When you become a homeowner, garages become more important than you ever realized they would.
Whether you want to use your garage for parking, storage, or entertainment, it likely needs an upgrade. Around 25% of people in the United States can’t use their garages the way they want because of clutter. If you want to make better use of your space, there are a few strategies that can help.
Continue reading to discover the most important steps to renovating a garage you’ll love!
Resurface Your Floors
One of the best tips for renovating a garage is to resurface your floors.
Most garage floors are concrete, and if it’s been some time, they’re likely stained and dirty. Epoxy coating, tiles, and other types of flooring help make your garage look better and become a more useful space. If you paint or epoxy the floors, you can get away without spending much money.
Make sure you consider the benefits of each flooring. For example, if you live in a cold climate, you have to add textured chips to the mixture to prevent slipping. Once you decide on the most suitable flooring, you can select your color and design!
Draft Your Plans
If you’re remodeling a garage, you need to have a general idea of what you want to do.
Starting your project without any plans could prevent you from making positive improvements. Make a list of the essential items you want to store in the garage. Grab another sheet of paper to draw your garage and start plotting out where you want everything to go.
It helps to take measurements, but you can focus on the details after you get your first thoughts on the paper. Draw a space where you can park vehicles, place lawn equipment, and build a workbench.
Once you start putting items in their new homes, you may have to make some adjustments. Decluttering can help you make the most of your space.
Set a Budget
Garage renovations may not be as costly as kitchen renovations, but you should still have a budget.
To prevent yourself from going into debt, calculate how much money you can put toward your garage. If you don’t have a lot of money, you may have to do some DIY projects or focus on the most important things. It may take time to get to your final vision, but when you follow your budget you don’t have to stress about bills.
Depending on the time of year, you can find contractors to help with your renovation for a discounted price. The more options you discover, the easier it’ll be to stay within budget.
Upgrade Your Doors
Do you have guests over often and run out of space in the house?
The garage can become a multi-purpose space if you renovate it with purpose. Check your garage door installation options and try to find doors that accommodate your lifestyle. Screened-in doors can keep critters and bugs away and you don’t have to worry about standing in the rain.
If you live somewhere with extreme weather, heavy-duty doors are best. Although it’s tempting to order doors based on their appearance, you can save money by getting others. Cheaper doors are often more durable.
Depending on the style you choose, you can get pull-down doors or automatic ones that come with a remote.
Spend Time Organizing Items
Many people make the mistake of tossing items in the garage without any intention.
While you’re pulling items out to declutter and clean, try to put them in piles. Items that go together should stay together once they are back in the garage. Not only will organizing help you create more space, but it will also keep things cleaner in the long run.
Shelves, hooks, and cabinets can help you become more efficient and never misplace an item again. If you can’t find any organization inspiration online, you can consult with professional organizers in your area.
Throw away broken items and trash, you should recycle whatever materials your trash company will accept. After you get rid of the clutter, you can more easily design your new garage.
Build a Loft
If your home isn’t large enough and you need another space for working or leisure, a loft is a perfect space.
You can hire a contractor to build a room above your garage. This will help you better use the property you’re paying for. If you decide to build a loft, don’t forget to insulate the walls and take measures to keep things cool in the summer.
Lofts can double your storage space and if you invest in it enough, you can turn it into a bedroom. To make the loft more comfortable, you can put windows in the walls to let in the fresh air.
Build a Bench or Bar
Whether you imagine your garage becoming a hangout space or workspace, you can turn it into a reality.
Some people choose 2 corners to build a workbench and relaxation spot. Think about why you want to do garage renovations and make a wishlist. You can use your list to transform your garage.
Have You Started Renovating a Garage?
Renovating a garage doesn’t have to cost you your entire savings.
Depending on how you handle your project, you can make significant changes for a minimal price. Painting the floors and organizing can help your family live comfortably and you don’t have to sell the home. You can adapt your garage to make the most of it and eventually it could become a selling point.
If you want to learn more about designing a garage and home improvement projects, check out our site for the latest content!