Ah, the garage: that all-purpose locker with seemingly less space for cars and more for old bikes, tools, boxes of junk and lawn chairs. If you can barely wade through your garage without navigating a sea of toys, garden tools and deflated basketballs, it’s time to organize the mess and get back on track!

Start Fresh

Your first step is to clear everything out of the garage and onto the driveway or lawn. As you do so, make a pile for items you want to keep, a pile for garbage, and a pile for donations. Once the garage is cleared of all junk, do any necessary cleaning such as sweeping and power washing if the floor is in bad condition with oil spills and the like.

Purchase cabinets, clear bins and racks for storage and place these along the walls. Consolidate like items on one rack or bin and clearly mark or label each bin for easy identification. HGTV says storing like items together can help you streamline your household routines.

Install decorative hooks near the doorway for hanging jackets and lay a waterproof mat on the floor for placing wet and dirty boots. If this all seems too overwhelming to you, hire a professional organizer to come into your garage and do this job for you. He or she will have experience organizing large and small rooms using as much usable space as possible.

Properly Store Hazardous Materials

Chemicals, paint and auto fluids can be dangerous in garages. Because so many people store things like pesticides and anti-freeze on floors or shelves in garages, curious children or pets can find them, sometimes with disastrous consequences. The DIY Network recommends storing hazardous substances in their original containers, placing them on high shelves or in locked cabinets. You may not think road salt and ice-melt can be a hazard, but if pets get into them, they can get very sick or even die.

Avoid storing your gas grill in the garage, as propane is combustible. If it leaks, it’s invisible, yet one simple spark — even from static electricity — could ignite it. To be safe, store your grill at least 10 feet away from the side of your home.

Clutter Solutions

Control the clutter in your garage by using all available space. Look beyond the four walls of your garage and create more levels by using durable shelving and plastic storage products. For heavy-duty objects, such as tools and equipment, install a durable shelving unit that’s easy to assemble yet can hold up to 50 pounds each. Buy some storage totes for toys and sporting equipment and install hooks that anchor into the drywall. These hooks can hold 30 pounds of weight, or 70 if screwed into a stud. Convenient track systems with adjustable hooks are ideal for hanging anything from hoses to bikes. By using all four walls in all ways possible, you can quadruple your space.

Tackling your messy garage isn’t just a one-time thing: you may need to de-clutter it on a regular basis. Keeping on top of the mess before it gets out of control is key.

This article was provided by Chase Roberts, home and garden expert and design consultant. If you’re interested in breathing new life into your garage and want to start with the door, Chase recommends you contact Houston Overhead Door for garage door service in Houston.