Home Organization: Garages/Basements
Home Organization Series: Garages/ Basements
Hey, mamas! If you’re reading this and have ever struggled with a messy home, unorganized office or general chaos, you are my people! That’s why Restored is bringing you a new blog series on home organization. In this series, we have teamed up with several home organization experts to share tips for spaces where you live, work and play. We want to help you find a cozy place between complete chaos and a some-what organized life with these quick tips and easy-to-digest ideas from professional home organizers.
It is easy to create miscellaneous piles in the garage or basement, especially when those spaces don’t get seen by others often. That’s why we teamed up with Amie Garcia, professional organizer and founder of Sorted! Keep reading for practical tips to manage large spaces that end up as dumping grounds.
Meet Amie!
Professional home organizer and founder of Sorted.
How did you get into organizing?
This is a great question. Organizing has been something that I have enjoyed since I was a little girl. As a kid, I remember going to work with my mom and helping sort/file documents and alphabetize them. Fortunately, I had some really great teachers.
My first job when I moved to N.C. quickly fizzled, and I was left doing some soul-searching to determine what professional path I could feel passionate about. It came down to two things - organizing or teaching. I decided to go back to school to obtain my Master’s degree in education and taught for five years before having kids. After staying home for a few years, I was fortunate to link up with a local organizer who helped me better understand how to organize for other people and run a business. I have been organizing part-time for about six years while staying home to care for my family. Last year, I was even fortunate enough to juggle homeschooling both kids and working! I love how my education, and experience in the classroom as well as at home with my own kids is able to help with my organizing clients.
What is the most memorable space you have organized?
This is a tough one. Obviously the spaces where BIG change happens are fun for the wow factor. Garages, attics, pantries and playrooms tend to give you that wow moment. What gives me the most joy though is working hand-in-hand with a homeowner to make big decisions and determining systems that will impact their daily life. Systems, routines and sometimes even mindsets often need to be reset in order to KEEP a space organized and functioning well. I love wearing my teacher hat and working through a tough area with a homeowner, and there is nothing better than returning to a space to see that the system is working!
What is the hardest space to keep organized?
People tend to have the hardest time with places that are used often and constantly changing. Drop zones and pantries are challenging for a lot of families. Items come and go daily, and if there isn’t a good system in place, things can get messy in a hurry!
Garage/Basement (dumping ground - large spaces)
First and foremost, it is important to only keep things in the garage/basement that have a purpose and you plan to use again. A lot of times these spaces end up as a catch all for things we don’t really want anymore but can’t seem to part with, or we let the piles get so big that we don’t even know what’s there. Then, it becomes an overwhelming project. Avoid the temptation to drop things in these areas thinking, “I’ll come back to it later.” Take 10 minutes to put items away to avoid a big project later!
Some Tips
I Should…
Don’t let your hopes for an item (I’ll give it to my sister’s kids one day), guilt (my mom gave it to me, so I have to keep it) take over. Ask yourself simple questions like:
Do I love it?
Do I use it?
What is its purpose?
Is it easier to store or buy/rent/borrow again when I need?
Could I sell it?
Piles
A big mistake a lot of people make is that they let items pile up on the floor. These areas often have great vertical space, USE IT! Shelves are an easy and affordable solution for either space. Be sure to adjust the shelf height to best suit your needs. Wall storage/hooks are a must! Invest in a track system to hang as much as possible (chairs, golf clubs, bags, strollers, bikes, yard tools, etc).
Don’t let bins spill over
Often, if a bin starts to overflow, people go out and buy another. Don’t fall into this trap! Containers can act as a checkpoint for excess. Find the right sized bin, and when it starts to overflow, it is time to let some go!
Donate
Create a donate station at your house. Find a good spot for a donation bin that will be used. Once it is full (don’t wait), load it up in the car and drop it at your favorite charity. Make sure everyone in the house knows what the bin/area is for, and encourage family members to add items as needed.
Labels/Clear Containers
Labels and clear containers help us find items when they are needed and help eliminate the mental energy of remembering what is inside. Unlabeled bins/boxes can often add mental weight and encourage items to be dropped in places they don’t belong. Labeling can also help manage smaller projects. Open the bin labeled “painting supplies” and spend 10 minutes sorting/purging it.
Two of my biggest tips for everyone:
Don’t Wait
Do things immediately as often as possible! Whether going through the mail, paying a bill or changing a light bulb…do it now! Don’t waste time and energy adding items to your to-do list that can be done quickly. You will find your mind and calendar less cluttered when you take the time to tackle small tasks often.
Pick It Up
Never leave a room empty-handed. If you pass by something that doesn’t belong where it is, pick it up and take it with you. Dirty dishes, mail toys…take the time to address the mess now, don’t wait! Doing a little each day can help avoid hours of work later.