How To Declutter an Overwhelming Garage Step By Step

If you're staring at a garage (or any space) that makes you want to set it on fire and walk away, you don’t need a gentle, tiptoe-around-the-problem approach.

The biggest way to win this battle isn’t with a 15-minute-a-day strategy. I know that sounds nice, I’ve seen the Pinterest promises too. But if your garage is packed wall to wall, floor to ceiling, with years of “I’ll deal with it later”… then 15 minutes a day just won't cut it.

What actually works?

Blocking out real, dedicated time. One day. Maybe two.Clearing your calendar, rolling up your sleeves, and doing it in one focused push. That’s how you get your space, and your peace, back.

If you're ready for this then today's blog is your playbook.

Hi, I’m Tara Stewart. Since 2020, with the help of my amazing team, I’ve been helping clients in and around Lexington, Kentucky declutter and organize their homes, garages, and small businesses.

These are the exact steps we use on real-life projects with real-life clients who are ready to reclaim their space. And I promise, you can do it too.

Want to see one of these transformations in action and how we applied these same steps I’m giving you here? Check out this Two Day Garage Declutter: Before-and-After Reveal for a behind-the-scenes look at a garage stuffed to the brim, and how we used the steps below to go from wall-to-wall chaos… to a space where the car can actually fit!

8 Actionable Steps to Declutter Your Garage

1. Line Up a Junk Hauler or Rent a Dumpster

Before you even touch a single box, make a plan for how everything will leave. Trust me, knowing where the piles are going makes all the difference.

We love working with our favorite Army vet and junk hauler, Steve. He hauls trash to the dump, metal to the scrapyard, and donations to their final destinations. That means we can stay laser-focused on sorting and decision-making,while he handles the heavy lifting. A quick Google search will help you find a local hauler (nationwide companies like College Hunks Hauling Junk are an option too). But we have found the most success using a small local business.

Fayette County Loan-A-Box

Local to Lexington, Kentucky?

Fayette County offers dumpster rentals through their Loan-A-Box program. The box is 10’ L x 6’ W x 4’ H and just $90/day and if you rent on a Friday, you get the entire weekend for free because pickup isn’t until Monday. You can rent one here!

Not in Lexington?

Check your city’s government website for similar programs or go through a private company. Some cities like Versailles, Kentucky offer a solid waste weight station where you can drop off large amounts of trash. More info on their service HERE

Which should you choose - junk hauler or dumpster?

For many projects, a dumpster is enough. But if you have a mix of trash, metal, and large donations (too big for your car), a hauler may be more efficient.

Pro Tip: Make a rough list of what’s leaving (trash, donations, bulky items). It’ll help you figure out which option saves you the most time and money.

2. Do a Little Donation & Disposal Research

One of the biggest momentum killers? Getting stuck mid-project trying to figure out what to do with your stuff.

Avoid the “Where do I take this?” spiral by doing a little research ahead of time:

• Where’s your nearest electronics recycling center?

• Does the local library accept book donations?

• Could a school or 4-H club use your extra craft supplies?

• When’s your next local Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day?

  
  

Old paint and household chemicals love to hang out in garages, so it’s worth coordinating your clean-out with your city’s disposal events.For Lexington, Kentucky residents: Find your hazardous waste day here!

We’ve got your back:

• 3 Budget-Friendly Ways to Shred Old Paperwork Safely

• Book Lover's Guide to Donating Books with a Purpose

• Where to Donate Military Memorabilia

• Grab our Lexington, Kentucky Donation & Recycling Guide PDF

• Grab our National Donation & Recycling Guide PDF

  
  

And if all else fails? Post it as “Free on Curb” in your neighborhood Facebook group. You’ll be amazed how quickly things disappear.

Takeaway: Know your donation and recycling plan before you start. It’ll keep you focused and out of the Google rabbit hole.

3. Create a Distraction-Free Zone (Yes, That Means the Kids Too)

You need to be focused for this project, especially when decision fatigue kicks in.

If you have young kids, send them to a friend’s house, the grandparents, or plan a playdate swap with another parent. We’ve worked with families who try to take turns watching the kids… and the project ends up stretching way longer than it should.

If having the kids out of the house isn’t an option:

• Ask a few friends to take one kid each for the day

• Give older kids specific tasks (not just “help”)

  
  

Helpful roles by age:

• Teens: Run donation drop-offs, sweep, move boxes

• Middle schoolers: Break down cardboard, load the car

• Everyone else: Maybe just enjoy being somewhere else for the day

  
  

You know your kids best. Some are more helpful when they’re not there - and that’s okay.

4. Set Up Tables and Canopies for Sorting

You're going to need to pull everything out of the garage, so give yourself the space (and supplies) to do it right.

Pop-up tables give you a comfortable place to sort without constantly bending over. A canopy or tent will keep you and your stuff dry and shaded if the weather turns.

Don’t have these on hand?

Ask a neighbor, check with friends, or dig through that garage. You might already own one and forgot.

Plan for success: Choose a weekend with mild weather (not scorching or freezing), and protect yourself from sun, rain, and sore backs.

5. Put Your Phone Away (Yes, Really!)

This one’s always a little unpopular, but it’s a total game-changer.

Pick one safe spot, like the kitchen island, and leave your phone there. If you’ve got kids out with friends or grandparents, keep notifications on for just them. Turn everything else off.

Here’s why:

• You’ll be moving around a lot

• Your phone will get buried under a pile

• You’ll be tempted to scroll instead of sort

  
  

(Ask me about the time I accidentally donated my jacket because I left it on a chair near the donation pile. Yep, that happened.)

Focused time = faster progress.You’ll be amazed at how much lighter and more productive the day feels when you're not interrupted by pings and buzzes every 10 minutes.

6. Just Start. (No, Really, Just Pick a Box and Go)

There’s no magic box to begin with. Just pick one and dive in.

Here’s a simple setup to keep things flowing:

• Right side: Trash bag

• Left side: Recycling bin

• Behind you: Donation box

• Tabletop: Open boxes or bins for categories like “tools,” “keepsakes,” or “goes inside”

  
  

The goal right now is quick decisions:

• Keep

• Donate

• Trash

• Recycle

  
  

Don't start running stuff inside every 5 minutes, you’ll get sidetracked. Instead, create a bin labeled “Needs to Go Inside” and deal with it at the end of the day.

Same for tools, seasonal décor, or sentimental items, just group them for now. We’ll fine-tune later.

7. Revisit and Fine-Tune Your “Keep” Bins

Once the bulk of the sorting is done, take a breather and circle back to your “keep” items.

Ask yourself:

• Did I save five nearly identical hammers?

• Am I really going to use this?

• Do I love it or just feel weird getting rid of it?

  
  

Now’s the time to:

• Trim down duplicates

• Reconsider what made it into the “keep” pile

• Keep only what you actually use or want in your life

  
  

This part is all about intentionality, not perfection.

8. Choose the Right Storage for What’s Staying

Now that you’ve narrowed things down, you can finally think about storage.

Ask yourself:

• Do I need one keepsake bin per kid?

• What needs to be easily accessible vs. long-term storage?

• Should I invest in shelving or just get clear, stackable bins?

  
  

Don’t buy anything before this step.

And let’s be honest, those tiny bins from the Target dollar spot are adorable, but they’re no match for a 3-year stash of power tools or oversized holiday decor.

Purge before you purchase. You’ll save money and actually get the right solution for your space.

Peep some of our favorite garage and storage solutions here:

• Five Ways to Organize Your Garage with a Family-Friendly Approach

• Space-Saving Solution for Leftover Paint

• Organize Your Storage Space with Divided Storage Bins from Walmart

You’ve Got This—And We’ve Got You

You’ve got what it takes to tackle this. I mean it. One box at a time, one decision at a time you can absolutely reclaim your garage and feel good in your space again.

But if you’d rather not do it alone? If you need someone to help you get started (or see it through)? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Head here to conatct us!

We’ll bring the team, the tools, and the calm, clear plan,so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

You’ve got this. And when you’re ready, we’ve got you.