At the beginning of summer, before it got hot, we bought a canopy so I could paint and work outside in the shade. I like to pretend the reason I needed to work outside is because the weather was nice and it was beautiful outside so why coop myself up inside!?!
But the real reason is because I can’t work inside because I’ve taken over both garages and the hallway between them and filled them with sCrap wood and other “stuff” I’ve been accumulating over the last almost 2 years.
I had to do something about the sCrap because it rains here A LOT and it’s now WAY TOO HOT and humid to work outside anymore. And I have an air conditioned workshop for crying out loud.
So I went through my pile and got rid of all the pieces of wood and junk I’ll never use and moved and sorted and piled up all the stuff I still can’t let go of because I might, someday find a use for it all.
It’s tons better than it was. I desperately need to build some lumber storage racks so everything can be stored flat so it doesn’t bow — but it’s ok for now. I can walk through here and actually open the door to get outside now.
I had Madison and her friends bag up all the trash. It’s amazing that they ever want to come over because I always have them work (just a little bit) when they’re here.
A lot of this is going to Habitat ReStore. Snow shovels? (Why did we ever move those from IL?)
And now I’m enjoying my nice clean, cool workshop again.
I don’t know why I let it get so bad– and then I tell Madison to keep her room clean. Since she’s been working with me this summer, she’s brought it up PLENTY. Trying to keep it clean now so I don’t have to walk the hall of shame ever again!
Kristi says
YAY!!!! Although the before picture looked even better than when we walked through in March 😉 I’m like you–I keep things that I might find a use for someday and lumber/wood is expensive and when you have such large pieces of scrap it’s ridiculous to throw it out (Hi, My name is Kristi and I am your enabler lol)
Looks great and yay for AC!!
Mrs Major Hoff (Sara) says
Ohhhh! I need to get motivated to clean too. I hope you do a tutorial on the storage racks. That would be sweet! I should take a pic of my garage to make you feel so much better.
Jen Marrs says
Clean Schmean… who wants to do that when we can just keep making/baking and creating!? Right? Wow chick, you had some serious piles up in there! Glad you got it all cleaned out… now you are free.. run like the wind bullseye! {what movie is that from?} — Miss your face lady! XO Jen
Adrienne says
So now you know what you really have and I am looking forward to what you are going to make with it all!! And what a beautiful view from your tent!!
Kathleen says
Ha! This made me LOL. I’m not a hoarder at all of regular stuff. I purge all the time. But when it comes to wood I have a hard time getting rid of it. I don’t have an awesome space like you do. I need a workshop so bad before I’m too old to do anything.
kristin says
Ha ha so glad to know I’m not alone 🙂 I love seeing reality pictures, thank you .
XO
Kristin
Ronda Batchelor says
I’m glad I’m not the only one with stacks of wood!!!
Beth @ Sawdust & Embryos says
Ahhh! This makes me feel so much better about our ‘garage of shame’. I think it’s the Curse of the DIYer to SWEAR ‘I’ll use this someday!’
Jacque says
I’m dying for a wood rack too. I am trying to convince Matt that since our garage is 1.5 stories tall we should have all the wood suspended over the garage on pallets we can raise and lower with a pulley system. I personally think it’s brilliant, he thinks it sounds like a lot of work … Chicken!
Jake's a Girl says
Do we all have a hall of shame? I think so. Mine is the pig trail that leads from my car in the garage to the door. eek! I’m usually shoveing stuff out of the way just to bring in the bags from the market. Push and shove and kick. haha. And don’t even get me started on the bonus room over the garage.
I do have to say though…At least you have an excuse to have a hall of shame. You are working and i’m doing nothing. 😉
Eileen says
Loved that post. While our house is being renovated by my husband and while we are living in it, I need more space, too. My husband is a really good contractor and had a fit when I splattered a few teensy drops of paint from a project on my newly finished library floor. I have no place to work until my studio(yaa) is finished(now it looks like your before pic) so we are planning to set up a tent outside for me. You’re right, it’s hot and muggy painting outside so I understand your post so much. It gave me a real chuckle.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
My shop looks like that at times. I keep far too much stuff, “just in case” and really have to get to being honest about what I will actually use in the next couple of years.
lara thomas says
I can so relate…but not on the same scale.