My husband is fanatical about everything in his garage having a place so he knows exactly where everything is. He also has a storage shed in our backyard that has equipment and other miscellaneous items stored in there that he does not use on a regular basis. I have items stored in the garage as well, and he has deemed it time to clean up the garage and get everything back in order.
Summer is the perfect time of the year for this project. Even if your garage just needs a clean up and a lick of paint, this adds to the curb appeal of your home. Not to mention you will get more use of the space. Here are a few ideas to get you (and us) started.
Start with a Thorough Decluttering
First of all, you need to completely declutter the space. Go through all your storage and get rid of any items you don’t need. You might find you have duplicate tools or household items filling up your garage. You can even donate these if they’re in good condition. Once you’ve cleared the space, clean your garage thoroughly and check for leaks and pests. If you find any evidence of pests, call pest control before beginning any maintenance.
Make Better Use of the Space
Whether you have a large garage or a more modest space, it’s better to get the most out of it. A good way to make room is to use the vertical space for storage. This means hanging tools and equipment on hooks or racks. You could also put up some extra shelves this summer. This way you’ll increase floor space to work. Here are a few more DIY storage ideas for a smaller garage.
Upgrade The Lighting
If you use your garage for car maintenance you need sufficient lighting to work. It might be worth upgrading your lighting this summer. If you aren’t able to perform proper car maintenance this could lead to a breakdown or even an accident on the road. If the unfortunate does happen you can contact a team of expert car accident lawyers to help you. It’s always better to be proactive and stay on top of maintenance, so ensure you have the right environment to do so.
Consider Going Smart in the Garage
If you’d like to give your garage a modern upgrade, you could consider going smart. With one of the best smart garage door openers, you can control your garage door from your smartphone or other devices. You can connect this to part of a complete smart home system. This way you’ll get alerts about security, energy use, appliances, and more. It’s a much more efficient and convenient way to run your home.
A Lick of Paint
Summer is the ideal time to tidy up your home’s exterior and give it a lick of paint. Freshen up your garage door so it’s in tip-top condition. You could also consider pressure washing the floor and driveway and even a bit of front landscaping. In a day’s work, you can greatly increase your curb appeal and your front yard will look spectacular. Set aside a weekend for garage maintenance this summer and give it the upgrades it needs.
For an even more detailed checklist, visit This Old House.
