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How To Declutter Your Garage Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Lilian — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:30:00 +0000

Are you stressed about decluttering your garage that’s filled with random junk? Learn how to declutter your garage without feeling overwhelmed today.

Do you have a garage that’s FULL of junk?

It’s OK if you do – most of us have a garage full of clutter! Fact is, a majority of Americans don’t even park their cars in their garages.

We tend to dump things in the garage because we don’t want to deal with the clutter right away.

What happens next is we adopt the “out of sight, out of mind” attitude.

Since the garage is not a place we step foot in daily, we tell ourselves we’ll deal with the mess later.

But, it doesn’t take long before the space fills up completely. Before you know it, there’s hardly any floor space in the garage!

That’s when you’ll probably think about decluttering, but just the sight and thought of it overwhelms you!

Don’t worry, I’m here to help!

In this post, I’ll share five easy tips to declutter your garage and five practical tips to help you to organize your garage successfully.

Follow the step-by-step guide below so you can finally use your garage to its fullest potential.

How to declutter your garage

1. Set decluttering goals for your garage

Before you begin decluttering your garage, it’s important to set some decluttering goals.

What type of space are you envisioning for your garage?

Do you want to park your cars inside the garage? If you love to work on DIY projects, do you need a workstation in the garage? What are the key things you want to store in the garage?

Knowing how you want to use the space will help you to declutter and organize quickly.

2. Set a realistic timeline to declutter your garage

Can you declutter a garage in one day?

This is a popular question and I understand why! Most of us don’t want to spend our time decluttering. We’ll rather go to the beach, watch TV, or hang out with our family and friends.

To that question, I say it IS possible to declutter your garage in a day. But, I have a feeling it’s going to be very stressful.

After all, 1 in 4 Americans says their garage is too cluttered to fit their car. According to Time magazine, some families store as many as 650 boxes, bins, and other items in their garage!

Don’t make decluttering more difficult than it already is by giving yourself another challenge!

Set a realistic timeline to declutter your garage to avoid extra stress.

Rope in your family to help and set aside four Saturdays in a month to declutter your garage.

Getting your kids involved may lengthen the process, but they will learn the benefits of decluttering if they help.

Make decluttering your garage fun for everyone by turning it into a game. Print out a list of things to declutter in the garage – whoever declutters the most in the shortest amount of time wins!

3. Throw out trash

Like all decluttering projects, do not sort, organize, or clean while you are trying to declutter.

Multitasking will distract you from making significant progress. Plus, juggling too many tasks will make you feel even more overwhelmed!

The first step to decluttering your garage is throwing out the trash.

Sounds simple, right?

It is so easy to do yet many people forget to do this first.

Look around your garage for these items:

Broken styrofoam and cardboard boxes
Empty packaging
Empty soda cans
Scrap materials that cannot be repurposed or reused
Dried out paint cans and rollers
Broken tools that you cannot fix
Worn out sports equipment
Worn out pool, gardening, and miscellaneous equipment and accessories
Old, ratty, and unused pet toys, beds, etc
Expired chemicals like fertilizers and cleaning supplies
Worn out camping/fishing gear
Burnt out light bulbs and batteries
Expired food, medication, and supplements

Once you’ve collected these items, put them aside in an empty corner of the garage and stick a “Trash” label on the wall.

The label indicates that these items need to be discarded or recycled.

I recommend doing this first because you don’t have to think twice about things you don’t need and can’t use anymore.

Once you’ve seen how much progress you’ve made, you’ll be more motivated to continue decluttering.

Additionally, it’s easier to see which items are left in the garage.

4. Plan what to do with all your unwanted stuff

Once you’ve separated your trash from everything else, it’s time to get rid of those items first.

Give yourself time to declutter every single thing before you move on to the next step.

If your garage is overly cluttered, doing this will give you more space to sort out the rest of the stuff in your garage.

The next step is to plan. How are you going to get rid of everything else in your garage?

Here are five easy ways to declutter your things:

Put up a curb alert ad on Craigslist
Sell them online on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Amazon, etc
Donate them to local thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army
Donate them to local charities, homeless shelters, animal shelters, and religious organizations
Give them away to family and friends

Once you’ve decided, make sure to go ahead and complete any required setup like:

Creating an account on online marketplaces
Scheduling pick-ups or drop-offs with your local charities, shelters, thrift stores, and more
Spreading the word to your family, friends, and neighbors

5. Sort the remaining stuff into 4 categories: donate, recycle, sell, keep

Your garage should be a practical and organized space to keep things you need or use frequently.

Maximize the storage in your garage by decluttering these unnecessary things:

Donate/Sell

Old wood scraps
Power tools that do not work or have missing pieces
Random hardware like nails, screws, or bolts that you probably won’t use
Leftover supplies from renovations (tile squares, paint cans, tarps with holes, etc)
Duplicate tools for gardening, car repairs, etc
Sports equipment that you no longer use
Camping/fishing gear that you no longer use
Large toys and bikes that your kids have outgrown
Unused pool accessories
Incorrect size light bulbs
Cracked, broken, or unused flower pots
Broken, old, or unused furniture
Vehicle supplies and accessories you don’t use
Extra luggage, suitcases, and duffel bags
Miscellaneous junk

Recycle

Old electronics like old cell phones and computers, etc
Excess plastic bags, cardboard boxes, etc

Want to declutter the other areas in your home? Get started with the ultimate decluttering checklist with over 100 things to declutter!

Remember to give yourself time to get rid of everything before you start cleaning and organizing.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase any products via my links. I only recommend products that I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. Read the full privacy policy here.

How to organize your garage

Create zones in your garage

If you’ve watched The Home Edit, you know zones are your best friend when it comes to organization.

Notice how easy it is to shop in grocery stores? That’s because there’s a specific zone for each category and each zone is clearly labeled!

Here are some common zones you can find in a garage:

Gardening
DIY tools and supplies
Sports equipment
Cleaning tools and supplies
Food storage
Vehicle repair/maintenance tools
Pool accessories
Camping gear
Seasonal home decor
Children’s toys and activities

You can set up as many zones as you like – as long as it works for you and your family’s lifestyle.

Maximize vertical storage

If you’re planning to park your cars in the garage, it’s a good idea to maximize vertical storage.

Vertical storage also gives you more floor space to move around freely in the garage.

Here are some easy-to-install and affordable storage and organization systems:

Install floating or wire shelves on a blank wall
Attach a pegboard/slat wall panel on the wall to customize your organization
Arrange stainless steel shelves against a blank wall
Assemble a vertical bin storage system

Overhead storage is another option, but I always recommend vertical storage because it feels sturdier and safer to me.

However, you know your household better, so always go for what works best for your space and family.

Use the right storage solutions

Once you’ve decided, it’s time to measure your space and shop for the right storage solutions.

Here are my top picks:

Adjustable 5-shelf storage shelving unit

Pros:

Durable – each shelf can hold up to 350 pounds! The total max load weight is 1,750 pounds
Adjustable shelves
No tools are required to assemble
Bestseller – lots of 5-star reviews with great feedback!
Value for money

Cons:

It may be confusing to assemble

Wall shelves

Pros:

Durable – holds up to 800 pounds
Comes in two colors – black and white (pleasing to the eyes!)
Easy to install
Includes hardware
Great customer service

Cons:

It may not be suitable for drywall
Shelves come separately – however, velcro is provided to combine shelves if you need one long shelf

Large stackable storage bins

Pros:

Spacious
Stackable
Nice design
Comes with a lid and strong buckles
Easy to pull from high shelves – comes with a built-in pull handle on the bottom

Cons:

Some arrived dirty and dusty
Some buckles were faulty (if this happens to you, remember to ask for a replacement!)

Metal Pegboard Organizer

Pros:

Extremely durable – 10 times stronger than a normal pegboard!
Comes in a wide range of colors
Comes with a good variety of accessories, shelves, and bins
Rust-resistant
Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

Pegboard accessories are not included
Some panels arrived bent/dented

Tool storage rack

Pros:

Durable – holds up to 325 pounds!
Versatile – holds a wide variety of tools from garden tools to yard tools to power equipment, extension cords, and garden hoses
Comes with easy instructions
Compact

Cons:

Requires two people for installation
Some people experienced faulty screws/bolts

Power tool organizer

Pros:

Durable – Holds up to 35 pounds
Fits 4 drills plus a shelf for chargers, batteries, and drill bits
Easy to install
Includes hardware

Cons:

Slightly pricey
It may not fit some cordless drills

Sports Equipment Organizer

Pros:

Multipurpose – stores different kinds of sporting equipment and gear from baseball bats to balls to rackets, sticks, gloves, and helmets
Durable
Easily movable – comes with wheels
Comes with a one-year warranty
Great customer service

Cons:

Some panels came bent/dented/damaged

Need more organizational solutions? Check these out:

Label, label, label!

Got everything set up? Perfect!

Now, it’s time to label all of your zones.

Want the pretty vinyl labels you see on The Home Edit? You can:

Customize yours on Etsy
Buy a Cricut and make your labels

But, if you’re on a budget, you can easily make your labels using Canva. Just use a pretty cursive font and print them on sticker paper!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I maintain a clutter-free garage?

First, you have to stop treating your garage as a dumping ground, even if it means implementing some strict rules in the house.

For example:

Discarding the trash as soon as you see them
Putting things away in the right zones after using them
Keeping things off the ground
Decluttering the garage once every six months

Additionally, you can avoid clutter if you learn how to be a mindful shopper. Remember to follow these three rules:

Refrain from making impulse purchases
Do a stock take before you shop
If you must shop, choose high-quality items that will last a long time

2. Help! How do I organize large storage bins in the garage?

The best way to organize large storage bins in the garage is to stack them on wall shelves.

I prefer wall shelves over cabinets because I can see what I have without opening cabinet doors. Additionally, I don’t have to worry about buying storage boxes that fit specific cabinet dimensions.

Furthermore, I have no excuses to keep clutter behind closed doors!

Conclusion

Are you ready to start decluttering the garage with your family?

Read this post, take a deep breath, and go forth. You can do this!

Happy decluttering and all the best!

Like this post? You might enjoy these other decluttering posts…

The post How To Declutter Your Garage Without Feeling Overwhelmed appeared first on That Isle Life.

100 Things To Declutter Today – Get The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist

Lilian — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 16:30:00 +0000

Want to declutter your home but don’t know where to start? Scroll down to find a list of 100 things to declutter in your home today!

Sometimes the hardest part about decluttering your home is not knowing how or where to get started.

Which room do I declutter first? How do I declutter quickly? How do I declutter without feeling overwhelmed?

Are these the questions you have in mind before you declutter?

If you answered yes, then this decluttering checklist with over 100 things to declutter is exactly what you need.

Most of the things in this checklist are no-brainer things you should get rid of immediately. They are made out of:

Things you don’t use, like, want, or need
Expired, broken, or non-functional things
Excess or duplicate things you already own

Therefore, you can choose to use the list however you want to.

Simply start at the beginning and work your way down. Or, pick anything on the list and start decluttering instantly!

To make decluttering easier, over 100 things to declutter are categorized under different rooms in a home.

For example, the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, home office, and more.

Ready to clear the clutter from your home once and for all? Read on to find out the 100 things to declutter from your home.

Related: How To Declutter Quickly – 12 Ways To Declutter In 30 Minutes

The Ultimate Decluttering List – Over 100 Things To Declutter In Your Home Today!

Things To Declutter In The Kitchen

Of the 100 things to declutter, a good chunk of them is in your kitchen!

A clutter-free kitchen has many benefits. For example:

Gives you more space for food prep
Makes the kitchen easier to clean
Makes it a lot easier to locate things
Encourages less food wastage because you know exactly what you have

Start decluttering with this list below:

Refrigerator and Freezer

Expired food in the fridge and freezer
Any food that has gone bad in the fridge and freezer (things can still go bad before their expiration date – make sure you check thoroughly!)
Any food you don’t like and know you won’t use in the fridge and freezer
Fridge magnets
Any Post-It notes or paper on your fridge door that you no longer need or want to display

Kitchen tools and appliances

Duplicate kitchen tools and appliances
Novelty kitchen gadgets (These are usually gadgets that can only do one thing. Get rid of them and invest in multi-purpose kitchen gadgets instead!)
Small appliances that are rarely used
Duplicate cooking and baking utensils
Cracked, chipped, rusty, warped, or broken cookware, bakeware, and utensils (basically anything that’s in poor condition!)
Worn-out cutting boards

Tableware

Chipped or cracked plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, and cutlery
Serving dishes that are rarely used
Extra plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, and cutlery you rarely use
Fancy dishes or china you never use or don’t like
Outgrown plastic kids’ dish sets and cups

Food storage

Storage containers that are missing their lids
Warped, stained, and damaged plastic containers
Damaged water bottles that leak
Travel mugs/water bottles you never use
Excess food storage jars like jam jars, pickle jars, etc.

Cleaning supplies

Old, stained, or worn-out dishcloths and tea towels
Old or worn dish sponges/brushes
Cleaning chemicals that are no longer used
Empty cleaning solution bottles

Miscellaneous Items

Recipe books you don’t use
Paper recipe clippings
Boxes and plastic wrapping
Plastic cutlery
Menus from takeout orders
Restaurant condiment packs
Unlabelled food (if you don’t know what it is don’t eat it!)
Plastic grocery bags
Extra reusable totes
Plastic souvenir cups (the kinds that you get when you visit theme parks or casinos!)
Expired coupons or coupons that you won’t use
Old, dirty, or incomplete seasonal paper goods like plates, napkins, and cups
Plastic disposable medicine cups
Pet treats or food that your pets don’t like
Spices/sauces/condiments that you are not likely to use
Any “junk” from your junk drawer

Things To Declutter In The Pantry

Besides the kitchen, the pantry is equally important to declutter.

Since a pantry stores food and beverages, you’ll want to declutter this space frequently to ensure everything is safe to be consumed.

Here are some things you should declutter immediately:

Expired items
Any food that has gone bad in the pantry
Excess junk food
Old alcohol
Old spices
Food that you and your family will not eat

Things To Declutter In The Bedroom

Your bedroom is a place for rest – it should feel like a sanctuary at all times.

Don’t let clutter get in the way of that!

Get rid of these unnecessary things today:

Worn-out, stained, or flat throw pillows
Throw pillows you don’t use
Sheets or blankets that are in poor condition
Candles that are almost completely burned down
Excess bedsheets
Flat pillows
Old, worn-out, or stained rugs

Related: 9 Decluttering Motivation Tips That Will Help You To Keep Going

Things To Declutter In Your Wardrobe

Wardrobes are usually challenging to declutter.

If you love shopping and fashion, you could probably find more than 100 things to declutter here!

But, you can declutter your wardrobe successfully as long as you know how to be ruthless when decluttering clothes.

Downsizing your wardrobe saves you so much time and money!

Plus, it gives you an opportunity to be creative with the items you choose to keep in your closet.

Trust me, you’ll cherish your clothes more once you’ve completed decluttering these things:

Clothes that don’t fit (get rid of the ones that are too big or too small)
Clothes, bags, hats, and accessories that haven’t been worn in a long time (at least a year)
Worn, stained, ripped, torn, and dirty clothes, bags, and accessories (look out for PJs, bathing suits, workout clothes, and T-shirts!)
Clothes that you don’t look or feel good in
Anything new you haven’t worn in a year
Worn-out lingerie (don’t forget the pantyhose with holes in them!)
Clothing items that aren’t age-appropriate
Socks with holes and socks without their matching pair
Tarnished or broken costume jewelry
Old prescription glasses/sunglasses
Extra sewing kits
Extra random buttons
Excess hangers
Uncomfortable shoes
Old winter wear like coats, hats, gloves, or scarves

Things To Declutter In The Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the easiest places to start decluttering.

That’s because you typically won’t find your sentimental items in your bathroom.

However, the bathroom is a room that attracts a lot of daily clutter like empty packaging and dirty laundry.

Refresh your bathroom by discarding the following items:

Old/expired makeup and beauty products
Samples from hotels, malls, beauty stores, etc.
Beauty products that didn’t work for you
Stretched out hair ties and broken clips
Old fragrances like perfumes and cologne
Dried up or oil nail polish
Old and excess loofahs and sponges
Worn-out, old, or stained towels and washcloths
Old hairbrushes/combs
Old magazines/newspapers
Worn-out toothbrushes
Expired medications, vitamins, and supplements
Empty bottles
Old, broken, and rarely-used beauty toys
Old bath toys
Worn-out soap bars
Dried-out air fresheners
Old or worn-out razors
Make-up you don’t like or never use
Any duplicate items
Unused cleaning supplies
Dirty laundry

Things To Declutter In The Living Room

Maximize the space in your living room by getting rid of all the things you don’t need!

Candles that are almost completely burned down
Dried out air fresheners
Old reading material
Stained, worn-out, or old tea towels & tablecloths
Flat or worn-out throw pillows and throws
Excess pillow inserts and throws
Old, worn-out, or stained rugs
Coasters that you don’t use
CDs, DVDs, tapes, cassette tapes, video games, and gaming consoles you no longer use
Board games you no longer play/age-appropriate for your family
Board games or puzzles with missing pieces
Worn-out and dirty pet toys
Excess picture frames
Worn-out, stained, or curtains that don’t match your style anymore
Broken blinds
Unused furniture
Dead houseplants
Empty baskets or bins
Random knick-knacks that collect dust
Decor that doesn’t match your style anymore

Related: How To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed

Things To Declutter In The Home Office

If you’ve been working from home for the past two years, chances are your home office is filled with paperwork, office supplies, and more.

Declutter your home office to get a cleaner workspace and to boost your productivity.

Unused craft supplies
Excess or old cards, gift tags, gift wrap, and gift bags
Extra wrapping supplies
Empty ink cartridges
Outdated software
Excess boxes that were saved
Excess office supplies like paper clips, binder clips, staples, tape rolls, thumbtacks, etc.)
Incomplete craft projects
Scrap paper, fabric, yarn, other craft materials
Extra unused or worn-out files
Extra or no longer functional stationery like dried out pens and pencils without lead, broken crayons, dried out markers

Things To Declutter In The Garage

Your garage can easily be a dumping ground if you can’t kick your clutter to the curb.

Get rid of these things and turn your garage into a practical and organized space:

Trash (random bins, styrofoam and cardboard boxes, soda cans, etc)
Old wood scraps
Random hardware like nails, screws, or bolts that you probably won’t use
Power tools that do not work or have missing pieces
Old or dried-out paint and paint cans
Leftover supplies from renovations (tile squares, paint cans, tarps with holes, etc)
Scrap materials that won’t be repurposed
Expired chemicals like fertilizers and cleaning supplies
Duplicate tools for gardening, car repairs, etc
Cracked, broken, or unused flower pots
Unused or sports equipment that is in poor condition
Large toys and bikes that your kids have outgrown
Worn-out camping gear
Unused pool accessories
Burnt out or incorrect size light bulbs
Used oil
Vehicle supplies and accessories you don’t use
Pet toys, beds, and other gadgets that are worn-out, old, or unused
Extra luggage, suitcases, and duffel bags
Miscellaneous junk

Want another 100 things to declutter? Check out these five unassuming areas!

Things To Declutter In Kids’ Rooms

Clothes, toys, and books that are no longer age-appropriate
Toys that are broken or have missing pieces (including games and puzzles)
Unwanted toys that were gifted
Duplicate toys and books
Any toys no one plays with or likes (including you!)
Completed coloring books
Excess and unused kids’ craft supplies like art supplies, pens, pencils, markers, papers, coloring books, etc.
Excess or worn-out stationery like broken crayons, dried up markers, and glue
Damaged and torn books
Artwork and schoolwork
Outdated school supplies and books
Outgrown kids’ clothing, shoes, and bags
Damaged or worn-out kids’ clothing, clothes, and bags
No longer needed baby clothes and supplies
Outgrown furniture, decor, and accessories
Costumes
Old, worn-out, or stained stuffed animals
Garbage (including hidden snacks!)

Electronics To Declutter

Chargers for old electronics that you no longer own
Remote controls for electronics you no longer own
Extension cords or surge protectors that won’t get used
Dead batteries
CDs, DVDs, and tapes
Old gaming consoles and video games
Random cords
Old cell phones
Old computers and laptops
Random computer parts that are broken or unused like a mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitors, etc.
Boxes for electronics
Outdated or unused old gadgets
Empty flash drives, pen drives, or hard discs
Duplicate digital photos
Downloaded files on phone and computer that are no longer needed

Books & Paperwork To Declutter

Books you’ve read and won’t read again
New books you’ve owned for a year and haven’t read yet
Old textbooks
Cookbooks you never use
Books you started and never finished
Children’s books that are no longer age-appropriate
Old magazines
Junk mail like newsletters
Old journals and diaries
Paperwork from 7+ years ago
Old manuals
Old warranty information for products you no longer own
Insurance policy documents for expired policies
Phone books
Business cards
Expired coupons
Old calendars and day planners
Outdated lists
Old receipts
Old papers like greeting cards and artwork
Filled up notebooks
Old or expired credit cards, store rewards cards, or membership cards
Any out of focus, unimportant, and duplicate print photos

Things To Declutter In The Linen Closet

Any linens that are in poor condition including towels, sheets, blankets, throw pillow covers, curtains, tea towels, etc
Sheets sets, blankets, and comforters you never use or don’t like
Extra towels, pillows, linens, or blankets you haven’t used in the last 2 years
Stained, old, and flat pillows
Extra curtains

Miscellaneous Things To Declutter

Loose change and other pocket items
Excessive or unused seasonal decor
Random unused keys
Decorations you don’t like or have no attachment to
Outdoor furniture that is broken, worn-out, or not used
Unused storage containers/bins
Empty or nearly empty lighters and matchbooks
Any artwork you no longer like or doesn’t go with the rest of your home decor
Unused, cracked, or broken vases
Random knick-knacks you don’t like anymore like travel souvenirs, mirrors, artificial plants, and picture frames
Dead plants
Excess unused party supplies
Collections you no longer like or look at any more coins, stamps, figurines, etc.
Unused or unwanted gifts

Related: The Decluttering Mindset – 5 Ways To Change Your Mind About Clutter

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do with all of the things I’ve decluttered?

Easy! Sell, recycle, or donate them. Here are some easy-to-execute ideas:

Offer things for free to family and friends
Donate them to your local charities, homeless shelters, animal shelters, churches, and other religious organizations
Sell them online on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
Sell things in bulk to local thrift stores
Host a garage/yard sale in your neighborhood
Drop them off at the nearest recycling bin

What is the fastest way to purge clutter?

Start by decluttering high-traffic areas or rooms you use most often like the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

Get rid of things you are not emotionally attached to first. Since you don’t have to think twice, you will be able to declutter quickly.

Should I clean or declutter first?

You should always clean before you declutter! Cleaning and organizing are a lot easier and quicker to do when the room isn’t filled with stuff.

100 Things To Declutter – Start Decluttering Today!

There you have it – over 100 things to declutter in your home today!

I hope this decluttering checklist will help you to create and maintain a clutter-free home. All the best!

The post 100 Things To Declutter Today – Get The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist appeared first on That Isle Life.