to bottom.
1. Took all items off shelf #1
- Sent trash to the garbage can
- Placed donated items in cardboard box
- Added items for garage sale to designated box
- Items to keep where placed on the card table in piles of similar items
2. Dusted shelf
3. Replaced items back onto shelf
4. Repeated steps 1-3 with shelf #2
5. Repeated steps 1-3 with shelf #3
Took a break to refill drinks, assist with bikes, and play with my children
6. Repeated steps 1-3 with shelf #4
Received help and advice from oldest daughter on my progress 🙂
7. Repeated steps 1-3 with shelf #5
Completing the Project
1. Placed all trash in the garbage can
2. Put the donated items box in the car for drop off
3. Slid garage sale items to the left side of the garage with the other garage sale items
4. Returned card table to the closet inside the house
5. Put away the bikes and outdoor toys
6. Ushered children inside the house
7. Pulled the car into the garage
8. Closed the garage door
Project complete!
My garage cabinet was transformed from “stashing items wherever I found space” to clean, neat shelves that hold items for easy access. In using time wisely, I decluttered my garage cabinet resulting in no more trash (or broken items), more items to sell at a garage sale, and similar items placed together for easy retrieval. I also found a nice bake ware set, that I forgot I had, which has been a nice addition to my kitchen. This organizational project was worth my time and energy!
Question: What organizational projects are you plugging through that is worth your time and energy? Please add your answer to the comments!