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Organizing the Dreaded Garage |
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It’s time to get organized! The piles of Christmas decorations yet to be put away and future garage sale items still sitting on the garage floor are getting harder and harder to ignore. It is easy to turn the other cheek to the whole idea of cleaning out and organizing your garage when there is ANYTHING better and more fun to do! After all, when you live in Southern California, you don’t have the cold and snow to force you to face the “inside” chores that simply must get done. Eventually, something usually inspires us to want to organize and clean!
The garage is typically the largest room in the home. In most cases it also represents the most unorganized one. It is the most overlooked and underutilized space. In fact, for some, the idea of tackling the garage can be so overwhelming that it is easier to just shut the door and park in the driveway instead. With home improvement being high on everyone’s list these days, why not take some time and energy to organize the garage.
The garage should be more than a place to park your car. It should be well organized and functional. There are organizing services available or just call a friend who owes you a favor. Either way, having someone to assist will help you to accomplish more than you would have on your own. Inevitably, there will be many distractions along the way, but staying focused is key. This is where the person who is helping you comes in handy. While you may be fixated on your great, great grandmother’s dishes, the person helping you isn’t. As you are sorting through your treasures, create categories such as “donate”, “keep”, and “throw away”. Once a decision has been made to get rid of an item, do it right away. If you haven’t opened a box since the last time you moved, you probably don’t need whatever is inside it anyway. Once you have embarked on the garage cleaning journey, it will be hard to stop. Just think of all the wonderful things that can be done with all that magnificent space. Flooring, cabinetry and specialty organizers are all waiting to be installed to make your garage more organized and functional.
The flooring in the garage is no longer regulated to dull cement. Today there are numerous choices available to the homeowner. One of the most popular is Epoxy coatings. An epoxy finish usually looks like granite and comes in different variations of colors. The finish protects against oil, chemicals and bleach, and any spills can be wiped right up. Another option is an acid stain that goes over the cement. The stain comes out looking like marble and the color choices are unlimited. This finish protects against spills in the garage and can be wiped up as well. There are many companies that offer these services. As always, make sure that the company’s products and labor are backed by a warranty.
When researching cabinetry for your garage, keep in mind what you need now and what you may need in the future. It is important that the cabinetry you choose can withstand heavy loads and extreme temperatures without sagging, warping or peeling of the lamination. The cabinets should be easy to clean and the shelves adjustable. When designing the cabinetry in your dream garage, keep in mind the idiosyncrasies of your garage. When it rains does your garage flood? If so, it may be necessary to raise the cabinetry six to eight inches off of the floor, avoiding the possibility of water damage. Many companies have modular cabinetry systems that can be designed to specifically fit your needs.
Another great addition to your garage is hanging wall organizers. Many times homeowners want to place often used items where they are readily available, but out of the way. Organizers are a great solution. Steel grids attached to the garage wall can hold everything from gardening tools, ski equipment etc., to specialty designed accessories for golf equipment, sports equipment.
Updating your garage to become a functional, well organized part of your living space will not only make your life easier but it will also increase the value of your home. By typing organize in the search box on the home page of this site, www.orangecountyresourceguide.com , the many resources to get started will be at your fingertips.
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Need More Information?
If you would like more information on any of our products and services please call us at (949) 481-0600 and speak with one of our customer care representatives.
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