Expert Tips for Garage Organization This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to tackle your garage and transform it into a clean, functional space. For busy families, the garage often becomes a catch-all for tools, sports equipment, seasonal decorations, and more. Without a proper system in place, it can quickly become cluttered and chaotic.

As a professional organizer specializing in garage transformations, I’m sharing seven expert tips and my favorite products to help you create a more efficient and organized space this spring.

1. Declutter with Purpose

Start by taking everything out of your garage and sorting items into categories: keep, donate, sell, or toss. If you haven’t used something in over a year or it’s broken, it’s time to let it go. Be honest about what you really need in order to free up valuable space.

2. Categorize and Zone Your Space

Once you’ve decluttered, organize what remains into categories such as sports gear, tools, gardening supplies, holiday decorations, and household storage. Assign specific zones for each category, keeping frequently used items easily accessible and less-used items stored higher up or farther back.

3. Utilize Vertical Space with Slat Walls

Slat walls are one of the best ways to maximize storage while keeping things off the floor. They allow you to hang tools, bikes, and sports equipment, freeing up valuable floor space and keeping things from getting piled up on the floor. Accessories such as hooks, shelves and baskets contain and organize items efficiently. Customizable and easy to adjust, slat walls make it simple to maintain order in your garage.

4. Upgrade to Smart Storage Solutions

Investing in custom cabinetry, wall-mounted shelving, and overhead storage racks can help keep clutter at bay. Cabinets are great for storing chemicals, seasonal items, and bulk household supplies, while overhead racks work well for items like holiday decorations and camping gear that aren’t needed year-round.

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5. Label Everything

A simple but effective tip—label bins, shelves, and drawers so everyone in the family knows where things belong. Use clear bins for easy visibility or opaque bins to hide clutter. Whichever type of bin you choose make sure to label everything clearly. We use the P-Touch Cube for all of our labeling.

6. Improve Flooring for Easy Maintenance

If your garage floor is stained, cracked, or difficult to clean, consider upgrading to epoxy or Swiss Trax flooring. These durable options not only improve the look of your garage but also make it easier to maintain, keeping dust and grime to a minimum.

7. Create a Drop Zone for Everyday Items

If your garage serves as an entryway into your home, set up a designated drop zone with hooks for bags, cubbies for shoes, and a bench for convenience. This keeps daily clutter from spreading inside the house while maintaining order in your garage. You can also set up a drop zone for sports equipment.

Bonus Tip: Keep It Clean with Regular Maintenance

Once your garage is organized, make it a habit to do a quick monthly check-in to tidy up and put things back in their designated spots. And don’t forget about garbage can cleaning—a simple step that helps keep your garage smelling fresh and free of grime. This is the service I never knew I needed in my life and now it's a seasonal part of my garage refresh routine!

By following these tips, you can turn your garage into a functional, organized space that works for your family year-round!

XO,

Trish

Trish Johnson is a systems expert and professional organizer. She is a former elementary school teacher and mom of 3 busy kids, and she understands the stresses of daily life. Trish and her team truly enjoy helping busy families get set up with effective, organized systems that are functional as well as beautiful. Her company, This Organized Chaos, is located in New Jersey and services the surrounding areas organizing homes and small businesses.

This Organized Chaos specializes in Concierge Garage Packages, working with the best in the industry to install slat wall, flooring, custom cabinetry, and professional organization systems. Every detail is thoughtfully planned and executed by Trish and her team or contractors and organizers so that when your garage project is complete you will have your dream garage and a space you are proud to leave to door open for the neighbors to see inside!