Most of the clients I work one-on-one with are women, but occasionally I get so excited when the man of the house offers some input. This tends to happen in just a few spaces, mainly the garage. So when this absolutely adorable family hired me a few weeks ago to help change their home for the better, the husband was all in (right away!) and begged me to start in the garage.

Now, typically I leave the garage for last. During our process together, the garage ends up being the space where questionable items go to live until we’re done with the complete interior. During the weeks we work together, items may go out and come back in if we find a new spot or use. But he was desperate to start in the garage and here’s why. These are images I snapped from my cell during our consult…again, no judgement allowed. This family is lovely and very dedicated to their extended families and children…

 

 

Yup, after first glance I agreed with Dad – let’s begin here!

This week I was able to remove their cars, open the garage door and see it all for its real before glory. Let’s talk about this for a second, because the issues were very clear to me right away…easy easy. Number one, when they moved into their home, there wasn’t a “wait and see” plan for what needed storage or what shelving would make sense. They brought in their moving boxes and set things here and there, without a real designated spot for everything. When items don’t have a specific home, this is what happens.

Number two issue was this shelf…

Dad had the idea of ordering this gorgeous shelf from Frontgate – and I agree with him…looooove it!…

Issue is that it’s too deep for this spot. The cars couldn’t pull in completely without leaving very little room. And the shelf offered too much space, meaning it was an easy dumping ground as they came and went from the house…

On this side of the garage, again, no systems or a plan, other than the amazing custom shoe storage with 3 hidden drawers…

Their carpenter built this amazing shoe organizer because they don’t keep shoes inside the house – there isn’t enough shoe space in closets. I love this system and knew it would work for them. Just a matter of sorting through shoes and putting them away neatly…

This spot near the door to the house was too open and again an easy dumping ground when you don’t have a system in place…

On the right side of the garage…well, this…this is the space Dad’s been dreaming of. He’s a biker and also wanted a place where he (and the family) could work out. But up until hiring me, this little nook of his was overcrowded with bins, boxes and trash…

Don’t worry Daddy-O, we’re ’bout to change this. With the quickness!

That quickness, by the way, will be showcased in Part 2 of this Simply Done episode. 😉

After one 7-hour session this week, here’s their garage now. The boxes you see on the floor here contain sorted items that either need to go inside or will be placed on the new shelving (coming in Part 2), but wow – what a difference already!!!…

Getting closer to Dad’s dream spot. This will change dramatically in the coming weeks. But for now, it’s thinned out and he can access things, if needed…

But this side of the garage?!…

Hello Costco lovers…

*heart eyes*

And I’m sorry, but whaaaaaa?…..

Organized shoes for dayzzzzzz….

No more tripping over items when you walk in and out of the house. Pretty nice, huh?

I’m in love!…

No items were purchased. All I did was touch and sort each and every item in this space. Once it was sorted, my client and I went from section to section deciding what would stay and go. Then I used what they had on hand to put it away neatly.

Now? Now I shop for shelving that will work. We’ll sell the Frontgate shelf and find new shelving that’s going to make their garage work extra hard for them. And I can’t wait to share that after with you guys!

Go get your garage organized! 😉 Or call me to come help you out.