If your garage has become an area for every stray box, holiday light strand, and piece of sports equipment, it's time to do a little organizing. Luckily, if you need more space for self-storage or your car, there's plenty you can do. Review these tips to increase your garage's usability.

How to Create More Room in Your Garage

1. Decide What You’re Keeping

When going through the contents of your garage, use at least three large bins to simplify the process. Label them as "Keep," "Donate," and "Trash," and potentially create a fourth bin for "Sell." If you aren't sure what to do with a specific item, think about the last time you used it and whether it would do better in someone else's hands. If you have a variety of sellable items, see if family and friends would like to buy them before going to auction sites.

2. Sweep, Mop & Dust

Take this time to thoroughly clean your garage. Remove as many of the contents as possible to avoid coating items with dust as you sweep. Then, use your broom or mop to remove cobwebs and debris from the corners and clean the floors. Finally, dust any workbenches and shelving to avoid allergies, especially if you'll use the garage for projects.

3. Get Creative With Storage

Take advantage of the walls and ceiling for storing smaller items, and add floor-to-ceiling shelving for tools, paint, and similar products. Also, consider track storage on the ceiling for large plastic bins if you have the space for them. You can even install a large shelf at the back of the garage that can only be accessed by a ladder for infrequently used items, such as seasonal equipment.

4. Use a Storage Unit for Bigger Items

Consider using a self-storage unit for items you don't have space for or don't often use, such as a classic vehicle or ATV. Mini self-storage units also provide extra space for smaller items you don't want to keep in your garage, such as old childhood toys or memorabilia.

If you need a self-storage unit to create space in your garage, contact International Self Storage in Anchorage, AK. Offering standard self-storage units, as well as mini storage and car storage solutions, this facility has served the Greater Anchorage area since 1987. Call (907) 563-3287 today for pricing information, or view each of their locations online.