How to Extreme Declutter – Garage – Part One
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Do you have a space that needs an extreme declutter and organization? Maybe a garage, shed, basement or junk room? Anyone who does any renovations or DIY, can relate to the mess that ends up in my workshop/garage, I’m sure. No matter what the space though, the process is the same.
Where to start with your extreme declutter...
There are different ways to approach a mammoth decluttering project. Break it down into small manageable pieces. It may take a week, a month or longer, depending on the amount of stuff and the time you have available. But where do you start?
- Start with one section and work your way around the space.
- Pick a “pain point” or area that bothers you the most. OR
- Start with the easiest things that you know what you want to do with them.
Sometimes we hang onto things because we’re not sure what to do with them, even if we don’t want them. My shop collected everything, including the kitchen sink(literally). And the bathroom one too.
Have a goal for the space you are extreme decluttering...
If it is still just going to be for storage, your goal may be: ” Have a clean, tidy space where things are stored safely and easily accessible when needed.”
Perhaps you want to use the space for a specific purpose – exercise, woodworking projects, a guest room or office. Visualize what you need in the space to help you figure out whether you can declutter something or not.
Make a plan to declutter...
Schedule your time to get started. Do you have a week off work when you can get to it? Maybe you could free up a weekend. Or if that isn’t possible, just schedule an hour a day – whatever time works for you.
Set yourself up for success by getting the items and support you need to get it done.
- Do you have a truck or trailer to take things to the dump?
- Is there someone that can help you sort through things and/or take things away?
- Are there heavy items you need help moving?
- Is there an organization that will come and pick up your donations?
- Have an assortment of boxes and garbage bags on hand.
- Put some music on while you go through things and have a beverage handy so it will be as enjoyable as possible.
My starting point to extreme declutter...
I chose to start by the big garage door because I knew what I wanted to do with most things there. (Trash is easy to let go of.) It also gave me access to the door which might make it easier to get things out of.
In the second section, I decluttered and re-organized under the stairs, I kept the things I would need first accessible. (My winter tires are ready to go.) The kitchen cabinets and boxes of wine bottles are going to my boyfriend’s house by the end of the year. He is re-doing his laundry room and the cabinets will be going in there. The extra shingles are tucked under the stairs and hopefully I won’t need them for many years. The bathroom vanity and sink are going to be going into one of my rentals when the tenant moves out.
Extreme declutter the trash...
What is trash? Trash is anything that is obvious garbage or recycling and is the easiest to declutter. Broken items that can’t be fixed, dried up paint cans, expired products, and mouse-eaten papers or cloth items would fall into this category.
The piles I started for extreme decluttering were:
- metal recycling
- hazardous waste
- damaged or rotten wood
- pressure treated wood to take to dump.
There was also a garbage can, and a recycling bin for plastic/paper items that can go in regular pick-up.
My first trip to the dump had wood – trim, scraps, and an old sink cabinet. There were also a few pieces of old pressure treated wood from my deck which had to be weighed separately. Subsequent trips had some rotten wood skids, shingle scraps and more assorted garbage.
Extreme decluttering more than one space? a declutter avalanche...
You may find that when extreme decluttering one space you have to declutter another to make room for items you want to re-home. The large piece of MDF from my last kitchen reno was taking up space in the middle of my shop. It made more sense to put it in with other MDF and leftover wood supplies in the backroom. However, I needed to clear out that room first.
Some doors also needed a new home. I already had a few doors in one of my sheds, so it made sense to move my doors in the shop there. I decided that the smaller shed #1 wood be a good place to store some excess wood. Unfortunately, one of my sons’ junk was filling it so it had to be cleared out first.
Decision fatigue?
You may have decision fatigue when trying to declutter a lot of things. If so, take a break. Come back after a rest or try to work on another area that is easier. Break up the sections that you are working on and do small bits at a time. I set up my folding table and chair to go through my cabinet knobs and hardware and reorganize in clear bins.
It took me almost a month to completely declutter and re-organize my workshop/garage. My son still has a few things to come and get and I have more recycling to take in. My boyfriend’s saw and the siding are for current projects that I hope will be done before winter.
Why are you keeping things?
If you would like help with your decluttering and organizing project, please contact me to set up an appointment...
You can see my Before & After video of my Extreme Workshop/Garage declutter below.
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