Question: Our garage is a cluttered mess! Do you have any tips for getting organized and where to start?

Answer: Creating effective storage in the garage can be done with a bit of ingenuity and planning. The DirectBuy franchise offers these helpful hints on creating usable working space in your garage.

• When in doubt, throw it out … Clutter can take over a garage – Before you plan your storage solutions, sort through the clutter – have a garage sale, give it to charity or truly just throw it out.

• Get organized … Cut down on clutter and get your garage organized by installing garage cabinets. A new set of cabinets will clear the floor of tools, supplies and athletic equipment and open new space for perhaps a workshop or potting shed. Cabinets also work well for protecting their contents from moisture and dust.

• Maximize your space … Maximize available space in your garage by using narrow storage shelves or wall-mounted racks that can stack up neatly against the walls and leave room for cars.

• Smart labeling … Another smart idea is to mark storage bins so they are easy to find or use clear plastic storage boxes to immediately see what you are looking for. No more wasted time searching through an unorganized mess!

Source: Press Release, DirectBuy, www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com