Planning a Garage Makeover? Here are 5 Tips to Bear in Mind Before You Start
The garage is typically one of the most neglected spaces in a home. It is used as a space to park your car and stow away items. Therefore, many homeowners let their garage rot away. Keeping your garage in good shape is important. It increases the value of your house, protects your car, and helps you stay organized. A planned garage is a space you can use for more than just a parking and storage space. It has the potential to be an additional workspace for you.
But how do you get more out of your garage? A makeover of course. We have five tips that anyone looking for a garage renovation should bear in mind before they start. These tips will help you make the most of the space.
Plan everything out
Before you start the renovation, you need to have an idea of what you want to do. For that, you need to ask yourself, what is the purpose of the space? Will you use the space as a workspace, storage space, car parking, or a bit of everything? Deciding on the concept of the space will give you an idea of the remodeling process. You can decide what items you need in your garage and how to lay them out. For example, if the garage is going to primarily serve as a space to park your car and store items, you need to make sure the garage door functions and you have plenty of storage space. The first thing you need to do is get new garage doors. Then, buy shelves to fit into the garage. By asking yourself about the purpose of the space, you essentially plan out what you need and what the layout of the garage will be.
Think beyond now
The garage is a space you won’t remodel often. So, you want to do it right the first time around. The space is only useful if you think beyond now and plan it out. We’ve mentioned it is a multi-purpose space, so plan it like that. You may think the only purpose of the garage is to park your car, for now. But, as you remodel, consider adding shelves or a workbench. You never know when you may need to use the space for other purposes. You don’t have to go all out and spend heavily on the add-ons. Add a few shelves for box storage and a small workbench. This will allow you to ensure the garage is multi-purpose. You may not immediately need the additional storage space or workbench. But you never know what the future holds.
Choose your floor wisely
There are tons of floor options you can go with for your garage. The most popular of them are polished concrete, epoxy, and rubber tiles. But, you want to pick one based on the purpose of the garage. Rubber tiles aren’t the best option if you use the garage to park cars. They pick up dirt quickly and look messy, if not cleaned. Epoxy and polished concrete are suitable for that. However, rubber is preferred by many homeowners for garages that serve as a workspace. It provides stability, added cushioning, and withstands climate conditions. This means you’ll want to figure out the purpose of the space and pick a flooring option accordingly. But, you can never go wrong with either epoxy or polished concrete. Both are durable and useful in garages.
The more light, the better
Think of the garage as an additional room in your home. You want enough lighting in it so you can work, look through storage boxes, and easily get from your car to your home entrance. Even if you are on a limited budget, lighting is important. You can look at LED lights that are budget-friendly, long-lasting, and fluorescent. The last thing you want is to leave the garage dim-lit, making it useless in the evening.
Stick to your budget
Sticking to a budget is typically the toughest thing to do when it comes to makeovers. It is easy to get carried away and spend a lot of money on remodeling a garage. There is so much out there from shelving, flooring, to double garage doors. All of that can drive your costs up to $15,000. Therefore, have a set budget at the start and keep that in mind as you plan the makeover. The budget should be your secondary driving force in the process. The purpose should be first.
Final thoughts
Following the tips mentioned above will have you ready for a garage remodel. Keep in mind that it is a process. You can’t do the makeover overnight: it will take a lot of time and effort. Also, don’t take on the job unless you have time on your hand. The garage will likely be rendered useless during renovation. The last thing you want to do is go without a garage for months. After all, it is a useful space, if used wisely. Our tips will help you turn your garage into one of the most functional spaces in your home.
About the author
This article is provided by Ran Kroynish who is an experienced handyman who’s been working for Elite Garage Door Of Tacoma for 10 years. When he’s not fixing garage doors, he likes to share his repairment ideas and knowledge with others.