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In some parts of the country, the garage is a cold place in the winter. Those homeowners use it to park their vehicles and snow blowers, spending as little time as possible in that chilly space. In Texas, we have the luxury of having mild winters that can make it comfortable to work in the garage. As we all know, the temperatures will heat up soon enough, so Sandlin Homes suggests you organize your garage before spring comes. When you get an afternoon with the thermometer registering 65 degrees, grab a pair of work gloves, a fistful of trashbags, packing tape, markers, and plenty of boxes. Head out to your garage to turn the chaos into pristine order!Where to start?Take a deep breath. If you’re like many homeowners, your garage has transformed into a catch-all for the items that don’t fit or belong in the house, but aren’t ready for the discard pile (but hold that though for now).Don’t step foot into the space with the intent of garage reorganization without preparing yourself mentally. You need to be ready to make tough decisions about what stays and what goes. You can’t waste time lingering over sentimental possessions because that will only distract you and push you far off-track. Adopt the mindset that is solely focused on accomplishing the much-needed organization. You’re going to need to ask yourself some tough questions, like “Will I ever wear this Bon Jovi tour shirt again?” and “How long do I have to keep gifts that I never liked?”The easy solution is to throw the item back in the box and ignore it. But that won’t help you purge and clean your garage. If something doesn’t add real value to your life, discard or donate it.Use a zone defenseBring order to the space by assigning zones to specific types of storage, like seasonal decor or clothes, sports and games, tools, hardware, paint, and cleaning supplies. Assign the zones so that what you need most is easily accessible. Seasonal items, like holiday decorations, can be placed a bit farther out of reach, if necessary. Focus on one areaMaybe you don’t have enough time to rearrange the entire garage. Set your goal to complete one area. Start with the messiest, if you’re ready for it, or spend time cleaning up the pegboards and shelves. Don’t let your attention wander somewhere else, like the sports equipment or the weed whacker you’ve been meaning to fix. Distraction equals delay. You’ll just end up spending more time and getting less completed. If you find yourself being distracted, turn back to your initial target. What to keep, what to tossAs you’re sorting through everything that has been stashed in the garage, think of what it is costing you to keep. What could you do with the storage space that you could free up here? And if something has been living in a box, far away from your daily life, is it worth keeping?You might have a collection of “projects” taking up space in the garage. Are you really going to repair that blender? When will you have time to refinish the furniture you bought at a flea market? Every project is an obligation and it weighs on you. If you don’t anticipate completing one of these challenges in the next few months, let it go. You might be surprised at how liberating it is!Rethink your storage system Sometimes deciding what to keep and what to throw away is the hardest part. There are many garage storage options available. From attaching pegboard to the walls to full-out cabinets and workspaces, make the most of your garage space by infusing some shelves, racks, and cabinets that will help you keep everything in its place. A garage offers storage along the walls as well as the ceiling. Overhead racks are ideal for clearing out floor space. Use them for bikes, lawn chairs, and large containers.Prep for springInspect your lawn and garden tools. Clean them if you didn’t do so before you stashed them for the winter. Check the hoses for leaks. Tune up your mower. Organize your pots, planters, bulbs, seeds, and fertilizer. Storage them in clearly marked containers rather than piling them in a corner.As you sort through your garage, you might realize that your home doesn’t support your lifestyle. When you’re ready to move to a new home in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, take a video tour of Sandlin Homes’ communities of new construction, single-family homes. Our varied selection of floor plans offers from about 1,800 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet. If you have your own location in mind, talk to us about building on your lot.