Ever been "paralyzed" when trying to organize?

[ckucia]

I need help.

I've spent most of the last three weekends in my garage workshop, without much exaggeration, just standing around not knowing where to start. I started on a few ideas to better organize, but decided they would make things worse in the short term.

The place is a mess, there are no empty flat surfaces, tools, materials etc are everwhere. I was in the middle of a few projects when winter hit and I pretty much just packed everything into the garage and let it sit through the holidays.

I have some ideas for better organizing the place, but it seems like I need a major organizing effort just to clear enough space to build the shelves or cabinets or whatever.

It's driving me batty! I have this path to a little clearing in which I can stand, and that's pretty much all I do - stand there and try to figure out what to do to dig myself out of this mess.

Anyone ever been in this situation? How do you get out of the "trapped" mindset and make some real progress?

I'm usually a "git er done" kinda guy, but for some reason, this mess is kicking my ****, and I think it's a mental thing.

Maybe it's the weather...

Any advice?

 

[mishkaya]

I am in the same boat unfortunately. I won't post pics as it would be too embarrassing...
Once the nicer weather arrives I can usually muster up the courage to get started, and that's always the hardest part. It helps a lot to have a good friend over who is willing to assist as well.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

If possible, get all the **** out of the garage that doesn't belong in the garage, such as lawn mowers, bicycles, toys, household furniture, yard implements, etc. Put that stuff in a shed out back.

Have a yard sale and get rid of the junk that has accumulated that you don't want to throw away or haven't used in a while.

Load up what don't sell and take it to your local Goodwill or other such bleeding heart organization.

 

[the forgotten man]

some times this happens to me .... i pick a small section/corner of the garage/shop and work on getting that small section the way i want it... .or at least close to what i want, then move on to the next area and move my way through the mess a little section at a time. at the beginning of winter i started that way and got through alot of it... i got more to do, actually alot more (before any pictures) but its working out pretty good to do it in small areas. I always keep in mind about future improvements and try to make my changes and storage plans with the future in mind.. .just how i do it. it gets me off the dime

 

[woody 73]

Hi,

As they say things happen!

ok step one pick a wall and hang some peg board and I mean lot's of it.
step two hang up as many tools as you can.
step three have a beer,listen to some music and build some benches (go to the home depot and buy the corner angle steel 2 x 4 brackets the kind that you only add the wood and put together with screws).
step four put all your heavy items on your new bench.
step five take a breather and look around any thing that you can give away or sell?
step six you are done congratulations.

 

[TheGrooveking]

First off take a tape measure and measure everything you want in your garage, X, Y, and Z dimensions. Then sit down and do a layout of your garage, then do wall views, review it, take a week or two going over it, rethinking access to everything. I found that I changed my mind multiple times and without literally knowing if everything was going to fit I would find surprises. Planning a garage is an exercise in using cubic space, not just square feet.

For the layout if you don't have access to CAD, a few machine tool/wood working machine companies offer free layout programs, even Brunswick has something you can use that is set up for pool tables, but in a pinch it'll work.

TheGrooveking

 

[sicklyscott]

I have a rather small garage and find myself doing the same thing. What I did was buy myself one of those dry erase boards and started sketching where I wanted things. After I figured out a good workflow I moved everything in my way out to the driveway. I then picked my favorite area to get organized (automotive tools). After getting those away, I looked at what I have left and made sure I realistically had enough room for it all. At this step I usually put up some shelves then start packing it away.

I always try to keep in mind that none of this is permanent and never try to get it "perfect" the first time. I'm now planning on my 4th iteration of organization in my garage.

 

[keukawake]

I pull everything out onto the driveway, making piles depending on final destination. One for stuff that needs to go into the house (usually bigger than I ever think it should be), stuff that needs to go into the shed, things to throw away, things I don't want but don't want to throw away (sell/goodwill). Then finally a couple of "back in the garage" piles for different types of storage (shelves, haning, etc).

Definately easier for me to pull everything out rather than stuggle with shuffling. This also makes it easier to clean the garage (dirt, webs, etc.).

Good luck!!

 

[rcayot]

Get rid of some stuff! Throw away, donate, sell.....

I have the same issue. a dumpster is a good place to start!

Roger

 

[woody 73]

The 2 x 4's that I talked about are called Simpson strong-tie connectors you can build any size bench with these(from the home depot).

Back to your regular programing

 

[ckucia]

Thanks for all the advice.

Normally, my M.O. for cleaning the garage is to drag at least the big stuff out of the way into the driveway. Not an option right now with the weather the way it is - maybe if we get a snow-free weekend sometime soon.

Helps a lot just reading the suggestions.

 

[tyrell2004]

YES YES YES! The staring at the piles, re- packing and moving the boxes in my head over and over again to try and get the "Perfect solution".. Kinda like writer's block...
The solution for me is to to define a very small chunk of manageable work I can do in, say an hour. Move all the bikes to one side or get all the empty boxes out of the way, something simple that does not really impact the final "design".
Once I get that done, the rest of the plan in my head can be put into action.

Also a friend without any "emotional" attachment to the project, can help to get the ball rolling. (I did this with my cousin's pile in his garage that was making him batty, he did not know where to start. I asked if I could move the empty boxes to make room to to an emergency repair of my truck and spent an hour reorganizing for him, he was grateful and we got him lot's of room to get the sorting started on his late Dad and Moms stuff. (Emotional process there)
Good luck, one chunk at a time.

 

[MadMechMaster]

I get like that too. What works for me is to put empty boxes on the floor and start sorting. I have a place for everything, but it gets left out and starts to clutter.

Once the boxes fill, I start to get room to put things back. It helps to toss or donate items.

I have a shelf of '67 Mustang parts that are in bad condition, but I think should have value to someone. That space is becoming more valuable to me than the parts. When that happens, they will be gone. I tried selling the lot on CL for $50. If I tossed them, it would be like getting a $50 shelf for free.

 

[Shadowdog500]

My house has a two car garage and I have been faced with exactly your dilemma for years. I almost never manage to clean the garage in a single weekend, but I usually make a big enough dent that I can work again. First I try to clear out the garage floor by moving the vehicles and anything else that can move outside so I'm not tripping over stuff while cleaning. Then I get the trash cans and put them in the middle of the garage, because Im going to be throwing stuff out. Then I start at one end of my workbench and go to the other. Anything I really don't need, gets tossed. Tools get put in a storage container then get, sorted and put away later. anything else goes into piles based on where it needs to go i.e. attic, shed, etc. Then I move the piles to where they belong and sweep out. Usually I run out of time, and wind up cramming some of the stuff back in for the next weekend. I usually fill my 4'X8' utility cart with "Good Junk" about once a year. I take the stuff to the dump after a few friend pick through it.

If you have allot of good stuff and just don't have enough room, I suggest you build more shelves, or a bigger garage, or a shed to store stuff in. I plan to install 14' tall pallet racks for shelving in my new pole barn. along with a couple of big trash cans to toss **** out instead of letting it pile.

Chris

 

[Tom2]

Wow... This is my life story.

I have the garage and half the house to remodel. Instead of getting to work - I basically just stand around not having a clue where to start. Not having much money and being burnt out from doing so much is not any help either.

Theres nothing worse than doing nothing though. Atleast if you do something - even if in the end it was counter-productive - atleast you learned from it and still moved forward in the end.

Guess it's time I take my own advice!


When it comes to cleaning though - just grab some trash cans and start throwing **** away. If I don't use it, it gets tossed. I try not to hoard stuff for no reason.

 

[VegasBruce]

First, I take all the stuff that belongs in the house to the living room. Its the wifes responsibility from there.

Second, I put all the tools away.

Third, Clean off the benches, a trash can is handy here.

From there its all about whats most important, to get done. Garage cleaning has to be broken up into several tasks to get it done. My pet peeve is the wife piling stuff on my hotrod. When I get fed up it all ends up on the living room floor or the bed.

 

[Stuey]

Source a few cardboard boxes, or buy a few totes - they should be no more than $4-5 each.

Pick a spot, and clear it all out - pack up all the tools, supplies, and whatnot into the totes, and put them in a corner or out of the room. Once you have one clean and clear area, you can use it as your staging area. Onces more areas get clear and organized, you can bring back the boxes/totes and organize the materials from there.

And no, you're not the only one to set about organizing and cleaning only to find yourself staring at the chaos unable to do anything.

 

[Mickey O]

The secret is piles, and more piles, carefully balanced and strategically placed. Get a cart on wheels, I just got one, seems to be good for moving stuff around (I'm actually going to use it to put stuff I'm selling on). I've been in the same boat for quite awhile, been trying to clean out a two car garage, a three car garage and three basements, not to mention a house. My problem is that I keep buying more stuff even though I have made a conscious effort not to (can't pass up a "deal"), just last week I ran into an estate sale on my way home, what could it hurt? A few hours later I'm unloading a van into my semi cleaned out garage and with the weather being so cold progress has been slow. I've been putting a lot of large and heavy stuff on craig's list, giving stuff to someone I know for garage sales (they have big one every year), sent a pile of stuff off to an auction house for auction, donating some stuff and will eventually list some stuff on here and eBay, then I guess I'll start all over again. Maybe I should call that A&E show Hoarders, actually I hope to have everything done before summer and I'm hoping I'll be able to maintain it after that.

 

[MadMechMaster]

I'll second the tool cart, I use mine for the hand tools I find during the clean up. Once you get some floor back, you can push it out of your way, or over to the toolbox.

 

[Scout Driver]

A tiny, yet important first step would be to take out the trash. I don't mean throw out everything in the garage that you don't want immediately, just take out the trash. Empty the trash cans. Instant gratification will help get you in the right mind-set. Also, you will need the empty trash cans for later, when you get deeper into the project. Best of Luck!

Scott

 

[jam022316]

I'm in the exact same situation. With it being so cold, and no sun out I just can't get motivated. I am kind of like Superman in the fact that I get my power from the sun.

 

[bazzateer]

Been there, done that

Beg, borrow or steal a large gazebo and put it up in your garden. Empty the garage contents into the gazebo. Build shelves, benches, cupboards etc into the garage.

Now carefully put everything that needs to go back into the garage into/onto these new storage units. Anything else either lives in a shed, the loft or is sold/junked.

Job Done! Now sit down and crack open a can.

 

[61scout80]

post some pics, that would help.

I have been trying to help people in your spot lately. see the thread below.

1. get a few big trash bags. set up an amount of money to charge your stuff rent. Say it's $1.00 a month. Now, if you have something that costs $2.00 new and you won't use it for a year. It costs $10 a year to have it occupying space.

2. figure out which projects you will actually do and which ones you won't. throw out the ones you know you won't do in the next year unless the parts are very rare or very expensive. For example, I had torn apart a broken washer and saved the pump from it. My intention was to build a camp shower for the jeep. After it sat for $6 (or months) i realized i could use that space for something useful and threw it out. I had a whole shelving unit full of junk like that. It's been 6 months, i don't miss the clutter.

3. see what is left over and decide what your best storage methods would be. cabinets, shelves etc.

4. move all the stuff outside (put up a "this is not a garage sale" sign if you live in a neighborhood) or put it all on one side.

5. install your storage solution (or one half worth)

6. put the left overs away. if you did the half garage thing do one half, move stuff over to the clean half's floor and do the other.

crack a beer, and realize how much space you now have.

here is that link:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53968&highlight=straighten+61scout80

 

[sberry]

I built some new shelves this fall, 1200 sq ft of them. tossed a lot of stuff and it was like getting a 30K addition for cheap. I am fortunate to have another house, I built the whole basement full of shelves for stuff too good to toss but didn't want to have in my shop. If I am not using it the stuff is out of here.

 

[Nix]

Not the cheapest solution but one other option is to rent a container (like Pods) for a while. Move everything into the container, build your storage, and move everything back in how you want it. It keeps everything out of your way and out of the weather. You also get to see all of those things you forgot you had before you finalize a plan and start building shelves, etc.

 

[sberry]

Finally got around to making a tire rack.

 

[Kev442]

Yep. been there. Usually turns out the garage is being used as a storage unit. Get the non garage stuff out!
With me, that meant lawn furniture and garden tools, old car parts and a bunch of other stuff went up in the attic. Twice a year summer stuff gets swapped with winter stuff, up to and including snow shovels.

Put the hand and power tools away. Totes are an excellent idea, 3 or 4 can sit on top of each other.

Fill the garbage can. 40 gallons of stuff leaving permanently is a huge mental boost. I find that the shelves and tool bench are cluttered with plastic packaging and other BS, like leftover bits and pieces of all the summer projects. ****! gone.

Good Luck!

 

[Mickey O]

post some pics, that would help.

I have been trying to help people in your spot lately. see the thread below.

1. get a few big trash bags. set up an amount of money to charge your stuff rent. Say it's $1.00 a month. Now, if you have something that costs $2.00 new and you won't use it for a year. It costs $10 a year to have it occupying space.

2. figure out which projects you will actually do and which ones you won't. throw out the ones you know you won't do in the next year unless the parts are very rare or very expensive. For example, I had torn apart a broken washer and saved the pump from it. My intention was to build a camp shower for the jeep. After it sat for $6 (or months) i realized i could use that space for something useful and threw it out. I had a whole shelving unit full of junk like that. It's been 6 months, i don't miss the clutter.

3. see what is left over and decide what your best storage methods would be. cabinets, shelves etc.

4. move all the stuff outside (put up a "this is not a garage sale" sign if you live in a neighborhood) or put it all on one side.

5. install your storage solution (or one half worth)

6. put the left overs away. if you did the half garage thing do one half, move stuff over to the clean half's floor and do the other.

crack a beer, and realize how much space you now have.

here is that link:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53968&highlight=straighten+61scout80

Why didn't you give it to me!

 

[Flatlander]

Another thing to keep in mind is what do you have to store? In my case I have to "share" my 2 car garage with my wifes car, kids bikes and toys. Think about what area you want to be yours and find a space to build storage for all the stuff the rest of the family needs. This will keep them out of your stuff and they have a space they keep what they need. Hang the bikes from the ceiling if they are in your way, they cant ride them in the snow anyway. Start by eliminating the big things that cause you pain and move down from there. In my case I am looking to get me a garden shed so all of the family stuff can go in there and get out of my way. Good Luck!

 

[USMCBay]

1.) I took everything OUT of the Garage... EVERYTHING (I had to paint)

2.) I made a sacrificial trash pile. Those things I kept "because some day I might need this..." got thrown out. (Haven't needed it since anyways)

It may stay outside a night or so... but put it all back in right and take the time to do it right. If you have to stop everything to go get Pegboard, Wood, etc. Do it... you're not spending time - you're investing it.

Let us know how it goes. Man do I wish I had a before photo because I just had a trail to my door and it made me mad every time I went in there~!

Here's the closest I could get to a before and after... Don't laugh at the Rain Poncho... I was clearing storm drains of limbs during Hurricane Ike so our yards wouldn't flood.

 

[61scout80]

Why didn't you give it to me!

you didn't come over and help that day!

 

[ovilla]

Here's what I do. These steps have worked very well for me.

Organize your piles into more meaningful piles (i.e. pile of tools, sports equipment, buidling supplies, clothes, magazines, etc.). Don't try to make one perfect pile of something. Just walk around, pick up anything in your way, and toss it into its new correct pile.

Put a black garbage bag in each corner of the room and one in the middle. This way you never have to go far for a trash bag. As soon as a bag gets a little over half full, remove it and put another empty one in its place (you'll feel like you're making progress now and will see less clutter everywhere). On garbage day, take all trash to the curb.

Put music on so you don't get bored. This will make the time fly by too.

Build a shed, hang up cabinets/peg board, or make room in your basement storage area. All of your stuff will need a place to go.

Buy a bunch of rubbermaid containers. Go with dark colors and label them. Then place them next to their respective piles and throw everthing into them.

Only work on the garage for 30-60 minutes at a time max. This will force you to work quickly and get as much done as you can within the alloted time. Too many folks start off and quickly get overwhelmed. There's no way you're going to clean up years of accumulation in one day so don't even try it. Plus, as you spread it out, it will give you more time to take your time and do it right with careful consideration for everything. You'll be surprised at how much stuff you end up throwing out by the time it's done.

Finally, this sounds weird, but follow this advice too. Start your cleaning on a week day (preferrably a Monday). There's no way you're going to finish it and you know it. However, you'll be amazed at how even 30 minutes worth of work will start getting things organized. Do a little each night and by the weekend, you'll have room to put up pegboard, install new cabinets, or just put stuff back where it needs to go.

 

[Mickey O]

you didn't come over and help that day!

No, I'm too far but tell Sheriff Joe I said hi and good job.

 

[bazzateer]

....and when you open a box and discover old photos etc don't sit down and get all nostalgic. You'll lose an hour just like that and anyway, nostalgia is all in the past!

 

[grcthird]

Always keep a big trash can in the garage and use it! I have a one year rule. If it's not been used in a year it's gone. This mostly applies to inexpensive items that "may get used for this or that", more commonly refered to as junk. Get a seperate space for yard stuff and make sure it stays there. Big items that are must keeps, like wheels and tires, get to reside in the crawl space under the house. Cleaning it out will motivate you to keep it clean. I had to help clean out the house my grandparents lived in for fifty years, I swore right then if I didn't use it for a year, it was gone. Good luck.

 

[thammel]

Yep, I'm always in the same boat. So don't worry, it's pretty normal - from everything I've been reading here. I need a big chunk of time otherwise I don't feel like starting. I have a few places that need organizing - the workshop, the garage, the computer room. Some are worse than others. Today, being a holiday for President's Day, I'm working on the workshop. The problem usually comes when I let it get too far gone, then I feel overwhelmed. But the way to do it is just dig in and start. My problem is that I usually have too many projects going at once and buy supplies ahead of time expecting to work on them but then the supplies pile up. Any this time of year with the bad winter weather we've been having, it's not the easiest time to work on organizing the garage. Do something in the basement (unless you have a heated garage). Hang in there, be patient and don't be too hard on yourself.

Tom

 

[ihredo4]

I am in that spot myself right now. Problem is we have an old barn we have used for storage for 30 or more years that I am converting over to my shop. The more I dig into it the more structural problems I am finding. Nothing major just hundreds of small things. Then when I have the structural taken care of I have to pull the cement floor and replace that. Sad but this has to all be done before I can even attempt to start organizing the shop. Only good thing is I will have the shop of my dreams whenever I finally get it done. lol

 

[Art From De Leon]

I have boxes setting in the same place they were when we put them there over 5 years ago. My workbenches get covered up with new purchases, until it is time to make room to work, then the junk gets re-positioned. The ONLY places organized in my shop are my reloading bench, and my toolboxes.

 

[Mattlt]

As far as totes and boxes go, try to work with all the same size. If using multiple sizes, try to make 2 small ones add up to the same size as 1 big one. It's much easier to store uniform sized containers than using whatever shoe box, banana box, coffee can, and 5-gallon bucket you can find.

Personally, I'm a fan of the shoe box sized clear Rubbermaid / Sterilite containers. I tend to fill a container with related supplies. When it fills up, I split the contents to another one. For example, if you start with a plumbing box, then split it up into another box of whatever plumbing supplies you have the most of: maybe it's copper tubing fittings, or threaded pipe fittings. Then stack these related containers together.

YMMV...

 

[coachrick]

Ah, yes...paralysis by analysis Been there, you know the rest. It is easy to overthink and try to re-make the entire area at one time. As others have said...bits and pieces, one step at a time. A journey of a thousand miles and all that

Actually, I've been meaning to do something about my procrastination problem...just never got around to it!

I find rolling shelves to be a great asset. You can move them out of the way for certain projects or 'makeovers' as you are facing now. They also allow you to 'store' more stuff in your workspace...just roll the shelves aside when you need the work area for a particular project. I know we are supposed to make things like the rolling shelves but the chrome NSF shelving at Costco(and elsewhere) is great...flexible, non-rusting, strong, mobile. I have my SCMS on a 'half-set' and store my cull lumber underneath. I can easily roll it outside if needed or set it up with outfeed rollers by moving it around the garage. Just a thought.

Having said that, DW, S-I-L and I have been cleaning out our 90 year old aunt's house(of the past 37 years). Had no idea she was a hoarder until we saw two bedrooms that couldn't be entered without picking up something and setting it aside, essentially clearing a path to walk across the room. Three trailer loads of debris bags later, we're down to the furniture. Gives a little insight into the 'I might need it one day' mindset. Remind me not to start that 'hobby'.

Most important...don't forget:

Garage organization is a journey, not a destination!