I love a neat and organized garage. But in the US, 82% of homes have two-car garages or larger, but only 15% park the car inside. We use our garage as intended, to house and protect cars. Vehicles are typically worth more than anything stored in messy garages.
Let’s consider for a moment that our last car purchase, a used SUV, was valued at approximately $25K. This alone motivates me to keep our garage clutter-free but there are other benefits too.
3 Reasons to Clean and Organize Your Garage
- Curb Appeal – Spring is home buying and selling season. Extra cars and trash cans visible from the street ruin curb appeal and decrease property values. Do you have a neighbor selling their house? Help their sale and your property value by moving trash cans inside. And a late-night trip to the trash can in your pajamas is easier too!
- Protection from the Elements – In the mid-Atlantic, winters can be cold, rainy, and snowy. Cars parked inside are clean, saving time and effort. By removing parked cars from the street, snow plows can clear the roads and provide a path for emergency vehicles. Not to mention how nice it is to unload groceries while protected from the elements. In the summer, hot sun and heat damage the interior and exterior of your car. Allowing it to bake in the sun damages paint, headlights, and rubberized trim.
- Access to Bikes and Toys – Even one car inside is better than none. For many summers, half of our garage serves as a runway. My son and his friends road bikes, grab sports equipment, and played outside like it’s 1970. This open space encouraged them to run in and out all day long. By promoting this traffic pattern, muddy shoes and wet towels stay in the garage and were tossed in shoe bins. So an added bonus of a clean garage is cleaner floors inside your home. At the end of the night, clean-up is easy because we aren’t fighting garage clutter.
Organizing Solutions
The key to any organized space is to declutter first and organize second. A garage can be tricky with bikes, trash cans, cars, lawnmowers, and more.
In my work, I found the needs of a family change about every 3-5 years. We decluttered the strollers, tricycles, and sidewalk chalk, but added skateboards, footballs, and bikes.
With each season of parenthood, the garage storage requirements change for kids’ gear. To organize the different types of toys and sports equipment, I use my favorite organizing bins by Gladiator. And the Gladiator track system can handle everything in your garage, from garden tools to sports equipment. My clients love this system which leverages the walls and creates vertical storage.
Another great feature is that the system easily adjusts to the changing needs of your family. Gladiator offers a wide variety of hooks and the tracks can be moved to accommodate your needs.
Several years ago, we added the SteadyRack space-saving bike racks that swivel on the wall to easily load and unload our bikes. They are adjustable and can be mounted to any height. I love solutions that kids can manage independently.
Would you like to have a garage like this for the summer?
Start by filling your trash can and one donation box every week.
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Your garage looks beautiful. Mine is not like yours. When we moved into our house many years ago, I insisted that I be able to park my car in the garage. You are right. It makes it so much easier getting little kids in and out of a not too hold or too cold car. Well, I’ve been successful in parking my car inside for many years, while my husband’s side of the garage is unmanageable most of the time. He hasn’t parked inside for at least 15 years.
This is a great time to organize a garage. It’s not too hot or cold to work all day.
I agree about this time of year for working in the garage. In years past, I hosted a yard sale and used it as an excuse to declutter the house and the garage. Maybe next year. Thanks for reading!
Wow – your garage is beautiful and so organized. This article makes me want to start organizing right away. Thank you!!
So glad it was inspiring! You can do it!!! 🙂
I love that you mentioned the weather! It wasn’t until my husband and I experienced a hail storm while we owned our first house (with a two-car garage) that I realized just how important it can be to actually park your car inside your garage! And of course, on a cold NY winter morning, it’s nice to have the car be slightly less cold.
Yes! A hail storm is awful for cars. And yes, a garage car is at least a little warmer in the winter. Thanks for reading!
My daughter lives in Tucson. Being able to pull your car out of the sun is critical! It is surprising how many are living with garages that can no longer accommodate their vehicles. Definitely worth the effort to clear it out and get it working well. I find garage organizing very rewarding:)
It is rewarding. I love using the leaf blower to clear out the dust and dirt too. It makes a huge difference.
You have some great advice here. Thanks
Thanks Nelly! So appreciate your comment. Happy New Year!
I totally related to what Barbara said. There was a brief period when I was able to park my car in our two-car garage, but no more. We live in a one-story house (no basement or attic.) So our garage functions as both a storage area and wood/equipment shop for my husband. Every few years, we do a major clear-out. And I think it’s time to do it again. I can’t wait!
While I don’t have a garage, I have a shed house that is my storage area and this is the perfect time of year to get in there and reorganize it. Thanks for the inspiration!
you’re welcome!
Though I should know better, I’m intrigued by the statistic, such a small percentage of people actually use their garage. One of the most fantastic garage spaces I’ve ever seen belonged to a client. It was a four car garage, so you can imagine how large it was. Of course they were able to fit their sporty cars and their SUVs. They also had a storage closet for everything pet related from extra food and snacks and bones and leashes, you name it. There was another closet for all the cleaning supplies. Not to mention, an extra refrigerator and freezer.
This is the perfect time of year to scale down and your tips are very helpful, including the Gladiator Track System.
I share that statistic often and it shocks everyone!
That Gladiator system looks neat! Thanks for this post, the garage is often neglected and it’s nice to focus on it!
This is definitely a truth bomb! I will never understand how anyone can park a mega-expensive car in a driveway and give up all that garage space to clutter. I’m an apartment dweller and don’t have a garage, but if I did, my priority would definitely be the car. (For me, garages are for OUTDOOR things…and maybe seasonal stuff.)
Also, I’m envious of your purple Adirondack chair!
Thanks Julie. It’s my favorite color. I painted them myself. 🙂
I love this article because it presents some new information about why you should clean out the garage. I agree, the car is probably worth more than anything in the garage.
That said, it should be noted that new or good shape cars deserve to be parked in the garage and babied.
Tu – thanks for your comment. I agree that any car should be preserved and protected. I am so glad you liked the article!