Decide what the garage is for
Parking, a workshop, storage or all three. The purpose tells you what to keep. If a thing does not support it, it is a candidate to go.
Empty it in zones
Pull everything onto the driveway in zones: tools, sports, seasonal, tools and household. It looks bad for an hour, and it makes sorting easy.
Sort with four piles
Keep, donate, recycle and dispose. Be honest. If you have not used it in two years and it is not a family keepsake, let it go.
Handle the special items
Paint, fuel, chemicals and propane need separate handling. Gather them and check local drop-off options.
Haul the rest
A junk removal crew can haul what is left in one trip, including heavy tool chests and old shelving.
Organize what stays
Use wall hooks, shelves and clear bins. Label everything and keep the floor clear.
Our advice in one sentence
Empty in zones, sort honestly and let a crew do the lifting.
