More than one in three Americans can’t park their car in the garage because it’s too cluttered. And 62% of U.S. adults say the garage is the most cluttered space in their home, according to a study by Alan’s Factory Outlet.
When preparing a home for sale, the garage may deserve a second look. Rather than treating it as a dumping ground for everything that doesn’t fit elsewhere, homeowners can turn it into a selling point by making it look clean, maintained and functional.
A garage doesn't have to look like a showroom to help sell a home. Decluttering, however, can help buyers see the parking, storage and workspace available to them. Meanwhile, a crowded or dirty garage can make those benefits harder to appreciate.
“The garage is one of the hardest-working areas of any home, but it is also the space homeowners are most likely to put off," Mike Mushinski, president of GarageExperts, said in a statement accompanying the company’s garage cleanout checklist. “A clean garage is a great start, but the homeowners who get the most out of the space are the ones who treat it like an extension of the home. When the floor is finished, storage is built in and every item has a place, the garage stops being a problem area and starts adding real value to the home."
How to Clean Up a Cluttered Garage
GarageExperts recommends working through the following steps to reclaim the space and keep it organized.
Empty the space and sort: Remove items from the garage and group them in the driveway or lawn. Seeing everything in one place makes it easier to decide what to keep, donate, sell or discard.
Cleaning out the garage may uncover items with resale potential. Alan’s Factory Outlet estimates that certain belongings commonly stored in garages could have a combined resale value of $5,035, based on its garage items resale value study. The study identifies the following estimated values by category with the most selling potential:
- Bikes: $2,763
- Gym equipment: $862
- Tools: $612
- Camping gear: $449
- Holiday décor: $348
The study shows that sorting through the garage can serve two purposes: Reclaiming useful space and identifying belongings that could be sold rather than left collecting dust.
Deep clean the floor: Sweep away dirt and debris, then use an appropriate concrete cleaner to tackle oil stains and built-up grime. A clean floor also makes it easier to spot cracks, pitting or signs of moisture that may need your attention.
Inspect walls, doors and storage: Check shelving, pegboards and overhead racks for damage or signs of overloading. Look for water stains along the base of walls, and check the garage door, opener and weather seals. Any damaged door mechanisms or springs should be inspected by a qualified professional.
Create functional zones: Designate areas for tools, lawn and garden supplies, sports equipment, automotive care and seasonal storage. Grouping similar items together makes them easier to find and return to their proper place.
Make use of vertical and overhead space: Wall-mounted racks, slatwall systems, cabinets and properly installed overhead storage can free up valuable floor space. Keep heavy items low and secure overhead storage appropriately. The goal is to make belongings accessible without sacrificing parking space or safe access.
Consider a flooring upgrade: A professionally installed epoxy or polyaspartic coating can make a concrete floor easier to clean and more resistant to many common stains and spills. Repair underlying moisture or concrete problems before coating the surface.
Build in a maintenance routine for upkeep: Once the garage is organized, a quick monthly reset can help keep it that way. Routinely sweep the floor, wipe down surfaces, return stray items to their designated areas and reassess any belongings that have accumulated.
Make the Garage Feel Like Usable Living Space
For homeowners getting ready to list, a clean and organized garage can help show off a practical feature of the property. Clear floor space, visible storage and room for vehicles, bicycles and tools can demonstrate how well the space functions.
Certainly, some homeowners and builders are taking that further, even reimagining a garage as a multipurpose area. At Cincinnati’s 2026 HOMEARMA, K Homes showed off a garage design that incorporated a lounge with a television and seating behind a glass garage door within the garage, creating a place to relax alongside a prized vehicle.
For most homeowners, however, the goal isn’t to create another living room. It’s to help buyers recognize the garage’s potential—not just a cluttered space for storage.
