10 Tips To Transform Your Garage From Blah To Boo-Yah!

Posted Oct 12, 2018

Your garage is a space you use multiple times a day but somehow is always the last space we work on when transforming our homes. Instead of treating is as a dumping ground for tools, toys, boxes, and the rest of that junk you can’t seem to find a place for inside or bring to Goodwill, these tips can help you make the most out of this often overcrowded and underused space. Built-ins, pegboards, slat walls, flooring, and other upgrades can help you eliminate clutter, keep your garage tidy, and transform it from an eye-soar to I want more!

1. Add some shoe storage.

The garage door is the main entrance in many homes. If shoes aren’t allowed in your house because of all the dirty and mud they track in, especially during winter, this is a great way to stop the pileup of shoes outside your main door. A shoe organizer — whether built in or store bought — can instantly clear the floor and keep it looking clean and tidy.

Traditional Garage by JOHN RICHARDS HOMES, Advantz Co.

2. Don’t forget the floors.

The garage is where we park our cars and roll in the lawn mower. It’s where we store household chemicals and paint. It’s where we do all those projects that are too messy for the house. The end result? A dirty, stained, and damaged floor. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Our one-day garage floors is a revitalization treatment for concrete surfaces in need of a face-lift. It doesn’t just restore your concrete; the Chip System creates an entire new surface that will protect it from the elements and enhance the overall look.

One-day Garage Floors by Karen’s Company

3. Create an entryway.

If you home doesn’t have the space for an entryway off the garage, create one! An extra-long bench next to a garage door will help define the space and keeps outdoor gear tidy. Hooks, cubbies and a cozy seat make it easy for kids to remember to take off their shoes coats, caps, and gloves before coming inside the house.

If you don’t have the time or budget for a custom bench, define the space with a coat of paint! Garages are often painted once, and then never touched again… a pop of color can define the space and breath a little life into an otherwise boring canvas.

Contemporary Garage by Espace Garage Plus inc.

4. Build a slat wall.

Retail stores know how to maximize space to get more products in the same amount of floor space. Take one out of their book and add a slat wall for additional storage. These walls keep things off the floor but within reach. Different hooks and shelves fit into the horizontal slats, making for a customized storage center with minimal effort. The right hook can hold anything from skis to toys to lawn chairs so you can change them as your storage needs change throughout the year.

Contemporary Garage by transFORM Home

5. Add a loft.

It’s all about cubic square feet here. If your garage has high ceiling, utilize the space by adding a usable space. Consider a loft for storage, as in this garage. This loft almost acts like an attic, with a low-clearance ceiling height and retractable ladder. The railing ventilates the space and cut down on building costs. On another note take a look at how the finished floor completes the space.

Contemporary Garage by Custom Storage Solutions LLC

6. Overhead storage.

Building off the loft idea, (which can take up more time and money to fully convert) overhead storage units are the next best thing. Suspended shelving just above the garage doors provides out-of-the-way storage space without a remodel. Use these shelves to store items you rarely need to access — like holiday decorations or seasonal items.

Contemporary Garage by Flow Wall System

7. Add some commercial cabinetry.

You don’t need built in storage to stay organized. Cabinets, drawers and shelves from your local organization or home goods store can help you clear clutter without the extra cost. Look for storage that stands on legs to avoid potential water issues. If you are of the “out of sight, out of mind” school, closed storage might be best for you. If not, then go for open shelves and labeled bins. For kids’ items and sports equipment, open shelving is almost always the answer. However, you may want to ditch the lid because if there’s a barrier, it seems to keep them from putting things away.

Traditional Shed by Closets To Go

8. Utilize pegboards.

There’s a reason the pegboard hasn’t gone out of style — it’s simple, affordable and incredibly effective. With the right pegs to fit into the holes, a pegboard can hold just about any tool or material for your garage workspace. The adjustability of pegboard is also a huge plus. Adjustable units are more important in a garage than elsewhere. We may not change the way we use our pantry much, but what we use in the garage varies from year to year and season to season.

Contemporary Shed by Arizona Garage & Closet Design

9. Go with built-in cabinetry.

Built-in cabinetry is a budget buster, but it's worth it if you have the funds. The wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in this garage make it easy to keep everything tidy. It's the most expensive but most beautiful way to keep a garage organized. If you already have built ins but need to update the look, custom cabinet painting can save you big bucks in the end.

10. Expand your home’s footprint.

If you want to expand your home’s footprint but cannot add to it, look to the garage. Weigh the extra living space versus just how much yours cars home and storage space is utilized. Then, shake the thought of those bad garage conversions where the driveway goes right up to some awkward windows and doors that clearly used to be a garage opening. A well planned conversion can trick even a trained eye into not realizing the space used to be a garage. See if any of these remarkable transformations inspire you to leave your car parked on the street. https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2767621/list/6-incredible-garage-conversions

Source: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15222074/list/8-clutter-busting-garage-storage-solutions