One area of the home that many people overlook is the garage. Investing time to clean out and spruce up your garage will pay off in the coming spring months.

Below is a guide to making sense of the clutter and clean out your garage efficiently:

Declutter: The garage typically becomes a storage space along with housing your cars and if storage space is no where to be found, it’s time to clear out that clutter. Ask yourself, “When is the last time I used this item?” If it’s been awhile, consider throwing it out. Garages are known to hold old paint cans, car cleaners, and tools. Take a look at these items. Are they cracked? Unusable? Broken? Throw them out! You’ll gain valuable space that you can fill with newer or more frequently used items.

Determine Function: Once you have cleared some space, it’s time to determine the function on your garage. What do you use your garage for? Woodworking? Frozen foods? Make of note for each function and set specific areas of your garage to fulfill that need. By making distinct areas putting items away will be a no-brainer in the future.

Use A System That Works For You: When finding a home for items stored in your garage think about what you use most frequently and organize the items based on their importance. Put frequently used items at eye-level so that they are easy to grab. Place less frequently used items higher up and out of the way. Consider overhead storage for holiday decorations. Use clear bins or cabinets to store cleaners or bulk paper products so they stay dust free.

Clean Floors: Sweep away debris and scrub away imperfections that may have lingered in your garage. If your concrete floor has cracks or stains that will not be fixed or removed easily, consider getting a floor coating that is easier to maintain. A coating like epoxy can be installed in as little as 24 hours and is a great way to spruce up an old garage.

Show It Off: It’s time to finish off your garage with some flare. What are things you store in there that you love? Fishing rods? Motorcycle? Use them as the decorations in your garage. Showcase your hobbies and talents in a way that will make your garage the envy of the neighborhood.

Stephanie Hanson is the Community Manager for Monkey Bar Storage. She enjoys DIY projects and cooking. Follow her on Twitter at @StephanieHyde6 and Monkey Bars @MonkeyBarsCorp.