Between the ladders, bikes, and golf clubs, it’s often an obstacle course of epic proportions to actually exit the garage without hitting anything. But a few smart storage and organization tricks are all you need to help you regain some extra square footage. As one of the most functionally important places on any property, your garage deserves some love, too! So get organized (and find the weed killer when you need it) with these ingenious garage storage and organization ideas.

Organizing pros estimate that only 30 percent of us store our cars in the garage. The reason? Too much stuff. These garage storage ideas will help you get rid of anything you don’t need.

• Set aside at least a full day, or even a full weekend or two, to get the job done.
• Make decluttering a family project and invite over a few friends to pitch in, and it’ll go a lot faster.
• Go through absolutely everything, including boxes you didn’t unpack when you moved in—you never know where that family heirloom might be lurking.

Sort all items into three piles: keep, donate or sell, and toss. Lay them on dedicated tarps or mark off areas of your driveway with chalk and place them there. What should get the boot: outgrown toys, items that are broken beyond repair, expired household chemicals (which may need special disposal), and anything you haven’t used in two years or more. If you have a hard time letting go of things that have sentimental value, snap pictures as keepsakes.

Sort the keepers into broad categories (for example, sports equipment, hand tools), and place them in well-marked cardboard boxes or, better yet, stackable clear-plastic bins you can use later. Put the keepers back in the garage for now.

As soon as possible, donate giveaways and schedule a yard sale to get rid of castoffs. If you’ve got too much trash for your hauler to take, use a service such as Bagster; simply buy the bag at a home store, pack it, and contact the company to schedule pickup and disposal (fees vary).

What Should Not Be Stored in a Garage?

For safety reasons, don’t store these items your garage:

• Paint storage: Extreme cold or heat can ruin it. Store cans in a more temperate area.
• Propane storage: A spark could ignite the fumes. Propane tanks should always be kept outdoors.
• Paper goods: They’re a magnet for roaches and other bugs. Move them to your pantry.
• Pet Food: Possums and other animals will sniff it out and get in. Keep it in a sealed container inside.

Safely Store Items

Most of us store lawnmower gas in the garage, so be prepared for a fire. Get a 5- to 10-pound U.L.–listed fire extinguisher and mount it in an easy-to-access spot. It should carry an ABC rating, certifying that it’s effective against wood, oil, and electrical fires.

Though we’re sure you know to open the garage door when your car’s engine is running (right?), installing a carbon monoxide detector will give you added peace of mind.

Check your garage door opener to make sure it has a U.L.–listed motor and an auto-stop feature that will prevent the door from closing in case a child or pet tries to sneak underneath.