Unpack to Organize - The Garage

The garage can often be pushed to the bottom of the priority list when it comes to unpacking a home. However, the garage is often a major storage space. There are a lot of items that need to be unpacked, organized, and stored in an easily accessible way.

The first thing to do when unpacking a garage is to go through all your items and purge. It can be a challenge to part with items and easy to justify keeping old exercise equipment and gardening tools, but try asking yourself when was the last time it was used, if you are very likely to use it again, and if there will even be room for you to store it.

Once items have been decluttered, sort like items with like. For example, gather all the hardware tools, gardening tools, sports equipment, and others into separate areas.

After you determine what items you have, and they are sorted together, the next step is to plan out the storage in your garage. Creating different “zones” for each category of items is a great way to stay organized and make it easier to find specific objects. This guide can help you plan out where to set up zones around your garage. 

 

 Image credit: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiQ5cTRwIPNAhVHSlIKHfblD1UQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Flot13%2Fs-o-garage-shed%2F&psig=AFQjCNGD4a-Ih7E-Q1mrrGNldDyiCuV9PQ&ust=1464756317389099

Now, depending what objects are in each zone, the type of storage must be determined. For example, peg boards are useful for tools and hardware. Racks are good for larger tools like shovels and rakes. Check out our next blog post coming later in the month for 5 Ways to Maintain Order in Your Garage!

In these before and after photos of a garage Calm Order worked on, wall panels were installed on the wall, and hooks, baskets, and racks were added to store the items.

Before image of a garage Calm Order organized.

After image of a garage Calm Order organized using wall panels.

It can be easy to post pone unpacking and organizing the garage. As Peter Walsh said, “later is the best friend of clutter.” Don’t leave it until later – get unpacked to an organized garage now! [INSERT TWEET THIS LINK].

Summer on the patio – food and drink recipes!

The weather is getting nicer, and aside from a few days of rain and cloudy skies, there are still many days of potential sunshine left to enjoy on a patio or deck outside! To stay organized when hosting family and friends over, or just enjoying an evening outside on the patio, try these appetizer and drink recipes that are easy and time-efficient to put together and serve.

Time spent outside should be as easy and stress free as possible – don’t make more work than is necessary. Enjoy the summer while it’s here! [INSERT TWEET THIS LINK]

Not only are these Antipasto Skewers from Dinner at the Zoo easy to make, they also have just about everything in them, and the recipe can be adapted to include ingredients that a person may already have on hand:

Ingredients

  • 12 kalamata olives
  • 12 small balls of fresh mozzarella (get the marinated type if available)
  • 12 slices of thick cut salami
  • 12 pimento stuffed green olives
  • 6 whole jarred cherry peppers, halved
  • 12 small pepperoncini peppers

Instructions

Take 12 7-inch skewers and thread one of each ingredient item onto each skewer. Serve immediately or store, covered, in the fridge for up to 1 day.


Enjoy this delicious summer appetizer with a refreshing pitcher of Sparkling raspberry and lemon-aid.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice, chilled
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 liter (33.8 oz) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
  • Fresh mint and ice, for serving

Directions

  • Place raspberries in a food processor and pulse until well pureed. Force raspberry puree through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.
  • In a large pitcher (if you don't have one large enough you may need two) whisk together water and sugar until sugar has dissolved.
  • Pour in honey and mix until blended.
  • Stir in raspberry mixture and lemon juice then pour in club soda and stir once.
  • Serve with ice and fresh mint.

Unpack to Organize - The Office

An office room can be made up of multiple parts and items will all need to be unpacked and placed in the right spot after moving. From computer cords and accessories to paper clips and pencils, unpacking an office may seem like a daunting task – but it doesn’t have to be!

-       First, take stock of all of the items you have, and make sure that each item is necessary and will have a place to go. This is your chance to purge old or damaged supplies, or donate unused items.

-       Next, plan out your office space. Before moving in desks and shelves, make sure you know where everything is going. Also, determine what drawers, shelves, and cupboards will store what items, what files and folders will go in what cabinet, and if any other shelving materials need to be purchased. This plan will help relieve a lot of stress when it comes time to put office supplies away!

-       Once all of the furniture and larger pieces are put in place, it’s time to tackle the electronics. Computers can have a lot of attachments and wires, so don’t rush this step. Make sure everything is connected properly, and that cables are kept neat and organized to prevent anything from catching on them. Other electronics like a phone, printer, and lamp, can also be set up.

-       Start unpacking your office supplies with the frequently used items first, like pens, pencils, paper, and calendar. Use drawer organizers to help keep all your office supplies organized. Try to tackle only one box at a time – don’t get overwhelmed!

-       Filing cabinets and bookcases can then be unpacked, because the items typically aren’t needed right away. Any paper weights or office decorations can be added too, but remember, try to keep the decorations to a minimum, because a lot of them only invite more clutter into your space.

Creating a plan for your office space, and knowing what items need to go where before you start unpacking your boxes will make unpacking into an organized space a lot more feasible. There are a lot of different components that go into an office, so unpack step by step until the space is complete!

Moving Tip - label your electronic cords Before you take them apart. It will help you know what cord goes with each device!