Complete Garage Makeover

A step-by-step strategy for making your hardest-working space work better.

5. Recycle, Buy, or Build

• Though you may be tempted to buy storage products early on in the process (after all, it's the fun part), don't. It's impossible to gauge what you'll need until you figure out exactly what you're going to store and where you're going to store it. Look at your piles carefully and then decide how many boxes, shelves, and hooks you'll need.
   
• Stores and websites selling all manner of storage products are plentiful, but you can keep costs to a minimum by repurposing old furniture. For example, move an outdated hutch from the spare room into the garage to provide closed-door storage, or use an old table as a work bench. You can also lay plywood boards on galvanized brackets nailed into studs.
   
• Transparent plastic boxes and bins are perfect for small items like sewing and craft supplies because you can see what's stored inside. But carefully labeled cardboard boxes from the liquor store work just as well. 

6. Donate and Dispose

• The pile of trash bags and giveaway boxes may look alarming, but a few phone calls―and a few trips to the dump―should dispatch it all.
   
• For trash: Put out regular trash bags with your weekly garbage pickup. If you have too much for one pickup, divide it over a couple of weeks. You'll have to make special arrangements for large items, like furniture, as well as for hazardous waste, like motor oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, and car batteries. Call your local sanitation department or your local office of solid waste and recycling for information, or visit earth911.com. The Steel Recycling Institute (recycle-steel.org) will take household appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, and dryers.
   
• For donations: The Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org) and Goodwill (goodwill.org) accept many types of goods and in a lot of areas will pick up donations. For other groups that may benefit from your donations, visit guidestar.org.

7. Tie Up the Loose Ends

Revisit your "not sure" boxes. With a clear head and a clean garage, you may feel less nostalgic about those old Legos. If so, send them to the curb. Otherwise, label the boxes and stow them in the appropriate storage area.