Page 5 - RVO Home Lawn & Garden March 2017

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE • HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 5VV
from cluttered storage areas into functional spaces. Off-site storage systems are great for storing seasonal items that will only need to be collected once a year, Teer said, and individuals who rent their homes or have limited outdoor space may also benefit from off-site storage. However, if space is avail- able and stored items are used frequently, an on-site storage building may be ideal.
“The best thing to do nowadays, espe- cially with everyone’s phone having a cam- era on it, is to take pictures of the stuff in your unit,” he said. “That way, if you think you remember having something, you can just scroll through the pictures real quick, find it and find out [where it is].”
➤ Designate areas of the garage for certain items.
Once the items that won’t be going back into the garage have been sold, donated, discarded or stored elsewhere, organize the garage by designating areas for certain items. Be sure to separate items that can pose safety risks. For example, store kids’ bicycles and outdoor toys in a corner of the garage that is opposite the corner where potentially dan- gerous items — such as power tools and gas cans — will be stored. Keep the center of the garage open for vehicles.
Using the right organizational tools can help keep items visible and intact during storage.
“The more shelves the better,” Teer said. “One of the best things they ever invented was the plastic tote box.” Cardboard boxes may get wet or expose items to pests, he said, but plastic, sealable boxes can help keep items in peak condition while in storage.
➤ Periodically park cars in the garage. Homeowners who are comfortable parking their vehicles in their driveways can imp- rove their chances of maintaining organized garages over the long haul by periodically parking in the garage. Doing so not only pre- vents the gradual buildup of clutter that can slowly take over the garage, but it also pro- tects homeowners’ automotive investments. Finding the time to organize is the biggest challenge to reducing clutter, Teer said, but maintaining an organized garage can be worth
the effort.
“Make the time,” he said. “It makes life
so much easier when you know where your stuff is.”
— Courtesy of Metro Creative, with contributions by Sarah DeClerk, special sections writer
Donating or selling unused items is a great way to reduce clutter in a garage, and seldom-used items can be moved to a storage building.