Before and After: Your Guide to Decluttering Your Garage Storage

Every homeowner knows garage storage is vital, but if you aren’t careful, these areas can quickly become a black hole where tools mysteriously vanish. With some elbow grease and the proper garage tool storage, you can keep your garage in top shape.

Tool Storage

Assess the Mess

Are your storage cabinets overflowing? Here’s how to start the de-cluttering process.

Prep Work 
Block out time for this project to set yourself up for success. Organizing any space in your home can feel overwhelming, so choose a flexible weekend with ample free time. If you haven’t already, make space to work in your garage by parking cars outside, keeping trash bags handy, and having donation boxes ready to go.

Create Visual Piles 
Garage tool storage, such as tool chests or boxes, is a great organizational solution, but it can sometimes be difficult to see inside. That’s why removing everything from your storage chest or box and laying it out in piles can be a helpful way to visualize what you have, identify what’s no longer functional, and catch any duplicates. 

Keep, Donate, or Throw Out 
Finally, organize your items into three piles: keep, donate, or toss. This sorting method will not only help you pare down your tool collection but also make it easier to find tools when you need them. Here are some useful tips to assist with sorting: 
• Keep: Daily-use tools like hammers, wrenches, and tape measures.
• Donate: Tools that never see the light of day, or you have duplicates of, but are in good condition.
• Toss: Items beyond repair, such as dried-up painters' rollers, broken tools, or oily rags.

Sort and Set Up

Now that you’ve done the deep cleaning and sorting, it's time to give your tools, from rolls of painter’s tape to nuts and bolts, a proper home.

Organize Like Items
Organizing similar items together is the best way to spend less time searching for missing tools and more time diving into projects. Use shelves from your cabinet garage storage system to help divide and organize tools into a system that works for you. Adding labels can also help anyone in the home easily return items to their designated places. 

Set Up New Storage Options
As you sort through your tools, you might notice that some items don’t fit your current storage setup. Choose alternative storage options like pegboards, wall-mounted organizers, or storage totes for items that are too small or large or that you don’t use often.

About Menards®

Menards® is every do-it-yourselfer, fixer-upper, and renovator’s one-stop home improvement shop. You can find high-quality tools, materials, and supplies to transform your home. From deck boards composite to gun safes on sale, Menards® can help you turn your ideas into a DIY reality. With more than 300 locations scattered across the country, you’re never too far from the helpful Menards® team. Whether you’re an experienced DIYer or just getting started, turn to Menards® for everything you need for your next project.

Find garage storage solutions that meet your needs at https://www.menards.com/