Things Taking Up Valuable Space in Your Garage That You Can Finally Donate This Fall

Decluttering your garage in the fall creates space and makes it easier to find what you need.
Donating unused or duplicate items helps other families and reduces unnecessary clutter.
Seasonal audits prevent your garage from becoming a dumping ground for unused gear.

Fall is a great time to go through your garage and do a seasonal audit. The garage typically becomes a drop zone in the summer, accommodating everything from sports equipment and camping gear to suitcases and outdoor toys. Before you know it, a car barely fits inside and clutter covers every shelf and cabinet.

“This is a great time to evaluate items your family hasn’t used throughout the spring and summer and decide whether they still deserve valuable garage space,” says Heather Aiello, a professional organizer and the founder of The Organized You.

The changing of the seasons is the perfect time for a garage reset. Use this list provided by professional organizers to go through your garage and donate items you no longer use—you’ll gain valuable storage space and the donated items can serve another family.

Heather Aiello is a professional organizer and the founder of The Organized You.
Amanda Rivera is a professional organizer and the owner of Tidy Red Professional Organizing.

Leftover DIY Materials

In Aiello’s experience, many homeowners accumulate extra tools, paint, hardware, and project leftovers over the years, and they all tend to end up in the garage. If you have multiple versions of the same tool or supplies from a project you completed long ago, the organizer says they are likely taking up valuable shelf and cabinet space without serving a purpose.

“I recommend keeping only what you realistically use and donating items in good condition that someone else could benefit from,” Aiello says. “This makes it easier to see what you own, find what you need, and maintain an organized garage.”

Summer Items You Didn’t Use

In summer, the garage typically becomes a dumping ground for seasonal sports equipment, outdoor toys, and vacation gear. If you have summer items you never used, Amanda Rivera, a professional organizer and the owner of Tidy Red Professional Organizing, says this is the time to donate them.

“For instance, I bought a bunch of beach toys thinking that my daughter was going to love them, but they ended up being a huge bucket of junk we walked around all summer,” Rivera says.

As you go through your collection of summer things that have piled up in the garage, take Rivera’s advice and get rid of anything with excessive wear and tear.

“I would take notes of the things that need to be replaced or any expired summer items that you might keep in the garage,” Rivera advises.

Camping Gear

Garages often become a holding place for things your family no longer uses, like camping gear.

“These items tend to be bulky and can quickly take over the floor, making it difficult to park a car or access the things you use regularly,” Aiello says.

Check the camping gear for tears and damage, and if it’s in good shape, drop it off at your local thrift store. Instead of the camping gear cluttering your garage, donating it can provide another family with a fun outdoor adventure.

Duplicates

Garages are notorious for being home to duplicates of everything from snow shovels to outdoor brooms. If you only ever use one shovel but own three “just in case,” Rivera suggests you donate the duplicates if they are in good condition.

“I would just keep the items that are in the best shape or are your go-to and get rid of any excess that is not necessarily needed,” she says.

Check your local thrift store to see if they accept the specific items you’re looking to donate. Alternatively, you can post the duplicates on local give-away sites.

“Usually, tools and items go on Buy Nothing groups or free sites quickly, so I would suggest that,” Rivera says.

No Longer Used Outdoor Games and Sports Equipment

Another category of items Aiello recommends you add to the donation pile this fall are old bikes, outdoor games, and sports equipment. If these items are sitting in the garage collecting dust, chances are you haven’t brought them out in a very long time—and likely won’t anytime soon.

“Donating them allows someone else to enjoy them while creating more functional space in your garage,” Aiello says.

Old Toys

If you’ve been storing old toys that the kids have outgrown in the garage, take the fall season to donate them. Rivera says toys, balls, and other items your kids no longer play with all take up excessive space in the garage.

“You do not need to hold onto things that your kids have grown out of and you know they are phasing out of,” she says.