10 Things to Declutter From Your Garage for More Space

Food

It’s hard to resist a great deal at your local supermarket or warehouse store, but make sure you have enough storage room inside your home— not your garage—before putting it in your cart.

“Garages often become overflow pantry space, but even canned goods aren’t safe,” says Heidi Ganser Lang, professional organizer and owner of Juniper Organizing.  This is because the temperature inside garages is too volatile for food to stay fresh.

“Temperature swings can cause spoilage, and you’ll attract pests quickly,” she adds. “Plus, it’s hard to keep track of what you have when dry goods are scattered across multiple spots in your home.”

Empty Cardboard Boxes

Didn’t have time to take those boxes to the recycling bin? We all get busy, but you need to make the time to do it. “Unless you’re moving soon, break down those cardboard boxes and recycle them,” Lang recommends. “They take up valuable floor space and attract pests.” Yikes!

Automotive Supplies

While it seems logical to store old automotive supplies like unused motor oil and windshield wiper fluid in your garage, Maria Anderson, cleaning and organizing expert at Henfield Storage, cautions against it.

“These items take up too much space and can be dangerous to be stored for so long,” Anderson says. For example, old motor oil containers may rust and leak, creating a huge fire hazard. “If anything needs to be discarded, it should be done carefully,” Anderson adds.

And while it’s okay to keep an emergency spare tire for your car, if you have a bunch of old tires just sitting around, they need to go, advises Georgina Burdett, professional organizer at For The Love Of Tidying.

“Many tire shops will recycle old tires for you, and other parts might be worth selling or donating if they’re in good condition,” Burdett adds. If you need to keep extra tires (such as snow tires) or car parts, consider using shelves or a storage unit specifically designated for car supplies.

Paint and Stains

Do you have leftover paint from your kitchen reno or stain from your molding makeover? Those cans belong in a different spot, according to Lang.

“Extreme heat and cold can ruin these,” she says. “Paint separates or freezes, and certain chemicals become unstable in fluctuating temperatures.” Store them indoors, safely out of reach of kids and pets.

Excess or Unused Exercise Equipment

How many yoga mats do you really need? Is it truly necessary to have twelve pickleball rackets? Probably not.

Burdett suggests sorting out that extra equipment. “If it’s damaged or outdated, it might be time to part with it,” she says. “If you use them occasionally and would like to keep them, consider using vertical storage, such as hooks on the walls, to store them.”

Old Furniture

If you use that set of folding chairs when you have dinner parties, there’s no need to discard them. But those scratched-up nightstands you last kept indoors two houses ago? There’s no good reason to let them collect dust in your garage.

“If it’s not in use and doesn’t hold sentimental value, don’t feel guilty about letting it go,” Anderson says. “Garage space is valuable—use it to store more useful items,”

Surprisingly, old furniture can also be dangerous, explains Andriy Neborak, cleaning specialist and CEO of Luxury Cleaning NY. “It can actually be a prime area for pests and rodents,” he warns. “It can also be hazardous to anyone who tries to use it, like small kids, especially if it’s in bad condition.”

Keepsakes

Old photos need to be in a temperature-controlled environment. “Even in sealed bins, humidity can lead to mold, mildew, and damage,” Lang says. “If it’s special or irreplaceable, it belongs inside your home where the conditions are more stable.”

Propane Tanks

If you barbecue a lot, you might be tempted to keep an extra tank of propane in your garage. And while there’s no denying the convenience of this location, it’s still a bad idea, according to Lang. “Garages and propane don’t mix,” she says. “Store tanks upright, outdoors, and away from anything flammable.”

Toys Your Kids Have Outgrown

While those fun memories of childhood will likely last forever, the same can’t be said for the toys that were once played with. “Ride-on cars, scooters, chalk buckets—if they haven’t been touched in two years, donate or pass them on,” Lang recommends. “Another family will get joy from them.”

Random Hardware

Do you have loose screws, nuts and bolts in a drawer or on a shelf? Lang suggests tossing them. Even though they are small, they take up space you could use to store other things. “If you don’t recognize it, you won’t miss it,” Lang notes.