A garage often becomes the “junk drawer” of the exterior of the home. But when spring arrives, and garden tools or bikes need to be found, the clutter that of stuff hidden away for the winter suddenly becomes a problem, especially if there is a desire to park the car in the garage. There are several ways to tackle this issue — ignore it, clean and organize it, or hire a professional. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a startling 25 percent of people with garages can't park their cars in them because the space is used to store other things. Megan Trotter-Mayo, a professional organizer and owner of Affordable Organization in East Providence, offers some tips for those who want to take the “do-it-yourself” approach and make more room for their cars in the garage. 

“Sometimes I feel like a car salesman,” shared Megan. Though her analogy coincided with making more room for cars in the garage, she explained that the reason she feels this way is because the advice she gives clients is the same for any space. Her biggest piece of advice is that these tips can be applied to organizing any space, not just the garage — though spring is a great time to step into the garage and reevaluate the existing system (or lack thereof). 

Make a decision 

The first step in organizing any space is making a decision. Megan explained, “You can either have the stuff or the space; it’s that simple.” She went on to say that this initial step often feels like the most overwhelming for many of her clients. “For a lot of people, just taking the first step is the hardest part. They don’t even know where to start without support,” she said. “I notice that people need me to walk them through each item to help them decide whether to keep it or not; decision fatigue is a real thing,” she added.  

She also said she notices a lot of guilt and shame associated with needing her services. For this she offered another useful analogy. She shared, “You don’t feel shame when you need a plumber to fix your toilet, so why should you feel ashamed to need help with organizing your closet.” She noted that not everyone can be good at every skill. “This is what I’m good at and I want to help,” she explained. 

Categorize what’s left  

After deciding what to get rid of and what to keep, the rest becomes easier. According to Megan, “What’s left after that is just the basics of organizing.” The next step is the simpler task of organizing by category. In the garage, that means grouping tools with tools, sports equipment with sports equipment, gardening supplies with gardening supplies, and so on. 

Shopping isn’t always necessary, but it’s fun  

Though it is not always necessary to do so, purchasing bins, shelves, peg boards and other organization systems can often benefit the space being organized, according to Megan. “I am a huge fan and cheerleader for the purchase of bins,” she shared. She went on to say, “This helps make sure evertyhing has a space.”   

Label everything 

Another useful but optional step is labeling the bins, baskets, shelves, or whatever is being used to store items. “Once everything is categorized and in its space, labeling not only keeps it there, but it also holds you accountable for putting items back where they belong,” Megan explained. She also said, “The labels compel people to continue the system they put into place.”  

Layout the system  

Laying out the “design” means deciding where things should be stored for both functionality and cleanliness. This is where pegboards can be especially useful, particularly in a garage, where vertical storage is key. Megan explained, “You can utilize the vertical space to hang things like tools, rakes, extension cords, and shovels.” She emphasized the importance of using vertical space because garages often have water and other elements from the outside on the floor. 

Before and after 

 Touch up services 

Another optional step is what Megan calls “touch-up services.” This involves revisiting the space and the system put in place every so often to reset it. She gave the example of a client she visits every March to reset all the holiday bins in her basement. It's a task Megan enjoys, and it proves useful for her client, who doesn't particularly enjoy it.  

Megan’s love of organizing things began when she was only a child. Her earliest memory of organizing dates back to when she was only four years old. “I remember trashing my room at four just so I could pick it up again,” she recalled.

She loves what she does and wants to help, even if it is as simple as offering tips with organizing. Whether choosing a professional to perform the service or using the “do-it-yourself” method, Megan believes there should be no shame or guilt in taking steps to organize any space.