Can anyone relate to the idea of not being able to start a project until the space you’re working in is cleaned up, tidy or organized? I struggle with this issue – yes, even the home of a professional organizer gets cluttered from time to time (coughcoughunderstatement). I can’t sit at my computer to do anything until the space around me is picked up and tidy. I can’t cook in the kitchen unless it’s clean and dishes are put away. And apparently (psh) I can’t work in my garage until I’ve spent 6 hours sorting it out completely and taking one full truck load of stuff to donation.

Oh, I’ve got issues – no question. 😉

But when I feel myself being too hard on Sam, I gently remind myself that I’ve got 3 kiddos living here, life keeps me busy, kids are home for the summer…and oh yea, I’m usually busy helping everyone else get organized! Rarely do I have the time to work in my own spaces. We should all be a little more kind to ourselves. Right?

Anyway, my garage has been my little big project for the last few weeks. You’ll recall I started on this wall with a DIY mudroom…

Then I turned the corner and created a simple utility wall…

Next I tackled my workspace by getting rid of a bulky free-standing cabinet and adding a simple wall system with drawers…

And since I already had my tools out, I got the gardening stuff up off the floor as well…

While those projects took a little time and made a huge impact, the biggest project was yet to come – tackling the shelving on both sides of the garage…as well as all the stuff in the middle. Not only could I barely walk safely from one side of the garage to the other, but I couldn’t get any of my projects done. You know, because of *that issue* I struggle with. Heh! I have lumber to build a patio table, I have a client’s paint to re-can, I am shooting a video project out here in the next week, I have items to sell (for myself and others). Ugh, something had to happen. And fast!

Be prepared for this. *cringing*

I can’t believe I’m sharing this with the general public. *hangs head in shame*

Let’s start on the right and I’ll explain as we go. Right side…

Issues here are the dishwasher was replaced last week (mentioned that yesterday) and a disposal company is coming to get that this week. The white dresser has a broken drawer front and someone is coming to purchase it, but it’s taken longer than expected. You can see all of my clients paint stacked on top of the dresser…

This shelving is a huge issue but in an effort to save money, I’m trying to make it work. The previous homeowner left all of the gray metal shelving. The black shelving is mine. But the gray shelving is heavy and the shelves are not easily adjusted. At some point down the road all of the shelving will be wall mounted. Until then, going to make this work a bit longer if I can. And the stuff on the shelving?…

It needed a good sorting. I knew many items could go…and in that case, one gray shelf could be gone. The silver shelving you see laying on its side? That belongs to a client and I’m selling it for her…

The middle of the garage? Hello, bikes and ride-on’s central! And another white shelf I am selling…

The area in the back, between the white pillar and 2 white double doors – I’ve had big dreams for that space. A small home gym! Again, with the removal of one gray shelf the black rolling tool box would be moving to a new location…

You can see how difficult it was to walk from the door to the house to my workspace…

And finally the left side shelving…

I knew I could get this side to make more sense too. With the small kitchen, I needed a shelf or two for overflow kitchen / entertaining items. I also needed a few shelves for my organization stuff.

You’ve seen enough of the before mess. Moving on. Yesterday, starting at noon with a venti coffee, in 6 hours the garage went from that to this…

 

 

 

Look at my new gym space…

I ordered Flor carpet tiles and will be sharing how this little nook comes together! To say I am thrilled is an understatement! My gym doesn’t have childcare which makes it hard to work out during the summer. Can’t wait to get this all set up! *squeeeeeeee*

The large area rug (an old one from the Little Rock patio) is where the bikes now sit…

And the rule is, if it doesn’t fit on that rug – it doesn’t stay in this garage! 🙂 My kids love me, what can I say.

I got rid of so much stuff that I was able to remove one gray shelf, as hoped for. Which thinned out this side of the garage nicely…and also allowed me to move the black rolling tool box to this wall…

 

On the right side of the garage the shelving holds holiday decor, camping items, baby clothes and kid’s art I’m keeping (for future projects), my lumber for upcoming projects and my streamlined paint.

On the left side…

I finally have a shelf for my organization items…

As well as overflow kitchen stuff…

And a few of the kids sports items that aren’t outside…

There are a few other items on this side you may have noticed too – gift wrap bin, photo boxes, some books and albums, and more. These are all in the process of going somewhere else. You’ll see that soon too! In the meantime, it’s nice knowing everything is huddled together in one spot where I can easily get to it for those projects. And everything out here is what I want to keep. I touched everything and if I didn’t want it or use it anymore – bye bye.

Now that everything is cleared out, I can finally share a better view of my workspace…

 

And the gardening wall…

I. Can. Breathe.

More importantly, I can work! IN my garage.

What a difference 6 hours of dedicated time can make. Some before and after’s…

 

 

 

Happy girl over here!

I’ll be sharing my Garage Organization 101 Tips in the coming days, so be sure to check back for that post. I guest posted for my friends at Junk King here in the Bay Area and will be posting all of the details about ways you too can get that garage whipped into shape and get you on track to tackling more of your own projects at home! In the meantime, know that this is SO doable! I’ve worked in some of the most desperate garage situations and even they had the opportunity and I saw the vision at the end of the tunnel. Anyone can get here.

Oh, and I didn’t buy anything for this project – just sorted, purged and put everything away. That’s it. Nothing fancy or expensive invested – just my time. 🙂

Did you organize anything this weekend or take on a large scale project like this? Tell me about it! I’m off to organize paint today. 🙂 Finally!

Have a great day everyone!