Organizing a space is not something that happens overnight. Sure, there are those little jobs that are easy to knock out, but even those come with some planning involved. However, when it comes to organizing in general, the first phase is always to go through everything, sort, purge and figure out what is staying in that space. Then, and only then, will you know what you need to contain it and put it all away.

A lot of people struggle with keeping a space organized because they blindly buy solutions that appear to be great when you see them looking all pretty on that store shelf. But then you get it home, and it doesn’t contain anything at all, doesn’t work and ends up frustrating you.

When it comes to a big space like a garage, there is nothing more challenging to get and keep organized. Garages tend to hold a huge variety of items; tools, bikes and trikes, holiday decor in bins, your extra fridge or deep freezer, shoes, paint, home cleaning needs, and so much more. And we typically toss things here and there until the mess becomes too much to bear. Some of us just close the door and don’t deal with it. Some of us pull up our sleeves and make it better.

After my electrician installed the new garage lighting, I was on a mission to get started in my garage. Phase one was simply going through everything, moving the fridge closer to the door to the house (instead of it being on the opposite wall), moving a few shelves, creating zones…and then finding out what needs to be contained. I have big fun plans for this space. Just because it’s “outside” the house doesn’t mean I don’t want it to look pretty. When I open the garage door, I want to see pretty! And organized!

Anyway, I spent one entire day last week out here and am excited with the outcome. Nope, it’s not perfect yet. Again, this is phase one. But it is definitely SO much better!

On the left side…

 

The stars aligned when I realized this long strip of remnant carpet fits perfectly over here…

I can now get to the fridge easily and shoes have a place on the rack against this wall….

My larger home cleaning items are huddled together here…

I pared down the bag collection and each of the boys has a spot for their baseball bags…

This is the old patio carpet, that lays perfectly now out here…

The packing boxes? Yup, still have some of those but they are holding all of my scrapbooking items, photo boxes, and books galore. Bookshelves and a craft desk are both on my wish list…

 

I even have a spot where all of my organization stuff can live together…my bins for helping clients sort…

Like I said, no where close to perfect yet…I still have a piano sitting out here waiting to drive back to it’s old home in OC. But at least I can get to my work table…

In the middle / back of the garage, all of the bikes are hanging out together…

And behind them I created a charging area for the kid’s electric cars…

Now they have somewhere to park so they aren’t in the way, and they will always be charged up and ready for action.

It’s looking much better and I’m so happy about it…

Not done yet, but I know where everything is and I know when I need something I can see it AND access it easily.

When I was done with the garage, I spent a few minutes cleaning up a few things around the outside of the house. With the warmer weather, I set up the water table…

Which of course Charlie had to hop into immediately…

This cat. Love him!

The old couch set, that had been inside the screened patio, has a new home too. I placed one here near the swing set…

Now mommy can chill out in the shade while the kids play…

And the other half is in the yard where I can watch them in the pool…

Then, after that, I had a few moments of “come on now!”. Those things that are annoying me. Really annoying me now that the weather is great and we are outside a lot. Things like this…

Yup, still NO sod in front. But guess what? That changes this coming weekend!

And this…

I think I may add a small concrete pad here where the big wheels and trucks can sit…and not hang around in the dirt / mud. Still thinking this one through, but ugh!

And this hazard…

I have all the holes ready for side fences but are they up yet? Nope…

 

Side fences are supposed to be up soon. When they are, I will share a full recap of the entire fencing job that was completed. You’re seeing a sneak peek of the amazing fence in this post. Love it!

And this…

It’s been here since last summer. But it will be gone soon because I’m using it to create the small walkway here in “come on now #6″…

#5 is that these outdoor lights don’t work and I need to have them replaced. The wires are also exposed, which apparently is a big no-no according to my electrician. Good times.

And finally…

Just another exposed dirt area. This is eventually going to be an outdoor BBQ / patio area…I’m seeing a pergola in my dreams. But in the meantime, I need some kind of ground cover. Maybe shade plants? I don’t know. But…come on now, Sam!

Sigh. I’m not always this hard on myself. I did take a moment to enjoy how beautifully the grass is growing here in the yard…

The house has definitely come a long way since last June. But I’m anxious to move forward with a billion more projects and ideas.

Have a great day guys!