If you only organise one thing this summer, make sure it’s this area – experts say invisible clutter is building up without you realising it

While most people focus on tidying and organising the rooms they use (and see) on a daily basis, the reality is that the areas you use less typically need more attention. And the one area we all forget to declutter? The garage.

Of course, most people don’t want to spend their summer decluttering the garage. But with the kids off school, some free time on your hands and the warmer weather keeping things dry, professional organisers say that now is the perfect time to do it. Especially as your garage has probably become a dumping ground.

As Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutter at Ace Your Space, explains, ‘Garages become the home's unofficial storage unit, much like the loft. Before you know it, the space feels overwhelming and becomes somewhere you avoid altogether.’ So, follow these easy steps to reclaim your garage once and for all.

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1. Start with a vision

Today, garages have so many uses, from storing summer essentials like tents and bikes to even a spare freezer. But as Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, warns, ‘Garages are often one of the most cluttered areas of the home because they become a dumping ground for broken items, things people plan to sell and possessions they're undecided about.’

But since a garage has so many uses, it’s important to make a plan before you start decluttering it this summer. The best way to do this is to figure out what you want to use the garage for. Is it simply a place to store the car? If so, you’ll need to get rid of anything unrelated to your vehicle. Or does it need to offer more?

Kate advises, ‘Think about exactly what needs to live in the garage - tools, gardening equipment, decorating supplies, camping gear or sports equipment. Having a clear vision will help you make better decisions about what stays and keep you motivated throughout the project.’

2. Choose your method

There are countless decluttering methods out there, as decluttering is a very personal activity that needs to be tailored to how you work best. And if you prefer to tick things off your list in a single sitting, Shannon says that emptying everything and starting from scratch is your best bet - especially in the summer when you have more time on your hands.

‘Choose a dry day and remove everything from the garage. Seeing the space empty and grouping similar items together makes it much easier to decide what to keep,’ she says. However, if you struggle with decision fatigue and clutter overwhelm, this method might not work for you.

In this instance, Hester Van Hien, a Home Decluttering and Organising Consultant from Tidylicious, suggests breaking the task into chunks instead. She advises, ‘This makes it easier to see the wood for the trees, and it can be a good warm-up for the actual decluttering. Start in one corner, and pull things out and organise everything by type or category.’

3. Utilise proper storage

The garage is one of the many places we’re all forgetting to declutter, but there’s often a reason for that - and that’s because we often don’t have the proper storage in place to keep things neat and tidy. That’s why, when decluttering your garage this summer, it’s well worth investing in effective storage to help you maintain this order in the long run.

Kate says, ‘Racking is essential in a garage to maximise the vertical space and keep your belongings off the floor. Use plastic containers on the shelves to store items, keeping them accessible and protected. If you have lots of tools or gardening equipment, consider investing in some wall-mounted storage so you can see everything at a glance and access it quickly.’

She adds, ‘Bikes also work well on wall-mounted hooks, freeing up floor space. And if you have a lot of sports equipment, use hooks and storage boxes to keep it organised.’ Thankfully, these storage solutions don’t have to cost a fortune - but they will make a big impact.

4. Label everything

Labelling can make or break a newly decluttered garage, as it adds an extra layer of organisation that will help you keep things neat and tidy in the long run. And Kate even goes as far as to say, ‘This bit is crucial.’

Shannon agrees, saying, ‘Rather than opening every box looking for one item, label each container or keep a contents list, so you know exactly what's inside.’ This goes for the rest of your household, too, so you won’t have any family members rummaging through the boxes and messing with your system.

This should also prevent the accidental purchase of any duplicates, too, as you’ll know exactly what you already have, so you don’t buy any more or waste your money. Just make sure you go through these boxes every to ensure you definitely still want and need the items inside them.

So, will you be decluttering your garage this summer?