Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Breaking out of my self-imposed prison

[a57belair2]

I can empathize, my bride is a borderline hoarder, the only thing that keeps our house from getting buried is that she lets me sell or give away stuff from time to time. Even so, for our ages we have too much **** in the house.....time for more of it to go away.

I built a 10X16 shed in the back yard and moved all of the yard stuff out there, that made my garage more workable right away and helped me sort and get rid of unneeded stuff.

Next up is the basement.

I've been getting rid of my unnecessary stuff weekly, some in the bin, some on Craigslist, some free on the curb. It's amazing to me what people will carry off when it's free!

I have a car project I'm building and as it gets done that will open up a lot of space in the near future.

Good news on our side is that the rest of the house is in good order. My wife is a bit of a minimalist so that helps. So that garage has been a bit of a hot point for some time.

I want to get a shed for outdoor furniture and other seasonal things. Right now the plan is to add a lean to off the one side to hold the trailer and other outdoor furniture.

I'm also doing this to start a car project. It's a 57 Chevy Belair my data was going to work on in retirement but unfortunately passed a few months after retiring. What car project are you getting ready to work on?

 

[a57belair2]

Best of luck with the clean up.

In the meantime, we have a GJ version of an "I Spy" book. I spy a $75 cart from Amazon

Haha, good eye... I ended up getting two of those. Maybe one day soon I can move them around in the garage!

 

[a57belair2]

Let there be light! I've added in a good number of lights to the area I'm working in. Right now they are just held up w/zip ties as I'm not sure what my final lighting configuration will end up being. Plus this was a quick way to get moving. Progress over perfection.

In other news over the last few days I've found some garage floor! Still a long way to go but it's nice to see some progress and be able to walk by the workbenches. Starting to get the workbenches in order as they will be a key part in helping me organize. My goal is to have the first bay "done" by the end of next month. This is going to be the hardest bay I think for me.

Thank you all for following along and sharing stories and advice.

 

[JuncleJohn]

24x34 is a nice sized garage. Take advantage (at least temporarily) of storing some of the lighter stuff up in the rafters to give you more room to work and sort. For the same reason, consider moving some stuff outside and cover with a tarp as well.

Keep at it little by little and you’ll have a nice place to work and park.

John

 

[bluedog225]

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides….

I‘m doing the same on a 24’x24’. Every square foot of floor space is gold.

Keep it up.

 

[WildBill]

I've been dealing with the same kinda issue in my 24x36 for the past 4-5 weekends. Too many good deals on too much cool stuff and no where to put it all, not to mention I don't need a lot of it. I just set little goals for myself each morning before I go out, like clean out a certain corner or get rid of/organize all this stuff. I already had a bunch of decent heavy duty rolling wire shelves so I bought a bunch of medium size totes that fit them well and have been sorting stuff into them, really has helped getting the same stuff all in one spot even if its not the final plan. And has helped me see when I have three of something so I can get rid of stuff easier.

I am probably 70% done after two big loads to the dump and multiple smaller ones to the habitat store. Ironically some of the stuff I took there still had the their price tags on it from when I got it from them years ago.

It does get easier to let stuff go once you get going on it, gets mentally rewarding to see those clean areas and to be able to move around easily, plus find things.

We need some sort of exchange program where we help each other clean/organize, its much easier to get it done with someone not personally invested in the stuff helping.

 

[2001ZR2]

Great start the lights will help especially for those "5 minute" projects...being able to find supplies and tools had cut them down to 2 hours.

Hope you can keep the focus and not have too many small projects pop up.

 

[Red Leader]

Oh I am familiar with that one. I've gone through most of the pages.

Have you seen the ‘Grunge Garage’? If not, this one is another example…

Grunge Garage

OK, So this is an existing single car attached garage here in Detroit. House is a 2 story brick colonial on a corner lot. Here's the interesting part.......me and the wife are hoarders! I'm making this admission here because I know there are more of us lurking out there. I want this to...

www.garagejournal.com

I remember when it started, around the same time as my shop. We all wanted the best for him. Hopeful, maddening, just very eye opening. It’s a good one to go back to when you have project after project staring at you, and realizing they will easily outlast you unless you can gain control. I know it helps me.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I was gonna post that but I couldn’t remember bills screen name. If I remeber correctly at one point his basement was full I’d frozen sewage.

 

[nadogail]

Your old cardboard boxes can be sold for cash

 

[Mr. Tool]

Let there be light! I've added in a good number of lights to the area I'm working in. Right now they are just held up w/zip ties as I'm not sure what my final lighting configuration will end up being. Plus this was a quick way to get moving. Progress over perfection.

In other news over the last few days I've found some garage floor! Still a long way to go but it's nice to see some progress and be able to walk by the workbenches. Starting to get the workbenches in order as they will be a key part in helping me organize. My goal is to have the first bay "done" by the end of next month. This is going to be the hardest bay I think for me.

Thank you all for following along and sharing stories and advice.

Excellent!.....adding those light fixtures came out looking good, even though if it's temporary.

I look forward to the task and your progress on your "new to you" garage (and yes also all those newly re-discovered tools of yours!).

Stop thinking about how big the task is, how long it's going to take, etc.,etc....just keep at it every chance you get (keep in mind that it won't be like that forever) clearing out, cleaning up, fixing up, setting up, etc., etc....eventually you'll get to the end.

It's strange that many of us homeowners always end up using our garage as a somewhat "storage shed" other than what it was actually designed and intended for.

Like you, my garage and all it's contents (although nothing compared to the size or magnitude as yours) was full, crowded and stacked to the point that one could barely fit in or move around....you know exactly what I mean.....from over the years of just putting stuff in there for later, etc.......and of course later turns into months, which then turns into years....then neglect...and that process just continues....it becomes a cycle. It came to the point that I just hated to open the door leading into our garage from our house or opening the garage door at the driveway.....lead me to feeling disgusted, disappointed and angry at myself for allowing that mess to actually happen and just overall didn't like it.

I also hated the fact that I had all these good tools that I had accumulated over the years but they were put away, scattered throughout my garage in various smaller size tool boxes or in just general boxes and bin's, etc.....and well I just got tired of it all.

So my wife and I decided enough was enough and well decided this Spring to move everything out, clean the garage out, toss/trash stuff....donate stuff.....give away stuff....and keep exactly what we wanted and needed to keep, etc....it took us 12 days straight..from start to completely finished!

Again, just keep at it, don't give up (no matter what) and I look forward to reading about and seeing pictures of your progress!

Good Luck to you my man!

 

[a57belair2]

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides….

I‘m doing the same on a 24’x24’. Every square foot of floor space is gold.

Keep it up.

You've got this... for a second I thought wait I don't have this stuff do I haha. I wish you the best of luck it is going to feel so nice when it is done!

 

[a57belair2]

I've been dealing with the same kinda issue in my 24x36 for the past 4-5 weekends. Too many good deals on too much cool stuff and no where to put it all, not to mention I don't need a lot of it. I just set little goals for myself each morning before I go out, like clean out a certain corner or get rid of/organize all this stuff. I already had a bunch of decent heavy duty rolling wire shelves so I bought a bunch of medium size totes that fit them well and have been sorting stuff into them, really has helped getting the same stuff all in one spot even if its not the final plan. And has helped me see when I have three of something so I can get rid of stuff easier.

I am probably 70% done after two big loads to the dump and multiple smaller ones to the habitat store. Ironically some of the stuff I took there still had the their price tags on it from when I got it from them years ago.

It does get easier to let stuff go once you get going on it, gets mentally rewarding to see those clean areas and to be able to move around easily, plus find things.

We need some sort of exchange program where we help each other clean/organize, its much easier to get it done with someone not personally invested in the stuff helping.

I feel that deep in my soul, good deal but don't need it!

I bet 70% done feels amazing. Just starting to let more go and get some things done. Haha I like the exchange idea, always easer when it isn't your stuff.

 

[a57belair2]

Excellent!.....adding those light fixtures came out looking good, even though if it's temporary.

I look forward to the task and your progress on your "new to you" garage (and yes also all those newly re-discovered tools of yours!).

Stop thinking about how big the task is, how long it's going to take, etc.,etc....just keep at it every chance you get (keep in mind that it won't be like that forever) clearing out, cleaning up, fixing up, setting up, etc., etc....eventually you'll get to the end.

It's strange that many of us homeowners always end up using our garage as a somewhat "storage shed" other than what it was actually designed and intended for.

Like you, my garage and all it's contents (although nothing compared to the size or magnitude as yours) was full, crowded and stacked to the point that one could barely fit in or move around....you know exactly what I mean.....from over the years of just putting stuff in there for later, etc.......and of course later turns into months, which then turns into years....then neglect...and that process just continues....it becomes a cycle. It came to the point that I just hated to open the door leading into our garage from our house or opening the garage door at the driveway.....lead me to feeling disgusted, disappointed and angry at myself for allowing that mess to actually happen and just overall didn't like it.

I also hated the fact that I had all these good tools that I had accumulated over the years but they were put away, scattered throughout my garage in various smaller size tool boxes or in just general boxes and bin's, etc.....and well I just got tired of it all.

So my wife and I decided enough was enough and well decided this Spring to move everything out, clean the garage out, toss/trash stuff....donate stuff.....give away stuff....and keep exactly what we wanted and needed to keep, etc....it took us 12 days straight..from start to completely finished!

Again, just keep at it, don't give up (no matter what) and I look forward to reading about and seeing pictures of your progress!

Good Luck to you my man!

Thank you, it feels great to have some good light. I ended up working on a project last night and it was such a nice change. I can't wait to get the rest of them up.

I know so few people that park in the garage it is kinda wild. I'll be happy just to move from one side to the other without having to go outside and back in.

12 days must have been some long ones but for sure worth it in the end. Now the trick is keeping it that way! Congrats to you two!!

 

[Mr. Tool]

Thank you, it feels great to have some good light. I ended up working on a project last night and it was such a nice change. I can't wait to get the rest of them up.

I know so few people that park in the garage it is kinda wild. I'll be happy just to move from one side to the other without having to go outside and back in.

12 days must have been some long ones but for sure worth it in the end. Now the trick is keeping it that way! Congrats to you two!!

Thanks!

Yes those 12 days were L 0 N G and tiring!

You are absolutely right about keeping it clean and organized. I told my wife that we were no longer just going to toss stuff and **** in there and deal with it later, etc......I told her definitely no more of that and she strongly agrees.

I love it.......now I even have space to work on things on a work bench, etc. and it's fantastic knowing exactly where all my tools are at, all organized, etc. and reaching for them without having going through stuff just looking for that specific tool, etc. as well as all the other stuff that we use.

Now I find myself spending more time in the garage!

 

[2001ZR2]

Thank you, it feels great to have some good light. I ended up working on a project last night and it was such a nice change. I can't wait to get the rest of them up.

It's not that big of leap of how better light helps but still stuns me how much it does.

Great start and hope those side quest projects can wait until you get your garage organized.

 

[TomGW]

Have you seen the ‘Grunge Garage’? If not, this one is another example…

Grunge Garage

OK, So this is an existing single car attached garage here in Detroit. House is a 2 story brick colonial on a corner lot. Here's the interesting part.......me and the wife are hoarders! I'm making this admission here because I know there are more of us lurking out there. I want this to...

www.garagejournal.com

I remember when it started, around the same time as my shop. We all wanted the best for him. Hopeful, maddening, just very eye opening. It’s a good one to go back to when you have project after project staring at you, and realizing they will easily outlast you unless you can gain control. I know it helps me.

I have often wondered what has happened with Bill and Julie. Does anyone know?

 

[Old Man Roger]

I have often wondered what has happened with Bill and Julie. Does anyone know?

I seem to remember there was a fire and a gofundme.

 

[Red Leader]

I seem to remember there was a fire and a gofundme.

Really???! I sincerely hope that was not the outcome after all. I remember seeing it get closed because it ended up being a pile on at the end there, really there were a few (mini) pile-ons throughout the thread - I think there was a lot of frustration at the idea of showcasing the mess but not a lot of movement to get it clean, and so many unused (and really nice) tools just slowing rotting away. It was hard to watch and interact with, in a productive sort of way.

 

[M.Brane]

Been watching this one for a while. Good progress so far. Sometimes things just get away from us, and you end up in WTF land.

Condensed version of my story is rented a house with a single wide double depth garage for over 20 years. Not ideal, but made it work. Late 2022 landlord says I need to leave he wants to remodel. I get it. He's not in a hurry. Early 2023 my truck gets smashed by a giant tree. Moved into the house next door. Awesome except it's less than 1/2 the size, and I'm now renting from a friend.. Purged a lot of stuff I would have preferred to keep, but that's how it goes. Bought this place in mid 2023. Again not ideal, but workable. Damn sloped driveway, but good location. About the same SQFT as the old single/double, but square. It's a challenge to keep things organized with so much stuff. I put wheels under things so I can move it around depending on the project. If it wasn't for the horrible storage shed out back I'd be screwed. It needs work too, but tarps make cheap/easy temporary roofing.

It's a work in progress, and we are concentrating on things that increase the resale value since I'm retiring in Dec, and we are planning on GTFOOH.

One day at a time as they say.

 

[y'sguy]

Nice lighting! Where did you buy those? I need some more and those look nice.

Here's something you might try as an exercise. It doesn't look to me like you need to get rid of stuff as much as you need to straighten first.

Think military. Square to the room. First grab some stuff and start stacking in an organized manner. It doesn't have to be grouped as kind yet. just make it neat and square. nothing is angled or thrown on top of the other. Just concentrate on that one 4 foot square thing first, 4- 6 feet high, with a little room around it. When you get that one done try another. Or walk away and do one of your other projects. Later on, you can come back and do another square thing or objects but first, get it neat, even the empty boxes.
My garage looked this way at first when we moved in. It just takes time chipping away at it.
After you get everything into those 4 foot cubes then you can go thru them one at a time culling, or moving a item to another 4 ft cube. Eventually, this can all evolve into groups. And it will give you clean areas on the floor to walk around to get to the other stuff. Some stuff, like the heavies, the hydrulic press can move near the for example, but to find that path, try the cube stack.

 

[Skellyii]

Whoa, are you my wife... she called dibs on one of the bays already.

Mine called dibs on one of the bays, and a portion of the overhead storage.

And after I installed the mini-split, she wants the temperature warm enough in the winter so she never has to get in a cold car.

 

[a57belair2]

Nice lighting! Where did you buy those? I need some more and those look nice.

Here's something you might try as an exercise. It doesn't look to me like you need to get rid of stuff as much as you need to straighten first.

Think military. Square to the room. First grab some stuff and start stacking in an organized manner. It doesn't have to be grouped as kind yet. just make it neat and square. nothing is angled or thrown on top of the other. Just concentrate on that one 4 foot square thing first, 4- 6 feet high, with a little room around it. When you get that one done try another. Or walk away and do one of your other projects. Later on, you can come back and do another square thing or objects but first, get it neat, even the empty boxes.
My garage looked this way at first when we moved in. It just takes time chipping away at it.
After you get everything into those 4 foot cubes then you can go thru them one at a time culling, or moving a item to another 4 ft cube. Eventually, this can all evolve into groups. And it will give you clean areas on the floor to walk around to get to the other stuff. Some stuff, like the heavies, the hydrulic press can move near the for example, but to find that path, try the cube stack.

Thank you the lighting has been a game change. I look at the other side of the garage that has the old light and it's the sun vs a single candle! I got those from Harbor Freight. I think they go back on sale next month for $16/17 and I'll pick up a few more.

I"m in straighten mode for sure, getting like items together so I can find a home/remove items. I'm trying best to focus one bay at at a time while staging things I know will go into other areas. I'm making some progress now!

 

[a57belair2]

Starting to find more floor and it feels good! Although my workbench has lost some of its free space, more on that in the next picture.
I've started to sort though buckets of tools that were my Dads. After he passed I had decided to make up some tool kits for my three nephews with his tools and things I also have multiples of. I bought the tool boxes about 1.5 years ago and that was about as far as I got. This last week I took everything out of the multiple buckets and bags (got rid of the bags). and started to group on the bench. It was great to get them out of the buckets. On the wrench side lots of duplicate sizes. I think I have 30 3/4" wrenches. Lots of time on the road for him and if you needed the tool you bought another. My plan with some of the extra wrenches are to use them as drawer pulls for a future garage project.

I found some old snap-on and some USA craftsman speed wrenches, well I'm calling them speed wrenches but I'm not sure if that is correct or not. I don't think I'll use the snap on as I have modern ranching wrenches. I'll likely just hang them up.

A few days after the above pictures I was working on the bay from the other end and found even more floor! Still trying my best to not get sucked into to many side projects.

 

[a57belair2]

Side project... this was a nice 3am the baby woke me up and I can't fall asleep project. Something that a month ago would have took much longer as I looked for space, tools, and parts I put aside. It was a simple adding wheels and a handle to a pallet project. Just something to make bring in the flowers/plants quick while it's too cold to plan and likely leave out overnight.


Nothing fancy but using pallets from my Amazon find $75 carts and a wheels/handle I've had sitting around for awhile. The best part was how good it felt to just work in the garage on something again without having to do 20 things to make space first. That defiantly is serving as extra motivation to keep going. Already getting some benefit and I can't wait to build on that.

Extra bonus I could just wheel this in when I was done. Before I would have to go plant by plant to find a spot between things. No way I cold have taken up 4 square feet+ of floor space.

 

[bwringer]

@a57belair2 , you're making excellent progress! Keep going and keep hauling!


But be careful... My father, and his father before him, were hoarders of unusual talent and scope. OP's mess isn't a fraction as bad, but a lot of the hoarding danger signs are there. A lot of care is needed to avoid lapsing back into hoarding habits. Some of these suggestions are good for cleaning up someone else's mess, but remember; the OP created this over a fairly long period of time, so there are some hoarding relapse traps to avoid.

...A short term rental portable storage pod could be used to house all the “keep” items while you repair the floors and insulate the ceiling and walls.

Oh, heavens to Betsy, NO.

Whatever you do, OP, do NOT rent or build any "temporary" storage or even temporary piles somewhere else. It will end up as permanent, and permanently falling apart, storage in even worse condition, or just decaying piles of scrap. And rented storage will continue to cost more and more money as time goes on. Don't even pile stuff under a tarp "temporarily". Handle things only once if at all possible.

Your old cardboard boxes can be sold for cash

Egads, NO! Do NOT, EVER, even HINT to a hoarder that cardboard (or whatever useless stuff and substances are piled up) has the slightest value. Cardboard only has any value in compressed multi-ton bales, and even then it's very little, sometimes not enough to pay for the hauling.

As someone noted above, space has a pretty high value of its own, much higher than the vast majority of the stuff piled up.

Nice lighting! Where did you buy those? I need some more and those look nice.

Here's something you might try as an exercise. It doesn't look to me like you need to get rid of stuff as much as you need to straighten first.

Yep, the lighting was a great first step.

Straightening is only useful as long as "straightening" also includes very large doses of "sorting" and "throwing away".

Otherwise shuffling stuff in one huge pile into a series of square piles is a fairly pointless hoarder delaying tactic. And of course it wastes effort because you're handling stuff repeatedly as the piles grow and grow.

 

[gleman]

@a57belair2

How is the clean up going? Keep us updated with progress, even if it's little stuff.