Is your cluttered garage giving off hoarder vibes?
If the answer is yes, you’re probably one of 25% of Americans that are too embarrassed to leave their garage door open. A hefty facelift can finally take “clean the garage” off your growing to-do list.
By properly storing your yard and seasonal items, you free up your car-port to be a space you actually use.
Keep reading to discover some must-so tips for a successful garage makeover.
Assess Your Needs
First things first, to have the garage of your dreams you’ll need to write down exactly what your needs are. Garages quickly turn into catchall spaces. What are you planning to do with your garage? What do you need the space to be available for?
When you know your needs, make a wish list and price the items on it. The cost of these items will let you know whether you can do the makeover in a weekend or if you need to spread it over a few weeks.
Spruce Up the Floor
Changing the flooring will have the most dramatic effect on the appearance of your garage. Overnight, it’ll go from a cold concrete box to a fancy showroom. Options for refinishing the space depend on what you intend to do with it.
One option is to cover the floor with paint or epoxy. Paint is a great and inexpensive option to cover floors. You’ll want to get paint that is formulated for garage floors. Epoxy is similar to paint but will give you longer lasting results.
Before you coat the floor, the concrete will have to be prepped to prevent cracking and peeling. You can rent a floor sander to get the job done. To avoid having to do it again in another year or two, a hire professional. A professional can cover the floor with higher quality products similar to those found in airport hangers.
Another solution is to install tiles or mats over your garage floor. These range from plastic, to rubber, to wood. You can order customized tiles or mats online.
Paint the Walls
Another way to drastically change the look of your garage is to paint the walls. Most garages stay the off-white color the contractor slaps on to cover the drywall. To spruce it up, choose a coating that is inviting but durable to wear and tear.
Gloss and Semi-gloss paint are the easiest clean because of their shiny finish. Matte and satin finishes aren’t as easy to clean but look nice. Consider these for low-traffic areas.
Declutter Like a Mad Man
Many people hold onto things they no longer need. If this sounds like you, your stuff could probably use a good purge. Slash through those old boxes and sell or donate the things that you can’t find an immediate use for.
Old photos are nice, but they don’t do any good in a box in the garage. The same goes for old clothes, books, and toys. Getting rid of these items will free up your space and your storage budget.
Give Everything a Home
This is the essence of all organization. If things have a home, they are easier to find. And when things are easier to find, they will actually be put to use.
Hang bicycles from ceiling hooks. Install shelving units with bins for seasonal items and small outdoor items. Try garage cabinets for a neater appearance than open shelving. They are also a great option if you use your garage as a workshop, , or an exercise room.
Design for Growth
Garages tend to collect more random things the longer you live in your home. This can undo even the greatest of remodeling efforts. To save the trouble having to redo your makeover, plan for growth.
Install slat walls to add more hooks and baskets as you need them. Slat walls are the stylish cousin to peg-boards. You can slide things left and right without taking it all down.
Flexible units are also a good idea. Install shelves and work surfaces that fold away. These allow your space to be multi-functional without taking up too much real estate.
Nail Your Garage Makeover
The biggest differences in your garage makeover will come from changing the flooring and walls. After that, it’s organization for the win. To save money, consider finding a store that is shutting down. They often carry industrial quality slat walls, shelves, and peg boards you can repurpose for your needs.
As always, do your research. Better workmanship and materials will lead to longer lasting results.
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