The Garage. It’s supposed to be for cars, but we all know the truth: It’s a hidden away storage room that keeps boxes of tools, cases of childhood memories, old exercise equipment, broken pieces of miscellaneous objects, and a slew of other items.
It’s okay. We’ve all been there. But it can get better – and the benefits of an organized garage is undeniable. Make sure your garage is not something you must avert your eyes from, but enjoy and make use of.
**Partnership Post: Written by Force 5 Garage Solutions**
1.Get Away From Clutter!
A lot of what you’re storing in the garage does not add value to your life or your home. How could it, if you didn’t even remember it was there? This excess clutter can be donated to various non-profits or dropped off at a local thrift store. Some items can just be thrown out.
A good rule of thumb? If you haven’t used something in over a year, it’s time to say good-bye.
2. Seasonal Decor is In Reach
How often have you wanted to decorate for the upcoming holiday but couldn’t find the decor? Maybe you know where it is but don’t want the hassle of digging through your garage. When décor is organized and accessible, decorating for holidays can easily be accomplished. Which may even inspire you to host more holiday parties at home.
Tip: Organize by holiday. Even if you have smaller boxes instead of one big box, it will make accessing your décor much easier. Then all you have to do is pick the box for the holiday and carry it in!
3. New Party Space
When hosting parties, guests may have to move outdoors if your living area becomes too crowded. An organized garage gives you the additional space to host guests without having to worry about weather conditions. Keep fold out chairs, tables for snacks or even a gaming system in your garage so you are always prepared to take your party to the next level. Put on live shows, haunted houses for Halloween, or 80s-style garage birthday parties! Drape some curtains for an even fancier look. You’d be surprised how you can transform your new outdoor entertainment space!
Tip: Keep an outdoor rug available for when you need to move a party outside. Then, when it’s party time, roll your car out, throw the rug down, and put out your table and grill – it will feel more like a party space!
Check out this video for more ideas on party spaces in your garage:
4. Keep Your Car Safe
The garage was created to house your vehicle. Sometimes, the junk can creep up so much that you don’t have room for your car. When you park in a garage, the life of the car is extended. Your car will be protected from the intense humidity, tropical storms and other weather factors we are all too familiar with in Houston.
Another way to save money? Ask your insurance company if they will reduce your monthly bill because you park in the garage.
5. Spare Room
Don’t need room for your car? If you have extra space in the garage, you can personalize it to fit your lifestyle. Pinterest has a bunch of great ideas for garages. Spaces that have been transformed to gyms, home offices, art studios, man caves or she-sheds. The extra square footage has unlimited possibilities.
Check out this great video for tips on turning your garage space into living space:
6. Keep Unwanted Critters Out
One of the top priorities as a homeowner is preventing mice, raccoons, snakes and other critters from gaining access. Many of these unwanted visitors make their entrance through the garage. Scattered clothes, old boxes, piles of junk, plus the warmth of the garage draws these creatures in. An organized garage can help dissuade these pests from coming inside. They no longer have the nooks and crannies to take shelter.
Tip: Avoid keeping your trash bins in your garage, if possible. This will help mitigate the presence of insects making their way into your home!
7. Safer for Kids and Pets
Unwanted critters are not the only hazards of an unkempt garage. Old, rusted, deteriorating items can be incredibly harmful to children and pets. If you are not ready to part with such pieces, place them in plastic storage bins. Store these bins high on shelves to keep the items out of reach and protected from the elements. This approach can significantly decrease, even eliminate, the chances of injury.
Even better? Consider renting out a storage room for your larger heirlooms, if you can’t bear to part with them. A climate-controlled storage room is a much better choice for these items, and will ensure they do not experience further deterioration in the heat and humidity of a closed garage.
8. Increased Design Appeal
The garage is an extension of your home. If you plan to list your home soon, having an organized garage may add to your home’s value. When the house hits the market, you can feel at ease knowing potential buyers are not cringing at your garage, and instead feeling welcomed home.
Ask your Circa Real Estate Realtor® about other ways to make sure your home is ready to go on the market!
We hope these tips were useful to you, and that you can start to enjoy this underappreciated space! If you don’t have a free weekend coming up to dedicate to transforming your garage space, try just dedicating 5 to 10 minutes every week to get organized. Remember, habits must be developed to stay organized. It’s time to take back control!
About The Author Force 5 Garage Solutions is a garage storage and organization company serving homeowners in the Houston area. Force 5 Garage Solutions offers garage organization and garage storage, using Monkey Bar Storage Solutions, in Houston and the following locations near Houston: The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Spring, Cypress, Humble, Attascosita, Jersey Village, Katy, Bellaire, Katy, Pasadena, Baytown, Galveston, Sugar Land, Willis, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, and Huntsville. Free consultations available.