Gift Ideas for Dad: DIY Tips for Organizing the Outdoor Man Cave a.k.a. the Garage

Organizing the Man Cave

Some men like to call the garage the ‘man cave' while women like to think of it as a place where their significant others try to fix the household items that break or build something from scratch.

With Father's Day approaching, it's a great time to think of ideas or plans to organize the garage/‘man cave' to make the space a sanctuary. It's hard to get motivated if your garage is a complete disaster. The last thing one wants to do is look for their toolbox that's hidden, a rack, or even the snow shovel. Organizing the space with shelving racks and a dozen drawers can help with easy access and can make room for more storage in the space.

Here are some ideas for DIY simple tricks to help your start your process:

Magnetic Strip for the new Tool Bar

- The magnetic strip for the tools is the new concept chef's use to adhere their knives. The concept makes the kitchen organized, so why not bring it into the garage. Instead of rummaging through drawers trying to find the correct bit, screws, or nails; it will be within arms reach. It also looks very decorative in the space if it is okay to say decorative when referring to a 'man cave'.

Photo Credit: BHG

Recycle Bin Hangers

- Take a few pieces of scrap wood, blot them to the wall for easy access and removal, instead of stacking each on top of one another. "Check out the detailed instructions over at Handyman."

Reuse the Paper Towel Holder (On Wall or Counter)

One clever idea that can make your life more organized and make ti easy to throw away items is to use an old paper towel holder. Whether it's bolted to the wall or on the counter space, use the tool for your garage bags and recycle the box. You will also need a skinny rod to ensure that it will fit through the small opening in the center of the garbage bags.

Photo Credit: Uploaded to Pinterest

Tin Can Wall Storage

- People usually recycle food cans after they have opened them. How about using them as storage in the garage? You can drill a hole in the center of the top of the can. Cans may be fastened to the walls using a pegboard and used to hold brushes, sponges, and other tools.

Photo Credit: hi Sugarplum

Screw Organizing

- Start saving those mason jars. Using these jars, you can store and label all your nails, screws and bolts or any small parts. Storage these jars on your storage shelving.

Photo Credit: Chez Larsson

DIY Tape Dispenser

- Tape is always hard to find. Scrambling through drawers tends to be annoying. This DIY tape dispenser will make your tape problems a solution, especially for the garage or workshop!

Photo Credit: American Woodworker

DIY Screwdriver Rack

- Nothing looks more organized than all your screwdriver tools organized in the 'man cave'. Drill a few holes and cut brackets for mounting, and you're done. Go check out the details and instructions over at Fresh Crush.

Photo Credit: Fresh Crush

Those are just a few highlights from a list of 28 ideas. You can see more of them in the slide presentation here. If you have ideas to add to the list then add them in the comment section below.

How To Get Organized Over The Summer

Summer is either the busiest season for an individual or the most relaxed, with countless free time. All this free time provides an opportunity for an organization. With the long winter gone, cutting the clutter is frankly the first step for an individual and their summer organizing. There are many strategies on how to cut clutter, whether it’s having a yard sale, preparing boxes for storage or just throwing a cutter in the trash; there are countless solutions to solve the problem. Clutter is evidence of several issues: poor habits, lack of organization, sentimental attachment, or frankly too much junk. Each item one holds onto is a delayed decision.

Start off your cleaning with knowing what you want to do. Planning a schedule is one way to get organized before completing the tasks. Having a schedule such as:

• Monday: Basement
• Tuesday: Closet
• Wednesday: Kid’s Closets
• Thursday: Kitchen
• Friday: Office Space
• Saturday: Packing 
• Sunday: Yard Sale

A simple schedule will help you plan and organize your time wisely, which will help you get the job finished in a timely manner. When it comes to packaging and letting go, organizing your boxes can make the process much easier. Take three large boxes and label them “put away”, “give away” or “storage”. "Give away" boxes can me put aside and used for future yard sales or donations to local charities in your community. You may be giving and taking, but having both a yard sale and donating to local boxes in your neighbourhood helps you get organized. When it comes to scheduling, complete the easy tasks first before the more difficult. Cleaning toys, boxing, and organizing are easier tasks to start with because it’ll clean the space for the next task. The estimated time needed for packing can take from 5 hours – 2 days depending how the amount of people assisting.

In regards to a yard sale, there are simple tips one can follow to have it run smoothly and make the organization and decluttering process easier for the individual.

1. A group sale is better than selling alone. More stuff draws more traffic
2. Be prepared. Be ready to go the night before so that you don’t have to rush around in the morning
3. Plan your sale layout with customers in mind. Use marketing tricks to make your customers more likely to purchase your stuff!
4. Price things carefully
5. Label things well
6. Be friendly. Greet people as they arrive — chat if they’re chatty
7. Do not bad-mouth your items
8. Be willing to bargain, but be less flexible at the start
9. Keep a ledger. Jot down a description of each item and for how much it sold
10. Do not use a cash box. Keep your money on you at all times.

Here is a useful video on more tips when throwing a yard sale. Summer is the perfect whether to enjoy a yard sale because your customers will be more active to attend and be patient to look around at every item to find its value. Listen to each tip wisely, and happy organizing!