There are different savvy ways to organise your garage. The garage is one of the most versatile spaces at home and everyone’s favourite catch-all bucket. It’s the one room where we can close the door on clutter and pretend it’s not there.
If you’re nodding your head in agreement, you are due a garage clean-up! Here are eight tips to help you re-organise your garage and transform it into a modern, multi-functional space.
Let’s face it: if you don’t pencil those tasks you’d rather not do into your calendar, you’ll procrastinate.
First off, assess how much time you’ll need. Maybe it’s possible to organise everything from start to finish in one weekend. Or perhaps you’ll need a few days spread out over an entire month.
Either way, block off the time and get family and friends on board to help out. To boost your motivation, keep your eye on the end goal.
We all accumulate clutter. Luckily, there’s one simple trick you can use to keep the best and chuck the rest.
As you sift through each item in your garage, decide whether to keep it, donate it or throw it away. This should be a straightforward exercise for most things. But it can get tricky when it comes to hand-me-downs or sentimental objects.
So set aside time to go through each item carefully. Only hold on to things that serve a function or that truly induce nostalgia. Be warned: you might need to be brutal and let a few things go – but it’s all part of the process.
Does your garage need a one-day spring clean? Or does it need a full scrub down from top to bottom? Taking on a small re-organisation project alone is doable, but you don’t need to do all the work by yourself if it’s a bigger task.
For example, a professional mover could help you carry and dispose of large items. Once that’s done, a cleaner can deep clean your garage. Meanwhile, don’t forget to book a skip or bulky refuse pick-ups well in advance.
Phew – steps one through three were the hard part! Now that your garage is a blank canvas, you can modernise it and add some character. A few simple changes, like a fresh lick of paint and new light fittings, can go a long way. You could also add some framed pictures or decorations to spruce up the walls.
If you want to go beyond cosmetic changes, you can overhaul your garage’s entire look by re-tiling the floor or adding gypsum partitions to separate your storage area from the rest of the garage space.
And don’t forget about the door! Upgrade to an electric door for the ultimate convenience after a long day at work.
Garages are often square or rectangular. If you store items on the sides and in the corners of the room, chances are you’ll restrict access. So, before you replace any shelving or large objects, visualise a pathway to be kept clear.
Make sure to include the area around your vehicle/s, near and around furniture, and in front of any water taps or light switches.
It’s tempting to store your items using existing shelves and furniture, but this isn’t always a good idea. For example, you should avoid clunky or ornate cabinets that don’t maximise the garage space available. Instead, go for things like:
You’ve gone through the mammoth task of organising your garage. Now what? To put it simply, keep it tidy!
Set aside some time every fortnight to clear out any junk that’s been piling up. Better still, include your garage in your current house-cleaning routine. This will keep you accountable, and you’ll be much more likely to maintain all the good work and effort you put into the re-organisation process.
We’ve looked at all the things you can do to organise an existing garage. But what if you’re on the lookout for a new one instead?
Before you buy, have a clear plan on how you intend to use the space. Most people use their garage to park their cars and for additional storage. However, some buyers are looking to turn their garages into:
Remember: our homes evolve as we develop new interests and take on new challenges. So, buy a garage that can cater for such changes over time.
RE/MAX Malta can help you find the right garage – and home – in Malta and Gozo. Speak to one of our specialised agents to learn more.