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The garage often becomes a catch-all space, collecting a variety of items over time, resulting in a cluttered, disorganized mess. This buildup takes up valuable space and makes it harder to find what you need when you need it. Clearing out unnecessary items can help restore order and make your garage more functional.

While cleaning out your garage might feel overwhelming, the payoff is worth it. An organized garage can even free up enough space to use it for its original purpose, like parking your car.

If you’re not sure where to begin, start by letting go of these 12 common items that tend to clutter up garages.

Broken and Damaged Furniture

living room with couch and coffee table — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

If your garage has become a storage spot for old or broken furniture, it might be time to clear it out.

Scrap Materials and Lumber

lumber wooden planks — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

After completing a home improvement project, it’s common to have leftover building supplies. Whether it’s a partial stack of shingles, a few chipped patio stones, extra lumber, or unused tiles and bricks, these materials can quickly take over your garage.

To keep things organized, hold onto only what you’ll realistically use for future projects and find a proper way to dispose of or repurpose the rest.

Garden Supplies

Worn-out lawn and garden supplies, such as a leaky hose, cracked pots, torn gloves, or outdated tools, often find their way into the chaos of a cluttered garage. Over time, these items can pile up, taking valuable space without serving any real purpose.

Old Appliances

old washing machine appliance — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Appliances such as an old fridge, washing machine, coffee maker, or dishwasher tend to occupy space without much reason. Consider recycling or responsibly disposing of them.

Old Newspaper

Keeping old newspapers often stems from sentimental or historical interest, but if those magazines or papers have been sitting untouched for 5 to 10 years, chances are you’re unlikely to revisit them anytime soon.

Old Tires

Old cars, trucks, and bike tires usually end up in the corner of a garage on the floor. You can’t just toss them in the garbage anymore. You’ll likely need to dispose of it at a proper tire recycling facility.

Old Cardboard

If frequent Amazon deliveries have left you with a growing stack of cardboard boxes, you’re not alone. Unless a move is on the horizon, it might be time to reconsider keeping them in your garage. Even if they’re neatly folded and ready to use, the chances of needing that many boxes are slim, making them more of a clutter culprit than a useful resource.

Baby Stuff

If your children have grown too big for specific toys, strollers, car seats, or cribs, or have lost interest in them, it’s a sign to make room in your garage. Consider donating or giving away toys that are still in good condition, and disposing of those that are broken or damaged.

Paperwork

Sorting through paperwork such as old receipts, utility bills, and files collected in your garage can open up some breathing room. Dispose of outdated documents by shredding, recycling, or converting them to digital formats to minimize clutter.

15 Tips to Help You Declutter Your Home

Rusty and Broken Tools

box of old tools — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

It’s time to address those broken power tools, rakes missing tines, rusty hammers, and outdated screwdrivers that have been outshone by newer, more reliable models. Clearing out these worn-out items will free up space and make room for tools that actually get the job done. Holding onto them only adds unnecessary clutter and takes up valuable storage space in your garage.

Clothes

To create more space in your garage, take a closer look at the boxes or storage bins filled with clothing. If you haven’t worn those items in years, it’s likely time to part with them. Check for signs of damage, such as unfixable tears, stubborn stains, or lingering odors that can’t be removed. Keeping these unused clothes only adds to the clutter and takes up valuable space.

Old Paint

paint and paintbrush — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Holding onto leftover paint for touch-ups after a painting project is practical, but proper storage is key to keeping it usable. However, there’s no need to keep large amounts of paint that you’re unlikely to use. Take this as an opportunity to dispose of expired or no longer needed paint.