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Hi Sugarplum!

{Organized} Garage (the paint & tools)

June 17, 2013

Hello, hello!! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! We spoiled Mr. Sugarplum with love, and confused him with all the mustaches (especially since I much prefer him clean-shaven). We also heard from a lot of friends and family who saw the feature in the Dallas Morning News yesterday…thanks for the love!

I’ve got so much to share with you this week, including the washi crafts I created for the newspaper feature, and I finally get to reveal my Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge! But today I’m excited to show you a corner of our garage that got a much needed butt-kicking in the organization department.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

In your house, the garage may be the Mister’s domain. But as a DIY home blogger, I contribute at least half the junk that clutters up our garage. It was such a gradual process of adding tools, paint, and materials, that I hadn’t realized just how chaotic the space had become. I almost dreaded the start of each new project, because I could never find everything I needed. Organizing the garage seemed so overwhelming, that I just kept putting it off.

A few weeks ago, I finally ripped off the band-aid and went to it! So quickly, in fact, that I forgot to take ‘Before’ shots. But I’m sure you can all imagine a garage with over-flowing shelves and piles. We have shelves built around the top of the perimeter, but I needed to store things within my limited reach…so my first stop was Ikea (who wants to spend a bunch of money on the garage?!).

I wanted to get these galvanized shelves, but they were out-of-stock, and when the organizing bug strikes, you have to move fast! So we grabbed the Gorm unit instead, and I’m really happy with the quality and sturdiness. Not to mention, super easy to assemble and add extra shelves.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Next, I rounded-up all 187 of the paint cans, and opened each one. I couldn’t believe how many had gone bad, but were still taking up precious space on our shelves. The rest were all half-empty, and many had rusted rims, so it was only a matter of time until they went bad, too.

So I followed Jen’s lead, and transferred them all to pint and quart-sized mason jars (found at HomeGoods) with airtight lids. Then labeled each (using this easy method) with the color name, location in the house it’s used, finish, and type of paint.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Many of my projects are small, or just touch-ups, so I went with wide-mouth jars so a brush would easily fit. This keeps me from having to pour the paint into a separate container, and the jars are easy to hold and shake.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Not only do the pretty rows of paint make me happy, but just like the newly Organized Spraypaint, it’s easy to see what colors I already have on hand.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Once the paint was consolidated, I went after the rest of the garage crappola. I sorted everything into piles by category, then organized them in sturdy plastic bins. With labels of course.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

I like to see details, so I’ll show you the contents of each shelf.

Paint trays and Dropcloths | Work Gloves | Rags
Staple Gun & Staples | Caulk, Glues & Putty, along with putty knives and spatulas
Stains & Wood Conditioner | Pint Jars of Paint from smaller projects

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Full Gallons of Paint | Paint Conditioner
Car Fluids | Lawn Sprays & Seed | Random items like Plaster of Paris and drain thingie
The bucket holds all the car wash gear

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Light Bulbs | Miter Box, Hooks & Clamps
Quart jars of paint from rooms and larger projects
Toolbox with Mr. Sugarplum’s randomness | Nails, Screws, Anchors, etc

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Paint Supplies | Sander, Sanding Blocks & Paper | Drill, Bits & Extension Cord
Painter, Packing & Duck Tapes | Bug Sprays | More lawn crap

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

The cool thing about this system, is each bin has everything you need for that purpose. No more looking for a drill bit in the bottom of the paint pan! The extra shelves also allowed me to store more things outside (like light bulbs and tape), which freed up room in my utility room cabinets. It never ceases to amaze me how organizing can actually create more space!

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Finally, we had all the tools to deal with. We could have put them in a toolbox, but not all would fit, and you’d still have to dig around. I wanted to be able to see everything, and have it at my fingertips….so an off-the-shelf 2′ x 4′ piece of pegboard from the hardware store got ‘er done!

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

These pegboard hooks hold everything firmly in place. It’s easier to arrange all your tools on the floor like a puzzle first, then transfer them to the board. I practically jump up and down squealing when I need a screwdriver now.

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

How about this little corner of organized bliss?!?!

Hi Sugarplum | Organized Garage

The shelves are un-treated wood, but I was too impatient to paint or stain them first. I figure since they’re enclosed in the garage, they’d be fine. We did use L-brackets to brace them to the wall, though. Next up is organizing the lawn tools and the overwhelming pile of sports equipment!

What’s the condition of your garage these days?! Is your sandpaper mingling with the grass seed?


Make sure you follow me on Facebook here for daily sales & sign up for my weekly newsletter here for sneak peeks, special Q&As, & Sugarplum Picks!

by Cassie 
25 Comments
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previous article: The Friday Five
next article: 5 Washi Tape Projects (& That Time I Was in the Newspaper)

Comments

  1. Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says: June 17, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    Your organizational beauty makes me so happy for you, and so ashamed of myself.

    Reply
    • hisugarplum says: June 18, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      That's how your skinny thighs make me feel. 😉

      Reply
  2. Denise @ frazzled JOY says: June 17, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I am currently working on our garage too. It has overwhelmed me for far too long!! There is way too much stuff out there I am having to work one wall at a time. Love the tip about the paint in mason jars – will be doin that!

    Reply
  3. Freckles Chick says: June 17, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    Haha, ditto Sheaffer!! The more you organize, Cass, the more ashamed I feel of myself. It's very conflicting.

    I LOVE this mason jar storing leftover paint idea. Congrats on the Dallas feature!! There's no one more deserving. Can't wait to see your washi tape & PB box projects!

    P.S. If you posted pics of Mr. SP with a 'stache, I would totally Pin it.

    Reply
  4. René says: June 17, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    You made sure made that crapola look good! Love the pretty jars of paint!

    Reply
  5. Carrie says: June 17, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    LOVE this! I want to organize our garage this summer (or fall) and I just love every single thing you did. We have a peg board already, but I love those wooden shelves you used and I even love how you put your paint in mason jars. Brilliant!

    Reply
  6. Simply LKJ says: June 17, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Turned out great Cassie. I need to put our paint in smaller jars, we did put them into new cans and labeled, but putting them in something smaller would work so much better.

    Reply
  7. Alexa says: June 17, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    Love it Cassie! So beautifully organized. Love how you stored the paint in those mason jars!

    Reply
  8. iheartorganizing says: June 17, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Oooh! So proud of my sister from another mister! You are so incredible, you even make a garage look good! Those wooden shelves are amazing and your labels are off the hook! Superstar! When are you coming to help me with mine? It's filled with thrift store finds, items to craigslist, half finished projects, tools scattered from one end to the other and spray paint explosions…. Sounds like a good time to me, you bring your cute face and style and I will provide the mess and wine. 😉

    xo,
    Jen

    Reply
    • hisugarplum says: June 18, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      It's a date!

      Reply
  9. Deme Crinion says: June 17, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    Is it wrong to drool over a garage? Well, it would be wrong for mine but THIS is so awesome! We're in the middle of the massive job of going through boxes from our move…almost 3 years ago. So this is some pretty fab motivation – thanks!

    Reply
  10. [email protected] says: June 17, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    Love it! Our garage could definitely use some more organizing, have to add that to the to-do list!

    Reply
  11. Courtney {a thoughtful place} says: June 18, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Wow, girl!!! How do you do this all. It looks amazing. I LOVE the paint in the mason jars. I need to do that as well. Great great job!

    Reply
  12. Jenny @ Simcoe Street says: June 18, 2013 at 1:02 am

    I HEART your garage. Pink puffy heart love it. It is perfect. GOOD JOB!

    Also, a huge thank you again for your guest post!

    Jenny
    http://www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says: June 18, 2013 at 2:01 am

    Cassie, your garage is so so so so so awesome…..I want it to magically be mine. I get hives every time I have to retrieve a screwdriver by high jumping over 4 bikes, 2 pieces of half-refinished furniture and 47 brooms/rakes/doggy pooper scoopers. This is definitely on my must do list….and after seeing those beautiful little jars of paint I am ALL over that idea! Thanks for inspiring!

    Reply
  14. T. Cashion says: June 18, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    I would love to store my paint in the garage but have always thought that extreme temperatures will ruin the paint. Does the summer heat or the winter cold not affect the paint quality?

    Reply
    • hisugarplum says: June 18, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      From what I've read, paint should be stored between 32-100 degrees F. Our garage is fully covered and enclosed, and the paint is stored against a wall connected to the house (versus an outside wall), so we stay within those perimeters.

      If you're in an extreme temp area, you may want to keep your paint inside. In which case, keeping it jars takes up a lot less space!

      Hope this helps! 🙂

      Reply
    • T. Cashion says: June 18, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks, Cassie. I bet my husband told me that just so I wouldn't store my paint in "his" garage! Lol.

      Reply
  15. Heather Marvin says: June 18, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    ummmmm…… i think i just had an orgasm looking at your garage. ridiculous.

    Reply
  16. Abby Lawson says: June 19, 2013 at 2:12 am

    Awwww, so pretty! I love the paint in jars idea…so much easier to see what you have on hand. And I'm incredibly jealous of your vast paint collection, btw. 😉 Have a great night, Cassie!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
  17. Sarah Kay says: July 6, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    LOVE this garage! It's so fun to put a unique spin on it, isn't it? As a visitor from I Heart Organizing, I am going to take a sneaky peek through your other rooms. I had a tip though I wanted to share: seeing all the paint stored in Mason jars makes my heart beat a bit faster for fear of what my children could do should they knock into the shelves. I would suggest putting a bungy cord around the middle of the shelf so if the paint jars fall, they don't shatter on the floor; they will just fall into the cord. Or some other method to protect them from the accidental bump. It makes me nervous just to look at. But maybe that's my kids… Oh who am I kidding, I'm the bumper. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Emily Hone says: July 8, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    Looks great! I don't have that much spray paint, but that is an AWESOME idea with the shoe organizer!

    Reply

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