Gaining Control in the Garage
The word “garage” came from the French word “garer” which means to protect, shelter or store. This is helpful to keep in mind as you make thoughtful decisions about what is worth “protecting, sheltering or storing” in your own garage. With this in mind, ask yourself the question of “what is most important to you & the people in your home?”
Image from Simply Organized.
Do you dream of the day you can fit a car in your garage? Is your garage the hidden mess attached to your overall organized home? Is it the landing place for everything that doesn’t have a place inside your home? Does your garage serve as the primary entry way and passage into your living space for you & your family members?
Before we apply a one size fits all concept of an “organized garage” and how it should look and function, we think it’s important to determine how your garage or storage space can best serve your unique needs in this specific time. Be realistic and honest with yourself. There are seasons of life that bring about more “stuff” that overflows into our homes and lives. Your garage can be a space for much more than you might think. Remember, your home and your space should work to serve you and your needs, not the other way around.
Here are a few ways we’ve seen garages used in our clients’ homes:
Hobbies. Ranging from gardening, wood working, car repair, painting, pottery, playing music & so many more..
Mudroom. Having a place for coats, shoes and bags upon entering the home.
Sports and Leisure. Tennis rackets, bocce ball, frisbees, bikes, kayaks and beyond.
Travel and Leisure. Luggage, car toppers, camping equipment, etc.
Exercise. Free weights, machines, stationary bikes, space for yoga and cardio activities.
Temporary storage of furniture or home decor items for a loved one or your own belongings during a renovation or transition.
There are two approaches we recommend when hoping to gain control in your garage.
FOUR BOX METHOD
ZONES
Once you’ve purged and determined the categories of items that need to have a place in your garage, you can sort these into zones. Keeping like items together creates an ease for finding what you need. This not only keeps your garage more tidy, it sets you up to have what you need when you are spending time on the hobbies or activities you’ve deemed important. Think about proximity and location for the zones of your garage contents. Travel and camping gear may be best stored higher up, while the sports and leisure items you use more frequently get prime real estate on the shelves near the door into your home to provide quick & easy access. Think it through! There’s no “right” or “wrong” place for you to store items, but there may be a more practical and efficient place for things if you are thorough in your planning.
Image from Woman In Real Life.
Here are some of our favorite storage products to use in the garage:
What about all the stuff you’re ready to get rid of?
Household Paint
Residents may take up to 20 gallons of oil-based paint (20 one gallon cans or 4 five gallon buckets full or partially full) or 100 pounds of HHW to the dump per day.
Here’s a quick guide for disposing of latex paint from the City of Knoxville.
Habitat for Humanity (offers donation pick up)
Neighborhood/Area Swap Group - Search for your neighborhood or local community on Facebook or create a group.
Garage Sale - Gather some neighbors for a combined sale. Our team is happy to help you organize and prepare for a sale. For larger transitions or estate sales, we can point you in the right direction too!
Lastly, we wanted to remind you about an incredible garage sale that we are hosting this Friday 6/26 & Saturday 6/27 in farragut.
Come by to shop & find some treasures: vintage, antiques, Christmas decor, toys, furniture, decor & more.