If you’re anything like us, you’ve rediscovered the things you love about your home and yard during the past couple of months. And if you’re anything like our family, you may have also noticed a few areas that could use some reorganizing. In particular, places like garage and outdoor storage spaces like barns and sheds can clutter quickly. To use these spaces to their full potential, it’s smart to think through reorganizing your garage. And good news, these strategies for reinventing your space can be done without overspending, too.
Aggressively Declutter
Sometimes the garage or shed is the place we relegate items we can’t quite bring ourselves to get rid of. So, we stash things in the corner and let them pile high. Every once and awhile, it’s smart to aggressively lighten your load by either trashing, donating, or handing down items you no longer use.
If the item has no sentimental value, consider how much it would cost you to replace it if in the future you needed it. A good rule of thumb suggested by The Minimalists (check them out at theminimalists.com) if you’re on the fence about something is to consider it can be replaced in twenty minutes for less than $20. If so, you should probably donate.
Remove Everything
When possible, create a blank slate by removing every item from your garage or shed. Sometimes it’s difficult to visualize what a space could be when things remain where they’ve always been. As an added bonus, it’s easier to sweep out and clean up the space when it’s completely empty. You may also discover hidden damage or problem areas, too. It’s better to choose a weather friendly day to tackle this task. Check the forecast before you begin.
Maximize Your Space
Most garages and storage barns feature plenty of wall space and high ceilings. Do your best to take advantage of both. Pegboard easily allows you to create a system for hanging tools, extension cords, and even bikes on the wall. Items rarely used should be kept high while those needed on a daily or weekly basis should be placed where you can easily access them.
If you don’t have the budget to purchase pegboard, some well placed brackets can get the job done, too. Remember to think up when reorganizing your space.
Opt for Affordable Shelving
The storage industry is big business. Entire stores exist on the premise of selling containers for containers. Even a trip to your favorite big box home repair retailer will reveal a myriad of options certain to overwhelm the majority of us. When it comes to shelving, it’s smart to keep it simple and affordable.
Rather than purchasing a complex system, hit the ala cart area of your favorite home repair store where brackets can usually be purchased for a few dollars and prefinished shelving boards for $3 – $10.
About five years ago, we used these supplies to create an entire cubby system for our laundry room for less than $60. Since the shelving boards are prefinished, you don’t even need to paint or stain them. And our little organizational area has held up incredibly well.
Sell What You No Longer Need
Last, but certainly not least, your home reorganization project could yield some cash. Just because you no longer need the items you may have been storing doesn’t mean that someone else wouldn’t be willing to purchase them in a heartbeat.
One of the easiest ways to lighten your load and fatten your wallet is to post these items to a social media platform like Facebook. You could choose to list them in the Marketplace or simply post sale items to your personal feed. Remember to be as specific as possible in your description and take quality photos. Let sellers know items have been exposed to pets or smoke when necessary. Include manuals and usage details, too. Listing a deadline for when buyers need to retrieve their purchase is also smart. You may find yourself still holding on to items for days, weeks, or months, if you don’t.
There might be a temptation to price goods at a price point closer to what we paid for them than what they’re truly worth. Odds are good you won’t recoup the full cost of a good. However, you can still make some money and be rid of your clutter, too.
Donate The Rest
However, if you’re unwilling or uncomfortable selling your no longer necessary items, consider donating them or giving them away instead of simply trashing them. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or a Habitat Restore might all be viable donation destinations.
Staying at home more means you have more of an opportunity to make the most of loving the space you’re in. Take time to clean up, clean out, and maximize your outdoor spaces.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
