Everyone's garage inevitably ends up a mess from time to time. There is something about the convenient storage spot that compels homeowners to pile their stuff inside. Many people's cars have not seen the inside of the garage in many years. Others fear opening the door and causing an avalanche of junk.

The worst byproduct of having a messy garage is not being able to find anything. Some people don't know where their circular saw is or how many weed whackers they have. This leads to frustration, procrastination, and the accumulation of more stuff. Wouldn't it be nice to know where everything is? It is easy to organize a garage and keep it that way. It just takes some determination, planning, and time.

There is no way the garage can be put back together if it has not been ripped apart. It may take sometime, but pulling everything out and sorting it will make it easier to thin down the mess and continue with the next step.

Chances are half of the things that have piled up are junk. Anything someone is willing to leave in a pile in the garage for a few years probably isn't worth keeping. If it is, it should be taken inside and used. Family heirlooms should be neatly packed away and kept in the attic or basement where there is less chance they will get shuffled around.

All the things that are not worth keeping can be recycled, donated, and sold. A good old-fashioned garage sale will save the trouble of moving unwanted items and bring in some extra cash.

When the cleaning is finished, only items that are necessary to have in the garage should be there. What's necessary? Anything that the family might need occasionally that should be kept outside. This includes tools, car accessories, bikes, and yard equipment, but it is ultimately up to the homeowner.

The only way to keep a space organized is to organize it in the first place. There can be no organization without a plan. Plans are doubly important in garages, because of large items stored there. In order to fit things in and have access to them, the homeowner should designate sections for different types of items.

Start by taking stock of what is left and separate it into different groups. Assign each of the groups an appropriate space in the garage. Remember that there are many ways to maximize storage. There are many storage solutions available online and at stores that are cost effective, streamline the planning process, and save space.

Adding shelving or bike hooks are a great for keeping items accessible while freeing up space. Look into buying a chest or pegboard to store tools. The key to making the space look tidy will be to reduce loose items as much as possible, so purchase some clear storage boxes. These plastic boxes will protect items and allow the owner to see everything inside. Try putting all things of the same category (car cleaning products, pool toys, etc.) in a box on a shelf and labeling them. They will be out of sight, but still easy to find.

This step is as simple as it sounds. If there is a plan, putting everything in its place should be easy.

Initially, the excitement of pulling the car into its new spot in the garage will provide the motivation to keep the place in check, but that feeling will fade away. Sometimes it will be easier just to throw the tools on the workbench or park the bike by the door. Beware slipping back into these messy ways. It is always better in the long run to put things up as soon as one is finished with them. Keep in mind that neglecting to straighten up will require another complete overhaul of the garage.

If there is no time to clean up, schedule a few minutes each week to check and make sure things are in order. Just make sure the place does not get out of hand in the meantime.

The best part about keeping the garage up is that an effective plan will make it easy. When there is a place for everything, there is no wasted time trying to fit things in. If things get out of hand, try revamping the plan and looking at better storage options. It is never too late to reorganize. Once an effective system is in place, it will be hard to mess it up.