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Even a homeowner who takes great pride in their property may harbor this dirty little secret: A garage that has become a dumping ground. Whether it's lack of time, financial or physical

constraints, or simply being too overwhelmed to deal with the mess, many homeowners find it easier to just close the door and walk away – before the neighbors see it. In addition to being

an eyesore, a disorganized garage can add stress and wasted time to your day, as Long Island, New York, homeowner Brianne Marks knows well. "It's been a constant battle for more

than 20 years to keep it organized, and we're always looking for smaller tools, the bike pump, lawn sprinklers and yard gear,” says Marks, 50, whose 1913 home has an unheated, detached

garage. “Several times a year, we have to move the snow blower, lawn mower, bikes and beach chairs to access seasonal items.” Between her husband's physical limitations and not being

able to afford a professional to overhaul their garage, Marks says the couple may have to wait until retirement before they can organize it properly. In the meantime, they have purchased

duplicate items several times when they couldn't find what they needed. “We have three leaf blowers and five lawn sprinklers, because we didn't think we had them when it turned out

they were pushed into the back corner of the garage,” she admits. This is the perfect time to organize your garage for fall and winter, especially as many people are staying close to home

during the coronavirus pandemic. Having everything close at hand means less time spent looking for traction aids, deicers and snow brushes during the season's first blizzard, with lawn

seeders and weed-eaters in the way, says Danny Lipford, the nationally syndicated radio and television host of _Today's Homeowner_. Here are his best tips for transitioning your garage

through the seasons. Today's Homeowner 1. GET RID OF WHAT YOU NO LONGER NEED "If you haven't used it in a couple of years, throw it out,” says Lipford, 63, of Mobile, Alabama.

That's exactly what Amanda Loudin, 54, a writer from Ellicott City, Maryland, has done while wrestling her two-car garage into shape over the past year since her divorce. It's

been her mission to organize the messy territory. "Nothing had its place, and I never had the energy to tackle it” before splitting with her husband, she says. Between paint cans, her

children's old sports gear and fishing equipment, 17 years’ worth of clutter had accumulated. By devoting an hour every weekend, Loudin is making progress. “I went through all the

extension cords and only kept what was worth keeping. A storage bin that had held random paint brushes became the new home for the extension cords,” she says. “Neatness makes me feel

calmer." 2. GIVE FLOORS A CLEAN SWEEP Remove everything — yes, everything! — from the garage and lay it out on the driveway, sorting seasonal items as you go. Then, create piles for

trash, donations and what needs to go back in the garage.