It is yard/garage sale season and if you are like me, the garage becomes the catchall area of items you don’t want in your house. It is also the place you put things you may want, don’t want, need to fix, repurpose or are just not sure what to do with.

Fred Day of Hudson Valley Closets in Warwick has provided a plan on how to organize and reclaim your garage.

Trash or donate

This is the time to be brutally honest. Yes, you paid more than you should have for the item, but it hasn’t been used in years. In fact, you have no need for it. Donate it.

Those rusty or broken items, throw them out. All of those scraps of wood, PVC pieces and hinges you saved “just in case” that have been taking up space for years can be donated to a repurpose building supply store such as the ReStore for Habitat For Humanity.

Map it out

Once your garage is free of all excess clutter, reevaluate your space. Dedicate a place for tools, sports equipment, a place for lawn maintenance items, etc. Think about the things you use most often and create a space that is easily accessible.

Store it

After the garage is mapped out, you can begin to determine what type of storage systems you need.

Day says, “From plastic bins, to shelving systems and cabinets, to wall mounted storage systems and overhead racks, there is a solution to fit your unique requirements.

“While many options exist, be sure to invest in quality storage systems. Keep in mind, your garage takes abuse on a daily basis and is exposed to harsh environmental conditions.”

Storage system considerations

“If you have high ceilings, overhead storage racks are a great way to store seasonal or bulky items,” says Day. He also makes the following storage system recommendations:

• Cabinets should be mounted off the floor to avoid water damage. This also allows you to easily hose down the floor.
• Cabinets should have interior mounted hinges that swing 110 degrees for easier access to contents.
• Use shallow drawers for small tools and deep drawers for bulkier items. Invest in full extension runners so your drawers open all the way so you can reach the items in the back.
• Use durable wire grid walls or slat walls with movable accessories to hang tools and sports equipment. Wooden peg boards will chip and warp over time.
• Floor-to-ceiling slat wall provides a clean appearance and keeps large, bulky items off the floor but within easy reach.
• Plastic bins are durable and keep items neatly grouped. Be sure your cabinets are deep enough and wide enough to hold large bins.

The reality is that winter will be here before you know it. It helps to be able to park your car in the garage. Hudson Valley Closets offers free in-home consultations (845-986-6001).

Speaking of garage/yard sales, it is time for me to plan one, and I have a few friends who want to join me. We were thinking end of July. Besides getting overwhelmed, I’m already obsessing about the heat. If you have any tips, email me at claudiajacobsdesigns@gmail.com. I’ll share them here, then write about my experience. Thanks!