Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Summertime Itch You Should Scratch


Everyone seems to have that summertime itch going on, and it has nothing to do with the horse-sized mosquitos buzzing about.

Garage clean out!

This task can be VERY overwhelming because your garage is a pretty big area to store a LOT of _____. You see the piles of stuff and the shelves overflowing with items randomly tossed about for storage. Here's how you can go about conquering your garage:

step #1: Notes - Look at every wall or area and right down notes on items seen, comments made by my client or in your case little thoughts that drift into your head. It's OK to write, "absolute disaster" or "hopeless mess." Just get it down on paper. Doesn't have to be a novel, random notes are perfect.

step #2: Ideas - Envison what your garage would look like. Use your walls for storing as much as possible. Think shelves, racks, hooks, bins, bags, etc. All of these ideas can be attached to the wall, getting your stuff off the floor.


step #3: Plan - Maybe take a bit of a break and let your thoughts simmer. Come back into your garage and plan what you are going to do. Take some measurements for shelving. Remember to use the studs as much as possible, this will keep your stuff on the walls. Studs are typically every 16 inches along the wall length.

step#4: Action - Get your garbage bags ready, boxes for donations and rev up those power tools ... the organizing party is about to begin. Hang up your shelves first, if possible. This gives you space to store the items you use. Items you do NOT use do NOT go on a shelf, trash or donate. Work around your garage and find homes for the things you use. You will be left with stuff that is has no use in your home.

step #5: Clean Up - You will be left with stuff that has no use in your home. Donate or trash it. Get it out of your life. It's OK to part with stuff. Sweep up the floor and pull your car into the garage. Reward yourself for a job well done!

What are you itchin' to do this summer?

2 comments:

Phyllis said...

lol... they won't let me put that in print.

But seriously, I have some yard cleanup to do and the garage is always an issue. Every time it seems straightened up, a whirlwind comes through and takes it out again (although I can still get 2 cars in it--it's of the 3 car variety.)

SOUL said...

hey, how'd you get those pix of my garage?
be afraid, be very afraid. :))
any news? no pressure. i can hang.. done it before. but we'll make it happen eventually. perhaps in my new place later on.?
hope you're havin a great weekend.