Preparing for Outdoor Organization
In preparation for my first outdoor job, I scoured the internet for advice on how to complete the project to perfection. I found an array of articles on organizing methods, space prioritization, and storage ideas. I then spent hours taking notes. When the day finally arrived, I felt fully equipped to handle whatever came my way. Imagine my surprise when we began clearing out the shed, a preliminary task before tackling the garage, and I realized exactly how unprepared I was.
Roaches crawled out of cupboards which had been sitting dormant for years. Spiders hung from cobwebs in the corners eyeing my thick red hair. Each stroke of the broom sent dirt flying into the air and up my nose. Covered in sweat, I muscled through the entire process with bare hands, no hat, and an uncovered mouth vowing to never make this mistake again. After getting the shed in order, we said our goodbye’s and I went home to shower. While scrubbing the dirt out from underneath my fingernails, I complied a list of everything I needed to take on the garage the following day.
GEAR
At the very minimum, these items are ESSENTIAL. When working outside you run the risk of encountering spiderwebs, feces, liquid substances of uncertain origins, dust, debris, insects, reptiles, rodents, broken glass, and much more. Not being able to pick up a box because it is leaking something smelly and unidentifiable will put a quick stop to a well progressing project.
Take steps to protect yourself. Cover your hair, eyes, and face as best you can. Wear gloves and make sure your feet are adequately protected. I found everything I needed at my local Walmart for incredibly cheap.
CLEANING
When organizing any space, my suggestion is always to empty it completely. Only then can you step back and envision the area as you want it to be. For that to be effective, the room must also be cleaned, so after removing every item, it’s time to dust off the shelves and sweep the floor. I strongly suggest using a push broom for outdoor projects as well as heavy-duty contractor trash bags. If you’re feeling courageous, you can always use a leaf blower to make quick work of it.
After
STORAGE
While much can be said about waiting until after the purge to purchase storage accessories (after all, we don’t want more than we started with) I’m a firm believer in having at least some of what you are going to need on hand for after the sorting process. How can we put things “home” if there’s nowhere to put them?
Common sense is key here. Don’t buy a hanging shoe rack if you don’t know what you’re going to put in it. However, if you commonly work with spray paint, and are looking for a functional way to store your cans, a hanging shoe rack might be perfect for you.
My advice to you is this: Take stock of the items you have. Consider what you want to store/see/ have access to, and then plan accordingly. Don’t run out and buy an oversized toolbox if you don’t have any tools. Don’t buy twelve extra-large storage bins because you might end up only needing four. Don’t purchase floating shelves if what you really need are standing racks. Also, ALWAYS save your receipts!
And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!
Now that you’re thoroughly prepared, check out my post, “How to Organize Your Garage in Four Easy Steps.”