With fresh summer adventures upon us, it’s time to throw open the doors of your garage or shed and tackle one of the essential tasks of the season: cleaning and organizing so you can maximize your time in Utah’s great outdoors. After months of snow, ice, and cold temperatures, these storage spaces often become cluttered and disorganized—a dumping ground for everything when it’s too cold to sort. But fear not! With a little effort and these simple steps, you can revitalize your shed or garage and prepare it for a glorious summer season of gardening, recreating, and whatever you fancy with easy access to everything you need.
Start Fresh and Clean
Step one is to take everything out and declutter. Get rid of items you no longer need or use and set them aside for donation, recycling, or disposal. Be ruthless in your decision-making—only keep items that serve a purpose or hold sentimental value.
Once it’s empty, give your shed or garage a good clean by sweeping the floors, dusting shelves, and even power washing to remove built-up dirt and grime to create a fresh canvas for organizing. Wipe down any tools or equipment and determine what needs fixing or replacing.
This is also a great time to think about creating useful zones for your items. Designate specific areas for different purposes. For example, have a gardening zone with all your gardening tools and supplies, a sports zone for equipment like balls and rackets, and a DIY zone for tools and materials.
Check for Damage
Now that you can see everything, take time to inspect the structure itself for any damage. Park City’s ruthless winters and the snow and melting that comes with them can take a toll on your shed or garage. Look for leaks, cracks, or signs of pest infestation. Repair any issues promptly to prevent further damage and ensure that your storage space can be maximized all season. If repairs are needed, now is also a great time to optimize lighting and ventilation issues as well. Ensure you have adequate lighting where you need it and comfort solutions to make the space enjoyable to work in during the summer months.
Prepare for Summer Activities
Organizing your garage and shed for maximum use in the summer can greatly enhance your outdoor activities and make your life easier. Start by engaging in seasonal rotation of your things. Move winter items such as snow blowers and shovels and winter sports gear into the back during the summer months and bring forward items you’ll use more frequently in the coming months.
Place frequently used items towards the front of your storage space or at eye level for easy access. This includes things like gardening gloves, hand tools, and outdoor games.
Making gardening tools and lawn equipment easy to find will mean faster work of the chores so you can do more of what you love. Think about where and how to store outdoor furniture items so they can be enjoyed regularly by the entire family.
Storage Solutions
Take time to consider all of the spaces you have for storage. Invest in storage solutions such as shelves, pegboards, or tool racks to keep everything neat and accessible.
Use stackable containers to maximize vertical space, group similar items together, and make sure to label everything for easy identification. Utilize wall space for hanging tools and equipment. And don’t forget to make use of overhead space by adding hooks or racks for bicycles, skis, and other recreational gear to give you more access and floor space. It’s also important to have a safe place to store hazardous materials like pesticides and chemicals in locked cabinets or high shelves, away from children and pets.
Maintain Your Zen
Now that you’ve put in the time and effort to clean and organize, designate a time each month for regular maintenance sessions to keep it that way throughout the season. Use this time to put items back in their designated places to avoid clutter buildup.
By following these tips, you can transform your shed or garage from a cluttered mess into a clean and organized space that’s ready for the adventures of summer in Park City. So, roll up your sleeves, grab a broom, and get ready to enjoy the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains with a freshly cleaned storage space at your disposal.