Let’s be honest—garages are the Wild West of home organization.
They start with the best intentions, a space to park your car and store a few things. But before you know it, the garage becomes a catch-all dumping ground for anything that doesn’t have a home.
Old holiday decorations? Toss them in the garage. Sports gear? The garage. Random Amazon returns, items to donate, extra household supplies? Yep, garage.
And suddenly, you’re standing in the middle of it all, overwhelmed, with no proper storage, no game plan, and no idea where to begin.
That was exactly where our client (let’s call her Donna**) found herself—stuck in a cycle of clutter, frustration, and overwhelm.
A hardworking single mom of two, Donna was juggling work, teenagers, and everything in between. She had the best intentions—telling herself, "I can do this myself," and even rallying her kids and family for weekend garage clean-ups. But between the daily hustle, too much stuff, and no real system in place, the mess just kept creeping back.
Even something as simple as grabbing a soccer ball before practice felt like a full-blown scavenger hunt. She was exhausted. She was over it. It was time for a real solution.
That’s when Donna reached out to The Organized House for a garage makeover—one that would turn her space into something functional, organized, and actually maintainable.
The Ultimate Garage Makeover Plan
When we take on a garage makeover, we don’t just tidy up and throw things into storage bins—we take a deep dive into what’s working, what’s not, and how we can create a system that actually lasts. This project was no exception.
We carefully planned every detail, from optimizing storage to improving functionality, ensuring that Donna's space would stay organized long after we finished. To take it to the next level, we partnered with Garage Experts for high-quality installations that elevated both the look and efficiency of the space.
Step 1: Consultation & Space Planning
Every great garage makeover starts with a why don’t we… moment—where we take all the what-ifs and maybes and shape them into a solid, actionable plan.
We met Donna, walked through the space, took measurements, snapped photos, and talked through all the pain points:
What’s working?
What’s not?
What small changes could make a big impact?
This phase is about seeing the potential—figuring out what stays, what goes, and how we can make the space more functional, efficient, and easy to maintain.
We also broke down budget options, from simple storage upgrades to full-scale custom garage makeovers. At first, Donna wasn’t sure how much she wanted to invest, but once we laid out different possibilities, she could clearly see which upgrades would make the biggest impact.
Step 2: Defining the Project Scope & Coordination
Once we had a clear vision for the space and budget, we moved into the planning phase. This is where we take all the “what if we’s” and turn them into a tangible plan—sketching, designing, building out mood boards, and mapping out a clear strategy for execution.
Customizing and Designing the Layout
Once we understood Donna’s biggest pain points, I put pen to paper and started mapping out a plan to maximize her garage makeover budget, giving her everything - and then some - she had on her must-have list.
A drop zone for sports gear so her kids could easily grab and put away their things.
An organized tool area for quick DIY projects.
An enclosed pantry to store bulky kitchen appliances.
Flexible storage to adapt to her family’s evolving needs.
To make this happen, we needed to create dedicated zones that would keep everything in its place while making daily routines smoother.
Daily-use items upfront and accessible.
Seasonal storage up high or tucked away.
A system for tools to keep everything neat, functional and easy to maintain.
Household essentials and overflow storage are all visual and easy to access.
A garage makeover can be as large or small as desired. Donna's budget, which was set between $15,000 to $20,000, allowed us to incorporate impressive upgrades.
With the blueprint set, it was time to coordinate the design and purchasing with Garage Experts. This meant selecting the right storage solutions ensuring they fit seamlessly into the space. Together, we planned every detail, we ensured that this wasn’t just a garage makeover—it was a complete transformation designed to be effortlessly maintained for years to come.
We had two rounds of design edits with Donna, and our plan was to have:
Slatwall for easy-access, wall-mounted storage.
Heavy-duty shelving to keep everything off the floor.
Cabinets for hidden storage of seasonal and bulky items.
Epoxy flooring for a sleek, durable, and easy-to-clean surface
Coordinating the Installations
A garage makeover of this size isn’t just about tossing in some shelves and bins —it’s a full-scale operation that requires careful planning, scheduling, and logistics. There's always a lot of moving parts, and coordination was key. This is where my team and I go beyond home organizing—we become full-fledged project managers, making sure every piece of the puzzle falls into place. From contractor schedules to product deliveries and installation timelines, we handled all the details so Donna didn’t have to. That way, when the time came to bring everything back into the garage, we could focus on what we do best—creating a functional, beautifully organized space that works seamlessly for everyday life.
The first step was ordering a POD to temporarily house everything while the work was being done. This allowed us to completely clear the space before installations began, ensuring that Garage Experts had the room they needed to do their job efficiently.
Next, we got Garage Experts on the calendar for installation, making sure their work was scheduled in a way that kept the project moving without unnecessary delays. When it comes to big installations like this, we always allow contractors their dedicated time in the space—especially when epoxy flooring is involved. The process typically takes two half-days, followed by a strict curing timeline:
24 hours before anyone can walk on it
48 hours before placing anything under 50 lbs
72 hours before parking on it
While the flooring cured, we strategically planned when my team would step in for the decluttering and organizing phases. The goal was to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency, ensuring that the project stayed on schedule.
Incorporating Unexpected Delay (Because, Life.)
With so many moving parts and people involved, delays are sometimes inevitable, and this project was no exception. Everything was running smoothly—until an unexpected snowstorm hit Texas, bringing the factory and shipping operation for our slatwall and cabinets to a complete halt for two weeks.
But the delay actually turned into an opportunity—she used this time to hire a contractor to finish drywall and repaint the garage before installation. A happy garage makeover accident!
Step 3: Decluttering & Decision-Making
Before the big installation, we always tackle the declutter (and POD loading). In my opinion, this is where the real transformation begins because decluttering isn’t just about tossing things in a donation bin—it’s about thoughtfully sorting through everything and making intentional decisions about what stays, what goes, and where it should live. This is why we don’t just do a quick sweep; we micro-sort every single item.
Why Micro-Sorting is a Game-Changer
Instead of lumping everything into broad categories like “tools” or “sports gear,” we break it down into hyper-specific groups—for example:
Tools: Power drills, hand tools, screwdrivers, measuring tapes, etc.
Sports gear: Soccer balls, basketballs, baseball gloves, cleats, protective gear.
Seasonal décor: Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, outdoor lights, wreaths.
This level of detail may sound tedious, but it makes the decision-making process SO much easier for our clients. Seeing that you have six hammers or 15 extension cords makes it much clearer which ones you actually need and which ones can go.
The Client’s Role in the Decluttering Process
Once we’ve sorted everything into clear categories, we called in Donna to start making decisions. Our role is to guide the process, asking questions like:
Do you actually use this?
Does this item have a designated home?
Is this something that could be stored differently to free up space?
Would someone else get better use out of this?
During this process, we highlighted to Donna if anything was broken, had seen better days, or if there were multiplies.
This isn’t about pressuring anyone to get rid of things—it’s about helping them gain clarity on what they really need and what’s just taking up space.
What Happens to the Items That Don’t Stay?
Once Donna decided what she no longer needed, my team and I handled the rest. This means deciding whether the item should be:
Donated: We work with local organizations that will give items a second life.
Recycled: We work with services that responsibly recycle.
Disposed: If an item needs to be trashed, we haul it to the transfer station.
We always partner with hauling services specializing in eco-friendly disposal, so you can rest easy knowing your unwanted items are going where they should—not just into a landfill.
At The Organized House, we believe decluttering isn’t just about clearing out a space—it’s about creating a fresh start and ensuring that everything left behind serves a real purpose in your home. When done right, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of any garage makeover.
Step 4: Organizing with the Right Products
Once Garage Experts wrapped up the installation of the epoxy flooring, slatwall, and custom cabinets, it was finally time for my team and me to unload the POD and bring this garage to life. Even though we had every zone mapped out, this part is always a lot like playing Tetris—figuring out how everything fits together in a way that’s both functional and visually appealing.
This is also one of the most time-consuming steps in the process because organization isn’t just about putting things away—it’s about creating a system that makes sense, is easy to maintain, and looks good. The right products don’t just “store” your stuff—they give each category proper containment and boundaries, making it easier to find, use, and put things away.
A great garage organization system is about more than just sticking things in bins and calling it a day. It’s about creating structure—so that every item has a home that makes sense, and daily life becomes easier.
With everything now categorized, contained, and visually streamlined, the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Here’s a breakdown of the products we used and why they worked so well.
Multi Purpose Bins
The Multi Purpose Bins from The Container Store are a go-to for almost every garage makeover because they check all the boxes:
Durable & Sturdy – Strong enough to handle the weight of heavy garage essentials.
Tall Sides – Perfect for keeping taller items upright and contained.
Sizing – We almost never go smaller than large because items need room to breathe and room to grow when new things are added.
These bins were ideal for organizing bulkier items like gardening supplies, sports equipment, and household overflow, making it easy to grab what’s needed without digging through piles.
Large Plastic Bins with Handles – The "Tidy Toss" Solution
We incorporated a few Large Plastic Storage bins with Handles, also from The Container Store, for what we call the "Tidy Toss Items." These bins act as a quick drop zone for those miscellaneous, frequently used items that don’t need a dedicated bin but still need a designated home. Think of them as organized catch-alls for things like:
Bike locks
Beanbags for cornhole
Ball pumps
These bins help keep the space tidy without requiring perfection—meaning things don’t have to be neatly folded or placed inside every single time, but they also won’t end up scattered all over the garage floor.
Everything Organizers Drawer Organizers – Keeping the Workbench Functional
The workbench drawers were a clutter magnet—small tools, screws, and random odds and ends were constantly getting jammed, crammed, and shoved into any available space. To keep everything contained and accessible, we used The Containter Store's Everything Organizers Drawer Organizers, which provided:
Clear Boundaries – No more tangled mess of tools and hardware.
Easy Access – Everything now has a designated spot.
Sustainable Organization – Keeps the system easy to maintain over.
Custom Garage Cabinets & Bin Pairing
The new custom cabinets were 24 inches deep, so to maximize every inch of storage, we used two bins per shelf rather than a single bin that would take up the entire space. This setup allowed for better organization, easier access, and less wasted space.
Donna already had a few of the HDX bins from Home Depot, so we supplemented them with four additional bins in the same size to create a cohesive system. While we couldn’t find an exact color match—opting for black instead of her existing blue—the functionality remained the same. Since these bins were designated for seasonal storage and only accessed once or twice a year, the slight color variation was a small trade-off for an efficient, well-structured storage solution. (photo below)
Slatwall & Hooks for Easy-Grab Storage
A Slatwall is one of our favorite storage solutions for a garage because of its versatility. Unlike fixed shelving, slatwall accessories can be easily adjusted and rearranged to accommodate changing storage needs. For this project we really wanted to get everything off the floor and into a designated spot with easy accessibility. We we utilized a combination of hooks, mesh baskets, and wire baskets to maximize vertical storage and keep frequently used items easily accessible.
Ball Holders – No more basketballs and soccer balls rolling around underfoot.
Mesh Baskets – Perfect for corralling all the miscellaneous balls.
Wire Baskets – Ideal for smaller items that tend to get buried.
If the family’s storage needs change, the slatwall can change with them. Accessories can be repositioned, added, or swapped out without drilling new holes or making permanent changes—keeping this system as functional in the future as it is today.
The Big Takeaway
Once everything was installed, organized, and styled, we stepped back—and WOW. The transformation was more than just visual; it was emotional. For Donna, the garage wasn’t just a cluttered space—it was a daily stressor, a source of anxiety, and a constant reminder of overwhelm. The weight of the mess had been affecting more than just her storage—it had been affecting her mindset.
This project wasn’t just about creating a beautifully organized garage. It was about giving Donna back control over her space, her time, and her energy. Instead of feeling stuck and frustrated every time she stepped inside, she now walks in with a sense of relief. She knows exactly where everything is, she no longer wastes time digging through piles, and her garage finally works for her, not against her.
This transformation is proof that an organized home isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating ease in everyday life.
Take a look at these before and after photos to see the difference for yourself.
Thinking About Your Garage Makeover?
So, if you’ve been telling yourself, “I can do this myself,” but haven’t started yet… maybe it’s time to call in some help. Because a garage makeover that actually works for your family? That’s life-changing.
Let’s chat! We’ll create a system that works for your daily routines so it actually sticks.
** Name changed for privacy.