How to organize what is probably the most disorganized place in your home: YOUR GARAGE!

According to Harris Interactive, 50 percent of homeowners rate their garage as the most disorganized place in their home. For most families, every member contributes to their garages clutter and disarray. You may have made many attempts at organizing your garage, but because Florida homes do not have basements, most families have to store out-of-season items that would typically be stored in a basement. Without that option, it becomes even more imperative for Florida families to maintain a neat, organized garage. Instead of haphazardly tackling the overwhelming task of once-and-for-all getting that garage organized, here is a step-by-step process which will help you navigate your way to neatness:

1. Do an initial assessment of all items, including things on shelves, on the floor, in corners, or hanging on the walls. Use bright sticky dots to place on items you know you should get rid of. The rule of thumb is that if you have not used the item in over a year, chances are you will never use it. Remove those items immediately and place them in one of three piles. This will make room for your continued organizational work.
2. Assign all items to one of three piles: a) things that need to be thrown away which would not be of use to anyone who currently lives on this planet; b) things that could be donated to your favorite non-profit organization such as The Vietnam Veterans, Hadassah, or Good Will; c) things that could be sold in a yard sale – even those dollar items could add up to pay for some new shelving, a new outfit, or a night out; d) things you know you will want to keep.
3. Take everything off shelves, hooks, in corners or on the floor and place all items in a spacious area or set up folding tables if you need more space. Organize all items into categories, such as games, sports equipment, tools, seasonal decorations, etc.
4. Evaluate these separate piles and assess how often each item will be used. Some items, such as seasonal decorations used once a year, may be placed in color-coded storage bins and stored in your attic. (You could use purchase black ones for Halloween, gold ones for Thanksgiving, green ones for Christmas, etc.)
5. Use your three pile strategy again: a) items which should be thrown away or given away; b) items which could be donated; c) items which could be sold in a yard sale; (Note: If you are not up for the task of organizing a yard sale yourself, see if a friend or neighbor wants to collaborate and plan one together. You could share in the cost of advertising, too.) d) items you want to keep and store.
6. Store all items in plastic bins with lids. You may use different sizes to accommodate the size and shape of your storage items. Maintain the categories you used when you first separated items into piles. Stack storage bins neatly on shelves, storing items you use frequently within reach.

For many homeowners, this task is a bit overwhelming, and it may be seem impossible to find time to undertake this challenge alone. If this is your dilemma, contact a professional organizer who is skilled to handle the job. Organizers are efficient and are able to get the job done in a timely, organized way. It is guaranteed that you (and your entire family) will look forward to opening that door to your garage, taking a few steps and seconds to finding exactly what you were looking for.