A garage is a great bonus for any homeowner and makes a great selling point to a potential buyer. But garages often go unused or not used to their full potential.
Did you know that almost one in four Americans say they can’t fit their car in their garage because of clutter?
It’s easy for a garage to turn into a messy space where you throw things you don’t want in your house. But there is so much you can do with your garage space other than a place for your car and disorganized storage.
If you’re looking for garage storage solutions, this is the article for you. Whether you’re up for a larger home improvement project to convert your garage into a whole new space, or you want a quick DIY hack like creating a garage storage wall, read on.
In San Diego, we real estate agents frequently see garages that aren’t being used to their full potential. Once you declutter your garage space and use one of these great ideas to convert your garage, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to get organized!
1. Make a Mudroom
Convert your garage into a mudroom, and create the perfect solution to muddy shoes in your foyer and dirt tracked through your house.
Add some racks for shoes and hooks for coats. Opt for boot trays or easily washable mats so clean up is as quick and easy as possible. It’s a good idea to have a bin or other localized place to put umbrellas.
If you have space, a drying rack for wet coats, hats, and umbrellas is a great addition to any mudroom. And a laundry hamper right by the door will save you (or your kids) from dripping rainwater or mud through your house.
Source: https://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2012/09/garage-mudroom-makeover-for-real-family.html
2. Add Vertical Storage Options
Another easy and practical way to up your garage game is with vertical storage. This can be as simple as installing racks or hooks on the wall.
With racks, you can stack larger bins to store shoes, seasonal outerwear like warm jackets and raincoats, sports equipment, and more. And hooks can help organize bulkier items like hockey nets and bikes.
For smaller items, try storing totes vertically and labeling them. This helps everyone organize their items easily, so they can be retrieved quickly.
3. Install Cabinets
Garage renovations can be as easy or complex as you like. If you need more than just hooks and racks, or if you’re up for a bigger home improvement challenge, consider installing cabinets.
If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you probably have a lot of Christmas and Halloween decorations, family knick-knacks, gardening supplies, and more that you don’t want to throw out, but you don’t use that frequently.
Sometimes racks just aren’t enough to store all your belongings, or you prefer the aesthetics of a cabinet. Installing cabinets will expand your storage options and give your garage a more polished look.
And an upgraded garage with cabinets will add to your resale value if you choose to sell your home in the future.
4. Use a Garage Storage Wall for Tools
Tools and toolboxes often get tossed into your garage and forgotten about until you need them. But if you’ve invested in good tools or use them frequently, it’s a great idea to add a tool area to your garage to keep everything organized.
This will help protect your tools, make them more easily accessible, and it’s great if you try the next tip on this list. If you have a lot of tools, creating a storage wall will help you visually organize all your supplies.
Like most of these tips, you can make a tool wall simple or complex. Use small labeled bins or racks secured to the wall for larger items. Or go as far as building a tool cabinet with pegboard backing to keep commonly used items readily accessible and right where you can see them.
Source: https://www.remodelaholic.com/build-pegboard-tool-cabinet-organizer-workbench/
Keep smaller items like nuts and bolts in clear mason jars. And if you have an outlet nearby, you can set up a battery recharging station.
It’s up to you how complicated you make your tool storage, but your garage is an excellent place to get your tools organized.
5. Turn Your Garage Into a Workshop
If you’re excited to create a space for all your tools, consider taking it one step further and converting your garage into a workshop. Not only will all your tools be where you need them, but this will also help keep messy projects out of your home or yard.
Your garage is a great place to paint, saw, and change oil filters safely and with no worry about the mess. Not everyone has the space or the necessary requirements to do this, so if you’re interested in converting your garage into a workshop, consider these factors:
- Do you have enough space?
- Do you have a power source?
- Do you have adequate ventilation?
- Will it be warm or cool enough in summer and winter?
If you answered yes to these questions, your garage is a great place to start your very own workshop.
6. Create a Safe Playspace
If you have children, your garage can be a great place for an indoor play space. A playspace in the garage means less mess in the house, and a fun, supervised area for your children to use.
How big this project is will depend on the state of your garage. You may need to put up drywall or put down flooring to make this a safe space for a children’s playroom. And, of course, make sure to cover sharp edges and remove any tools or other dangerous items you may have stored in your garage.
A garage is the perfect place to put large children’s playthings like that trampoline they’ve always wanted, or you can consider creating a fun ball pit with an inflatable wading pool and some balls!
For kids who love sports, a hockey net or a basketball hoop is a good addition. For the artistic types, set up a bookshelf, a cozy chair, and an easel. This is a terrific place for kids to play with paint and clay without worrying too much about the mess.
And you can get creative by adding some color, painting the walls, and making the space fun, colorful, and kid-friendly.
Source: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/diy-playroom-247769
It’s a good idea to set up a grownup’s area too. You’ll probably be spending a lot of time supervising, so make sure there’s a comfortable place for you to sit or a desk for you to work at off to the side.
7. Make a Home Gym
If you like working out, but you don’t always have time to get to the gym, a gym in your garage is the perfect solution.
A home gym doesn’t have to have large, expensive workout equipment. (Although it can if you have a power source and want to invest in some professional quality equipment).
You can also make your garage a tranquil space for a yoga room. Or opt for weights and a weight rack.
Don’t forget to decorate your home gym to your taste. Some plants and candles go great in a yoga room. Or maybe you want to add some posters and motivational quotes for your weight lifting sessions. And a mirror or a wall of mirrors is always a good addition to a workout space.
Convert Your Garage
Getting creative with extra garage space is a great way to add that gym you’ve always wanted, or the workshop of your dreams, or to give the kids a fun and safe place to play. And, if you choose to sell your home in the future, it’s a great attraction for potential buyers and can increase the value of your home.
Mike Myers specializes in increasing the value of properties for sale, ensuring sellers get the most money possible for their house. Mike’s goal is to ensure complete customer satisfaction with an unmatched level of personal dedication and truly tailored service that goes well beyond the closing date. Like Micah:
“Mike worked with us for over a year while we decided exactly what it was that we were looking for. Mike was extremely patient and professional throughout the whole process. Even after the transaction finished, Mike continues following up and checking in. Anyone who chooses Mike as their realtor will be extremely pleased with his level of service and attention to detail.”
- Micah G
If you’re thinking of selling or buying real estate in the San Diego area, contact Mike Myers today!
