From Dumping Ground to Functional Space: Decluttering Your Garage and Storage Room

A few years ago, I remember walking into my garage to grab something—I can’t even remember what—and I physically couldn’t get to it. I stopped in my tracks and looked around. Hockey bags. Half-used cans of paint. A broken lamp I was “going to fix.” Strollers we didn’t use anymore. An entire shelf of seasonal bins I was too tired to lift.

I closed the door.

Not forever, just for now.
But “for now” turned into weeks. Then months.
Because honestly? I didn’t know where to start.

I’ve seen it in hundreds of homes since then: the mechanical room filled with mystery cords and backup light bulbs, the attic packed with dusty bins labeled “baby clothes” even though the baby is now in high school. These spaces are often the most neglected - but they still hold emotion. 

When I walk into a client’s storage room, I don’t just see clutter.
I see things that haven’t been dealt with.
Stuff someone didn’t know how to part with.
Or things they were too busy surviving to organize.

There’s no shame in that.
But here’s the truth: these forgotten rooms are running the show more than you think. They're the silent saboteurs of your peace.

Tip #1: Let one clear walkway be your goal

You don’t have to finish the whole garage to feel better.
Start by making a clear path from one end to the other.
I had a client who did just that— her first step was to move things around enough so she could walk freely from one end of her storage room to the other. She texted me later that night: “I didn’t even realize how heavy that space was until it felt walkable.” 

The relief she felt because of this one clear walkway was what allowed her to keep up the momentum and tackle the whole garage. By the end of the week, the entire garage floor was clear. 

Starting is often the hardest part - once you start and experience the relief of a space starting to clear, it’s hard to stop! Momentum builds fast. 

Tip #2: Store fewer things, more accessibly

What’s the point of storage if you can’t access what you’ve stored?

I’m all for clear bins and wall racks, but if the shelves are too deep, the bins too heavy, or the lids too hard to open, you’ll stop using them. Choose function over fancy.

Here are a few staples I bring to every garage job I do with clients: 

• Clear latching bins *affiliate: so you can see what’s inside and avoid opening eight lids just to find batteries.
  
  
• Heavy-duty shelves *affiliate: simple, strong, and perfect for garages or storage rooms.
  
  
• Wall-mounted rail system *affiliate: especially good for bikes, rakes, brooms—anything you want off the floor but within reach.
  

The less you have to move things to get to something, the more likely you are to actually use the space. That’s what makes it functional—not perfect labels or matching baskets.

Tip #3: Don't wait for your partner to be ready

Let’s talk about something real.
A lot of clutter in these spaces doesn’t even belong to you. It’s shared stuff. And sometimes that means shared guilt… or shared resistance.

I’ve had so many clients say, “I’d love to tackle the storage room, but my partner’s not ready to let anything go.” And while I always advocate for shared conversations when possible, here’s my honest advice: start with your own things.
But because your peace matters. And someone has to go first.

In Room Refresh, we talk a lot about how to do this—what to say, how to frame it, and how to keep resentment out of it. But just know that waiting on someone else to be ready might be a stall tactic in disguise. Take the first step.

Tip #4: Decision fatigue lives here

These spaces are filled with deferred decisions. That’s why they feel so draining. You’re not just sorting stuff—you’re sorting stories, hopes, guilt, money spent, and “maybe someday” projects.

Here’s one simple trick I give to clients in the early stages:
When you pick something up, answer one question: “Would I go out of my way to replace this if it were gone?”

If not, that’s your cue.

You don’t need to make every decision right now. But you do need to start making some. Just to prove to yourself that you can.

You can open the door without feeling dread

When I finally tackled my own garage, I didn’t aim for perfection. I aimed for space. Room to walk. Room to breathe. Room to park again.

It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it.
And I’ve helped hundreds of people do the same since then. Because clearing these quiet, forgotten spaces creates a ripple effect—you feel lighter, clearer, more in control. The rest of your home gets easier.

And most of all?
You stop telling yourself you’re behind.

Want my help doing it?

If this blog gave you that little nudge you needed—if you’re finally ready to start, but you know you need support—I want to invite you to join Room Refresh.

It’s my monthly organizing program, where we declutter and organize your entire home over 12 months, one space at a time. 

This month, we’re diving into the exact spaces you just read about:
the garage, the storage room, the attic, and the mechanical room.

If those have been weighing on you, this is your sign to say yes.
Not to overwhelm, but to one small space, one step at a time—with my help.

👉 Join Room Refresh here and let’s clear what’s quietly stealing your peace.