Comments on: The Garagenous zone: Tips to organize your garage http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:04:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Megan http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17561 Megan Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:07:58 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17561 I haven't even read this post yet, but that's a great great title! I haven’t even read this post yet, but that’s a great great title!

]]> By: Kaz in Oz http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17443 Kaz in Oz Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:14:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17443 After a spate of recent car thefts in our neighbourhood, we took time to install an automatic garage door opener and created a space in our 2 car garage to put the SUV in. Unfortunately that now means 2 car spaces worth of crap in one side of the garage and I'm having to fight to get in and out of the car. We have the narrow shelves to organise his tools, camping gear etc, the labeled kits for car washing etc, and the plastic tubs for other storage, even a trolley for all the gardening tools - it's just the load of timber for the (eventual) deck he's building and the old pigeon pair fridge and freezer and the jogger stroller (our youngest is now 3 1/2) and all our bikes, lawn mower, wheel barrow, huge ladder and his train layout that now need to be organised. Lucky his car is too big to fit in the other side anyway and that I have a week off work coming up to try to tackle it without distraction of hubby or kids and a great messageboard on our work intranet to offload some of the stuff on. PS love this blog! After a spate of recent car thefts in our neighbourhood, we took time to install an automatic garage door opener and created a space in our 2 car garage to put the SUV in. Unfortunately that now means 2 car spaces worth of crap in one side of the garage and I’m having to fight to get in and out of the car.
We have the narrow shelves to organise his tools, camping gear etc, the labeled kits for car washing etc, and the plastic tubs for other storage, even a trolley for all the gardening tools – it’s just the load of timber for the (eventual) deck he’s building and the old pigeon pair fridge and freezer and the jogger stroller (our youngest is now 3 1/2) and all our bikes, lawn mower, wheel barrow, huge ladder and his train layout that now need to be organised.
Lucky his car is too big to fit in the other side anyway and that I have a week off work coming up to try to tackle it without distraction of hubby or kids and a great messageboard on our work intranet to offload some of the stuff on.
PS love this blog!

]]> By: Perri Kersh http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17412 Perri Kersh Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:51:59 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17412 Great tips, Lauren! And great to see you on Unclutterer. We miss you in NC. Hope to see you at an upcoming conference. Great tips, Lauren! And great to see you on Unclutterer. We miss you in NC. Hope to see you at an upcoming conference.

]]> By: Peter http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17404 Peter Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:25:04 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17404 I am actually sitting in my garage drooling over the organizational possibilities as we speak. Thanks for the great tips. http://yinvsyang.com/ I am actually sitting in my garage drooling over the organizational possibilities as we speak. Thanks for the great tips.

http://yinvsyang.com/

]]> By: John of Indiana http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17391 John of Indiana Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:08:04 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17391 I like the idea of "kits", too. I have a couple of HUGE wooden totes (straight from the scene in "Das Boot" where they're yelling "Where are the TOOLS??? I need the TOOLS!!!!") One's full of wood-working tools, another holds the plumbing stuff/torches/propane tanks/ and one has all the electrical stuff in it. And another to keep all the nails and screws in one place. They rock! I like the idea of “kits”, too. I have a couple of HUGE wooden totes (straight from the scene in “Das Boot” where they’re yelling “Where are the TOOLS??? I need the TOOLS!!!!”)
One’s full of wood-working tools, another holds the plumbing stuff/torches/propane tanks/ and one has all the electrical stuff in it.
And another to keep all the nails and screws in one place.
They rock!

]]> By: outlander http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17375 outlander Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:43:38 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17375 I recently redid my garage. I took pictures as the project progressed. maybe it can help some people with ideas. http://snipurl.com/3cm5z I recently redid my garage. I took pictures as the project progressed. maybe it can help some people with ideas.
http://snipurl.com/3cm5z

]]> By: Leonie http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17348 Leonie Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:37:22 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17348 THANK YOU!!! I'm in the process of organising my garage. After getting a quote of $2000 for just one wall from a professional garage organising company, I decided to check out products on the internet, Home Depot, Lowes etc. We're planning on insulating the garage and then putting up the flexwall system in September. This was a much needed post! Full of good information. THANK YOU!!! I’m in the process of organising my garage. After getting a quote of $2000 for just one wall from a professional garage organising company, I decided to check out products on the internet, Home Depot, Lowes etc. We’re planning on insulating the garage and then putting up the flexwall system in September. This was a much needed post! Full of good information.

]]> By: Michael @ Awareness * Connection http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17344 Michael @ Awareness * Connection Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:25:08 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17344 I know the "label everything" has been a huge help in the fridge and freezer. I never sit around anymore trying to figure out how long something has been around. And frozen items are much easier to identify, and therefore get used more often. I'm good about the labeling when I move, because I hate so much not being able to find my stuff. But I need to get better in storage areas (garage and basement). I know the “label everything” has been a huge help in the fridge and freezer. I never sit around anymore trying to figure out how long something has been around. And frozen items are much easier to identify, and therefore get used more often. I’m good about the labeling when I move, because I hate so much not being able to find my stuff. But I need to get better in storage areas (garage and basement).

]]> By: Scott Roewer (declutteryou.com) http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17343 Scott Roewer (declutteryou.com) Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:19:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17343 Great tips, Lauren. I like your ideas of 'kits' to keep things together. Here are a few more I thought of that may be helpful. I'm sure there are dozens more. **Picture hanging kit **Sports equipment kit (ball pump and needles, new straps, tennis racket handle wrap, etc.) **First-Aid kit **Garage Sale kit (to mark and tag stuff as the year progresses). **Gardening kit (small shovel, bucket, gloves, floral scissors, etc). I guess for every zone of the garage! Great tips, Lauren. I like your ideas of ‘kits’ to keep things together. Here are a few more I thought of that may be helpful. I’m sure there are dozens more.

**Picture hanging kit

**Sports equipment kit (ball pump and needles, new straps, tennis racket handle wrap, etc.)

**First-Aid kit

**Garage Sale kit (to mark and tag stuff as the year progresses).

**Gardening kit (small shovel, bucket, gloves, floral scissors, etc).

I guess for every zone of the garage!

]]> By: Chris http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17342 Chris Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:58:04 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17342 I think that you have motivated me to try and get my car into the garage for this winter. I know it's August, but I have so much "stuff" and "junk" in there that it may take that long!! Thanks for the motivation and ideas! I think that you have motivated me to try and get my car into the garage for this winter. I know it’s August, but I have so much “stuff” and “junk” in there that it may take that long!! Thanks for the motivation and ideas!

]]> By: Don http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17337 Don Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:28:16 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17337 I was only thinking about the challenge of the garage clutter yesterday: crates & tubs - great idea, really useful when it comes time to move again as there's no packing. My thought on shelves: make them narrow so items can't hide behind others (except for those intended for the crates). I was only thinking about the challenge of the garage clutter yesterday: crates & tubs – great idea, really useful when it comes time to move again as there’s no packing. My thought on shelves: make them narrow so items can’t hide behind others (except for those intended for the crates).

]]> By: Sue http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17336 Sue Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:21:54 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17336 "... Break this one seemingly endless project of organizing the garage into small, manageable tasks...." This is the ONLY way I can get a project of this magnitude finished! In fact, we made a master calendar for the year, and focused on one room each month. The garage got divided up into zones and with some dedicated effort---we now have a 2 car garage that actually accomodates TWO CARS!!!! We have shelves that hold the once-a-year stuff like Christmas decorations in numbered Rubbermaid tubs (yes, I have a list of what is in each tub). All the camping stuff, scuba gear, painting tools, etc. have tubs. It is a thing of beauty! “… Break this one seemingly endless project of organizing the garage into small, manageable tasks….”

This is the ONLY way I can get a project of this magnitude finished! In fact, we made a master calendar for the year, and focused on one room each month. The garage got divided up into zones and with some dedicated effort—we now have a 2 car garage that actually accomodates TWO CARS!!!!

We have shelves that hold the once-a-year stuff like Christmas decorations in numbered Rubbermaid tubs (yes, I have a list of what is in each tub). All the camping stuff, scuba gear, painting tools, etc. have tubs.

It is a thing of beauty!

]]> By: infmom http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17334 infmom Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:10:33 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17334 @Beverly--I don't think there is any way to MAKE a guy get rid of the junk and clean up his space. Some men bristle mightily at the idea of someone else trying to manage their stuff, and cling to the junk ever more stubbornly. (Can you tell I've been married for almost 36 years to a very stubborn pack rat?) If you work with him to figure out better ways to store the stuff he's got, maybe that will help. Maybe some new storage units or shelves on the walls? Maybe a nice big rollaround toolbox from Sears? Of course, I am a fine one to talk. Our garage would probably be correctly described by a British person as a rubbish tip. :) However, we are working out a master plan to get most of the junk dealt with and I think we'll have it looking pretty good if we keep at it, even if it takes a couple months to work it all out. We can't put our car in our garage, but even if it were totally empty that wouldn't change. We live in an old house that came with a very narrow driveway to begin with, and the previous owners put up a cinderblock wall to keep the neighbor's dogs away from their kids. Now there's barely room to inch a compact car down the drive, and our main car is a Buick LeSabre. No chance! @Beverly–I don’t think there is any way to MAKE a guy get rid of the junk and clean up his space. Some men bristle mightily at the idea of someone else trying to manage their stuff, and cling to the junk ever more stubbornly. (Can you tell I’ve been married for almost 36 years to a very stubborn pack rat?)

If you work with him to figure out better ways to store the stuff he’s got, maybe that will help. Maybe some new storage units or shelves on the walls? Maybe a nice big rollaround toolbox from Sears?

Of course, I am a fine one to talk. Our garage would probably be correctly described by a British person as a rubbish tip. :) However, we are working out a master plan to get most of the junk dealt with and I think we’ll have it looking pretty good if we keep at it, even if it takes a couple months to work it all out.

We can’t put our car in our garage, but even if it were totally empty that wouldn’t change. We live in an old house that came with a very narrow driveway to begin with, and the previous owners put up a cinderblock wall to keep the neighbor’s dogs away from their kids. Now there’s barely room to inch a compact car down the drive, and our main car is a Buick LeSabre. No chance!

]]> By: timgray http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17331 timgray Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:35:31 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17331 Getting rid of garage crap is hard for a man as it's his "man zone". Honestly holding onto car parts is a great idea if you have a giant 4 car pole barn. It's dumb if you have a single car or 2 car garage. Get that stuff out of there. I store in a single car garage, my tools+workbench. a Sportscar, a Full size road motorcycle (think goldwing), 2 recumbent trikes, plus an engine and a transmission that I am actively working on to put in the sports car (upgrading from 220hp to 480hp) and yes I can still walk in the garage plus store the camping gear as well as the lawn mower and snow blower. If you are organized, you CAN have a lot of stuff in the garage. but you have to get rid of the junk. That stack of books from college 20 years ago are junk, recycle them. same for that hooters bar stool, and the spare tire from the car you had 4 years ago. Getting rid of garage crap is hard for a man as it’s his “man zone”. Honestly holding onto car parts is a great idea if you have a giant 4 car pole barn. It’s dumb if you have a single car or 2 car garage. Get that stuff out of there.

I store in a single car garage, my tools+workbench. a Sportscar, a Full size road motorcycle (think goldwing), 2 recumbent trikes, plus an engine and a transmission that I am actively working on to put in the sports car (upgrading from 220hp to 480hp) and yes I can still walk in the garage plus store the camping gear as well as the lawn mower and snow blower.

If you are organized, you CAN have a lot of stuff in the garage. but you have to get rid of the junk. That stack of books from college 20 years ago are junk, recycle them. same for that hooters bar stool, and the spare tire from the car you had 4 years ago.

]]> By: Michael G http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17327 Michael G Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:47:43 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17327 I like the questions you have here for determining what activities happen using the garage rather than just organizing all the stuff. The toolkits idea is nice too. I like the questions you have here for determining what activities happen using the garage rather than just organizing all the stuff. The toolkits idea is nice too.

]]> By: Beverly http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17326 Beverly Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:29:03 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17326 Does anyone have any good ideas on how to get a husband to get rid of useless junk he stores in the garage? His storage barn is so full of crap, he now parks the riding mower in the garage and his car outside! HELP! Does anyone have any good ideas on how to get a husband to get rid of useless junk he stores in the garage? His storage barn is so full of crap, he now parks the riding mower in the garage and his car outside! HELP!

]]> By: Miriam http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17324 Miriam Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:16:46 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17324 Great info; thank you! Along with the "Be kind to the environment" step, I recommend that hazardous materials and sharp tools be locked up to be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Great info; thank you!

Along with the “Be kind to the environment” step, I recommend that hazardous materials and sharp tools be locked up to be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

]]> By: Janna http://unclutterer.com/2008/08/07/the-garagenous-zone-tips-to-organize-your-garage/comment-page-1/#comment-17323 Janna Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:10:21 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1929#comment-17323 I am a client of Lauren's and I just had to put in a plug for the Organization Connection! I have hired her on several occasions to help me with residential organization. She is very professional, prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable. Although organizing can be hard for me, working with Lauren always makes it much more pleasant (thank you!). Note that even if you don't have a garage, tips in this article apply just as well to other areas! I am a client of Lauren’s and I just had to put in a plug for the Organization Connection! I have hired her on several occasions to help me with residential organization. She is very professional, prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable. Although organizing can be hard for me, working with Lauren always makes it much more pleasant (thank you!). Note that even if you don’t have a garage, tips in this article apply just as well to other areas!

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