Minimalism usually conjures images of stark white walls, but in truth, it's about much more than design. Minimalism, at its core, is about cleaning out the junk. It's a sort of unburdening, and for many people who feel anxious at the sight of clutter, it's incredibly freeing. One of the rooms in the house that many people neglect when they're applying minimalist organization practices to their lives is the garage. After all, it's a room designated for storage, right? Well, technically, yes - but there's a difference between useful, intentional storage and out-of-sight, out-of-mind storage. If you've never given minimalism in your garage a try, now might just be the time.
Sort through the clutter
The first thing you should do in any room when giving this lifestyle a try is purge the junk. This means sorting through everything you have in your garage (yes, everything), and getting rid of things you don't actively use and need. You'll have to be brutally honest with yourself - sure, you might use those pruners when you finally decide to take up gardening, but if you haven't in the past five years, well - it's unlikely. Getting rid of duplicate items is equally important. One major culprit: Old, untouched boxes. If you haven't needed anything in those boxes (therefore inspiring you to unpack them), it's time to get rid of their contents entirely.
Get everything off the floor
Next up: Give everything you own a home. It's a good idea to invest in a garage organization system that works for you, then designate certain cabinets and shelves for groups of items. Keep all the power tools in one area, for example, and all of your holiday decoration in another. You can designate a whole cabinet for pool cleaning supplies or use wall storage to hold all your sports gear in one area.
Store out-of-season tools up high
Now that you've given every category of items you own a home, it's a good idea to even further pare down what you have hanging around the garage. The best way to do this? Treat your garage like your closet, and get rid of things that you don't use during that particular season. You can store them in your attic, up in higher storage compartments or in another room of the house - it's up to you!
Use labels
Last but not least, to ensure you stick to this new organization system, give yourself a hand by labeling all your cabinets, drawers and shelves. Not only will this make it easier to find everything you need in the future, it will also help you assign a home to new gear. The inherent benefit of minimalist organization practices? A much cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing space. It's great for those who feel a distinct divide between the interior design of their homes and their garages, as it allows them to create a more seamless look in the long run.
